If nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday, then for travellers flying from Gatwick, you’re in for a treat, with the Jet2 Plc launching a new base at the South of London Airport.
The group will launch both its flights and package holidays from the South of London airport. It marks the first major leisure airline arrival at London Gatwick since 2020 and marks the largest new-based airline at London Gatwick this century.
Today’s announcement expands Jet2’s footprint to 14 UK airport bases, following recent UK base launches in recent years.
In a demonstration of its commitment to London Gatwick, Jet2 has put a significant programme on sale for its first Summer of operations from the airport, with 29 sunshine destinations to choose from.
Jet2’s Summer 26 Programme from London Gatwick includes:
- Fuerteventura – two weekly services (Wednesday and Sunday)
- Gran Canaria – two weekly services (Wednesday and Sunday)
- Lanzarote – two weekly services (Tuesday and Saturday)
- Tenerife – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
- Ibiza – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
- Majorca – 10 weekly services (Monday, 2 x Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 2 x Saturday and 2 x Sunday)
- Menorca – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
- Alicante – five weekly services (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
- Girona – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
- Malaga – four weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday)
- Reus – three weekly services (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
- Faro (The Algarve) – ten weekly services (Monday, 2 x Tuesday, Wednesday, 2x Thursday, Friday, 2 x Saturday and Sunday)
- Antalya – three weekly services (Monday, Friday and Saturday)
- Corfu – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
- Crete (Heraklion) – two weekly services (Tuesday and Friday)
- Kalamata – one weekly service (Wednesday)
- Kefalonia – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
- Kos – two weekly services (Monday and Thursday)
- Halkidiki – two weekly services (Thursday and Sunday)
- Preveza – two weekly services (Wednesday and Saturday)
- Rhodes – two weekly services (Tuesday and Friday)
- Skiathos – one weekly service (Tuesday)
- Zante – one weekly service (Wednesday)
- Malta – two weekly services (Thursday and Sunday)
- Naples – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
- Verona – one weekly service (Wednesday)
- Paphos (Cyprus) – two weekly services (Monday and Thursday)
- Pula – one weekly service (Saturday)
- Bourgas (Bulgaria) – two weekly services (Wednesday and Saturday)
The first flight from London Gatwick to Tenerife will depart on 26th March 2026.
The airline has chosen to base six of its new Airbus A321neo aircraft at Gatwick Airport – these being the airline’s most fuel-efficient (and some of the highest passenger counts with 232 seats) that the airline has in its single aisle fleet.
This move will lead to 300 jobs created in the area, including flight deck, cabin crew, engineering and ground operations.
In Quotes
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, said:
“Today’s announcement represents an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2. For many years, our ambition has been to provide our differentiated, service led, end-to-end product offering from London Gatwick, and we see this as a once in a generation opportunity to accelerate our growth from the UK’s largest beach and city leisure destination airport.”
“We know all too well how much demand there is amongst customers and independent travel agents for us to operate our award-winning flights and holidays from London Gatwick, so it is fantastic to be able to share that we are here and ready to meet their travelling needs.”
“Time and time again, we have proven that when we bring the Jet2 product to new customers, we delight them, and we subsequently expand our operations on the back of that popularity. We know that bringing the Jet2 formula to London Gatwick will be a game-changer for customers and we are looking forward to a hugely successful future from our newest UK airport base.”
Pierre-Hugues, Chief Executive, London Gatwick, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Jet2 to London Gatwick, marking an exciting new chapter for the airport and our passengers. Jet2’s arrival brings even more choice and flexibility to passengers across the South East and beyond, strengthening London Gatwick’s vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey.
“It is an exciting time for Jet2 to join London Gatwick following the recent government approval for routine use of our Northern Runway, which will further expand connectivity and economic growth. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and we look forward to supporting Jet2’s growth and success here at London Gatwick.”
Darling, hold my hand…
Jet2 have been working away for 22 years since they started flying – from two aircraft and eight destinations to the UK’s third largest airline flying from 14 UK airport bases to over 75 sun, leisure city and ski destinations.
The airline is continuing its attack, with them choosing to base six Airbus A321neo aircraft – each capable of holding 232 passengers.
That’s a lot of capacity to add out of Gatwick – a competitive airport as it stands, with fierce competition to come from easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, and Wizzair (in the low-cost segment alone).
It’ll be interesting to see how the incumbents react, as well as compete with the new airline moving in and competing both with flights and holidays.
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