If you've spent much time at airports in the United Kingdom, particularly in the North of England, the chances are that you will have come across Jet2. With its characteristic silver and red aircraft, Jet2 ranks among the largest scheduled airlines in the UK, behind the likes of British Airways and easyJet. With the carrier bouncing back from the coronavirus pandemic, let's look closer at Jet2.

A brief history of Jet2

A relative newcomer to the airline industry, Jet2 was established out of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) in the early 2000s. Famously, the airline's first office was a portacabin at the airport. Its history dates back to 1983 when cargo carrier Express Air Services rebranded as Channel Express. At the turn of the century, the airline began operating passenger flights and established Jet2 as the brand for these.

Initially operating just two Boeing 737-300 aircraft, the airline opened its first route from Leeds Bradford to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) in February 2003. Targeting British holidaymakers seeking cheap breaks in Europe, Jet2 would continue to expand over the years with this essential philosophy at its heart.

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A Jet2 Boeing 737 Landing In Amsterdam.
Photo: Bjoern Wylezich/Shutterstock

As it grew, Jet2 focused its expansion on the airports of Northern England. Competition from larger carriers was less fierce in this region, and Jet2 could subsequently offer flights to popular holiday destinations with minimal travel time to the airport from nearby towns and cities. The airline's original slogan was "The North's Low-Cost Airline," but it has since changed to "Friendly Low Fares."

Growing from its original base at Leeds Bradford Airport, Jet2 soon began operating flights out of Manchester, Belfast, and Newcastle. It also expanded southwards and has since opened bases further afield at the likes of Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, and London Stansted, as well as in certain foreign destinations.

Jet2 today

Jet2 has enjoyed solid growth since it began operations back in 2003. In 2004, just one year later, the airline flew more than 1.2 million passengers. Its annual passenger numbers grew to more than 12 million by 2018. While the onset of the coronavirus pandemic halted this growth, the carrier is now bouncing back.

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A Jet2 Boeing 757 Landing In Manchester.
Photo: Bradley Caslin/Shutterstock

Indeed, data from the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority shows that although annual passenger numbers dropped below three million in 2020, they rose to some 15.5 million in 2022, beating 2019's pre-pandemic peak of 14.4 million. Its yearly profits have also risen by 48% thanks to huge post-COVID passenger demand.

Data from ch-aviation.com shows Jet2 currently operates some 475 routes, serving 79 destinations across 22 countries. A recent development in terms of the airline's network was the addition of a new base at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL). From March 2024, the carrier will base four Boeing 737-800s there.

A mixed fleet

Jet2's present fleet consists of a mixture of twin-engine jetliners from both sides of the industry-dominating Airbus-Boeing manufacturing duopoly. The airline presently has some 118 aircraft at its disposal, with an overall average age of 15.3 years old. Ninety of these are Boeing 737-800s, and while the carrier also flies seven 737-300s and nine 757-200s, the latter two types are becoming increasingly rare.

A render of a Jet2 Airbus A321neo flying in the sky.
Image: Airbus

As far as Airbus jets are concerned, Jet2's fleet currently includes six A321s (of which three are on lease) and three A330s (all on lease). Most interestingly, however, it has recently begun taking deliveries of next-generation A321neo aircraft, with three having come onboard and another 60 on order. The airline also has outstanding orders for 35 A320neos, which make for a bright future at Jet2.

What do you make of Jet2's history and present operations? Have you ever flown with the carrier? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Sources: BBC, CAA, ch-aviation.com