Jet2.com boosts Manchester to Tel Aviv link

Jet2.com is doubling the frequency of its Manchester Airport to Tel Aviv service during key dates in the winter schedule, TravelMole reports.

The low-cost carrier will be operating an additional weekly flight from December 21 to January 4, and then again from March 22 to April 26.

Jet2.com and bmibaby unveil winter schedules

Two low-cost airlines have unveiled details of their forthcoming winter schedules in a bid to encourage travellers to book as early as possible.

Jet2.com announced that it will operate flights from several UK airports to Geneva and the ski resort of Chambery, with fares starting from as little as £19.99 one-way including taxes.

No-frills rival bmibaby has also published details of its winter schedule, which includes new flights to Grenoble from all four of its UK bases.

Manchester unveils Israel service

Jet2.com has disclosed that it will begin operating flights from Manchester Airport to Tel Aviv later this year.

The low cost airline will start its weekly Thursday service to the Israeli city from May 21, before adding a second flight on the route in October, which will depart on Sundays.

Jet2.com allows passengers to order food with flights

Passengers travelling with Jet2.com can now order in-flight meals when booking their flights.

The low-cost carrier has created an option in its online flight booking process that allows passengers to pay for their meal before getting on the plane.

Priority boarding for Jet.com's online passengers

Jet2.com has announced that passengers who check in online will be given priority boarding when they arrive at UK airports.

The low-cost carrier announced yesterday (January 6) that travellers who use its free online check in service will be allowed to by-pass queues at airport terminals.

As such, they will be able to spend more time shopping in the airport before departure and will be able to skip the queues to board aircraft.

Jet2 named UK's best low-cost airline

Jet2 has been voted the UK's best low-cost airline in the Daily Telegraph's annual travel awards.

The budget operator secured second place in the Best Low Cost Airline category of the Telegraph travel awards, behind the German carrier Air Berlin.

Jet2 launches battlefield service

The airline Jet2 has revealed that it is planning to launch a unique route from Leeds Bradford International Airport to a popular World War I site in northern France.

The twice-weekly service to Albert-Picardie will attempt to capitalise on the massive rise in battlefield breaks enjoyed in the country and will commence on Mondays and Fridays between April and June next year.

Fares to the area, which was the scene of the infamous Battle of the Somme, will begin at £60.99 one-way fully inclusive of taxes and are already on sale.

Jet2.com's first NYC flights depart from Leeds

The first of Jet2.com's flights to New York City departed from Leeds Bradford Airport this morning (November 6).

Passengers aboard the fully booked 9am flight to Newark Airport were bound for a Jet2holidays.com shopping trip in the Big Apple.

Jet2 to increase baggage allowance

Jet2 has announced that it will be increasing the allowance of hold baggage on its flights.

The carrier, which is based at Leeds Bradford Airport, will raise the amount of checked in baggage allowed from 17 kilograms to 22 kilograms per passenger.

Jet2.com crowned best short-haul airline

Jet2.com has been named the best short-haul airline by readers of The Guardian and The Observer, scooping the accolade for the third successive year.

The Leeds-based low-cost airline also received the award for the second-best European short-haul airline in the Guardian and Observer Travel Awards 2008.

It fought off stiff competition from all no-frills and full-fare airlines that operate routes across Europe, including industry-leader Ryanair which came 15th.

Jet2.com drops Barcelona route, but starts two others

Low-cost operator Jet2.com has said it will be ending its Belfast to Barcelona service, but will start new routes to both Croatia and Cornwall.

The airline, which operates from Belfast International, will end its Barcelona service on October 26 and has said any passengers with existing bookings will be able to change to flights to other destinations, or receive a full refund.

New Düsseldorf route from Jet2.com

Jet2.com has announced the launch of a new route to Düsseldorf.

The low-cost carrier will begin flying to the German city as part of its Summer 2009 schedule.

Due to commence on March 29, flights will depart from Edinburgh and will operate four times a week on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

One-way fares available from £24.99 including taxes are on sale now.

New Edinburgh connections from Jet2.com

Jet2.com has added three new routes from Edinburgh Airport to its summer 2009 schedule.

From May 21, the flights will transport holidaymakers from the Scottish capital to Ibiza, Menorca and Venice.

