Budget airline easyJet may be best known for its no-frills flights but bosses say its luxury arm is doing a roaring trade – and have even taken one booking for nearly £100,000
The Greek island of Mykonos is among those included in easyJet Holidays’ luxury arm(Image: Getty Images)
Budget airline easyJet’s new luxury holiday arm is booming – with one getaway costing a cool £100,000.
The carrier has launched an offshoot for customers who are happy to fly no-frills to their destination, and spend the money saved on a top-end hotel instead.
Garry Wilson, boss of easyJet Holidays, told the Mirror it was taking hundreds of high end bookings a week.
The average booking is £3,000, compared with around £800 for the firm’s other package holidays. But Mr Wilson revealed the most expensive booking it has had so far was worth £97,000 for a group of 13 people.
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EasyJet Holidays, a fast growing arm of the airline, launched a new Luxury Collection in October last year, described as “a market-leading proposition comprising five-star holidays designed for travellers seeking ultra luxury experiences.”
Around 100 “world renowned hotels” are on offer, all with a minimum 4.5 rating on Google and Tripadvisor.
Customers also get 26kg luggage allowance and a dedicated bag drop, fast-track security, speedy boarding and pre-selected seating for a smoother airport experience.
And whereas ordinary easyJet passengers have to make their own way when they arrive at their destination, those booking a luxury break are whisked from the airline to their hotel by premium private transfers.
EasyJet Holidays only launched in 2019 but has already grown to three million customers a year and 10% of the market.
“It is really resonating with customers,” said Mr Wilson, about the new luxury arm. He went on: “If you were to say to a customer on the street describe an easyJet holiday hotel, they will not say five star. Customers are getting really good value in the best hotels.”
Mr Wilson said the launch also made sense because customers were often booking an easyJet flight, especially if flying a regional airport, and then the hotel separately.
The Luxury offering is currently only available to UK customers but will be rolled out to Europe next year.