Is Wizz Air UK Eying U.S. A321XLR Charters?

‍LUTON — Wizz Air UK (W9) has filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for authority to operate UK–U.S. charter flights, with an option to pivot into scheduled service later. 

The filing was covered by aviacionline.com, thought the outlet states the document was filed by law firm Holland & Night, ithe report does not include a docket (typically an OST “docket” entry) or at least a Regulations.gov listing/Federal Register notice / DOT order. This means there’s no way to confirm the filing.

If true, W9’s move targets the U.S. market under the U.S.–UK “open skies” framework that governs bilateral air-service rights after Brexit. The carrier told regulators it wants both an exemption and a foreign air carrier permit—two separate layers of economic authority the DOT uses for foreign airlines entering the U.S. market.

When and where: The filing surfaced in late January 2026, and it focuses on passenger (and related) flying between the United Kingdom and the United States. 

Why it matters: W9 frames the A321XLR as the enabling aircraft for an ultra-low-cost transatlantic play, listing a 21-strong A321 fleet that includes A321XLR-designated units.

Ownership and control also sit at the center of the application The report says the filing highlights board chair Bill Franke’s U.S. citizenship as part of its argument on DOT ownership/control requirements. That angle falls within a regulatory context in which DOT previously rejected a Wizz-related U.S. authority bid in 2022 (cargo-focused) over oversight concerns—making this new attempt one to watch.

Given the timeframe, the public comment windows would run into early February 2026, with separate deadlines tied to the exemption request and the longer-duration permit request.