easyJet has marked the 30th anniversary of its first ever flight from London Luton to Glasgow by operating the very same flight today, staffed entirely by pilots and cabin crew who also turn 30 this November.
Bringing together past and present, the crew were joined by retired Captain Fred Rivett who operated the very first easyJet flight on 10 November 1995. Fred and his crew made history three decades ago, when EZY121 to Glasgow took off with 122 passengers.
Now 30 years to the day, new research commissioned by the airline has revealed the lasting cultural impact affordable flying has had on the nation, and how the democratisation of air travel has transformed not just the way we travel but also shaped our lives at home.
The extensive study covers just how far-reaching the ‘easyJet effect’ has been on the nation, from where, how and when we travel, as well as what affordable travel has done to transform the lives of millions of ordinary Brits.
Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet, commented:
“easyJet has made it possible for millions of people to travel easily and affordably, opening up new opportunities that once felt out of reach. The benefits of this are clear, not just in the economic impact this has had for the UK, but also in the lasting impact that the democratisation of travel has had for society, which we have been incredibly proud to contribute to over the last 30 years.
“Our special anniversary flight today, complete with our operating crew of all 30-year-olds, is a special nod to the three decades we’ve had in making this ‘generation easyJet’. Whether it’s a first trip abroad, a spontaneous weekend city break, a chance to reconnect with family and friends, or making that all important business meeting, easyJet has been there for some of life’s most important journeys and we’re excited about what the next 30 years will bring.”
Fred Rivett, the Captain of easyJet’s first flight on 10th November 1995, said:
“It’s hard to believe it’s been three decades since my crew and I flew that very first flight from Luton to Glasgow. Back then, easyJet was a bold new idea and a complete disruptor to the industry, and to see how it has grown into the UK’s largest airline and helped millions travel across Europe and beyond is something I’m incredibly proud to have been part of.”
Pilot Captain Jamie Smart, commented:
“What an absolute privilege to have been on board flying easyJet’s 30th anniversary flight, almost 30 years to the day since I was born. The excitement I feel flying with easyJet has not changed over the last 9 years I have been with the airline, and I know it will still remain in another 30 years!” Cabin Crew member Natalie Tavener, said: “We’ve had a brilliant time flying easyJet’s 30th anniversary flight, it felt incredibly special today to be commemorating the airline’s special date, which continues to give people the warmest welcome in the skies across Europe and beyond.”
Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer of London Luton Airport, commented:
“London Luton Airport is proud to have played such an important part in a remarkable success story that has seen easyJet establish itself as one of the biggest carriers in Europe.
“Throughout this time, we’ve worked closely with easyJet to deliver a simple and friendly passenger experience, achieving impressive, sustained growth in passenger numbers and an ever-greater choice in destinations.
“The inaugural easyJet flight from LLA in November 1995 paved the way for a revolutionary new era in leisure travel and marked the beginning of a hugely successful relationship that continues to flourish 30 years on!”
Travelling, Holidaying and Destinations
When it comes to holidaying, there has been significant generational changes over the past three decades, with 94% saying that holidaying abroad as a family is easier now compared to when they were children, whilst a further four in five (83%) say they travel abroad more regularly with their family compared to when they were growing up.
Over half (54%) of 18–35-year-olds remember flying on their first holiday abroad with easyJet. According to the study, 92% of Brits now consider visiting a new destination each year, in contrast to visiting the same destinations or holidaying at home when they were younger.
Four in five (83%) Brits say they now choose to visit destinations further afield which they wouldn’t have previously considered, like North Africa. Over half (56%) say affordability has been a key factor in their travel patterns with 52% saying the availability of more direct routes to destinations like Morocco and Egypt have played a key role. easyJet is the number one carrier from the UK to North Africa, up 39% compared with the previous year, operating 45 routes from the UK to Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Cape Verde.
The Rise of the Weekend Break, Solo Trips and Flying Locally Two-thirds (67%) say more direct choice of more affordable flights from their local airports has turned spontaneous weekend trips abroad into a reality, with nearly three-quarters (73%) saying local choice and convenience for flights has increased. Since 1995, easyJet has grown to operate from 11 UK bases and now serves 22 UK airports, with the sustained growth in the regions, up 22% over the past two years.
The flexibility of the low-cost model has provided more freedom for solo travellers too. Almost three-quarters (74%) say they are more likely to go on a solo trip today, with the flexibility and affordability of fare-only, point-to-point flying a key enabler of independent travel.
Affordable air travel has also shaped the social experiences of Brits. Seven in 10 (70%) say lower fares have helped them to make and maintain long-distance friendships or relationships, that would otherwise have been impossible. This has increased over a generation – with a further 71% saying they have more friends of different nationalities compared to their parents.
Nigel Thompson, Travel journalist of over 30 years, comments: “What an incredible aviation journey it’s been for easyJet, began with a pair of leased Boeing 737-200 planes.
