Smartwings will launch direct flights between Prague and Lisbon on October 23, replacing the route currently operated by easyJet. The Czech carrier will provide three weekly flights using a 189-seat Boeing 737-800, according to spokesperson Vladimíra Dufková. This move follows easyJet’s decision to cease operations on the route after October 21, leaving Smartwings and TAP Air Portugal as the primary competitors.
How does the competitive landscape for Prague-Lisbon flights change?
The exit of easyJet from the Prague-Lisbon market creates a shift in how budget-conscious travelers access Portugal. While easyJet previously offered two flights weekly, Smartwings is increasing that frequency to three, according to company data. TAP Air Portugal remains the primary legacy carrier on this path. Price competition remains tight: Smartwings lists its lowest return fare at 5,429 CZK, excluding checked luggage, while TAP Air Portugal offers comparable entry-level pricing starting at 5,243 CZK, as reported by Zdopravy.cz.
Smartwings is expanding its footprint in Portugal beyond Lisbon. The airline already serves Porto, Funchal on Madeira, and Ponta Delgada in the Azores, making it a significant player for travelers heading to the Iberian Peninsula from the Czech Republic.
What are the broader winter schedule trends for Smartwings?
Smartwings is scaling up its European network for the upcoming winter season, moving beyond seasonal-only models. The airline will transition its Prague-Nice route from a summer-only service to a year-round operation, flying three times per week, according to the company’s winter scheduling announcement. Additionally, the carrier is increasing flight frequencies to Porto, Bilbao, and Toulouse from two to three times per week. According to Michal Váňa, the airline’s commercial director, these adjustments respond to a documented rise in demand for popular European destinations.
How to maximize value when booking European flights
Travelers looking to book these new routes should pay close attention to fare “tariffs.” Smartwings utilizes a “LITE” tariff, which is the baseline price but excludes checked bags. Upgrading to a tariff that includes a checked suitcase increases the return ticket price to 7,129 CZK, a difference of roughly 1,700 CZK. Industry data shows this “unbundled” pricing model is now the standard for both low-cost carriers like the departing easyJet and legacy airlines like TAP, forcing passengers to calculate the total cost of their trip rather than relying on the advertised base fare.
Always check the baggage policy at the time of booking. If you are traveling for more than a weekend, the cost of adding a bag to a “Lite” fare often exceeds the price of a standard economy ticket that includes baggage allowance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does Smartwings start flying to Lisbon? The service begins on October 23, with flights scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- Why is easyJet leaving the Prague-Lisbon route? While easyJet has not issued a detailed public explanation, the airline is ending its service on this specific route on October 21.
- Will the flights to Nice be available all year? Yes, Smartwings confirmed that the route to Nice, previously seasonal, will now operate year-round with three flights per week.
- How many destinations will Smartwings serve this winter? The airline plans to operate direct flights from its hubs in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to 39 total destinations.
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