Wizz Air has been named the second-best airline in Central Europe at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, as the low-cost carrier continues to expand its network and invest in the passenger experience.
Often referred to as the “Oscars of the aviation industry,” the Skytrax awards are based on an independent global passenger satisfaction survey. Airlines do not pay to enter, with the rankings intended to reflect travellers’ experiences directly.
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A Growing Network And A Focus On Customers
Wizz Air said the award reflects the work of more than 10,000 employees across its pilot, cabin crew, operational and office teams, representing more than 100 nationalities.
Chief Commercial Officer Ian Malin credited employees and passengers for the recognition, saying customer feedback continues to shape the airline’s efforts to improve its service while keeping air travel affordable.
Today, Wizz Air operates more than 1,000 routes across almost 50 countries with a fleet of 273 aircraft. In 2025, it carried 68.6 million passengers and operated nearly 335,000 scheduled flights.
€14 Billion Plan Targets The Passenger Experience
The Skytrax recognition comes as Wizz Air rolls out its €14 billion Customer First Compass programme, a three-year transformation plan covering product, pricing, service and communication.
The initiative aims to improve operational reliability, expand digital and self-service tools, introduce new products and strengthen support throughout the customer journey.
After the first year, Wizz Air reported a 99.5% average flight completion rate, while expanding its fleet and launching more than 345 new routes. New services include WIZZ Class, WIZZ Link and Disruption Assistance, alongside improvements to the MyJourney feature in the airline’s mobile app.
Cyprus Becomes Part Of The Expansion Strategy
Wizz Air’s growth is also visible in Cyprus, where the airline continues to expand its network from Larnaca and strengthen connections with major European destinations.
The carrier now serves almost 40 destinations from Larnaca and has increased frequencies to Barcelona, Thessaloniki and Yerevan. Its Athens service has also returned with two daily flights.
A new Larnaca-Madrid route launched three times a week on September 24, further strengthening connections between Cyprus and Spain. Wizz Air also added 57,500 seats from Larnaca for August and September in response to passenger demand.
Investing In The Next Generation Of Pilots
Wizz Air is also expanding its presence in Cyprus through its Pilot Academy. A recent open day in Nicosia attracted dozens of prospective candidates, with successful applicants expected to begin training in October.
For the airline, developing its workforce is part of the broader growth strategy, alongside network expansion and investment in customer service.
The Skytrax result adds another measure of recognition to that strategy, highlighting passenger satisfaction as Wizz Air continues to grow its network while competing on some of Europe’s lowest fares.
