EasyJet is one of the most popular low-budget airlines offering domestic and international flights in Europe. It was founded in 1995 with the same goal and quickly launched its first international route from London to Amsterdam in 1996 and another to Nice and Barcelona the following year. With time, the company has expanded greatly, with agreements to purchase several new aircraft from Airbus, along with setting up more than 25+ bases across Europe.
The airline also offers flights to more than 100 destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. This EasyJet review tells you everything you need to know about this airline, booking process, airport experience, safety standards, and a whole lot more.
Booking Process
There are various ways you can book an EasyJet flight. The first is the airline’s website. The other two options include the EasyJet mobile app and their phone booking system. The sections below describe how the booking experience on all these mediums is and what you can expect from the process.
Website
When you open the EasyJet website, you see a well-laid-out interface that lets you enter all the basic details of your travel, including where you want to travel from and to. You can also enter how many passengers are flying and what your travel dates are. The website also lists some unbeatable flight deals, which keep changing from time to time.
While the interface seems easy to navigate, some customers have stated that the website keeps misloading, and interactions with customer care to resolve this lead to multiple instances of erroneous information.
In our testing, we found the website to work fairly decently. However, the deeper you go into the booking process, you wish the interface was a little more intuitive with the information being laid out in a manner that was easier on the eyes.
Mobile App
EasyJet’s mobile app has been rated 4.8 out of 2K reviews on the App Store, while it has a rating of 4.7 by 312K reviews on the Google Play Store. In our testing with the iOS app, you’re greeted with the same orange and white theme across every page.
Once you enter the details of your trip, you’ll find that the information is slightly better laid out on a mobile phone than it is on the website. Below are the flights available around your travel dates. You’ll also see that it lists key information about the fares, fees and charges, Flexi Fares, Bags, and other extra details. The app worked reasonably well and was fast enough to navigate, with no frustrating errors disrupting the process.
Both the website and the app also have a section that allows you to book holidays, with options such as budget-friendly holidays, discounted options, and holidays based on the holiday season at the time.
Phone
According to the information on EasyJet’s website, the best way to book a ticket is via the website or the EasyJet mobile app. The customer service team is available for those who are unable to manage their bookings online or need some kind of special assistance. However, there will usually be an admin fee associated with asking the customer service team to manage or make changes to your booking.
However, the website also makes it clear that every customer will be informed of these charges upfront when they contact the customer service team.
Airport Experience
The following sections tell you all about the experience EasyJet offers its customers at the airport. It covers the overall check-in experience, the bag-drop facilities, security, and boarding processes.
Check-In Efficiency
Most customers have rated EasyJet to be above average in terms of its check-in process and its efficiency. You can do this easily using the EasyJet mobile app, and unlike some other budget airlines that require you to print out a boarding pass, EasyJet gives you an e-boarding pass on your mobile.
EasyJet allows you to check in within 30 days to two hours before your flight is set to depart, and you can easily do this via their website or mobile application. Keep in mind that while you can show airport security your boarding pass via the EasyJet mobile app, you cannot use a PDF version of it as it cannot be scanned. As a result, you could choose to print out your boarding pass just to play it safe.
Any changes made to your booking such as changing your travel dates and adding hold luggage will require you to print a new boarding pass to ensure all the relevant details are updated and correct.
Bag-Drop Convenience
EasyJet offers a Twilight Bag Drop service which allows you to drop off your hold baggage the evening before your flight. You can head to the Bag Drop area within the designated hours and drop your bag off. However, you will need to carry your passport and boarding passes to do this. The airline will ensure that you can seamlessly pick up your luggage at your destination. This service is also free, so you won’t have to pay any additional charges for it.
EasyJet also offers an airport bag collection service. If you are flying from London Gatwick or Geneva, you can get your luggage collected and checked in by the airport. This allows you to travel to the airport luggage-free, skip the bag-drop queue, and head straight for your security screening.
Security Screening
The security screening for EasyJet flights is the same as that of all other airlines. It is managed by the airport authorities and not the airline’s staff. It typically involves screening your baggage, along with any manual checks if needed. The process is usually efficient, but this can depend on how busy the airport is at any given point.
The airline lists certain items that you are not allowed to carry. These include knives and shop objects, explosives, toxic chemicals, guns, and firearms, among others.
