Jet2 Moves Into London Gatwick in 2026 — And They’re Bringing Sunshine, New Jets, and Hundreds of Jobs
Pack your sunglasses, London — Jet2 is officially moving into Gatwick from March 2026, and they’re not coming quietly. They’re arriving with six aircraft, 29 sunshine-soaked destinations, and the energy of someone crashing a party with a tray of cocktails and saying, “Did someone order a holiday?”
This marks Gatwick’s biggest new airline base launch of the entire century — yes, the whole 2000s era — expanding Jet2’s empire to 14 UK airports. Basically, they’re collecting airport bases the way some people collect air miles.
Six Shiny Jets, Including Five Brand-New A321neos
Jet2 is basing five brand-new Airbus A321neos at Gatwick. These aircraft are ultra-modern, fuel-efficient, and quiet — the aviation equivalent of that friend who’s somehow always calm, organised, and drinking green smoothies.
Thanks to these new planes, fuel burn and CO₂ emissions per seat drop by over 20%. More holidays, less environmental guilt. Win-win.
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Hundreds of New Jobs Take Off
Jet2’s arrival is also great news for the local job market. More than 300 direct jobs are being created — pilots, cabin crew, engineers, ground staff — plus hundreds more indirect roles across the region.
So if you’ve ever looked at a plane and thought, “I could totally be part of that,” now’s your moment.
29 Destinations to Escape to (Including Tenerife First!)
The very first Jet2 flight from Gatwick will head to Tenerife on 26 March 2026, perfectly timed for the Easter holidays — because nothing says “rebirth and renewal” like swapping English drizzle for Canary sunshine.
Other destinations span Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Malta, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria and Cyprus. In short: if it has beaches, mezze, tapas, or sunshine, Jet2 is probably flying there.
What the Bosses Say
Gatwick CEO Pierre-Hugues Schmit called Jet2’s big move “an exciting new chapter,” and highlighted how it boosts passenger choice and supports regional growth — especially after the green light for the Northern Runway expansion.
Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy is equally enthusiastic, calling the launch “a major milestone.” He says strong demand and Jet2’s fan-favourite holiday model mean this new Gatwick base is basically a game-changer for travellers across London and the Southeast.
In other words: more flights, more holiday options, more jobs — and a very sunny 2026 ahead for London Gatwick.
