Gatwick gets a Jet2 glow up… Because nothing beats a Jet2 holiday
November 12, 2025
Jet2 has confirmed it will begin flights and package holidays from London Gatwick from 26 March 2026, marking a huge expansion for the Leeds-based operator. The move will see six aircraft operate to and from Gatwick, with five new Airbus A321neos permanently based at Gatwick and a sixth positioned overseas.
HUGE NEWS!
— Jet2tweets (@jet2tweets) November 12, 2025
Starting March 2026, we’re taking off from @Gatwick_Airport!
Choose from:
🇪🇸 Spain, including Canary & Balearic Islands
🇬🇷 Greece
🇹🇷 Turkey
🇵🇹 Portugal
🇲🇹 Malta
🇮🇹 Italy
🇭🇷 Croatia
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
🇨🇾 Cyprus
BOOK NOW: https://t.co/vQI4qC1lAO pic.twitter.com/oZ3gaPVzZX
Jet2 confirmed the news on 12 November, marking the first major leisure airline arrival into London Gatwick since 2020. The airline currently operates flights from airports across the UK, including its headquarters in Leeds-Bradford, Birmingham, Belfast International, East Midlands, Glasgow, Liverpool, London Luton, London Stansted and Manchester.
Jet2’s summer schedule from its Gatwick base
Jet2’s Gatwick programme will feature 29 popular holiday hotspots to choose from. Offering holidaymakers in London and the Southeast a wide choice of destinations, Jet2 will serve the Canary Islands, Balearics, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Malta, Croatia, Italy, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
“Today’s announcement represents an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2,” enthused Steve Heapy, CEO of 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.”
Heapy added that with strong demand from both Jet2 customers and independent travel agents for services from Gatwick, “it is fantastic to be able to share that we are here and ready to meet their needs.”
Opportunity for socio-economic growth in and around Gatwick
The new base also represents a significant investment in the region, with Jet2’s operations expected to generate more than 300 local jobs across flight, engineering and ground support roles.
Pierre-Hugues Schmit, chief executive at London Gatwick, welcomed Jet2’s arrival saying it will bring “even more choice and flexibility to passengers across the Southeast and beyond.” It also strengthens the airport’s vision to “be the airport for everyone, whatever their journey.”
Schmit also highlighted that Jet2’s move comes at pivotal time for Gatwick. The UK government recently approved routine use of the airport’s 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,” he said.
A321neo central to Jet2’s Gatwick move
Jet2 secured slots at the London hub following the release of additional capacity. Central to the carrier’s Gatwick push is the introduction of the A321neo, which the airline describes as the most fuel-efficient and sustainable aircraft in its class today. The aircraft type reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per seat by over 20% and provides a 50% lower noise footprint when compared to other aircraft.
Pointing to both the customer and environmental benefits of the A321, Jet2 has been converting earlier orders into the larger A321neos to support its growth on popular leisure routes.
For Gatwick, the UK’s second-busiest airport, Jet2’s arrival marks a fresh chapter of growth and the airline’s 14th UK base. For Jet2, the move gives it a stronger foothold in southern England and introduces new competition on popular leisure routes operating from the region that are currently dominated by incumbents, including easyJet.
“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 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.”
