British Airways vs Wizz Air
Side-by-side comparison of British Airways and Wizz Air: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
United Kingdom
Hungary| British Airways | Wizz Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom | Hungary |
| Founded | 1974 | 2003 |
| Type | Full-service airline | Low-cost carrier |
| Alliance | oneworld | - |
| Main hubs | Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport | Henri Coandă International Airport, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport |
| Aircraft types | 10 | 5 |
| Cabin bag weight | 23 kg (51 lb) | 10 kg (22 lb) |
| Cabin bag size | 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in) | 40 × 30 × 20 cm (16 × 12 × 8 in) |
| Checked bag (Economy) | 1 piece · 23 kg (51 lb) | not included (from 14 EUR (≈ 16.3 USD)) |
| First checked bag fee | from 45 GBP (≈ 61 USD) | from 14 EUR (≈ 16.3 USD) |
| Extra bag fee | from 45 GBP (≈ 61 USD) | - |
| Online check-in opens | 24 h | 30 days |
| Online check-in closes | 1 h | 3 h |
| Airport check-in fee | free | from 30 EUR (≈ 35 USD) |
| Customer service phone | +44 20 8738 5050 | +36 1 777 9300 |
Key differences
- British Airways allows a heavier cabin bag: 23 kg (51 lb) vs 10 kg (22 lb) at Wizz Air.
- Wizz Air opens online check-in earlier (30 days before departure vs 24 h).
- British Airways lets you check in online closer to departure (1 h vs 3 h).
- Wizz Air is a low-cost carrier: expect a cheaper base fare with bags, seats and airport check-in sold separately, while British Airways bundles more into the ticket.
- British Airways is a oneworld member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
Other comparisons
Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.