The routes follow the announcements of several other connections from various regional airports, in addition to a new Edinburgh link to Sardinia.

More Ibiza flights from Jet2.com

Jet2.com will increase its flight options for travellers keen to head to Ibiza from Manchester Airport next summer.

The airline will start a daily service to Ibiza on May 9, 2009, and in addition use a larger Boeing 757 aircraft on a Saturday and Monday, providing an extra 608 seats a week.

In addition to its regular daily flight, the airline will also launch a new Friday evening service which will depart Manchester at 8.05pm from early June to September.

Newcastle to Split link to start next year

Jet2.com has announced the launch of a new service from Newcastle International Airport to the Croatian city of Split.

The link will start next year on May 2, and will offer a weekly service between the two destinations operating on Saturday, with one-way tickets starting from £56.99.

Jet2.com rolls out more summer destinations

Low-cost airline Jet2.com has unveiled a raft of new routes for its summer 2009 schedule out of Leeds Bradford Airport.

The no-frills carrier will be operating new links to Avignon, Geneva, Krakow, La Rochelle, Paris, Prague and Toulouse during the peak holiday season next year.

Its latest additions follow several other new route announcements which have seen the airline buck a wider industry trend towards scaling back services.

News Leeds - Dubrovnik route from Jet2

Jet2 has added another new route to its summer 2009 schedule.

The low-cost carrier has started selling seats from Leeds Bradford Airport to the Croatian city of Dubrovnik.

One way flights to the increasingly popular destination start at just £56.99, which includes taxes. The route will operate once a week on Sundays and the period of travel is from May 3, 2009 to October 4, 2009.

Outbound flights depart Leeds Bradford at 7am and arrive at 11:15am, while inbound flights leave Dubrovnik at 11.55am and arrive at 2.15pm (all times listed are local).

Three additional new routes from Jet2.com

Jet2.com has added three new routes to its summer 2009 schedule.

On top of its recently unveiled Leeds Bradford to Rhodes service, the no-frills airline will now also fly from the regional airport to Larnaca.

A further connection from Newcastle to Ibiza has been announced, and the carrier is also to begin operating a Manchester to Sardinia route.

Leeds Bradford gets link to Rhodes

Low-cost operator Jet2.com is to start summer flights next year from Leeds Bradford Airport to the island of Rhodes.

Flights will operate every Wednesday, with the first one set to jet off on May 27, 2009, and one-way tickets start from £69.99 inclusive of fees and charges.

Source: Jet2.com to add Jewish connections

Jet.com is to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel by launching a raft of new services to the Jewish state, it has been claimed.

The low-cost carrier will reportedly open up several connections from Manchester and Leeds Bradford airports, making it only the second carrier to service Israel from a regional UK base.

Rival no-frills airline Thomsonfly already flies to the country from Manchester and London Luton, while several other airlines have connections at London Heathrow.

Edinburgh to Sardinia route launched

Jet2.com has increased its services from Edinburgh Airport with the launch next year of a new route to the popular holiday destination of Sardinia.

The Saturday service flies into Olbia, on the island’s north east coast, with one-way tickets starting from £55.99, with the first flight set to head out on May 16, 2009.

Blackpool to Menorca with Jet2.com

Low-cost operator Jet2.com has announced the launch of a new service between Blackpool and Menorca for next summer.

The route will start on June 19, 2009, operating once a week with one-way tickets starting from £55.99.

Philip Meeson, of Jet2.com, said: "As the north’s low cost airline, we are always seeking to broaden the choice of destinations from all of our bases.

Jet2.com axes Blackpool to Belfast service

Jet2.com has confirmed that it is dropping its connection between Belfast International Airport and Blackpool Airport.

Rising fuel costs and falling passenger demand have been blamed for the cancellation, though airline executives are indicating it will return next March ahead of the summer season.

Speaking to The Blackpool Gazette about the withdrawal of the service, airport spokesperson Sue Kendrick accepted that some flyers would be inconvenienced but stressed the measure is only temporary.

Jet2.com adds new routes from Belfast

Jet2.com has announced it is to begin operating two new flights from Belfast International Airport in 2009.

The low-cost carrier will open up new connections from the northern Irish capital to the channel island of Jersey and the Balearic island of Menorca.

