Jet2 Expands Summer Flight Capacity and Package Holiday Bookings Across London Gatwick and Regional UK Airport Hubs

Jet2 has increased its flight capacity for the Summer 2026 season, placing 19.9 million seats on sale to accommodate a 7.1 percent rise in holiday bookings. The travel group is expanding operations at London Gatwick, London Luton, and Bournemouth airports.

Flight Capacity Growth and Booking Momentum

The UK leisure travel group has expanded its summer schedule, offering 19.9 million seats for the Summer 2026 season, representing a 7.7 percent year-on-year increase. Booked passenger numbers have grown 7.1 percent, matching the capacity expansion. Early load factors for the first four months of the year ran 1.2 percentage points ahead of the same period in Summer 2025.

During the financial year ending March 31, 2026, the company carried a record 20.83 million passengers, up 5 percent from 19.77 million. Total revenue increased by 4 percent to reach a record £7.48 billion. While flight-only bookings grew by 15 percent, package holidays remain the primary product, representing 63.3 percent of the group's total passengers.

Shifting Fare Yields and Package Holiday Trends

Flight-Only Fares: Increased competition in the flight-only sector led to a 7 percent decline in average passenger sector yields, dropping to £110.92 from £118.81.
Package Holidays: The average price of a package holiday rose 3 percent to £900, up from £873 in the previous financial year, demonstrating resilient demand for bundled travel options.
Consumer Preference: Surveys indicate a growing preference for package travel, with 51 percent of travelers choosing packages in May 2026 due to cost transparency and financial protection.
Non-Ticket Revenue: Ancillary services, including baggage check-in and seat selection, increased by 4 percent to £26.56 per passenger sector.

Southern England Airport Expansion

The carrier is expanding its base network in southern England to support long-term traffic growth. Following its launch of flight operations at London Gatwick (LGW) in late March 2026, performance has exceeded expectations. The carrier plans to base seven aircraft at Gatwick for the Summer 2027 season to capture the large catchment area of South London and Sussex.

Additionally, the group's newer bases at London Luton (LTN) and Bournemouth (BOH) collectively processed over 730,000 passengers during the financial year. Plans are underway to expand seat capacity at Luton by 30 percent for the year ending March 2027. These regional bases broaden the travel group's reach across the south of England, offering travelers more departure points.

Traveler Logistics and Connection Guide

Passengers booking package holidays should check the terms of their financial protection. Under UK Civil Aviation Authority guidelines, eligible flight-inclusive packages are protected by the ATOL scheme, and customers should receive an ATOL certificate upon booking. Passengers are also advised to check schedule updates on the London Gatwick Airport portal or the Jet2 official site.

For travelers using airport rail connections to London Gatwick, real-time schedule information is available on the National Rail website. Jet2 packages include a 22kg checked baggage allowance, which is useful when traveling with family. Arriving at Gatwick or Luton terminals at least 2.5 hours before departure is recommended during busy summer travel periods.

Fleet Modernization and Fuel Cost Hedging

To manage operating costs, the group is transitioning to a more modern, fuel-efficient fleet. During peak Summer 2026 operations, the airline plans to operate 31 Airbus A321neo aircraft, representing 22 percent of its 139-aircraft fleet. The A321neo is designed to reduce fuel consumption and carbon costs by 20 percent per seat compared to older aircraft types.

The travel group has also implemented a fuel hedging strategy to protect against energy market volatility. For the current financial year, the company has hedged 90 percent of its jet fuel requirements at an average price of $743 per metric tonne. This position helps stabilize ticket pricing and protects travelers from sudden fuel surcharges on booked holidays.

Operational and Performance Indicators

Metric / Parameter	Financial Year 2025	Financial Year 2026	Annual Comparison
Total Passengers Carried	19.77 million	20.83 million	Up 5%
Group Revenue	£7.19 billion	£7.48 billion	Up 4%
Average Package Price	£873.00	£900.00	Up 3%
Flight-Only Sector Yield	£118.81	£110.92	Down 7%
Annual Load Factor	88.7%	86.8%	Down 1.9 percentage points
Ancillary Revenue per Sector	£25.54	£26.56	Up 4%

Key Takeaways

Capacity Increase: Jet2 has put 19.9 million seats on sale for Summer 2026, representing a 7.7 percent year-on-year increase.
Pricing Trends: Package holiday prices rose 3 percent to an average of £900, while flight-only yields fell 7 percent to £110.92 due to competition.
Gatwick Expansion: Initial performance at the Gatwick base exceeded expectations, with plans to increase based aircraft to seven by Summer 2027.
Fleet Upgrade: The deployment of 31 Airbus A321neo aircraft during the summer peak helps lower operational costs and carbon emissions per seat.

FAQ

What is the standard luggage allowance included with a Jet2 holiday?
Jet2 standard package holidays include a 22kg checked baggage allowance per passenger, along with return transfers.

How does ATOL protection work for holiday bookings?
ATOL is a financial protection scheme managed by the UK CAA. It protects customers who book flight-inclusive packages if the travel provider stops trading.

When does Jet2 plan to expand its based fleet at London Gatwick?
The carrier plans to increase its based fleet at London Gatwick Airport to seven aircraft for the Summer 2027 season.