A brief guide to EasyJet flights: fares, fees, baggage, and additional services
EasyJet has firmly earned a place on the list of the most popular budget airlines in Europe. Since its foundation in 1995, it has quickly become a favorite among a huge number of travelers. No wonder, the airline is renowned for its ultra-low ticket prices and flies to over 100 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. With the help of EasyJet, you can make cheap flights, for example, from London to Barcelona or Paris for 100 dollars round trip. Naturally, these are base fares, and if you add extras like luggage or select a specific seat, the cost will increase accordingly.
If you're planning a weekend in Europe or an entire tour of European cities, check out this information about flying with EasyJet to determine if this airline is right for your trip.
Fare classes
. Source: Image jannoon028/Freepik
Although all EasyJet fares are budget fares, several types of fares differ in cost and the amenities a passenger gets on the flight. There are four types of fares in total:
- Standard: Assumes one bag under the seat.
- Standard Plus: Includes a bag under the seat, an overhead bag, a front seat, a special bag for luggage, and fast boarding.
- Essentials: Includes an under-seat bag, a standard seat, and checked luggage up to 23kg.
- Flexi: Covers the most services, including under-seat and overhead bag, special bag drop-off, fast boarding, paid flight changes, checked baggage up to 23 kg, lounge access, bistro voucher, and free itinerary changes.
Flights with EasyJet are on one of these fares, but passengers can also upgrade by ordering additional paid-for features such as a front seat if there is a seat choice, or extra legroom.
Flight Changes and Cancellations
EasyJet's rules for changing and canceling flights may seem confusing at first glance, but it's cheaper to carry out such operations online. If you cancel a flight within 24 hours, you can get back the entire cost of the reservation, paying only the cancellation fee. If you cancel later than that, you won't get your money back.
Passengers pay certain fees for various changes to a booked flight. For example, canceling within 24 hours online costs $60, or $68 through customer service. Changing a flight online 60 days before departure costs $31, within 60 days it costs $60. A similar change through customer service will cost $37 and $66, respectively.
If you miss your flight, you can transfer your ticket to the next available flight by arriving at the airport within 2 hours of the missed flight and paying EasyJet a $136 "rescue fee."
Baggage and Fees
When traveling with EasyJet, one of the main things to know about flying is baggage fees. EasyJet distinguishes between "cabin luggage" and "hold luggage." If everything is clear with carry-on baggage, the second type refers to your checked baggage.
Cabin Luggage: Each passenger can take a small handbag (personal item) into the cabin, which can fit under the seat. Dimensions can reach 45*36*20 cm or less. Passengers with a front seat or extra legroom can take a larger carry-on bag (carry-on) with dimensions of 56*45*25 cm or less. Passengers purchasing the Flexi fare or holding an EasyJet Plus card can bring along personal items and carry-on baggage.
Checked Baggage (Hold Luggage): Must be paid for by the passenger, with fees ranging from $10 to $70, depending on weight and whether it's added online or at the airport. Dimensions are limited to a weight of no more than 32 kg and a size of 275 cm (length+width+height). It's crucial to familiarize yourself with EasyJet's baggage policy online before booking your flight and calculate all fees in advance to estimate the true cost. According to traveler reviews, baggage fees on EasyJet may be equivalent to or even higher than those on full-service airlines, but if you need budget flights with a small bag, EasyJet is a great option.
Boarding procedure
Passengers who have requested special assistance in advance are the first to board the plane. They are followed by passengers who have paid for Speedy Boarding, families with children under 5 years old, and all others. Speaking about the Speedy Boarding service, passengers have contradictory opinions about it: some complain about its ineffectiveness, where a passenger with Speedy Boarding is almost the last to enter the cabin, others note the confusion in the cost of hand luggage with the presence of Speedy Boarding and its absence, while others evaluate it as a useful addition.
Seats and Legroom
The airline has seats divided into three types: front, standard, and with extra legroom. A standard seat has a 29-inch minimum pitch and a 17-inch minimum width, but the specifics of the seat depend on the airplane. Most budget airlines, including EasyJet, face criticism regarding seat size and spacing. So, take care to purchase extra legroom if you need more space.
Amenities and Entertainment
EasyJet airlines offers its passengers the option to purchase food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
For passengers traveling on European routes, there is the easyJet Onboard service. It is a digital platform available for phones, tablets, and laptops. You can use it by connecting to the easyJet Onboard Wi-Fi (which starts at 10,000 feet) and scanning the QR code on the back of your seat. On this platform, passengers can browse food and drink menus and play games. However, it does not provide internet access.
EasyJet Plus
A useful guide for passengers who choose EasyJet to fly regularly is to sign up for an annual EasyJet Plus membership. The subscription costs $266 per year and includes several lucrative privileges: seat selection, a dedicated baggage drop-off counter, fast boarding, hand luggage, etc. In addition, if there is an earlier flight on the day of your departure that you would like to take, you will be able to do so without any surcharges. EasyJet Plus members also get a 10% discount on all onboard purchases.
