In a recent announcement, easyJet and easyJet holidays disclosed the latest travel trends for 2024, highlighting significant booking increases during their largest-ever Big Orange Sale. The sale, which offers up to 20% off on over two million seats across Europe and up to £300 off package holidays, will run until 5 February 2024.
The first week of the sale saw a surge in bookings for flights from the UK to destinations like Amsterdam, Paris, Geneva, Alicante, and Malaga. Notably, Hurghada in Egypt, Rovaniemi in Lapland, and Milan have seen a marked rise in popularity compared to 2023. Other destinations such as Prague, Nantes, Berlin, Bilbao, and Verona also witnessed increased interest.
Popular Destinations: UK Travelers Favor Amsterdam, Paris, and Mediterranean Cities
Package holidays are maintaining their appeal in 2024, with all-inclusive, seven-night breaks being the most sought-after during the sale’s initial week. Beach destinations such as Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Hurghada are leading, while Paris, Amsterdam, and Iceland are the top choices for shorter city escapes, typically lasting three to five nights.
easyJet holidays reported a significant increase in web and app visits during the festive period, with a 40% rise on Christmas Day and nearly 80% on Boxing Day compared to the previous year. The peak booking time was identified as between 4pm and 6pm.
Emerging Trends: Increased Interest in Hurghada, Rovaniemi, and Milan for 2024
In terms of immediate travel, January flights were highly popular, with destinations like Tunisia, Hurghada, and Almería in Andalusia experiencing a boost. For ski enthusiasts, Geneva, Lyon, and Innsbruck emerged as top destinations. easyJet has expanded its ski route offerings, including the addition of three aircraft in Switzerland, resulting in a 20% increase in its ski flying program this year.
The sale also revealed May as the most popular month for summer flight bookings, with families taking advantage of half-term deals to Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, and Faro. August is anticipated to be the peak month for package holiday departures. Early booking trends show a rise in popularity for destinations like Sharm El-Sheikh, Agadir, Malta, Verona, and Valencia compared to 2023.
Winter Travel Choices: A Shift Toward January Flights and Ski Destinations
According to a study conducted by easyJet in November 2023, 67% of Brits are more likely to travel abroad in 2024 than in 2023. The study also found that 77% of respondents would prioritize spending on holidays over other yearly expenses, an increase from 70% the previous year.
Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, stated, “Year after year we continue to see the value and importance of holidays to consumers, which is evident in this traditionally busy booking period for holidays. It’s great to see North African destinations seeing a resurgence in popularity alongside last minute winter sun, city and ski bookings for the new year. Destinations in Spain and Portugal remain firm favourites for our customers time and time again, while the popularity of easyJet holidays packages shows no sign of slowing down, with all-inclusive breaks proving most popular for 2024.”
More on easyJet
All easyJet holidays include 23kg of luggage per person, flights, hotel accommodations, and transfers on all beach holidays. They also offer a refund guarantee, the freedom to change bookings, and a Best Price Guarantee as part of their Ultimate Flexibility package.
easyJet operates from 21 airports across the UK, offering over 460 routes to more than 130 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. For more information or to book, interested parties can visit easyJet.com.