With the new additions to its schedule, Jet2.com now operates 13 separate services out of Belfast, flying to such popular destinations as Barcelona, Ibiza, Pisa and Toulouse.

Jet2.com backtracks on fuel price optimism

Jet2.com has been criticised for raising its fuel surcharge just weeks after insisting it had stocked up ample supplies at "attractive rates".

During a spat with Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary, Jet2.com's Philip Meeson recently indicated that the airline was virtually immune to short-term hikes in oil prices.

Responding to claims by O'Leary that many low-cost carriers - which he described as "crappy competitors" - faced bankruptcy, Meeson had retorted: "It won't be Jet2.com".

"I'm sorry Mr O'Leary - unlike you, Jet2.com has bought all its fuel for this summer, this coming winter and next summer at attractive rates," he had said. "Our passengers can rely upon us for many, many years to come."

Jet2.com adds new winter routes

Jet2.com has added four additional routes to its winter schedule.

As of yesterday (June 18), the Yorkshire-based low-cost carrier has begun taking bookings for the European city destinations of Amsterdam, Belfast, Dusseldorf and Prague.

All flights depart from Leeds Bradford Airport and one-way fares start from as little as £13.99 including taxes.

Jet2.com announces Sharm el Sheikh flights

Low-cost carrier Jet2.com will begin flying to the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh in February.

The airline plans to operate the new connection from its base in Leeds Bradford Airport, marking it the first time that the Yorkshire region has serviced the popular holiday hotspot.

Sharm el Sheikh is situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and has acquired the nickname of the Red Sea Riviera because of its year-round sunshine and crystal-clear waters.

Leeds Bradford to NY popular with female travellers

Jet2Holidays.com's new Leeds Bradford to New York route has proven to be extremely popular with female travellers.

The low-cost carrier has revealed that 72 per cent of the bookings for the route have been made by women.

Premium service offered by Jet2.com

Jet2.com has announced the launch of a premium upgrade service offering passengers the chance of perks such as fast track boarding, meals and access to airport lounges.

The low-cost airline's Jet2Plus service will be available at all its bases on flights from the UK taking more than two hours, a total of 27 destinations, and cost £24.99 per passenger.

People taking advantage of the service will enjoy priority check-in and passage through fast track security, as well as the chance to relax in a lounge and a premium in-flight meal and drink.

Jet2.com unveils winter ski schedule

Jet2.com has launched its forthcoming winter ski schedule.

The low-cost carrier will be operating flights to the European ski resorts of Chambery, Geneva and Salzburg from its base at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Additional services will be running from Manchester and Blackpool airports to the Swiss city of Geneva, while connections to Chambery are also available from Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh and Newcastle airports.

Jet2.com announces Geneva link

Jet2.com has launched a new route from Blackpool International Airport to the Swiss city of Geneva.

The low-cost carrier will begin its weekly service to the historic city on December 13, with flights running up until at least April 18. Fares will start from just £29.99.

It is the first addition to the airport's schedule since Balfour Beatty completed a £14 million takeover of the facility.

Jet2.com launches Christmas NY flights

Jet2.com has announced that it will be operating new services to New York’s Newark airport in the run-up to the Christmas period.

The low-cost carrier is trialling the route with a service running two departures in November (6 and 13) and two in December (4 and 11), with the possibility of increasing its frequency if demand calls for it.

Newcastle to Corfu and Rhodes from Jet2.com

Jet2.com is to start two new routes to the sun this summer, linking up Newcastle Airport with the holiday destinations of Corfu and Rhodes.

Tickets to the Greek islands are on sale from today (April 21), with one-way fares starting from £69.99 and the first flights to Rhodes start on June 4 and to Corfu on June 30.

Jet2.com’s Philip Meeson said: "The announcement of our new services to Corfu and Rhodes is fantastic news for the North East. Both destinations have lacked direct, scheduled and, importantly, low cost services from Newcastle and we’re delighted to be launching them today.

Jet2.com signs three year deal with Hertz

Low-cost carrier Jet2.com has signed up to a three-year contract with Hertz Europe that it expects to provide "fantastic rates" for passengers.

The airline and car rental service have announced that they will be working closely together, enabling Jet2.com flyers to take advantage of promotions.

