Europe's second-largest budget carrier — better than Ryanair on comfort, slightly pricier
easyJet is Europe's second-largest low-cost carrier after Ryanair. The airline operates a large European network with a focus on UK, France, Switzerland, and Italy. Compared to Ryanair, easyJet is generally considered slightly more comfortable with better airport choices (major airports vs. secondary airports). The tradeoff is slightly higher base fares. easyJet has no business class and charges extra for seat selection, baggage, and food.
Single-class cabin with 29-inch seat pitch — tight but standard for European LCCs. Seats are 18 inches wide on the A320neo, slightly less on the A319. No personal screens. Some seats in the front rows and over-wing exits have extra legroom (available for a fee). All seats include power outlets on newer aircraft.
easyJet does not offer business class.
1 small cabin bag (under the seat) included with all fares. Overhead cabin bag and checked luggage are extras. Checked bags typically cost $10-40 depending on weight and when you add them. easyJet Plus members get a free overhead cabin bag.
No seatback entertainment. easyJet's in-flight entertainment app offers paid movies and TV shows streamed to your device. No Wi-Fi on most flights.
Buy on board only. The Bistro menu offers sandwiches, snacks, hot drinks, and alcoholic beverages. Prices are reasonable by airline standards. No complimentary food or drink.
Compare prices across booking platforms and find the best deal.
Search easyJet flights →easyJet maintains an on-time performance rate of approximately 78-80%, which is strong for a short-haul carrier operating in congested European airspace. The airline's operational base at London Luton and its reliance on slot-constrained airports like London Gatwick and Amsterdam Schiphol can impact punctuality during peak periods. easyJet holds a 7/7 safety rating. The fleet consists of approximately 340 Airbus A320 family aircraft (A319, A320, and A321neo) with an average age of about 8 years.
easyJet operates from over 30 bases across Europe, connecting more than 150 destinations in approximately 35 countries. The airline's largest bases include London Gatwick (LGW), London Luton (LTN), Milan Malpensa (MXP), Paris CDG, and Berlin. Unlike Ryanair, easyJet tends to use primary airports rather than secondary alternatives — this means better transport links to city centers but slightly higher base fares. easyJet is particularly strong on UK domestic routes, UK to Mediterranean leisure routes, and city-pair connections across Western Europe. The airline has also expanded into North Africa, serving destinations in Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey.
easyJet base fares are typically 10-20% higher than Ryanair on comparable routes, but the overall cost can be similar once add-ons are factored in. easyJet's fee structure is simpler and generally less aggressive than Ryanair's. All passengers can bring one free cabin bag (max 45×36×20 cm under-seat bag), with the option to add an overhead cabin bag (from £6) or checked bag (from £20). The easyJet Plus membership (from £235/year) includes fast-track security, a choice of seat, overhead locker bag, and dedicated bag drop — worthwhile for frequent travelers. easyJet fares follow a predictable pattern: cheapest 8-12 weeks before departure, then rising sharply in the final 2-3 weeks. The airline releases sales every few weeks, typically on its app before the website.
easyJet Plus ($310/year) provides a free overhead cabin bag, speedy boarding, seat selection, fast-track security at some airports, and flight changes flexibility. Flight Club is a tiered program based on flight frequency (10+ flights per year) offering discounts and perks.
Fly easyJet if: European budget travelers who want low base fares with a slightly more comfortable experience than Ryanair.
Consider alternatives if: Anyone expecting full-service amenities — easyJet is a no-frills carrier and charges for everything beyond the base fare.
easyJet receives a 3.5/5 rating in our review. It is a budget-friendly option based on cabins, baggage, entertainment, food, and loyalty program.
easyJet is based at London Luton (LTN).
1 small cabin bag (under the seat) included with all fares. Overhead cabin bag and checked luggage are extras. Checked bags typically cost $10-40 depending on weight and when you add them. easyJet Plus members get a free overhead cabin bag.
Use our flight comparison tool to compare easyJet prices across booking platforms including Kiwi.com. Booking 6-8 weeks in advance and flying mid-week typically yields the cheapest fares.
easyJet and Ryanair serve similar markets but differ in key areas. easyJet uses primary airports (better locations, easier transfers), has slightly wider seats, and a simpler fee structure. Ryanair typically offers lower base fares, has a younger fleet, and is more punctual. The best choice depends on your specific route, baggage needs, and airport preferences.
Yes. easyJet uses assigned seating — you can pay extra to choose a specific seat (from £3-30 depending on location) or let the system automatically assign one for free at check-in. Extra legroom seats and front-row seats cost more. easyJet Plus members get free seat selection on all flights.
easyJet launched 'Worldwide by easyJet' — a self-connect service that allows passengers to book connecting flights through London Gatwick and select other airports. This is not a traditional connection (no through-checked bags), but easyJet provides a connection guarantee that will rebook you if you miss the second flight due to a delay on the first.
Book early for the best easyJet fares — prices typically increase as the departure date approaches. Also, the middle seats often go unsold on less busy flights, so if you're traveling with someone, book an aisle and window and you may get the middle free.