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Wizz Air UK Seeks US Flights with Airbus A321XLR for Transatlantic Expansion

Boats and Planes

Business Honor
27 January, 2026

The low-cost carrier applies to the US Department of Transportation for charter and future scheduled flights from London Gatwick to major US cities.

Wizz Air UK submitted an application to the US Department of Transportation in January 2026 to operate flights between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking a possible move to operate transatlantic routes. The airline will employ its Airbus A321XLR aircraft to operate initial passenger charter flights, targeting London Gatwick and major US cities like New York JFK, indicating a cautious entry into long-haul operations.

The airline has applied for a foreign air carrier permit and an exemption from the 2020 UK-US Open Skies Agreement, which permits airlines to operate without any restrictions on capacity, frequency, and fares. Wizz Air UK will initially operate charter flights to gauge demand, with a possible later addition of scheduled flights without further regulatory approvals. At present, the airline operates three A321XLRs in the UK, with two in operation and one undergoing repairs after a tail strike incident in September 2025. The rest of the Wizz Air network operates two more XLRs under Wizz Air Malta, which are currently used as engine donors.

WA Holdings Chairman William Franke added, “Our application shows Wizz Air UK’s commitment to carefully expanding into long-haul markets while keeping our ultra-low-cost business model intact.” Analysts from the aviation industry have pointed out that operating a low-cost transatlantic airline is not an easy feat, as evidenced by the failure of Norwegian, Primera, and PLAY Airlines in the past.

Wizz Air has always shied away from operating long-haul passenger flights, sticking to point-to-point networks within Europe. The recent diplomatic mission flight to Washington in 2023 showcased the A321XLR’s range, hinting at a possible reassessment of transatlantic strategy.

The deadline for responses to Wizz Air UK’s exemption application is 9 February, while comments on the permanent foreign air carrier permit are due on 13 February.