Find cheap Jet2 flights

Jet2.com is the UK’s third largest passenger carrier. The airline is part of Jet2, whose Jet2holidays brand is the largest tour operator in the UK, running travel subsidiaries covering everything from budget holiday deals to high-end private villa rental packages.

Technically, it’s a low-cost carrier, though it now operates from 14 UK airport bases including major airports like London Gatwick and London Luton. Yet its reputation goes against the typical budget airline grain.

It’s known for good customer service, generous baggage allowances and attention to detail. I’d say its fares don’t always match the lowest prices of Ryanair and Wizz Air, but the extras and overall experience often make it much better value.

Booking and fares: straightforward pricing

Jet2’s booking process is refreshingly straightforward. Pick your dates, get a price, then add optional extras like checked luggage or extra legroom. Unlike other budget airlines that use confusing package fares to upsell unnecessary add-ons, Jet2 keeps it simple.

Here’s a standout feature: Jet2 includes a 10 kg cabin bag (56cm x 45cm x 25cm) in all basic fares. That’s much better value than rival budget carriers whose cabin bag fees can nearly double the ticket price. It’s more mid-range carrier than low-cost in this regard, though you’re still flying economy only.

The add-ons are simple. You can add up to three 22 kg hold bags per person per flight. Seats are allocated automatically unless you pay to choose one, or pay a bit more for extra legroom. You can also pre-book hot meals on flights lasting more than 2 hours 25 minutes.

One nice touch is that if everyone in your booking adds checked bags, seats, or meals, you’ll often get a collective discount of around 20% to 25%. I’ve even seen this pop up for solo bookings, so it’s always worth checking during the booking process to see if the discount applies.

Network and fleet: purely European

Originally launched from Leeds Bradford Airport, Jet2 is a purely European affair. It now operates from 14 airports across the UK, having grown from its roots as a northern English travel company. As its status has grown, so has its reach, and it now flies over 600 direct routes to 75 destinations in 25 countries.

While it has flown some long-haul routes in the past, its focus is now firmly on southern Europe, with family-friendly holidays around the Mediterranean being particularly popular. Its farthest-flung destination is currently the Canary Islands.

The airline recently carried 17.72 million passengers annually, with expansion clearly on the agenda. The Jet2 fleet now includes 139 aircraft for its peak summer flying programme. The vast majority are narrowbody Boeing 737-800s, a popular choice for short to medium-haul flights (Ryanair has a massive fleet of them).

Jet2 is also expanding its fleet with the Airbus A321neo, one of the most modern planes in its class, with 31 currently in service. While it offers a nicer cabin, I’m not keen, as its standard layout has less legroom than its Boeing equivalent.

Check-in and boarding: where Jet2 shines

You can check in from 28 days until six hours before you fly via the website or app. One exception is if you’re flying from Turkey, where you’ll need to collect your boarding pass at the airport check-in desk. Since cabin bags are included, I’ve only used their airport check-in a couple of times, usually to drop off skis.

For me, this is where Jet2 really stands out from budget competitors. In my experience, desks are well staffed and have enough open to keep queues moving swiftly (unlike most low-cost airlines). From certain airports, Jet2 offers free Twilight Check-in for flights departing before midday, letting you drop bags the evening before if you’re nearby.

Jet2 staff are known for their customer service, and that holds true from check-in to the gate and onto the plane. There seems to be a real sense of pride in the brand among its UK workforce. Jet2 has been named a Which? Recommended Provider, the consumer body’s gold standard, with customer service being a key reason.

There are no separate fare queues when boarding. Instead, you board in A or B groups based on your seat location. It’s a much more sensible and efficient approach, as long as everyone follows the process (which, let’s be honest, is unlikely). And while you should always stick to the luggage rules, I’ve never actually seen anyone get their bag measured or weighed for a Jet2 flight.

One thing to consider is that the free cabin bag allowance often means there are more bags than will fit in the overhead lockers. It’s common to see staff at the gate asking passengers to check their bags into the hold. I always try to avoid this, as waiting for luggage at arrivals is a drag.

Onboard: seats, legroom, and facilities

This is an economy class operation, so don’t expect any bells and whistles. The grey and red cabin is less garish than the orange and yellow cabins of easyJet and Ryanair, though. There’s no Wi-Fi, power sockets or entertainment, but I’ve found Jet2 planes are noticeably cleaner than most budget carriers.

Jet2 operates standard three-three economy configurations across all aircraft. Legroom is typically 27-28 inches for standard seats and 32-34 inches for extra-legroom seats. Seats are typically 17 inches wide, don’t recline, but they’re quite comfy for shorter flights. For anything close to five hours, extra legroom is worth the cost.

Jet2 adds some smart touches that elevate the experience. Seat backs have metal cup holders that work even when the tray table is up, which is great for hot drinks. The overhead lockers have stretchy retainers to stop bags from falling out. And as I mentioned, the cabin crew are consistently friendly and helpful.

Another rare touch for a budget airline is how the flight deck engages with passengers. It’s not uncommon for the captain to chip in with observations about landmarks or the weather. It feels very friendly and is something a lot of travellers really appreciate.

If you haven’t pre-booked a hot meal (I never have), there’s the usual trolley service for food and drink. Prices are what you’d expect, and the quality is decent. I particularly love that they serve Yorkshire Tea onboard, a nice nod to the airline’s roots.

The myJet2 loyalty programme: discounts over air miles

Jet2’s loyalty programme is called myJet2, and it’s free to join. It works like a standard customer account, putting all your bookings in one place accessible online and via the app. The approach seems effective: according to the airline, more than 60% of Jet2holidays bookings are from repeat customers.

Instead of air miles, myJet2 offers discounts, rewards, and deals on flights and holiday packages. If you fly with them more than once or twice a year, it’s worth joining for the potential savings. Just make sure you’re logged into your account when booking to see any relevant discounts, and keep an eye on the fortnightly newsletter for offers.