Boarding Procedure
In terms of the boarding procedure, those who request special assistance are made to board the flight first. These are followed by the Speedy Boarding passengers, families with children under the age of five, after which the other passengers can board.
While the Speedy Boarding sounds like a great solution for those looking for priority boarding options, reviews on Tripadvisor on this are conflicting, with some saying that it’s chaotic or a scam.
Flight Experience
The flight experience is another important aspect to understand for someone who wants a fuller picture of what EasyJet has to offer. The sections below tell you everything you need to know about its cabin’s comfort, the cabin crew’s friendliness, and the meal and beverage options on offer.
Cabin Comfort
The cabin on an EasyJet flight offers three different classes of seats. You can choose where you’d like to sit for a fee. The three seats include:
- Standard Seats: You can choose whether you want to sit on the window, middle, or aisle. These seats are free for EasyJet Plus cardholders and for customers who have purchased a FLEXI fare.
- Up Front Seats: The Up Front seats are the ones between rows 2 and 6 (or 2 and 5 on some flights.) You can also place a small under-seat cabin bag. These seats are also free for EasyJet Plus cardholders and for customers who have purchased a FLEXI fare.
- Extra Legroom Seats: These seats offer extra legroom, plus all the benefits of the Up Front seats. Once again, these are free for EasyJet Plus cardholders and discounted for those who have purchased a FLEXI fare.
Cabin Crew Friendliness
According to ratings on forums and other sources, passengers have had good things to say about the cabin crew and their in-flight experience. They commended the crew’s language skills, their friendliness, and the manner in which they manage the passengers in the event that flights need to take off quickly due to air traffic restrictions.
Meal and Beverage Options
Like other budget airlines, EasyJet doesn’t offer any free food and beverages on board their flights. However, they have an in-flight meal service where you can buy any food and beverage of your choice from the EasyJet menu.
For instance, you can buy yourself a Costa Cappuccino for £3.95. A smoked bacon sourdough roll, on the other hand, will cost you about £5.25, while a Meatball Marinara Wrap will cost you £5.75. You can choose from a range of sandwiches, coffees, hot chocolates, and crips and sodas; the usual options on any budget airline. You also have the option of purchasing alcoholic drinks on board your EasyJet flight.
Operational Performance
This section on EasyJet’s operational performance covers everything from its punctuality with respect to departures, baggage handling, and cancellations and delays.
On-Time Departures
Most reviews on EasyJet’s punctuality with respect to departures state that the airline typically departs on time. Slight delays are to be expected and could occur for a range of reasons, including the late arrival of a connecting flight, air traffic conditions, and so on. However, many reviewers also state that most smaller departures are made up for during the flight’s travel.
Additionally, EaysJet also offers a flight tracker on its website and mobile application with which you can check the status of your flight. It shows you when your flight is expected to arrive or depart, and highlights any delays if they were to occur.
Baggage Handling
EasyJet’s baggage policies have been known to be among the strictest, like other budget airlines such as RyanAir. Their policies keep changing from time to time, which makes it crucial that you check the exact policy before packing for your trip.
In terms of handling, the airline has mostly received decent ratings. A piece that offered an inside look into EasyJet’s baggage handling at London Gatwick stated that DHL was in charge of the ground handling for more than 700 flights per week from Birmingham and 500 from Manchester, where EasyJet is the second largest airline.
DHL also made major investments in equipment that made their baggage handling a lot more efficient and environmentally friendly. The changes are said to have resulted in a 6% uplift in on-time performance since November 2017.
In the event that your baggage is damaged while in EasyJet’s care, they also have a policy to repair or replace it as quickly as possible. This requires you to take a picture of the damaged luggage before leaving the airport and file a report within 7 days to claim compensation.
Flight Cancellations and Delays
Like a lot of other airlines, EasyJet flights are also prone to occasional delays and cancellations. To learn more about common causes and how to deal with cancellations, check out why flights get cancelled. According to a report on Sky News, EasyJet was the 17th worst-performing short-haul flight in the UK in terms of delays, with an average delay of 20 minutes and 24 seconds.
The EasyJet website states that the best way to keep track of your flight schedule is through their Flight Tracker. It also lists the compensation the airline provides in the event of a delay. EasyJet’s operations are governed by EU Regulation 261/2004.
