Jet2 Expands Family Benefits as Free Flights for Under-Twos Lead Summer 2025

(CRETE) Jet2 has announced a sweeping family policy for Summer 2025 that makes flights more affordable and easier for parents traveling with babies. Effective August 22, 2025, children under two now fly free on all Jet2.com flights and Jet2holidays packages to Europe, the Canaries, and the Mediterranean. The company says the change applies to all new bookings from that date, and it covers both package holidays and seat‑only fares.

Jet2 says it is now the only UK airline removing infant fares for under‑twos, while British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair continue to charge infant fees. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the policy sets Jet2 apart in the UK leisure market and will likely draw families looking to cut travel costs without cutting comfort.

What the new policy includes

The shift comes with extra help that matters during busy summer travel. Each infant gets an added 10kg baggage allowance, which is added to the accompanying adult’s 22kg hold bag. Families can also check up to two items of infant equipment per child—such as a pushchair, car seat, or travel cot—at no charge and with no weight limit.

Jet2 says it will no longer apply excess baggage fees to infant gear; past £12/kg charges for overweight items do not apply to this equipment. Parents can carry a collapsible buggy to the aircraft steps or air bridge, where it will be placed in the hold for the flight.

Who qualifies and how it works

• Eligibility
  • The Free Flights rule applies only if the child is under two on the date of travel.
  • At least one adult must be on the same booking for each infant.
• Seating options
  • Babies can travel on an adult’s lap.
  • Parents may purchase a separate seat to use an approved car seat if they prefer.
• Baggage & equipment
  • 10kg infant allowance is added to the adult’s 22kg hold bag.
  • Up to two items of infant equipment per child checked free, no weight limit.
  • No excess baggage fees for infant equipment (previous £12/kg charges excluded).
  • Collapsible buggies accepted at the steps/air bridge for hold loading.

The company notes that baby essentials are easier to bring on holiday under the new baggage rules, cutting both hassle and cost for young families.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, framed the move as a push to help parents plan trips with fewer add‑on fees and fewer surprises at the airport. Heapy points to customer feedback showing that baggage charges for baby items and infant fares often pushed families to delay trips or choose closer destinations. By removing those costs and growing the route map, Jet2 says it aims to make long‑awaited family holidays more achievable in 2025.

Families planning to travel with minors may also wish to review official UK rules on taking a child abroad. The UK government provides guidance on permission when a parent or guardian is not traveling, which can help prevent issues at the border; see the UK government guidance on taking a child abroad.

Policy changes and family benefits (summary)

• Children Under Two: Free Flights from August 22, 2025
  1. Applies to new bookings made on or after that date.
  2. Child must be under two at the time of travel.
  3. Valid across Jet2holidays packages and Jet2.com seat‑only bookings.
  4. Jet2 is the only UK airline removing the infant fare for under‑twos; rivals still charge an infant fee.
• Extra Baggage for Infants
  • 10kg added to the adult’s 22kg hold allowance for each infant.
  • Up to two infant equipment items per child checked for free (pushchair, car seat, travel cot), with no weight limit.
  • No excess fees for infant equipment; past charges of £12/kg do not apply to these items.
• Onboard and Check‑In Practicalities
  • Infant travels on an adult’s lap; a paid extra seat may be used with a car seat.
  • At least one adult must accompany each infant on the same booking.
  • Collapsible buggies can go to the aircraft steps or air bridge before hold loading.

Jet2 links the policy to a wider push to support parents throughout the journey, from booking through landing. The company says its service model—covering customer support, generous baggage, and ATOL protection on packages—helps families plan ahead and avoid last‑minute changes that can be hard with small children.

Expanded Summer 2025 schedule

Alongside the Free Flights policy, Jet2 has rolled out its biggest summer program to date, with a strong focus on Greece, Spain, Turkey, and the Canary Islands. The airline cites high demand from UK holidaymakers and a clear shift toward family‑friendly destinations with reliable sunshine.

Across Greece alone, Jet2 plans more than 3.1 million seats for Summer 2025. At peak, the company schedules 328 weekly departures from the UK to Greek destinations. Core routes to Crete (Heraklion and Chania), Rhodes, Zante (Zakynthos), Majorca, Fuerteventura, and Antalya will see more flights, giving families more choice on travel days and durations.

