Flying with easyJet is the most common budget airline experience for UK passengers. The carrier runs services from 22 UK airports to over 130 destinations across Europe, North Africa and beyond. Getting the most from your ticket means knowing which extras are worth adding and which you can skip.
Flying with easyJet: fares and what’s included
easyJet sells two main fare types: Standard and FLEXI. Standard is the base price; FLEXI costs more but bundles in several extras that Standard passengers pay for separately. Most passengers book Standard and add only what they need.
| What | Standard fare | FLEXI fare |
|---|---|---|
| Small cabin bag | Included (under seat only) | Included (under seat only) |
| Large cabin bag | From ~£5 at booking | Included (overhead locker) |
| Hold luggage (23kg) | From ~£28 per leg | 1 bag included |
| Seat selection | From ~£4 per seat | Up Front seats included |
| Speedy Boarding | From ~£6 | Included |
| Cancellation | Flight credit only | Full refund to card |
| Date changes | Fee applies (from ~£30) | Free (up to 1 hour before) |
If you are travelling with hand luggage only on a fixed itinerary, Standard is almost always better value. FLEXI makes sense if you need flexibility, you are checking a bag on a longer trip, or the add-ons would total more than the upgrade cost.
Bags and luggage
Every easyJet passenger gets one small cabin bag free of charge. It needs to fit under the seat in front of you. The maximum dimensions are 45 x 36 x 20cm including handles and wheels. That is smaller than many people assume, and the airline checks on busier flights.
If you want overhead locker access, you will need to add a large cabin bag to your booking. The cost is cheapest at the time of booking, rises at online check-in, and jumps to £48 at the gate if you turn up without it booked. On popular routes, easyJet sometimes removes the option to add it online as the flight fills. Buying it early is the safer choice.
Hold luggage starts from around £28 per flight for a 23kg allowance. A 15kg option is available on some routes. You can add it at any point up to check-in, but it is cheaper at booking. easyJet does not allow passengers to pool their luggage allowances.
Our easyJet cabin bag guide covers every size limit, gauge dimension and gate-check fee in full. If you are not sure whether your bag will pass, it is worth checking before you travel rather than risking the £48 gate charge.
When to book your flights
easyJet releases flights roughly 12 months ahead of departure. The cheapest fares appear early and sell out well before the travel date, particularly for summer routes and school holiday periods. If you are flexible on dates, mid-week options tend to offer better availability at lower prices.
Prices change frequently. The same seat on the same flight can move up or down several times in a week. On popular summer routes, booking earlier is usually the better strategy.
We have looked at the booking question across three guides: when easyJet releases flights, the best time to book easyJet flights, and how far in advance to book.
Checking in
easyJet’s online check-in opens 30 days before departure. You need to complete it yourself, either through the app or the website. There is no counter check-in option unless you have hold luggage to drop. If you are checking bags in, you still complete digital check-in first, then visit the bag drop desk at the airport.
The check-in deadline at the airport is 40 minutes before departure for UK and European flights. Miss that window and you will lose your seat without a refund. The app stores boarding passes offline once downloaded, which is useful at airports with patchy connectivity.
Speedy Boarding
Speedy Boarding lets you board the aircraft before the general queue, which means a better chance of overhead locker space. You will board after passengers needing assistance and families with young children, but ahead of everyone else. It is included with FLEXI fares and some seat types. On a Standard fare, you can add it from around £6 depending on the route.
If you are travelling without a bag that needs overhead space, Speedy Boarding probably is not worth paying for. If you do need a locker spot, it can sometimes work out cheaper than paying for a large cabin bag separately. Our guide covers whether Speedy Boarding is worth it and the routes where the premium makes most sense.
Cancellations and changes
Standard easyJet fares are not refundable. If you cancel, taxes and fees return to your original payment method, but the base fare converts to a flight credit. That credit is valid for 12 months and can be used toward a future easyJet booking. It cannot be transferred to another person.
Making changes to date or route is possible up to 2 hours before departure on Standard fares, but a change fee applies. On FLEXI, changes are free up to 1 hour before the flight. If easyJet cancels your service, you are entitled to a full refund to your original payment method or rebooking on the next available flight.
Our guide to how to cancel an easyJet flight explains all your options, including what you are entitled to when the airline initiates the cancellation.
Travel insurance
easyJet sells its own travel insurance through a third-party underwriter. You can add it during the booking process or later through Manage Bookings. Prices vary by destination, trip length and the number of travellers.
As with most airline-sold insurance, it is worth comparing against standalone policies before buying. The scope of cover, particularly for pre-existing medical conditions, can differ significantly between providers. We have looked at exactly whether easyJet travel insurance is worth it and what the policy includes.
easyJet’s largest UK bases are at London Gatwick and Luton, followed by Bristol, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Routes from smaller UK airports tend to be more seasonal. Checking which airports serve your destination before booking can sometimes save money on ground transport to and from the airport.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring food on an easyJet flight?
Yes, you can bring your own food on board. Liquids in containers over 100ml need to go in hold luggage if you are flying from a UK airport, due to airport security rules. Hot drinks and snacks are available for purchase on board, though the selection varies by route.
Does easyJet charge for printing boarding passes?
No. easyJet does not charge a boarding pass printing fee. You can use a mobile boarding pass in the app, download a PDF to print at home, or access it through the website. All options are free.
What happens if my bag is too big at the gate?
If you arrive at the gate with an unbooked large cabin bag, the fee is £48. The airline checks bag sizes at the gate on busy flights. Booking a large cabin bag before you travel costs significantly less than paying at the gate.
Is easyJet’s Hands Free service still available?
No. easyJet discontinued the Hands Free bag service during 2025. It was a baggage storage and delivery option that let passengers travel through the airport without their bags. It is no longer offered.
Do groups get seated together for free on easyJet?
Not automatically. On Standard fares, easyJet assigns seats at check-in if you have not paid for seat selection. Groups and families are not guaranteed to sit together. The airline says it tries to seat families with young children together, but there is no formal guarantee without paying to choose seats in advance.
When does easyJet check-in open?
Online check-in opens 30 days before departure. It closes approximately 2 hours before most flights, though timings vary by airport. If you miss the online window, you will need to check in at the airport desk, which is not available on all routes.
What is the cheapest way to add luggage to an easyJet booking?
Adding luggage at the time of booking is almost always the cheapest option. Prices rise at the manage-booking stage and again at online check-in. The gate fee for an unbooked large cabin bag is £48. Booking hold luggage when you buy your ticket gives you the best available rate.
