Jet2 is the UK’s third-largest airline and the country’s biggest package holiday operator. It flies from 13 UK airports to around 70 destinations across Europe, the Canary Islands, Turkey, and North Africa. The airline also operates Jet2holidays, an ATOL-protected package product that bundles flights, transfers, and accommodation.
Getting the most from a Jet2 booking means knowing what each product actually includes, what costs extra, and where the rules are stricter than passengers tend to expect.
Jet2 flights vs Jet2holidays: what is included
Jet2 sells two distinct products: Jet2.com scheduled flights (flights only) and Jet2holidays (package holidays). The difference matters more than most people realise before they book, particularly around luggage and ATOL protection.
| Feature | Jet2 flights | Jet2holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin bag (56x45x25cm, 10kg) | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Under-seat bag (40x30x20cm) | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Hold bag (22kg) | Not included (from ~£8) | ✓ 1 per person included |
| Seat selection | Not included (from ~£8) | Not included (same rates) |
| Airport check-in fee | None | None |
| ATOL protection | Flights only, not covered | ✓ Full package protected |
| Transfers | Not included | ✓ Included |
| Change fee (per person, per one-way) | £40 + any fare difference | Sliding scale charges apply |
Prices and policies verified June 2026. Check with Jet2 before booking.
For passengers flying with hold luggage, Jet2holidays is often better value: the 22kg bag is bundled in, plus you get ATOL protection and transfers included. If you are flying hand luggage only, a Jet2.com flight is the leaner option.
Bags and luggage
Every Jet2 passenger gets two free bags: a cabin bag (56x45x25cm, up to 10kg) and a smaller under-seat bag (40x30x20cm, no weight limit). Hold luggage is not included in the base fare and needs to be added separately.
Prices for a hold bag vary by route and when you book. Popular short-haul routes to Alicante, Palma, or Malaga start from around £8 online. Longer routes to Tenerife, Corfu, or Crete typically cost £15 to £25. Turn up at the airport without a pre-booked bag and the walk-up price is a flat £45. Each bag has a maximum weight of 22kg. Excess beyond that is charged at £12 per kilogram. You can take up to three bags per person.
Our guide to the Jet2 checked baggage allowance covers every fee and rule in full.
How strict is Jet2 with hand luggage?
Very. Since 2024, Jet2 has tightened enforcement with gauge frames and scales at every gate. If your cabin bag exceeds 56x45x25cm or weighs more than 10kg, the gate fee is £60. That is non-negotiable once you are at the gate.
Jet2 also sells a Guaranteed Cabin Luggage add-on for around £12 to £15 per person per flight. It does not change the size or weight limits. What it does is guarantee your bag a space in the overhead locker, which on busy flights is the only benefit it delivers.
Our Jet2 hand luggage guide explains what gets checked, what triggers the fee, and whether the Guaranteed Cabin Luggage add-on is worth adding.
Checking in for your Jet2 flight
Online check-in opens 28 days before departure and closes 6 hours before the flight. You can complete it through the Jet2 website or app. Jet2 does not charge for checking in at the airport desk, which distinguishes it from some other budget carriers.
If your flight departs before noon, Jet2 offers twilight check-in the evening before at 10 UK airports: Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, and Newcastle. The window is 16:30 to 21:00. You need to have completed online check-in at least 24 hours beforehand. Up to eight people can check in per session.
One exception: Turkey routes only support partial online check-in. You will still need to visit the airport desk to complete the process.
Our guide to when Jet2 check-in opens covers every deadline, the twilight option, and a resort flight check-in service available in Cyprus during peak season.
Seat selection
Standard seat selection costs from around £8 per person per flight. Exit row seats with extra legroom run from £8 to £25, averaging around £16. If you do not choose a seat, Jet2 allocates one free at online check-in, 28 days before departure, on a first-come basis.
Jet2 operates mainly Boeing 737-800 aircraft in a 3-3 layout with 189 seats. The best legroom is in Rows 16 and 17 (exit rows). Row 14 is also decent. Avoid Row 12, which sits directly ahead of the exit rows and cannot recline. Some routes use the Airbus A321neo instead.
Exit row conditions: able-bodied adults only, seats do not recline, and there is no underseat storage during take-off and landing. Jet2holidays does not include seat selection. The same prices apply whether you book as a package or flights only.
Our Jet2 seat selection guide covers the best seats row by row, pricing by seat type, and whether it is worth paying for your trip.
Cancellations and changes
All Jet2.com scheduled flights are non-refundable if you cancel, regardless of how much notice you give. There is no cooling-off period and no partial refund. The only exception is when Jet2 cancels and cannot offer a suitable alternative, in which case you are entitled to a full refund to your original payment method.
Jet2holidays works differently. A sliding scale of cancellation charges applies depending on notice given. Cancel more than 70 days before departure and you lose your deposit only. Cancel within 14 days and you lose 100% of the booking value.
If you want to change rather than cancel, both date changes and name changes cost £40 per person per one-way flight. Date changes also carry any fare difference if the new date is more expensive. Our full guide to the Jet2 cancellation policy covers every scenario, including what you are entitled to when Jet2 initiates the cancellation.
Travel insurance
Jet2 offers its own travel insurance at the checkout stage, underwritten by a third-party insurer. You can add it during booking or later through Manage My Booking. Prices vary by destination, trip length, and party size.
As with most airline-sold policies, it is worth comparing against standalone options before buying. Cover for pre-existing medical conditions in particular can differ significantly between providers. Our guide looks at exactly whether Jet2 travel insurance is worth it, including what the policy includes and where the gaps are.
When Jet2 releases flights
Jet2 releases its summer schedule roughly 12 months ahead of departure. Summer 2027 flights went on sale on 15 October 2025, with all 13 UK airports going live simultaneously. The winter schedule typically appears around six to eight months before departure.
Pricing is dynamic. Early booking does not guarantee the lowest fare, but popular summer routes and school holiday dates tend to sell out well before the travel date. Jet2holidays deposits are £60 per person, with interest-free monthly payments available until eight weeks before departure.
Our guide to when Jet2 releases flights explains the release schedule in full, including why early booking does not always mean the cheapest price.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hold bag included with Jet2?
Not on Jet2.com flights. Hold luggage must be added separately and costs from around £8 online for popular short-haul routes. Jet2holidays packages include one 22kg bag per person as standard.
When does Jet2 check-in open?
Online check-in opens 28 days before departure and closes 6 hours before the flight. Airport desks open around two and a half hours before departure and close 40 minutes before.
How much does seat selection cost with Jet2?
Standard seats start from around £8 per person per flight. Exit row seats with extra legroom cost between £8 and £25, with most averaging around £16. If you do not choose a seat, one is allocated free at check-in 28 days before departure.
Is Jet2 strict with hand luggage?
Yes. Jet2 uses gauge frames and scales at every gate. The cabin bag limit is 56x45x25cm and 10kg. Bags that do not pass face a £60 gate fee. Enforcement has been consistent since 2024.
Can you get a refund if you cancel a Jet2 flight?
No. All Jet2.com scheduled flights are non-refundable if you cancel, regardless of notice given. The only exception is when Jet2 cancels and cannot offer a suitable alternative.
When does Jet2 release its summer flights?
Roughly 12 months ahead of departure. All 13 UK airports go live at the same time. Summer 2027 went on sale in October 2025.
Is Jet2 travel insurance worth buying?
It depends on your needs and what you can get elsewhere. Jet2’s policy is sold at checkout and underwritten by a third party. Comparing it against standalone policies, particularly for cancellation cover and pre-existing medical conditions, is worth doing before you commit.
