Jet2 Launches 14th UK Base at London Gatwick Airport in March 2026
UK leisure airline Jet2 has unveiled a significant milestone with the introduction of a new flight program and holiday packages from London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW) starting in 2026. This announcement, made on November 12, 2025, positions Jet2 as the first major leisure airline to operate from Gatwick since 2020, claiming the title of the largest new airline to base operations there in the 21st century.
Jet2’s expansion now covers 14 UK airport locations, following several new openings in recent years, including London Luton (LTN) and Bournemouth (BOH) in 2025. This new base allows holidaymakers and independent travel agents in London, Greater London, and the Southeast to access Jet2’s award-winning flights and vacations.
In a show of commitment to its new Gatwick base, Jet2 has already launched a robust service program for its inaugural summer season, featuring 29 destinations. The first flight from London Gatwick to Tenerife (TFS) is scheduled for March 26, 2026, coinciding with the launch of the IATA Summer 2026 schedule and the UK school Easter holidays.
Six aircraft to be based at LGW
Jet2 will deploy a fleet of six aircraft serving various destinations throughout Mainland Spain, the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Malta, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. This includes five brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft, a model recognized for its fuel efficiency and sustainability, promising over 20% lower CO2 emissions per seat and a 50% reduction in noise compared to other aircraft.
This expansion is expected to have a considerable economic impact on the Southeast of the UK, creating over 300 initial jobs across flight deck, cabin crew, engineering, and ground operations, alongside many indirect job opportunities.
What the parties are saying
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, expressed his enthusiasm about the announcement, describing it as an exciting moment for the airline. He emphasized that the goal has always been to provide a premier travel experience from London Gatwick and highlighted the unique opportunity this represents for the airline’s growth from a major leisure destination.
Heapy noted the significant demand from customers and travel agents for Jet2’s offerings at Gatwick and expressed optimism about meeting these expectations. He also announced that Jet2’s track record in delighting customers would play a crucial role in the success at this new airport base.
Pierre-Hugues, Chief Executive of London Gatwick, welcomed Jet2’s arrival, stating it marks a new chapter for the airport and enhances service options for passengers in the Southeast and beyond. He emphasized the airline’s role in bolstering Gatwick’s vision to be accessible for all travelers and looked forward to the economic growth enabled by Jet2’s entrance.
This announcement follows Jet2’s celebration of over 22 years of service in the airline industry. Since its inception with just two aircraft and eight destinations in February 2003, Jet2 has transformed into the UK’s third-largest airline, operating from 14 UK bases to over 75 locations with a fleet of 132 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
Are you excited to see Jet2’s services expand in 2026?
