WIZZ AIR BRANDED A DISASTER FOR TRAVELLERS WITH BAGGAGE SCAM

Hungarian-owned airline Wizz Air has come under fire from European travellers, who have branded the airline a "disaster" due to its handling of baggage fees. A group of passengers, including three women, one man, and two young children, recounted their harrowing experience with the airline, accusing it of using deceptive practices to charge extra fees. 

The family, who were left stranded at Budapest Airport, spoke to Global247news about their ordeal. According to the head of the family, Wizz Air staff allegedly targeted them with false baggage fee demands, even after they had already paid for their luggage or were carrying undersized bags that did not require additional payment.

Wizzair Claim Bag Is Oversized At Departure And Hold Customers To Ransom

"We were basically held to ransom at the departure gate," the family member said. "Even if you know you're correct, they threaten to not let you on the flight unless you pay again. It’s a blatant scam to make more money."

The passengers described the experience as deeply frustrating, noting that there was no way to communicate directly with Wizz Air staff. The airline, they said, has no service desk at the airport and only offers customer service through a premium-rate phone line, which costs £1.50 per minute. After spending hours on hold, the family eventually gave up, adding that the airline's social media channels were also ineffective, as they were bombarded with scam messages from people pretending to be Wizz Air representatives.

After deciding not to pay the additional fees, the family was forced to spend another night in Budapest and rebooked their flights with Ryanair at a cost of over £1,200. The head of the family praised Ryanair for its professionalism and transparency, noting that the check-in process was smooth and staff were helpful, particularly after hearing about the previous day’s events.

Flying Today With The Professionals - RYANAIR

"Ryanair has been the complete opposite of Wizz Air. Even though it was a last-minute booking and more expensive, the staff were helpful and double-checked everything to make sure we wouldn’t face the same issues," the family member said.

The family also claimed they witnessed Wizz Air repeating the same tactics with other passengers at Budapest Airport, urging travelers to be cautious and aware of potential scams.

The incident has left a bitter taste for the passengers, who warn others about what they see as predatory practices by Wizz Air, urging people to think twice before booking with the airline.