Richard Bodin, business director at Jet2.com, welcomed the deal, adding that Hertz was a trusted brand.

"It is important for us as a brand, that when we are offering services to our customers provided by third parties, we have absolute trust in both their service delivery and their value for money," he said.

Jet2.com's low-cost prices for May's new routes

Low-cost carrier Jet2.com has announced discounted fares to new European destinations from Leeds/Bradford and Manchester airports.

The airline commences flights to several cities including Avignon, Crete, Cyprus and Hamburg in May. Tickets start from £9.99 one-way including taxes. A selection of routes included in the offer is as follows:

Fly from Leeds/Bradford to:

Avignon from £29.99 (flights begin May 24)
Crete from £49.99 (flights begin May 20)
Cyprus from £59.99 (flights begin May 4)

Jet2.com announces Leeds Bradford to Paris route

Jet2.com has announced plans to launch a new service between Leeds-Bradford Airport and Paris.

The route between Yorkshire and the French capital is scheduled to begin operating on March 30, with flights available now from £4.99 one-way, including taxes.

There are twice-daily weekday departures in each direction on the route, with flights leaving Leeds-Bradford at 7.50am and 6.30pm and arriving in Paris at 10.20am and 9pm (local time) respectively.

Return journeys are available from the French city at 11am and 9.40pm (local time), arriving in the UK at 11.30am and 10.10pm respectively.

Jet2.com offering 10,000 free flights

Jet2.com has announced plans to launch a free flight giveaway to celebrate its fifth birthday, with 10,000 seats up for grabs.

The airline's competition will launch at 10am on February 12, with visitors to dedicated website www.jet.com/36 asked to identify images from one of the 36 destinations it serves from Leeds Bradford airport.

As well as offering 5,000 free return journeys (including taxes and charges), the budget airline is also giving one person the chance to win return flights to all 36 destinations for them and a friend.

Jet2.com's summer 2008 Manchester flights on sale

Budget airline Jet2.com has begun selling tickets for flights from Manchester next summer to some hot destinations.

Flights from Manchester to Rome, Faro and Budapest are on sale, with prices starting at £29.99 one-way, including charges. Rome and Budapest are ideal city-break destinations, while Faro is the gateway to the Algarve, a popular destination for beach breaks and golfing holidays.

Other routes operated by Jet2.com from Manchester Airport include Alicante, Ibiza, Malaga, Murcia, Nice, Palma de Majorca and Pisa. The airline also flies from London Gatwick, Blackpool, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Belfast and Edinburgh.

Free ski flights in Jet2.com Christmas competition

Full of festive spirit, low-cost airline Jet2.com is giving away 50 pairs of free flights at ski shops across Yorkshire.

The early snowfall in the Alps suggests that this will be a good ski season, and the carrier is running a competition so that passengers can take full advantage.

To be in with a chance, snow-lovers simply need to visit their local ski shop and pick up a flyer to enter the competition. After filling in their details, they just need to send it off to the address on the flyer.

Jet2.com teams up with Holiday Taxis

Budget airline Jet2.com has teamed up with transfer specialist Holiday Taxis, offering private taxis, group minibuses and low-cost shuttle transfers.

This means that passengers can pre-book their transfers before they fly via www.jet2.com, and know that there will be someone there to pick them up when they arrive at their destination.

Holiday Taxis can arrange airport transfers in more than 3,000 resorts across the world - customers simply need to select their destination country, airport and resort from a list on its website, and select the vehicle type desired.

Jet2.com axes Belfast to Prague flights

Jet2.com is to end its service between Belfast International and Prague from early next year.

The BBC website reports that the low-cost airline will stop flying the route in March.

The current service has been in operation since February 2004 and offered four flights a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. But Jet2.com says the flight will end due to "seasonal factors" and it hoped that providing passengers with advance notice would enable them to make alternative travel arrangements. Passengers with tickets for travel are being told they will receive a refund.

Jet2.com Love Muffin wins delicious prize

Passengers flying with Jet2.com can look forward to award-winning muffins when they are flying out on holiday.

Lovebites Foods, has won the Most Innovative Product prize at the Deliciously Yorkshire Annual Awards for its breakfast Lovebite Quorn and Cheese Omelette Muffin. The muffin is available onboard Jet2.com flights costing £2.50.

