easyJet has transformed European air travel with its distinctive orange livery and no-frills approach to flying. From modest beginnings to becoming one of Europe’s largest airlines, easyJet demonstrates how a straightforward business model focused on efficiency and value can revolutionize an industry and make air travel accessible to millions.
British Origins: The History of easyJet
easyJet was established in 1995 by Greek-Cypriot businessman Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who founded the airline with two leased Boeing 737-200 aircraft. The company began operations with routes from London Luton to Glasgow and Edinburgh, offering low-cost fares that challenged traditional carriers and made flying accessible to a broader market.
The airline’s expansion was rapid and strategic. In March 1998, easyJet purchased a 40% stake in Swiss charter airline TEA Basle for three million Swiss francs. The airline was renamed easyJet Switzerland and commenced franchise services on April 1, 1999, having relocated its headquarters to Geneva Airport — establishing easyJet’s first base outside the United Kingdom.
A significant milestone in the airline’s growth came in 2002 when easyJet acquired rival low-cost carrier Go Fly for £374 million. This acquisition almost doubled the airline’s fleet and added three new bases at Bristol Airport, East Midlands Airport, and London Stansted Airport, substantially expanding easyJet’s network across Europe.
The company went public on the London Stock Exchange in 2000, and by 2015, it had joined the prestigious FTSE 100 Index. During the same month of its FTSE 100 inclusion, easyJet launched its 100th route from Gatwick Airport, offering direct flights from London to Moscow, demonstrating the airline’s continued growth and expansion.
easyJet has faced numerous challenges throughout its history, including intense competition, economic downturns, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the airline raised over £2.4 billion in new financing by August 2020, with £600 million coming from the UK government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility, showing its resilience and ability to navigate difficult market conditions.
By the Numbers: easyJet Stats
easyJet’s position as a European aviation leader is reflected in its impressive statistics:
- Operates a fleet of 347 aircraft
- Serves 1,099 routes across 35 countries and 160 airports
- Transported nearly 83 million passengers in 2023, a 19% increase from 2022
- Generated annual revenue of nearly 8.2 billion British pounds in 2023
- Achieved a seat occupancy (load factor) of 89.3% in 2023, showing strong recovery
- Plans to expand capacity to approximately 103 million seats in fiscal year 2025
- Expects holiday customers to grow by about 25% in 2025
- Employs around 11,000 people, primarily based in the UK but stationed throughout Europe
- Operates one of the youngest fleets in the industry
- Listed on the London Stock Exchange as a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index
Quick Facts About easyJet
- Headquarters: London Luton Airport, United Kingdom
- IATA Code: U2
- CEO: Johan Lundgren (to be replaced by Kenton Jarvis in 2025)
- Founder: Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou
- Major shareholder: easyGroup Holdings Ltd (34.62% stake as of 2014)
- Corporate slogan: “This is Generation easyJet”
- Previous slogans include: “Come On Let’s Fly” and “The web’s favourite airline”
- Fleet composition: Primarily Airbus A320 family aircraft
- Recently welcomed the new generation Airbus A320neo, known for fuel efficiency
- Distinctive brand identity with bright orange livery
- No complimentary meals or drinks on flights (except some charter flights)
- “Eat Drink Shop” buy-on-board program for food and merchandise purchases
- Mobile app accounts for over 21% of bookings
- Introduced allocated seating in 2012, replacing the previous first-come-first-served system
- Committed to sustainability with targets to reduce carbon emissions
- In-flight magazine called “The Traveller”
Base Cities: easyJet’s Major Operations
easyJet operates from 24 bases across Europe, with its largest operations at:
- London Gatwick Airport (LGW) – Largest base
- London Luton Airport (LTN) – Company headquarters
- Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
- Geneva Airport (GVA)
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
- Manchester Airport (MAN)
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
- Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN)
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)
These strategically located bases allow easyJet to efficiently serve its extensive European network, focusing on both business and leisure destinations.
Contact Information
For passengers seeking assistance, easyJet offers various contact options:
- Customer Service: Visit easyJet.com/contact
- Flight Information: Available via easyJet mobile app
- Website: www.easyJet.com
- Mobile App: Available on iOS and Android
- Social Media: @easyJet on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
For business inquiries:
- Corporate Headquarters: easyJet plc Hangar 89 London Luton Airport Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 9PF United Kingdom
Looking to the Future
easyJet continues to evolve its business model while maintaining its focus on affordable travel and customer service. The airline is expanding beyond its traditional short-haul, point-to-point model by growing its package holiday business, easyJet Holidays, which is expected to see significant growth in the coming years.
Environmental sustainability has become a key priority for easyJet. The airline is investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft, particularly the Airbus A320neo and A321neo models, which significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In 2023, easyJet emitted 67.23 grams of CO2 per revenue-passenger-kilometer, which is comparable to other low-cost carriers.
Looking ahead, easyJet is focusing on growth, particularly on popular longer leisure routes to destinations like North Africa and the Canary Islands. The airline expects to increase its capacity by 3% in the 2025 financial year, showing confidence in continued strong demand for air travel.
Digital innovation remains essential to easyJet’s strategy, with continued investments in its website and mobile app to enhance the customer booking experience and streamline operations. The airline’s app now accounts for over 21% of all bookings.
With its strong brand recognition, extensive European network, and commitment to value and customer service, easyJet is well-positioned to maintain its status as one of Europe’s leading low-cost carriers. As it continues to navigate industry challenges and capitalize on growth opportunities, easyJet remains true to its founding principle of making travel accessible and affordable across Europe.
Keyword: TopAirlines