Information on easyJet Flights

easyJet is one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, headquartered at Luton Airport in the UK. It offers affordable travel to many popular destinations throughout Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

I’ve found flying with easyJet both reasonably comfortable and convenient on short-haul flights. The airline’s offering is just right for a cheap flight to most European destinations.

Inside easyJet’s planes

easyJet operates a single aircraft type fleet of 182 Airbus A320-family planes.

The airline’s cabins are generally clean and tidy and more comfortable than you might expect flying low-cost. At 17.7”-wide, the airline’s seats are roomier than many economy class seats in the market, including on flagship carriers. While the seat separation is a bit tight, at around 29”, it’s not much closer than the 30” you’ll find on many airlines.

The slightly tighter seating has never bothered me, but I am on the short side. Taller passengers will be more comfortable on the front and exit row seats which can be reserved for an added fee.

It’s important to know that you will need to pay to select any seat on an easyJet plane. You could also book a FLEXifare ticket, which includes seat selection, though you would still have to pay a discounted rate for extra legroom seats.

Because there are only a few extra legroom seats on easyJet planes, it’s smart to reserve the seat as early as possible, at the time of booking. On busy flights, they may go quickly.

How easyJet keeps flights affordable?

While low-cost carriers sometimes have a bad reputation, easyJet has earned its customers' loyalty by covering the basics well. It ensures flights are safe by operating and maintaining a relatively young fleet. While it flies to many large airports, it also flies out of some smaller regional airports to cut back on costs.

I often find that better since smaller airports are easier to navigate. Still, I recommend checking the distance from the airport to your final destination before booking. Sometimes, the transport cost to your intended end-point and back will gobble up any money you save on airfare. That said, easyJet offers a transport booking service on its website, which can save a bit.

Don’t expect any frills on easyJet. Everything is extra. That said, I’ve found the paid-for services, including food and beverages, to be of fairly good quality. The cabin crew is friendly, which makes for a better flying experience on any airline.

Another way in which easyJet controls its costs to keep fares low is by relying on digital connections to its customers. I recommend downloading the airline app for timely flight updates so you don’t miss your boarding order, especially if you have paid for priority boarding.

Before booking low-cost flights, I compare the full cost, including all the extras I might need, to competitors' fares. While the low-cost airline may still be cheaper, that’s not always the case.

How to board an easyJet flight?

Like other European low-cost carriers, EasyJet offers two types of boarding: priority and general. The airline first allows passengers who request special assistance to board, then passengers who paid for its Speedy Boarding extra, then families traveling with small children, and finally general boarding. All boarding happens fairly quickly, so it’s good to be alert and on time at the gate, especially if you expect priority boarding.

easyJet flights will often park on the apron, and not use the airport’s jetways. That’s another way in which the airline cuts down on costs. Instead, you’ll walk up the stairs of their planes, usually both at the front and the back. I quite like this double-boarding since it splits the queue in half and everyone gets on the plane sooner. It’s important to know where your seat is located to avoid crossing the crowd.

I recommend checking out the aircraft seat map on the airline’s website in advance. You’ll want to board through the back of the plane if your seat is behind the mid-exit door and through the font if your seat is in front of the mid-exit door. You’ll also find which door to use marked on your boarding pass.

Pack light for an easyJet flight

The airline’s overhead bins are roomy, but they will get full quickly on a crowded flight. The airline charges extra for bringing added luggage onboard. Usually, I travel light with a small wheeled bag that fits under the seat and meets easyJet’s limit of 45 cm x 36 cm x 20 cm. This way I avoid paying for larger cabin luggage or checked luggage.

A capsule travel wardrobe can work wonders for most trips. If you’re going on an extended holiday and need to bring more things along, it’s worth paying for the larger cabin luggage (the maximum size allowed is 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm). You also benefit from Speedy Boarding if you pay for extra onboard bags in advance. Don’t leave it until the last minute, though, as you will pay more for baggage at the airport.

Transfers on easyJet flights

easyJet only operates point-to-point flights. If you need to connect, either to another easyJet flight or with a different airline, you must first collect any bags you checked at baggage claim. Then you should go to the airline desk on your next flight to check in again. I don’t recommend booking close connections to avoid missing the next flight.

easyJet FLEXifare

While you can fly with easyJet on the cheapest bare fares, sometimes having a little breathing room for when things don’t go as planned is better, especially if you are flying on a business trip. easyJet offers FLEXifare tickets which allow flight changes if you need them. The fare also comes with some nice perks. You can bring a large cabin bag onboard besides your small under-seat bag, plus a checked bag of up to 23kg which you can leave at the airline’s bag drop.

You can get free Up Front seats, or a discount on extra legroom seats, fast-track security where available, speedy boarding, and a discount on in-flight food and beverages (not including alcoholic drinks). If you’re traveling through Gatwick Airport, you can also go to the Gateway Lounge in the North Terminal while you wait for your flight.

easyJet Plus membership

Another way to save and get instant perks with your booking is to get an easyJet Plus membership. There’s a fixed annual fee, and it’s only worth it if you fly often enough with the airline to offset that fee and use the perks. EasyJet Plus members can pick their seats without paying a fee, including extra legroom seats. You can also use the bag-drop facilities where available, as well as fast-track security and speedy boarding.

Onboard, you get a discount on in-flight meal and beverage items. The airline guarantees that easyJet Plus members will always pay the lowest fare for their trip, and will credit the difference if you find a lower fare on their website. You can also return on an earlier flight, when available without paying for a flight change. The membership renews automatically every year, so don’t forget to cancel it if you don’t need it anymore.

Flying with easyJet as a family

Booking an easyJet flight to a bucket list destination can be a great way to save on a family holiday. The airline offers flights to many ideal vacation spots. But traveling together on a low-cost airline takes a little planning. You must pay to reserve the seats at the time you book and pay a fee to avoid being split up. Children over two must have an individual seat booking. Those traveling with children under 5 years of age can board early, but you need to be at the gate in time for early boarding or you’ll miss the window.

easyJet also allows families to check two children’s items without having to pay a fee, including travel cots, pushchairs, car seats, prams, booster seats or baby back carriers. The rest of the baggage restrictions apply, so I recommend thinking ahead on whether it might be best to book FLEXifare tickets for the family that include extra baggage allowance, or simply pay for extra bags.

What to expect at the easyJet Gateway Lounge in Gatwick Airport North Terminal?

If you’re flying on an easyJet FLEXifare ticket out of Gatwick Airport you can visit the airline’s Gateway Lounge. You can also access this lounge if you are an easyJet Plus member or a Priority Pass member. It is also pay-for-access. Though it is not a very large lounge, and the ambiance is closer to a cafeteria than a club, it’s a good place to relax and offers a buffet and beverages. Power outlets can be hard to find and are few in number, but you can get some work done while you’re there.