About easyJet
easyJet was founded in 1995 by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, starting life with two leased Boeing 737s flying Luton–Glasgow and Luton–Edinburgh for a famously cheap £29 one-way. The airline went public in 2000 and has grown to become Europe's second-largest low-cost carrier behind Ryanair, carrying around 90 million passengers a year.
Unlike the majority of its low-cost rivals, easyJet operates primarily from primary airports — Gatwick, Luton, Manchester and Edinburgh in the UK; Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, Milan Malpensa and Geneva on the Continent. This makes it a genuinely practical option for business travellers as well as holidaymakers, and gives the airline an unusually strong position at slot-constrained Gatwick.
easyJet is not part of any airline alliance. It has a loyalty programme (easyJet Plus) that is a paid annual membership rather than a traditional miles scheme — it offers speedy boarding, a dedicated bag drop and a free seat. The airline has no long-haul operation; its fleet is Airbus-only (A319, A320, A320neo and A321neo), and it has been an early mover on sustainability reporting despite pausing its carbon-offset programme in 2022.
Routes & UK hubs
easyJet has more UK bases than any other airline — a deliberate strategy to serve regional cities directly without forcing a London connection. Crucially, easyJet does not fly from Heathrow or Stansted for London — it uses Gatwick and Luton.
| UK base | Strength | Typical routes |
|---|---|---|
| London Gatwick (North) | easyJet's largest single base anywhere | Every major European capital + Mediterranean beach |
| London Luton | HQ airport + long-standing home base | Geneva, Amsterdam, Budapest, Krakow, Berlin, Malaga |
| Bristol | Top regional base — over 90 routes | Amsterdam, Barcelona, Faro, Palma, Tenerife, Dubrovnik |
| Manchester & Liverpool | North-west dual base | Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Geneva, Alicante, Malaga |
| Edinburgh & Glasgow | Scottish bases | London Gatwick shuttle, Geneva, Amsterdam, Palma, Faro |
| Belfast International, Birmingham | Secondary UK bases | Spain/Portugal leisure + selected city breaks |
Baggage allowance
easyJet's baggage rules tightened in 2021 when it reduced the free cabin bag size. The current policy is one of the strictest in Europe for hand luggage — but still more generous than Ryanair's free allowance.
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Small cabin bag (free on all fares) | 45 × 36 × 20 cm · must fit under the seat · no weight limit but 15kg "reasonable" |
| Large cabin bag (paid extra) | 56 × 45 × 25 cm · up to 15kg · guaranteed overhead locker space |
| easyJet Plus / Flexi / Up Front | Large cabin bag included free |
| Checked bag (paid extra) | 15kg / 23kg / 26kg tiers · price varies by route and timing |
| Gate fee if bag exceeds small-bag size | £48 per bag (airport-only — never pay this, pre-book) |
Check-in
Online check-in via the easyJet app or easyjet.com opens 30 days before departure (or as soon as you pay for seat selection) and closes 2 hours before. Airport bag drop desks typically close 40 minutes before departure. easyJet does not offer full airport check-in — you must either check in online or use an airport kiosk.
- Online/app: 30 days ahead — free if you've paid for allocated seats, otherwise from boarding pass release ~5 days out.
- Self-service kiosks: Available at most airports for those who haven't checked in online.
- Speedy Boarding: Included with easyJet Plus, Flexi, Up Front and Extra Legroom seats — separate queue + overhead locker guarantee.
Fleet
easyJet operates an all-Airbus fleet of around 340 aircraft — predominantly A320-family single-aisle jets. The breakdown is roughly 100 × A319 (being retired), 150 × A320/A320neo, and 90+ × A321neo (the largest single-aisle Airbus — used on high-demand routes like Gatwick-Geneva ski runs). New A320neo and A321neo deliveries are progressively replacing the older A319s. Aircraft are configured in a single-class layout with 180–235 seats depending on variant.
Cabin classes
On-time performance
easyJet's OTP (arrivals within 15 minutes) typically runs at 75–80% across the network. Slot constraints at Gatwick and summer ATC disruption across Europe drag the figure down in peak season. The airline generally outperforms Ryanair on long-sector routes but tends to trail Jet2 on pure punctuality.
Passenger reviews
Typical strengths: uses primary airports (you're not landing in the middle of nowhere), broadly honest pricing, generous small-bag allowance, decent cabin crew, and friendly app. Seats are 30-inch pitch — tight but standard for short-haul. Major European leisure dominance from Gatwick, Bristol and Edinburgh.
Typical criticisms: cabin bag size cut in 2021 has been a sore point; £48 gate-fee stings travellers who misjudge their bag; delayed-flight compensation processes slow compared to BA or Jet2; food is buy-on-board only and widely considered overpriced.
Aggregate score across Trustpilot, Skytrax and AirlineRatings: 7.4 / 10.
⚖️ easyJet flight delayed or cancelled?
UK261 applies to easyJet flights departing any UK airport, and EC261 to any flight departing an EU airport. Delays of 3+ hours or cancellations within 14 days of departure can mean up to £520 per passenger in compensation — if the airline is at fault.
Check my claim → Read the rules →easyJet FAQs
No. easyJet does not operate at Heathrow. Its London bases are Gatwick and Luton. For other London airports, easyJet uses neither Stansted nor London City. If you see an easyJet-branded fare from Heathrow, it'll be an error — double-check the airport code.
The free under-seat bag is 45 × 36 × 20 cm — about the size of a small backpack or a cabin-sized weekender. A standard wheeled suitcase (56 × 45 × 25 cm) is classed as a large cabin bag and costs extra to pre-book, or £48 at the gate. Measure your bag including wheels and handles.
At £237/year, easyJet Plus pays for itself if you fly 6+ easyJet return trips a year and would otherwise pay for Speedy Boarding and seat selection. It includes a free large cabin bag, free standard seat on every booking, Speedy Boarding, and a dedicated bag drop at most airports. Not worth it for occasional flyers.
No. easyJet's entire network is short- and medium-haul — maximum flight time is about 6 hours (UK to the Canary Islands or Egypt). It has no transatlantic or Asian operation and no plans to start one; the airline tried "easyJet Worldwide" connection partnerships but does not operate long-haul aircraft itself.
Buy-on-board only. Their "Bistro" menu covers sandwiches, hot pots, snacks and drinks — cash not accepted, card/contactless only. Prices are higher than high street: typically £4.50 for a tea and biscuit, £6–8 for a hot meal. Bring your own food if you want to save.
Free random seat allocation happens at online check-in. You're not guaranteed to sit with travel companions — book together to improve (but not guarantee) the chance. Pre-booked seats start at around £5 for a standard seat up to £30+ for Up Front or Extra Legroom.