Peak-week additions (school-holiday aligned)

• Rhodes: Extra weekly Wednesday flight from Bristol — July 2 – October 8, 2025.
• Corfu: Extra weekly Friday flight from East Midlands — July 4 – September 12, 2025.
• Crete (Chania): Extra Monday flight from Manchester — July 21 – September 1, 2025.
• Kos: Extra weekly Thursday flight from London Stansted — July 3 – September 25, 2025.

New routes and bases

• Bournemouth: services to Corfu, Crete (Heraklion), Rhodes, and Zakynthos.
• London Luton: adds Crete (Heraklion), Rhodes, and Zakynthos.
• Bristol: new route to Kalamata (exclusive).

These links are designed for families who want shorter travel times to beach resorts and easy access to hotels with child‑friendly facilities.

Island connections and hotels

Jet2 has opened options for island‑to‑island travel in Greece through Jet2holidays. Flights to Athens from Manchester, Birmingham, and London Stansted now connect to Poros and Aegina via ferry transfers arranged within the package. Flights to Kos now connect to Leros through an onward transfer. These options let families reach smaller islands without managing complex connections themselves.

Key network figures:
– 14 Greek airports served
– More than 100 routes
– 28 exclusive UK‑Greece routes
– Jet2holidays added over 125 new hotels, taking its Greek portfolio to more than 1,500 properties across 22 destinations

The company highlights growth in family‑oriented hotels with kids’ pools, adjoining rooms, and easy beach access.

How Jet2 helps families at booking and airport

For parents comparing options, Jet2 highlights three practical points:

1. The Free Flights rule for Children Under Two helps offset busy‑season prices.
2. The infant baggage policy means a pushchair and a car seat can both travel without extra fees or weight stress.
3. More frequent flights to key islands make it easier to choose travel days that fit nap schedules, feeding routines, or connection preferences.

Booking and airport steps:
– Book via Jet2.com or Jet2holidays and add infant equipment during booking.
– Check infant items at the desk with no extra fees.
– At the gate, staff accept buggies at the steps or air bridge.
– Parents wanting a car seat on board can buy an extra seat and secure it per airline rules.
– Ground teams support early boarding arrangements where possible.

Jet2 has not changed the rule that an adult must be booked for each infant, but customer teams can help families plan seating choices, including rows with extra space. The airline also emphasises ATOL‑protected packages for those who prefer a single booking for flights, hotels, and transfers (including ferry links to smaller Greek islands).

Market impact and practical takeaways

Travel industry watchers say the policy could reshape family travel choices for 2025. With rivals still charging infant fares, Jet2’s message is direct: pick a route from its expanding network and avoid paying an infant ticket while also skipping most gear‑related fees.

Analysts suggest this could spur other carriers to adjust infant fees, though Jet2 currently leads on infant travel support in the UK leisure space.

For destinations such as Crete, Rhodes, and Zante, the airline has prioritized frequency and hotel choice. For Majorca, Fuerteventura, and Antalya, it is boosting seats and widening hotel options to meet high family demand during school breaks. The network design suggests Jet2 expects record interest for Summer 2025 and has prepared capacity accordingly.

Parents weighing a first holiday with a baby often worry about hidden costs. Jet2’s approach attempts to remove two of the biggest hurdles: infant fares and gear charges. While each family’s needs differ, the move generally lowers total trip costs and reduces the need to pack light for fear of fees.

In simple terms: more parents can bring what they need for sleep, feeding, and safety—without a surprise bill at the airport.

As peak‑season planning ramps up, Jet2’s pitch is clear: book early, lock in dates that fit family calendars, and use the infant allowances to travel with less stress. With extra flights on heavy‑demand days and new routes from Bournemouth, London Luton, and Bristol, many families will have a local airport option to reach the Greek islands, Spain, Turkey, or the Canaries.

Jet2’s message to parents is simple—babies fly free, bring what you need, and pick from more flights to the beaches most UK families prefer. For those comparing options, the details matter: Free Flights for Children Under Two from August 22, 2025, infant equipment checked for free with no weight limit, and a network geared toward the islands and resorts that fill up fastest every summer.