Lovebites also makes the sandwiches that are also available on the carrier's flights, such as ploughmans butties and chicken and sweetcorn sarnies.

Jet2.com award from Guardian readers

Jet2.com has been awarded the title of Best Short Haul Airline by readers of The Guardian, The Observer and The Guardian Unlimited website, for the second year running.

The airline fought off stiff competition from a number of different airlines operating European routes, with Dutch airline KLM coming second and bmi third; the results were announced at an awards ceremony in Seville.

Ian Doubtfire, managing director at Jet2.com, said: "This really is a fantastic achievement for our airline, all the more special because it is voted for by the British public on key factors such as customer service and inflight experience.

Jet2.com offers up flights to Canaries from Newcastle

Low-cost airline Jet2.com is to start flights from Newcastle to Las Palmas, on Gran Canaria, and Arrecife, on Lanzarote, from next week.

The new Jet2 flights to the Canaries will start on October 29, with the route to Las Palmas operating twice a week on Monday (until mid January) and Saturday. Flights to Arrecife will operate weekly on Thursday.

The flights join Jet2.com's existing winter flights to Tenerife, and allows passengers from the North East to take advantage of scheduled flight-only services to both islands, giving them the freedom to put together their own holiday packages with separate flight and accommodation bookings.

Jet2.com to offer Blackpool to Ibiza link

Budget airline Jet2.com has announced details of new summer 2008 Jet2 flight from Blackpool to Ibiza.

From June 30 until July 6, 2008, flights will leave Blackpool weekly on Thursdays at 7.40am, and will arrive in Ibiza at 11.30am. On the way back, flights will leave at 12.05pm and get back to the UK at 1.55pm.

From July 7 to September 7, flights will increase to twice weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays, leaving at 7.40am (arriving 11.30am) and 5.30pm (arriving 9.20pm). On the way back, flights will depart at 12.05pm and 9.55pm, arriving at 1.55pm and 11.45pm respectively.

Jet2.com introduces new premium service

Passengers flying to the Canary Islands with Jet2.com can enjoy a more upmarket service with the introduction of Jet2.com Plus.

The premium service allows passengers to skip to the front of the check-in queue, go through the Fast Track lane at security, and enjoy a complimentary drink and snacks in the VIP lounge before take-off.

Eight new Jet2.com routes from Leeds

Jet2.com has announced eight new routes from Leeds Bradford Airport as it looks to fly 3.5 million passengers from the Yorkshire hub by 2010.

In what is the largest expansion in the airline's history, Jet2.com will begin the following routes (prices are for one-way tickets, including taxes):

Hamburg, four times per week from May 1, fares from £19.99
Madrid, four times per week from May 2, fares from £28.99

Jet2holidays ties up with XL to offer Sharm El Sheikh

Jet2holidays.com has announced its first breaks that will not use its own low-cost flights - instead, the holidays to Egypt will include flights with XL Airways.

The company will offer trips from Manchester to the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh twice a week, on Tuesdays and Sundays, with prices starting at £389 for a week in a three-star hotel half-board, or from £399 for four-star half-board.

Flights will be operated by XL Airways and will begin on November 4. Until now, Jet2holidays.com has only used Jet2.com flights.

Celebrations mark Jet2.com's ten millionth passenger

Jet2.com has marked a significant milestone in its almost five-year history by welcoming its ten millionth passenger.

The airline cracked open a bottle of champagne with lucky passenger Nicola Cairns, who was flying from the airline’s base at Belfast International Airport to Murcia with her two children, and also gave her return flights for herself and three of her family or friends.

Philip Meeson, Chairman and Chief Executive of Jet2.com, said: "I am absolutely thrilled to welcome our ten millionth passenger on board our service to Murcia from Belfast International today and this truly is a significant moment for us as an airline.

Check in skis and golf clubs online

Low-cost airline Jet2.com has introduced a facility to allow holidaymakers to pre-book equipment such as golf clubs, skis and snowboards online at the airline's website.

The carrier is also offering 25 per cent off the airport charge for those passengers pre-booking online. Travellers need to visit www.jet2.com, check in using the online system, print off their boarding and then head straight to the departure area of the airport.

Those travelling with check-in baggage can leave it at the "Bag Drop" area at check-in.