EasyJet, the pioneering budget airline, has transformed UK air travel over more than three decades. The Press Association answers 10 key questions about the carrier's history and operations.
Who founded easyJet?
Greek Cypriot entrepreneur Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou created the airline, reportedly naming it after sketching ideas on a napkin. His vision was to replicate the US low-cost air travel model in Europe.
When was easyJet's first flight?
EasyJet's inaugural flight took off from Luton to Glasgow on November 10, 1995. Actress Lorraine Chase launched the service to Edinburgh and Glasgow from Luton Airport that year.
How much were the first fares?
Initial tickets were available from £29, which easyJet described as being the same price as a pair of jeans.
When did easyJet float on the London Stock Exchange?
The airline floated on November 22, 2000, just over five years after its first flight, with an initial valuation of £777 million.
How many passengers fly with easyJet?
EasyJet carried 93.4 million passengers in the year to the end of September 2025. It operates nearly 576,000 flights annually (2024/25 data).
How significant has easyJet been in the UK?
The airline helped drive the growth of low-cost air travel, opening up foreign holiday destinations for millions more people. It serves about 20 UK airports, carrying approximately 50 million passengers per year.
How big is easyJet's overall network?
EasyJet is one of Europe's largest airlines, with 355 aircraft operating 1,207 routes, serving 164 airports in 38 countries.
