What you've heard is true: $199 flights from California to Europe are now a reality. Well, sort of.
That $199 price tag that set social media ablaze this week covers the departing flight, not the cost of the roundtrip airfare. And like other budget European airlines, the Iceland-based WOW Air charges passengers extra fees for carry on and checked luggage, reserving seats and other services.
Still, excitement over the airline's low fares has persisted since it announced its expansion into California in November, touting $99 flights from San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport to Iceland. WOW Air will also offer service from Europe to LAX four days a week, and to SFO five days a week, beginning this summer.
As of Wednesday, flights at the $199 price point were available from LAX and SFO to Berlin, Paris, Frankfurt and Reykjavik for certain dates through the end of 2016. Flights to the same destinations from Boston and Washington, D.C. are also offered for as low as $99.
In celebration of its new service in California, WOW Air was running a ticket giveaway contest on Snapchat and Twitter using the hashtag #WowInCali, and the company's Snapchat story included shots of CEO Skúli Mogensen and flight attendants promoting the airline at iconic California locales, including the Santa Monica Pier and the Hollywood Sign.
Today's winners are @taylorlens on Instagram and @sindrifg. Add wow-air on Snapchat, you might win. #wowincali pic.twitter.com/Jc1sSsOhUA
— WOW air (@wow_air) January 12, 2016
Showing San Fran how to breakdance. First Snapchat ticket winners announced today! #wowincali #flysfo pic.twitter.com/iiOQMJhBfH
— WOW air (@wow_air) January 11, 2016
You may not win the lottery tomorrow but you can still afford a $99 trip to Iceland! #wowincali @wow_air pic.twitter.com/tS29z10p5e
— Kevin Barta (@Kevin_Barta) January 13, 2016
It's safe to say the airlines' new stateside fans were loving the enthusiasm.
they make snapchat a better place. #wowincali pic.twitter.com/w0pGFqcnpb— kylie(@KylieM_TX) January 13, 2016
I can't get over the fact this cabin crew just break danced in uniform infront of a crowd! Ha! #wowincali @wow_air pic.twitter.com/49E8oMfuAv— Ricky Vann (@rickyvann) January 11, 2016
Love me some @wow_air . Great airline, plus they post fun and hilarious snaps on snapchat. #wowincali pic.twitter.com/1yf53lTgwo— Chrys10 (@chrysten14) January 10, 2016