About Jet2.com
Jet2.com started life in 1983 as Channel Express, a Bournemouth-based cargo airline flying flowers from Jersey to the UK mainland. In 2002 the business rebranded and launched scheduled passenger service from its Leeds Bradford home base in 2003. Today it's Britain's third-largest airline by passenger numbers and the UK's largest tour operator when combined with its package-holiday arm.
The airline is owned by Jet2 plc (AIM-listed) with the Meeson family still heavily involved. Its crucial differentiator is Jet2holidays — the sister package-holiday business which accounts for over 60% of Jet2.com flight bookings. Buying a flight-plus-hotel package with Jet2holidays is both financially protected under ATOL and often cheaper than booking the components separately.
Jet2 has won the Which? Travel Brand of the Year award for seven years running and consistently tops UK airline customer satisfaction surveys. Unlike the pure low-cost operators, it offers a more generous free baggage allowance, in-flight refreshments, 22kg checked bag on package fares, and cabin crew known for a proper Yorkshire welcome.
Routes & UK bases
Jet2 operates from more UK airports than any other UK-headquartered airline. The route network is almost entirely leisure-focused: no transatlantic, no Asia, no corporate European city pairs — it's built around Mediterranean sun, Canaries winter-sun and eastern Mediterranean.
| UK base | Role | Typical destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds Bradford | Original base + HQ | Full Mediterranean + Canaries + New York (seasonal) |
| Manchester | Biggest by movements | All core leisure markets + Iceland + Croatia |
| London Stansted | London base | Mediterranean + Canaries + Croatia + Madeira |
| Birmingham, East Midlands | Midlands bases | Costa del Sol, Balearics, Canaries, Greek islands |
| Edinburgh, Glasgow | Scottish bases | Spain, Canaries, Greece, Italy, Turkey |
| Newcastle, Bristol, Belfast International | Regional bases | Canaries, Balearics, Turkey, Greek islands |
Baggage allowance
One of the most generous baggage policies in UK short-haul. Every fare includes a proper 10kg cabin bag with no size-cage drama.
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Cabin bag (free on all fares) | 56 × 45 × 25 cm · up to 10kg |
| Checked bag (package holiday) | 22kg included free |
| Checked bag (flight only) | From £9 for 22kg if booked online |
| Baby equipment | Pram + car seat both free |
| Overweight bag fee | £12 per kg over allowance |
Check-in
Online check-in is compulsory and opens 28 days before departure, closing 5 hours before. Jet2 does not offer free airport check-in desks — they're available for assistance only. Print your boarding pass or use the Jet2 app.
- Jet2 app or jet2.com: 28 days ahead — boarding pass available as PDF or in Apple Wallet.
- Bag drop: Opens 2.5 hours before departure, closes 40 minutes before.
- Airport check-in: Assistance only — no boarding pass issuance without the online check-in done.
Fleet
Jet2 operates a mixed fleet of around 130 aircraft — split between older Boeing 737-800s (phasing out), newer Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, and a large Airbus A321neo order that is now the backbone of the fleet's expansion. The A321neo is the dominant aircraft on new routes because of its range (ideal for the Canaries), fuel efficiency and large 232-seat configuration. Retired Boeing 757-200s were the last UK 757s in passenger service when phased out in 2023.
Cabin classes
On-time performance
Jet2 is the UK's most punctual major airline, typically hitting 88–92% OTP (arrivals within 15 minutes). Its leisure-route model — longer turnarounds, less congested UK regional airports, fleet standardisation — helps. Delays when they do happen tend to be cascading ATC disruption across southern Europe rather than Jet2-originated issues.
Passenger reviews
Typical strengths: friendly cabin crew (the "red team" is a genuine brand asset), free generous cabin bag, proper free seat selection from check-in, reliable on-time record, package-holiday bundle value, dedicated customer service team in Leeds (reachable by phone, a rarity in 2026), flight delays handled with vouchers and proactive communication.
Typical criticisms: fares can be higher than Ryanair/easyJet for the same route — the premium is real, particularly peak season; limited route network (no short city breaks to Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin etc.); occasional very early/late departures from regional bases to fit fleet utilisation.
Aggregate score across Trustpilot, Skytrax, Which? and AirlineRatings: 8.6 / 10.
⚖️ Jet2 flight delayed or cancelled?
Jet2 is subject to UK261 for UK-departing flights. Delays of 3+ hours or cancellations within 14 days of departure can mean up to £520 per passenger. Jet2 has one of the better-rated claims processes in the UK — most claims resolve within a few weeks via jet2.com's online form.
Check my claim → Read the rules →Jet2.com FAQs
Jet2 sits in the "leisure airline" category — cheaper than full-service BA but more generous than pure low-cost Ryanair or easyJet. You get a proper 10kg cabin bag free, in-flight refreshments you can buy easily, and friendlier change policies. Fares typically run 15–30% above Ryanair on the same route.
Same company. Jet2.com is the airline; Jet2holidays is the package-holiday business that bundles the flight with a hotel and (often) transfers. Package bookings get 22kg checked bag free, ATOL protection and price-match guarantee. If you're going for a week's sun, Jet2holidays is usually cheaper than booking the components separately.
No scheduled transatlantic service. Jet2 has occasionally run charter flights to New York and Orlando for package holidays, and new Airbus A321LR aircraft could make limited Atlantic service feasible, but as of 2026 there are no long-haul scheduled routes. The Jet2 model is built around 3–5 hour Mediterranean leisure flights.
Free random seat allocation happens at check-in 28 days before departure. Paid seat selection from £5 for a standard seat up to £30 for Extra Legroom. Unlike easyJet, Jet2 lets you change your seat at check-in free if you're unhappy with the allocated one (subject to availability).
Leeds Bradford is Jet2's original home base, but the airline also operates from nine other UK airports. If you live in the North and Leeds Bradford is closer, use it — but Manchester has more frequency and slightly cheaper fares on most overlap routes due to economies of scale.
No — buy-on-board only, but the airline's "Jet2café" menu is reasonably priced and crew are happy to take card payments. Free tea and water isn't standard but cabin crew will usually provide water on request. Package holiday bookings sometimes include a meal deal voucher.