According to this, delays beyond a certain point and cancellations entitle passengers to various rights, including arrangements on an alternative flight, food and beverages, phone calls, and more. Our website offers more information on passenger rights in case of a flight delay. You can read these and our other guides to understand the various types of compensation you are entitled to.
Safety Standards
Is EasyJet safe? The safety standards that EasyJet has in place are another crucial factor to consider when deciding whether to fly with the airline. This includes the condition of its fleet, its consumer protection policies, and environmental sustainability. The sections elaborate on these aspects in detail.
Fleet Technical Condition
Currently, EasyJet has a fleet of 347 aircraft. Of these, 82 are Airbus A319s, 180 are A320s, 69 are the A320 Neos, and 16 are A321 Neos. Additionally, the airline also struck a deal with Airbus for 157 new aircraft from 2029. This agreement was made in 2023.
In 2022, EasyJet also decided to utilize its purchase options of an additional 56 Airbus A320 Neo between FY26 and FY29. They also planned on converting deliveries of 18 A320Neo aircraft to A321 of a higher gauge.
Environmental Sustainability
In 2019, EasyJet announced a partnership with Airbus, a joint research project on zero-emissions aircraft. It also became the first major airline to offset 100% of the carbon emissions from the fuel used for all its flights on behalf of all its customers.
Additionally, in 2020, EasyJet also welcomed the unveiling by its partner Airbus of three new zero-emission hydrogen-fueled commercial aircraft concepts. In 2022, it further announced its roadmap to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Thus, the airline has been taking major strides towards reducing its environmental impact with meaningful steps and partnerships.
Consumer Protection Policies
As with all other airlines, EasyJet and all its operations are governed by the laws under EU Regulation 261. As mentioned earlier, this regulation governs airlines and establishes rules on providing compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of a delay, denied boarding, or a flight cancellation.
Our detailed guides on the compensation you are entitled to in each of these scenarios are available on our website.
Route Information and Destinations
EasyJet operates across 1099 routes spread across 35 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Some of these countries include France, Spain, Austria, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Germany, and so on.
Despite being a budget airline, one highlight of EasyJet when compared to Ryanair, for instance, is that it operates via most major airports. As a result, you won’t have to go out of your way to one on the outskirts of major cities.
Pricing and Fees
EasyJet is a low-budget airline, which means that the cost of the ticket essentially covers your seat and the bare minimum. Any meals, seat preferences, or other services need an additional fee. Here is a breakdown of their fares based on what kind of ticket you decide to purchase:
- Standard Fares: This ticket covers the cost of your seat and a small under-seat cabin bag. You can then choose if you want to add hold luggage or reserve seats.
- FLEXI Fares: EasyJet’s FLEXI fares offer benefits such as a large cabin bag, a 23kg hold bag, a free upfront seat, or you could upgrade to a seat with extra legroom at a discount. You also get fast-track security and speedy boarding.
- EasyJet Plus: If you are an EasyJet Plus member, you can use the EasyJet Plus Bag Drop. You can also book a seat for free anywhere on the plane, bring an additional large cabin bag in addition to your small under-seat bag.
- Flight Club: Flight Club is a loyalty program for the airline’s most frequent programs. Membership to this program is by invitation only and offers benefits such as fee-free changes, price guarantees, and a preview of scheduled seat releases and sales.
Fare Transparency
Airlines today have to be transparent with their pricing structures, breaking down each fee it charges with its purpose. In 2012, EasyJet changed how it displayed prices by adding a £9 admin fee in an effort to make their pricing more transparent.
However, as with other budget airlines, the more you want from your ticket, including better seats, meals, extra luggage, and so on, the more the pricing increases, making it difficult to keep up with.
Additional Fees
The fee you pay for an EasyJet flight usually only covers your flight and a small under-seat cabin bag, as mentioned above. If you want to upgrade your seat, book a FLEXI fare, or add hold luggage, the pricing increases each time. EasyJet also provides a breakdown of its fees and charges, including:
- A £0 Administration Fee.
- Group bookings per passenger, per flight at £20.
- Allocated seating in the first row from £12.99.
- Allocated searching upfront/over wing from £7.99.
- A large cabin bag starting from £5.99.
- Hold luggage up to 15kg from £6.99.
- Hold luggage up to 23kg from £9.49.
