Jet2 (LS/EXS) is the UK’s third-largest airline and a leading leisure carrier, operating a fleet of narrowbody aircraft across Europe. Jet2 traces its roots back to Channel Express, a cargo airline founded in 1978. The company transitioned to passenger operations in 2003, rebranding as Jet2 and launching its first leisure flights from Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA). Initially focused on low-cost holiday travel, the airline rapidly expanded, establishing multiple UK bases and growing into one of Europe’s leading leisure carriers. Today, Jet2 operates an extensive network of flights to sun-soaked destinations across the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and beyond, catering to millions of holidaymakers annually through Jet2.com and its package holiday brand, Jet2Holidays.
Let’s take a look at the Jet2 fleet and identify the newest and oldest aircraft in active service.
Aircraft Type Number in Fleet
Airbus A321neo 14
Airbus A321-200 3
Airbus A330-200 1 (seasonal)
Boeing 737-300 7
Boeing 737-800 93
Narrowbodies
The newest narrowbody aircraft in service with Jet2 is G-HLYJ, an Airbus A321-251NX, built in 2025. The aircraft is among the latest additions to the fleet as part of Jet2’s ongoing modernization efforts. Based at Jet2’s Manchester (MAN) hub, it regularly flies to popular holiday destinations in Spain, Greece, and the Canary Islands such as Fuerteventura (FUE), Faro (FAO) and Funchal (FNC).
The oldest narrowbody aircraft in the Jet2 fleet is G-GDFD, a Boeing 737-8K5, built in 1997. This aircraft is based in Birmingham (BHX). Despite its age, the aircraft remains in regular service, operating flights to destinations including Athens (ATH), Malta (MLA) and Prague (PRG).
Jet2’s seasonal widebody use
While Jet2 primarily operates narrowbody aircraft, it also has access to a single Airbus A330-200, G-VYGL, during peak periods (though the airline has previously utilized more than one A330 at once). This aircraft, built in July 2014, is leased from AirTanker (9L/TOW) to accommodate increased passenger demand on routes to destinations such as Tenerife, Antalya, and Rhodes. The A330-200 provides greater capacity than the airline’s narrowbody fleet, offering additional comfort for long-haul leisure travelers. At the time of writing, this aircraft is flying almost exclusively between Manchester (MAN), Tenerife (TFS) and Lanzarote (ACE).
The retirement of the Boeing 757
Jet2 previously operated a fleet of Boeing 757-200 aircraft, which had been a mainstay of the airline’s operations for many years. However, the airline retired the last of its 757s in January 2025, replacing them with the more fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo. The retirement marked the end of an era for Jet2, as the 757 had played a crucial role in the airline’s expansion, particularly on high-demand holiday routes.
A tale of two liveries
Jet2 aircraft wear one of two liveries. The more modern silver and red livery as seen on some 737s and most A321neos, and the older white and blue sun livery seen on the majority of its aircraft. This design first appeared when Jet2 Holidays titles were applied to Allegiant Air aircraft that were hired for operations some years ago. The look was subsequently retained across the fleet, giving the majority of Jet2’s aircraft a distinctly similar look to Allegiant.
Some aircraft even wear hybrids of these liveries, such as G-HLYJ, the newest fleet narrowbody jet featured above. Which livery do you prefer?
Have you flown on any of these Jet2 aircraft? Let us know in the comments.
Cover photo: Mike Barker, JetPhotos.
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48 Responses
I was on its newest aircraft, it was its 2nd journey, the return from paphos to Manchester very nice aircraft
Is it not about time EMA is mentioned, it is all Manchester this Birmingham that, we need more routes to be competitive.
Regards
Trev
YES We in East Midlands do exist.
Recently flew from Alicante (Spain) to Bristol (UK) and return on Boeing 737-800, coincidentally same aircraft on both flights. Even though not a new aircraft leg room was ample, staff polite and served with a smile – much better then many flag carriers!
Definitely preferable to RyanAir and Easyjet, cabin bag included in the fare too.
Remember flying once from LBA in early days when first 3 rows of seats were the new experimental slimline seats, now standard on the fleet. Thankfully they took on board our only negative comments about the tiny armrests!
I have been traveling with jet2 for more than 20 years and never been on a bad plane. I don’t care what kind of plane it is, as long as I get to my holiday destination.
The remaining smaller Boeing’s are surely, by now rather ancient looking airframes…..
Why oh why does Leeds Bradford Airport get all the old Aircraft and no new ones.When Jet2 started it advertised as Yorkshires Airline.What a joke, keep giving the old Aeroplanes to Leeds Bradford and all the new ones to the other Airports.I for one ate tired of flying on the old 300’s and early 800’s
flown on jet 2 holiday livery many times it’s very good airline to fly with no complaints from me next flight with jet 2 fureteventura in June
The old style livery was far preferable . It looked like that of a solid long- standing company and inspired trust in the airline. The new livery looks to belong to some cheapskate new venture who either cannot be bothered with a proper paint job or simply cannot afford it, therefore opting for this cheap and nasty look. It certainly detracts from confidence in the airline. Even the hated Ryanair do better than this. Thank you.
I agree with you totally. New livery is boring and so old fashioned, quite a depressing site. The old livery seems more appealing to the eye and uplifting.
The “hybrid” livery referred to in this article isn’t a thing. It just happens when a new aircraft needs to be pressed into service before its livery is complete. They are delivered from Airbus as pictured in this article then they go elsewhere to have the details finished. There was only ever one “Holidays” livery.
the old livery looked like allegiant, which is I think why they changed it
Flew one of last 757 flights to crete last year returned on 321 neo nice plane seats not comfy though flying jet 2 again this year to rhodes hope we get a 330
Yeah,,,Boeing should have spent the millions on updating the 757 instead of the 737 , ie max
We have flown with Jet2 several times to Greece from Stansted. The service, planes and staff are all considerably better than you see with other budget airlines; the seats are certainly a hell of a lot more comfortable.
