Travel test

WHAT Wow Air ‘Biz’ class WHERE Gatwick to Pittsburgh via Reykjavik (flights WW811 and WW147) on an Airbus A321-200. Fares from €589 one way. wowair.co.uk

EXPERIENCE Flying to the US is becoming more affordable all the time, and Wow Air are one of a number of carriers offering the same sort of no-frills service that now dominates flights across Europe.

You’re getting a cheap flight because they cut back on many of the extras you take for granted on a transatlantic flight. So there’s no blanket, pillow or eye mask, like you get on other carriers. I rarely use the ones provided on the plane anyway, so it wasn’t a big deal for me.

One thing you do miss is the entertainment screens. If you want to watch a film or TV show onboard, make sure you’ve charged your ipad because otherwise it can be a very long flight.

The legroom on the plane was a little smaller than on other transatlantic flights I’ve taken, but it was comfortable enough. I’m 6ft 1in tall and easily fitted in the seat.

The first leg of the flight from Gatwick to Reykjavik was a little over three hours, with an hour and a half stopover in Iceland, before a six and a half hour flight on to Pittsburgh. Changing at Reykjavik is a breeze.

The stop-off in Iceland broke up the journey so it hardly felt like a long-haul trek, and I arrived in Pittsburgh far fresher than I have on direct flights to the US.

Standard economy tickets do not include food, so bring your own or buy it on the plane.

QUIBBLES My Wow Biz ticket included food and one drink on each leg, but it was hardly a filling meal.

The only options were a club sandwich, a microwaved cheese baguette or a microwaved pizza, all of which looked a bit sad.

VERDICT The cheap flight experience may not be for everyone, but if you’d rather spend more on your actual holiday than the journey, this is worth a look. A reasonable no-frills option, but be prepared for the lack of home comforts. 6/10