The airline also charges for cancellation, and how much you pay depends on how close to the day of your flight you cancel your tickets. Cancellations within 24 hours of booking will cost you £49 when done online, or £55 while done with the assistance of the customer service team. Name changes, on the other hand, will cost you £60 when done online, and £65 when done with the assistance of the customer service team.
Loyalty Programs
EasyJet’s Loyalty Program is called Flight Club. This is an invitation-only program for those who frequently fly with their airline. As per the EasyJet website, the airline has paused invitations to new members. Some of the key benefits this program offers include unlimited changes to dates and travel routes without paying any admin fees, a refund of the difference for any tickets found cheaper on other airlines within 48 hours of making a booking, and so on.
Additionally, members also get advanced notifications of sales and scheduled seat releases.
Refunds and Ticket Cancellation
Is EasyJet reliable in terms of its refunds? EasyJet states that its tickets and fares are non-refundable. So, if you cancel or miss your flight, you will not receive a refund. The exception to this is if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking it. In this case, you will receive a full refund minus the Cancellation Fee. In the event of a terminal illness or family bereavement, you will be required to present all relevant documents to the customer support team.
You can refer to the section on Additional Fees above for more information on the airline’s Cancellation charges.
Customer Service
According to reviews, EasyJet’s staff are the friendliest when compared to other budget airlines. In the event of any problem, they step in to help resolve your issues. However, the customer service team has not been given such good reviews when contacted on the phone.
The EasyJet rating for its customer support is 3.5 on Tripadvisor.
Support Channels
EasyJet offers various ways for customers to get in touch with the airline’s customer support team. The website offers a live chat option that can help you resolve most basic queries. It requires your booking reference number to be able to access it.
Additionally, you can also reach their customer service teams by phone with dedicated numbers for each country. You can also reach them via email.
However, besides directly contacting customer support, the website also lists crucial web forms, including those for EU261 Compensation, claiming expenses, serious illnesses, claiming a tax refund, VAT invoice, and bereavement.
Response Time
EasyJet responds to general queries by email within 14 days as per its website. Reviews on the airline’s response times to customer service queries are mixed, with some stating that their issues were resolved quickly, while others stated having to repeatedly follow up to have their issues resolved.
Handling of Issues or Complaints
As mentioned in a few sections above, the customer service team on-site and airline staff have mostly received positive reviews. However, some customers have stated instances where they had to involve a supervisor to have their issues resolved quickly.
Overall, their customer support and assistance within the airport score better than their customer support over calls and emails.
Customer Reviews
EasyJet has received mixed reviews from customers, with its fair share of pros and cons. These are listed below:
Pros
- Affordable ticket prices across most routes
- Quick check-in process on the app
- Flies via major airports rather than smaller ones outside big cities
- Friendly customer service at airports
Cons
- Basic in-flight experience
- Add-ons can significantly become expensive
- Minimally stocked terminals at airports in terms of food options and seating
- Strict baggage allowances
- Lots of additional fees for every amenity or upgrade beyond the basic fare
About EasyJet
EasyJet is a low-cost, budget airline with its headquarters in London Luton Airport. It is a subsidiary of EasyJet plc. It operates a mix of domestic and international routes, with a total of 1099 across 35 countries in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
The company has expanded via a series of acquisitions over the years since its establishment in 1995. It is currently the second-largest budget airline in Europe after Ryanair.
Conclusion
EasyJet has gained a good reputation as a reliable low-budget airline that operates out of major cities and airports, a key quality that gives it a leg up when compared to its rival Ryanair. It has a fleet of 347 aircraft at present and has plans to expand its fleet with its partnership with Airbus.
Its low fares come with the bare minimum, and any upgrades in terms of seats and increased luggage come at an additional cost. This often significantly increases the cost of travel from its base fare.
As someone flying with EasyJet, you must familiarize yourself with all its major policies to ensure a smooth experience. This comprehensive review has listed everything you need to know about EasyJet, its pricing, customer service, and other amenities.
FAQ
EasyJet is a low-cost domestic and international airline that has also been ranked as the second safest low-cost airline of 2024. While its affordable fares make for a basic in-flight experience, you can pay more to enjoy more amenities.
EasyJet follows a dynamic pricing model with which you pay more when there’s greater demand for seats, and less when demand is low. The moment the seats are released, the prices are at their lowest.