We flew on G LSAI to lanzarote October 24 just before retirement.
Taking off from Manchester was the best experience having flown many 757 aircraft over the years.
Will miss the 757
Recently flew back from Larnaca to Gatwick 19.25 arrived 22.10 on a Jet2 A321neo, plane early arriving at Larnaca and Gatwick. My first time with Jet2 all 40 rows seemed to be almost full and a very pleasant and impressive trip.
Since when have J2 flown from Gatwick?
We had a MAN-LGW shuttle for a while. I was Captain on the inaugural sector.
Been using Jet2 a.number of times now from their newish Liverpool base. Have e enjoyed the experience, nice to have a 3rd based LoCo carrier at Liverpool Airport .
Best Company and aircraft I have flown with, great seats and staff. Keep it up.👍
I love Jet 2 aircraft the only thing I miss is the tv screen. But will always use Jet2 when I can
I flew on 4 jet2 flights last year. The A321 aircraft were brand new , service great as usual, 321, beautiful Aircraft to fly on, but the seats were the most uncomfortable in 58 years of flying.
Perhaps jet2 senior management should try a few 4 hour flights and see what they think.
If next flights not on Air Tanker A330, then possibly back to TUI!
When will jet2 start using Cardiff airport?
They have great facilities, a large catchment area, loads of slots, and easy access.
Small market resulting in low footfall. May eventually be utilised but other UK airports currently more attractive to develop route growth.
We recently went to Gran Canaria with Jet 2. I am an oldish, 5’8″ chap, but still found the legroom too tight. Buck up J2, you are close to being a market leader, but if my knees are cramped next time, I will look elsewhere.
Just flown back from Funchal on a 321 Neo. Very quiet aircraft but the seats are very uncomfortable, hard and they seem shorter, and narrower. armrest uncomfortable as well
Amen to all those comments. We flew to Antalya from MAN. Row 21 out which seemed less legroom than Row 18 return (that could be subjective but they seem to have fitted extra rows into the new plane).
The ‘new livery’ is actually just an interim livery for the new aircraft until they can have the holidays stickers applied. If you look at the blue on the tail and the package holidays you can trust text, they are both exactly the same as the standard holidays livery. They have always done this with new holidays planes where they get a basic livery on delivery then normally in the off season they give them all the full livery. It means that new aircraft can go into service sooner and they support British businesses who do the full livery.
Flown with Jet2 many times from LBA (Leeds). Legroom always fine. Read about the A320s having poor Legroom and uncomfortable seats, so please keep them at Manchester, I’m happy to keep flying on the Boing 737s.
Such a good airline! BA take note!
I’ve travelled Y VYGL A330 Man- ACE a few times and it’s a pleasant, roomy plane with good legroom. Moving back to the narrow body 321s/ 737s is such an inferior experience that it actually puts me off travelling. I find the demise of wide body short haul flying quite sad as it’s the comfort of passengers which is suffering.
We were excited to be flying on Jet2 brand new A321 neo. The crew were brilliant, excellent customer care, could not fault the service.
Unfortunately they have configured this new plane with reduced seat pitch.
It was to say the least unbearable and a very uncomfortable 4 hours!
Such a shame as Jet 2 used to pride itself on great legroom.
I suppose that the business model is such to pack as many people in as possible.
There are not enough extra legroom seats available to purchase.
It was as unbearable on the return flight.
Boeing made a big mistake mothballing the 757 instead of updating it. Now Airbus is eating their lunch
Last June my partner Karen and I flew from Newcastle to Tenerife South for a ten day holiday. I don’t remember which aircraft we flew back on , but the outbound flight was on G-BZGH.
All my recent Jet2 flights have been on A321s including a five hour flight to and from Cyprus. The seats were hard and uncomfortable and detract from an otherwise great flight. Please Jet2 listen to your customers.,
Nice to see Jet2 flying out of it’s original home this year, Bournemouth Airport where it originally started as Channel Express. Remember my late brother working for them.
I have flown Birmingham – Pafos a few times. Wil the new Airbus eventually run from Bham too?
Very good airline not just in the air. When the transit trains broke down at Stansted Jet 2 staff immediately appeared shepherding us down corridors whilst Ryanair passengers were left to find their own way.
Flown with them many years, very good experience and airline, staff are always very friendly and helpful. Booked flights and holiday again for next year.
737-300 G-GDFG is older by a few months (March 1997) than the mentioned 737-800 G-GDFD (August 1997).
Flown with Jet2 many times. A great airline. Disappointed that their new A321 neos still have the same liveries. Something new would have been very nice. The “Package Holidays You can Trust “ and “Friendly Low Fares” thing is a bit old hat now.
They don’t need to say that anymore.
Flying from Luton (LTN) this summer. We’re under the final approach path, so looking forward to seeing some of them later this year.
The full silver looks more appealing than the cheap holiday package white. Hope they will start using Cardiff airport in the near future. They have opened their operation in Bournemouth which is a regional airport so Cardiff must be on the cards one would hope.
My claim to fame is that I was on Jet2’s first ever flight..LS201 from Leeds/Bradford to Amsterdam on 12th February 2003..operated by Boeing 737-377 G-CELS (cn 23660 ln 1294). Apparently the fuselage is still extant as a cabin trainer at Norwich.
The “more modern” silver and red livery is, of course, the original livery. The Holidays livery only appearing, almost accidentally, when the Allegiant lease happened.
Always book the extra leg room, never had a bad flight great staff