Preparing for takeoff

It’s 1995 and the UK is changing. The country’s music, fashion, art and food are taking centre stage as ‘Cool Britannia’ rules the waves. Being bold, brash and British is all the rage.

Enter easyJet. Starting out with a modest operation connecting Luton and Glasgow, the carrier’s fun, bright orange livery was a sign of the times. The mission of making flying affordable for everyone couldn’t fail to capture the imagination of a public ready to let the good times roll.

As the airline celebrates its 30th anniversary, it has grown to become one of Europe’s most recognisable brands. And its founding ethos – to connect people and places – doesn’t just apply to leisure travel anymore. Today, easyJet has reshaped business mobility across the continent.

Sure, sun-seekers still make up the bulk of its customers. But easyJet has quietly become the go-to choice for business travellers, as companies look for value, flexibility and reliability in their travel programmes.

The airline’s powerhouse short-haul network is hard to beat. Over 1,000 routes to 35 countries, operated via a modern fleet of 350 aircraft, are the embodiment of its growth in three short decades.

And because many leisure hotspots double as business hubs, the airline has cleverly capitalised on this overlap. Frequent daily flights between key city pairs – think London and Amsterdam, Geneva and Berlin, Paris and Milan – make it a breeze for professionals to hop between meetings.

Unlike some low-cost rivals, easyJet flies into primary airports like London Gatwick, Rome Fiumicino and Berlin Brandenburg.

That means shorter transfers, better access to city centres, and less stress for time-pressed travellers. Add in a point-to-point model that avoids the faff of layovers, and it’s easy to see the appeal.

Picking up speed

By the early 2010s, easyJet was already a household name so could comfortably lean in to the corporate market.

Its own data showed that small businesses and budget-savvy firms were already on board – booking often, booking late, and happy to pay for convenience. The airline responded by fine-tuning its offer to meet their needs for both managed and unmanaged business travel.

Since then, it’s been full throttle – shaking off the ‘cheap and cheerful’ tag for ‘slick and business-ready’.

A host of features tailored to corporate needs have been introduced, all designed to reduce ‘traveller friction’.

For example, the easyJet Plus membership programme, with benefits including speedy boarding, seat selection and access to fast bag drop, make the airport experience a breeze.

Flexible fares allow travellers to change plans without stiff penalties, while its mobile app provides easy access to boarding passes, flight updates and receipts.

easyJet has also built strong relationships with travel management companies (TMCs), integrating with booking platforms and global distribution systems. This makes it easier for companies to include the airline in their travel programmes and manage their trips efficiently.

The perfect landing

While some big corporates may still favour full-service carriers, easyJet has carved out a loyal following among SMEs, freelancers and remote teams. It’s especially popular with professionals in tech, finance and creative industries – and as legacy airlines trim their perks, easyJet’s appeal keeps growing.

James Marchant, easyJet’s Head of Business, insists: “Our story remains the same – delivering value, convenience and access to Europe’s primary airports in a way that truly meets the needs of today’s business traveller, while we continue driving towards net zero emissions.”

Forward thinking

That ‘start-up’ mentality still runs through the business. From pioneering mobile boarding passes to investing in smart tech that streamlines operations, easyJet continues to innovate.

Behind the scenes, data-led scheduling and predictive maintenance help keep flights running smoothly – a must for travellers who don’t have time for delays.

Sustainability is also high on the agenda. The airline is investing in fuel-efficient aircraft and exploring future-forward tech, such as hydrogen. It’s also helping customers track emissions more easily – a big win for companies with green goals.

Now, as easyJet enters its fourth decade, the world of work is changing fast. Budgets are tighter, remote working is the norm, and virtual meetings are here to stay. But the need for in-person connection hasn’t gone away – and easyJet is perfectly placed to deliver it. From budget disruptor to trusted travel partner, the airline is flying high into a future of smarter, sustainable, more agile business travel.

easyjet.com

This sponsored article is featured in the Winter 2025 issue of The Business Travel Magazine.