In a surprising twist for a brand synonymous with no-frills flights, easyJet is celebrating the runaway success of its new luxury holiday division, which has already secured bookings worth nearly £100,000.
From Budget Flights to Five-Star Nights
The airline's holiday arm, easyJet Holidays, launched its Luxury Collection in October last year, targeting travellers seeking ultra-luxury experiences. The strategy is simple: customers save money on a budget-friendly flight and reinvest it into a premium hotel stay.
Garry Wilson, the chief executive of easyJet Holidays, revealed the operation is now taking hundreds of high-end bookings every week. The average luxury package costs around £3,000, a significant jump from the firm's standard holiday average of approximately £800.
Record Bookings and Premium Perks
The most eye-catching transaction to date was a single booking valued at £97,000 for a group of 13 people. The luxury collection features around 100 world-renowned hotels, each boasting a minimum 4.5-star rating on Google and Tripadvisor. Destinations include premium spots like the Greek island of Mykonos and the Sultana hotel in Marrakech.
Beyond the accommodation, the service includes substantial perks designed to smooth the travel journey:
- A generous 26kg luggage allowance with a dedicated bag drop.
- Fast-track security and speedy boarding.
- Pre-selected seating.
- Premium private transfers from the airport to the hotel.
A Rapidly Growing Market Niche
EasyJet Holidays, which only launched in 2019, has grown rapidly to serve three million customers annually, capturing about 10% of the UK package holiday market. Wilson stated the luxury offering "is really resonating with customers," who are finding excellent value in top-tier hotels.
The move into luxury was a logical step, as the company noticed a trend of customers booking easyJet flights separately and then sourcing their own high-end hotels, particularly when flying from regional airports. The Luxury Collection is currently exclusive to UK customers but is scheduled to be rolled out across Europe next year.
