More than 430,000 seats are being offered by Jet2.com and Jet2holidays with the start of flights from Luton airport today (Tuesday).
The UK’s largest tour operator and sister airline will serve 17 destinations this summer, including exclusive routes to Girona and Verona.
Two new Airbus A321neo aircraft will be based at Luton – the home of rivals Tui and easyJet – running up to 36 flights a week at peak times.
More than 125 new jobs have been created with roles including flight deck and cabin crew, engineers and ground operations staff.
The opening of Jet2’s 13th UK base, following the introduction of flights from Bournemouth airport in February, will see destinations served across the Canary Islands, Balearics, mainland Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Italy and Madeira.
The inaugural flight to Majorca was to be followed by services to Tenerife and Antalya
The airline and operator have reported a “phenomenal response” to the introduction of package holidays from Luton and responded by putting their first winter 2025-26 programme on sale from the airport.
Eight winter sun destinations will be served representing more than 140,000 seats and up to 19 flights a week.
The winter network from Luton includes the Canary Islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura; Alicante in Spain; Antalya in Turkey; and Faro and Madeira in Portugal.
Chief executive Steve Heapy said: “We have got off to a flying start in every sense at London Luton airport. Customers have been hearing all about our family friendly ethos, great value package holidays and award-winning customer service and today they finally get to experience all of that for themselves.
“Our formula of providing award-winning flights and Atol protected package holidays is proven and has been driving phenomenal demand from customers and independent travel agents since we announced our arrival at London Luton airport.
“We are excited to be bringing our proposition to holidaymakers from across the region and are looking forward to enjoying enormous success at our newest base, just as we always do when we start operations at a new airport base.
“Just a few months ago, we began operations from Bournemouth airport – our 12th UK airport base. This significant expansion, along with our inaugural flight from London Luton airport today, demonstrates just how confident we are in our award-winning product.”
Luton airport chief executive Alberto Martin added: “As you would expect, the arrival of a major new airline such as Jet2 has created huge excitement.
“Jet2’s first summer programme is fantastic news for the millions of holidaymakers who choose to fly from the airport each year, with even greater choice in the form of 36 weekly flights to 17 sunshine destinations.
“Our commitment, as ever, will be to ensure a simple and friendly passenger experience for all those who travel through the airport.”
Jet2’s full summer programme from Luton:
- Alicante – up to four weekly flights on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from April 3.
- Girona – a weekly Sunday service starting from July 6.
- Reus – up to two flights a week on Monday and Thursday from May 5.
- Fuerteventura – a weekly Sunday service from April 6.
- Gran Canaria – two flights a week on Monday and Friday from April 4.
- Lanzarote – two flights a week on Tuesday and Friday from April 4.
- Tenerife – three flights a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday starting from today (April 1).
- Ibiza – two flights a week on Monday and Friday from July 4.
- Palma – up to six flights a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from April 1.
- Faro – up to four flights a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from April 4.
- Madeira – weekly Monday flight from April 7.
- Heraklion, Crete – weekly Wednesday flight from April 2.
- Rhodes – weekly Saturday flight from April 5.
- Zante – weekly Wednesday flight from May 7.
- Antalya – two weekly flights on Tuesday and Saturday from April 1.
- Dalaman – two flights a week on Thursday and Sunday from April 3.
- Verona – weekly Wednesday flight from July 2.