UK-based airline and holiday operator Jet2 and Jet2holidays have unveiled an ambitious growth and transformation plan for the upcoming period. Between March 2024 and March 2025, the company will boost its capacity by 9% year-on-year, reaching 24.4 million seats.
Of this total, 18.5 million seats will be available during the summer season, representing an 8% increase over the previous year. Jet2 continues to stand out with growing demand and destination diversity, alongside investments aimed at enhancing the customer experience.
146 New Airbus Aircraft for a Major Fleet Expansion
Jet2 plans to add 146 Airbus A321neo aircraft to its fleet by 2035. These modern aircraft will gradually replace the existing Boeing 737-800s. With a capacity of 232 seats, the A321neo promises more efficient and fuel-saving operations. The airline expects to save an average of £10 per seat with these aircraft.
CEO Steve Heapy told investors that the fleet is set to grow from 135 to 159 aircraft by 2031. During this period, 113 new aircraft are expected to be delivered. However, in the event of declining demand, the fleet may be temporarily reduced to 110 aircraft.
Flying Exclusively with Jet2 Aircraft
Heapy emphasised that Jet2 passengers will fly exclusively on Jet2-operated aircraft. The company confirmed it will not purchase seats from other airlines—a statement widely interpreted as a veiled reference to TUI’s flight-sharing agreements with Ryanair and easyJet.
Strategy Targeting Young and Lower-Income Travellers
Jet2 aims to broaden its customer base by introducing new accommodation options for younger and lower-income travellers. The Jet2holidays portfolio will include budget hotels, hostels, and self-catering accommodation.
New Bases, Expanded Reach
The company currently operates from 13 UK airports. Recent additions include Bristol, Bournemouth, Luton, and Liverpool. With these new bases, Jet2 now reaches a network accessible to 58 million people within a 90-minute drive.
Booking Trends and the 2026 Outlook
Jet2’s CEO noted that the summer 2025 season is progressing with late bookings, but demand for 2026 looks promising. Heapy believes the current trend of last-minute bookings is not permanent and anticipates a market shift back towards early reservations.