Fast forward three decades, and what was the stuff of the UK’s getaway dreams is reality. Today, families, couples, groups of mates and solos are now just a few app clicks away from an extraordinary, ever-growing departure board jam-packed with exciting beach, city and winter sports destinations. Long-planned or simply spontaneous, it’s all possible.
Thirty years of low-cost flying has been a new age of discovery, where Brits have embraced the joy of embracing fabulous food and drink, different cultures and foreign phrases.
I’ve flown all round the world but not visited the Algarve. Some winter sun in Faro for £14.99 from my local airport? Mighty tempting…and I don’t mind a pastel de nata.”
Lisa Minot, award-winning Travel Editor with four decades of experience, comments:
“easyJet’s influence on generations of travellers is astonishing. Challenging the dominance of legacy flag carriers, it proved low cost didn’t mean low demand and put affordable travel within the grasp of millions. It essentially invented the modern city break, turning spontaneous weekends from a distant dream to a regular reality.
My kids have never known a time where the only option for exploring Europe was a long haul by train. For them it is easier to visit friends in Barcelona and girlfriends in Italy than it is to see pals right here in the UK. Low-cost air travel has given them opportunities and experiences that have enriched their lives.”
Cultural Impact The ‘easyJet effect’ of more connectivity and affordable flights has also influenced our lifestyles over the past thirty years – from what we eat and drink to how we consume our music and TV. A huge 83% of Brits say their taste in food has changed as a result of their travel experiences – with the likes of feta, burrata, houmous, tapas, dips like tzatziki and drinks like Aperol or Campari now becoming a staple in their own kitchens, inspired by new culinary experiences from abroad.
Over nine in 10 (94%) of the nation believe that a wider range of dishes and ingredients are more accessible for their family, compared to when they were growing up. A further 90% say their tastes have broadened directly as a result of being able to travel more easily to the continent.
Easier and more affordable international air travel has also given rise to a trend of gig tourism, with two in five (42%) Brits saying they have chosen to watch their favourite acts abroad instead of in the UK.
A further two-thirds (64%) say music from international bands or artists have now become firm favourites in their daily playlist, with the likes of Maneskin, Rosalia and Aya Nakamura gaining popularity with British music fans.
Greater access to different cultures is also shaping our viewing habits. Three in five say they watch more foreign language TV shows and films, like Lupin, Call My Agent and Money Heist, having been influenced by the destinations they have been to or want to visit.
This change in viewing habits has helped film and TV lovers explore the destinations of their favourite shows through ‘screen tourism’, thanks to easyJet’s increased connectivity to the continent.
A recent study from VisitBritain showed that 84% of 18–34-year-old tourists to the UK said screen tourism played a role in their decision to visit destinations outside London. This trend has coincided with growth in recent years, driven by increased direct and affordable connectivity across the easyJet network, the largest carrier providing domestic connections across key UK regions, including Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. **
Still more affordable than a pair of jeans…
The airline’s 30th anniversary study has also revealed how air travel has become affordable for millions. easyJet starting fares are now cheaper in real terms compared to 1995, reflecting the airline’s commitment to making air travel accessible to the many, not just the few.
The airline launched flights in 1995 for ‘just the price of a pair of jeans’ and starting fares on some of the key routes still operated today like Glasgow, Belfast, Amsterdam, Milan and Barcelona, have fallen by over 50% in real terms.* Compared to other goods, easyJet flights have beaten inflationary price rises compared to other everyday items and experiences, which have become more expensive:
Item
1995 price
1995 price in
real terms
2024 price
Change in real price
easyJet starting fare
£29
£58
£26
-55%
Pair of Levi’s Original jeans
£32
£63.76
£100
57%
First class stamp
25p
50p
£1.65
231%
Glastonbury ticket
£65
£129
£360
178%
Average house
£51,529
£102,675
£260,826
154%
Arsenal ticket
£12.50
£24.91
£61.54
147%
Loaf of bread
53p
£1.06
£1.68
59%
Big mac
£1.74
£3.47
£5.39
55%
Pint of lager
£1.60
£3.19
£4.43
39%
Petrol (unleaded litre)
52p
£1.04
£1.29
24%
Cinema ticket
£3.48
£6.93
£7.71
11%
A relentless focus on efficiency and innovation to keep costs and fares low means easyJet has ensured air travel remains accessible, so that UK consumers can continue to reap the social and economic benefits that travel and tourism provide. In the last year alone, easyJet has facilitated £21 billion GVA and 243,600 jobs for the UK economy, equivalent to £300 in GVA for every UK resident. *
Today, easyJet is the largest UK airline and one of the largest airlines in Europe, flying more than 100 million passengers a year on over 1,000 routes across 35 countries. With a new base opening at Newcastle next year, the airline also continues to grow, creating jobs, choice and connectivity, while always aiming to make travel easy and affordable.
