Jet2 has announced a landmark move: it will launch its flights and holiday packages from London Gatwick, marking the company’s newest UK airport base. This expansion brings its total number of UK bases to fourteen, and represents its first major leisure-airline entry at Gatwick since 2020.
The programme goes on sale today, with a large Summer 2026 schedule. The first departure from Gatwick is set for 26 March 2026, flying to Tenerife – timed to coincide with the Easter holidays. The airline plans to base six aircraft at Gatwick (five of which will be brand-new Airbus A321neo jets) and initially fly to 29 sun-holiday destinations across Spain (including the Canary and Balearic islands), Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Malta, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
This move brings an investment in the South East and will create over 300 direct jobs across flight deck, cabin crew, engineering and ground operations, with many more indirect roles expected in the region. The new aircraft are more fuel-efficient and quieter than earlier models, reflecting Jet2’s commitment to sustainability.
Jet2’s CEO, Steve Heapy, described the launch from Gatwick as a “once in a generation opportunity” to deliver Jet2’s service-led product offering to customers and travel agents in London, Greater London and the South East. Meanwhile, Gatwick’s Chief Executive welcomed Jet2’s arrival, saying it brings enhanced choice and flexibility for passengers, aligning with the airport’s strategy.
The summer 2026 schedule from Gatwick includes, among other routes:
- 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)
With this expansion, Jet2 aims to bring its integrated flight-and-holiday product to a new region, ensuring more holidaymakers from the South East have access to its ATOL-protected packages and extensive destination choice.
Jet2 is a British leisure airline and tour operator based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Founded in 2002, it operates flights from multiple UK airports to popular holiday destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean, including Spain, Greece, Turkey, and Portugal. Known for its friendly service and reliability, Jet2 has grown to become one of the UK’s largest airlines, with a modern fleet that includes fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo aircraft.
Alongside its airline operations, Jet2 runs Jet2holidays, the UK’s biggest tour operator by passenger numbers. It offers ATOL-protected package holidays that include flights, hotel stays, transfers, and in-resort customer support. The company’s focus on quality and value has earned it a strong reputation among British holidaymakers seeking straightforward, dependable travel experiences.
