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Everything you need to know about flying EasyJet

Traveling on a l ow-cost carrier probably isn't your favorite way to cruise the skies, but if you play your cards right, your experience doesn't have to be all that bad. After all, the allure of scoring that super-cheap fare may outweigh the negatives -- like being nickel-and-dimed for all the extras.

To help those of you who are considering purchasing a fare on low-cost carrier EasyJet (or are wondering if you should), TPG is here to tell you exactly what you need to know about flying the airline so you can have a pleasant travel experience. If you're interested in learning more about other low-cost carriers, check out our low-cost carrier comparison guide and our guide to flying Ryanair .

Check in beforehand or at the airport

EasyJet is one of the few low-cost carriers that won't charge you to check in or print your boarding pass at the airport. But if you aren't checking a bag, you can save time by checking in ahead of time and getting a mobile boarding pass. To check in online, go to the EasyJet website under "Manage Bookings" or use the free app using your booking reference. You'll be prompted to enter your surname and booking reference, then, follow the instructions to download or send the mobile boarding pass to your phone.

Web check-in is available between 30 days and two hours before the flight, giving you plenty of time to get your boarding pass printed or downloaded before you take off. Be prepared to enter advanced passenger information during check-in, which can include details like nationality, passport number, birth date and more. And remember, if you change your booking in any way (select new seats, change the date, name, add an infant or special assistance), you'll have to reprint your boarding pass or download it again.

It's actually okay if you spell your name wrong

If you notice you made a typo when entering your name, you can change it for free. However, if you want to give your ticket to another person entirely, you'll have to pay a fee of $34 to change it online if it's 60 days or more before travel. If it's 60 days or less before departure, the fee is $69. These changes (and any others) to your booking can be made in the Manage Booking section on the EasyJet app or webpage.

Take advantage of EasyJet's impressive app

In 2019, EasyJet's app launched an interesting function: voice flight bookings . You can speak your departure city, destination and travel dates into your mobile's microphone and voilà -- the app will pull up available flights.

This new feature is in addition to the app's Book with Instagram feature that's already available. Using it, you can upload a screenshot of a destination you'd like to visit that you've snapped from social media. If EasyJet flies there (or close by), it will find the location and show you flight options.

You don't need a stamp

Unlike low-cost carrier Ryanair, which mandates non-EU/EEA passengers must have their travel documents checked and stamped at the Ryanair Visa/Document Check Desk before certain flights, EasyJet has no such rule.

If you have your boarding pass and you're not checking a bag, the airline recommends you arrive 60 minutes before your scheduled departure and proceed directly to security. If you need to check a bag, it's best to arrive a minimum of 90 minutes ahead of your scheduled flight to most destinations; however, this may be different when flying to or from spots like Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Serbia.

So, make sure to check the EasyJet website ahead of time when traveling between those countries. Also, note that bag drop closes 40 minutes before the departure time for most flights (60 minutes if departing from the aforementioned countries). And because many airports have self bag drops, be prepared to tag your bag yourself in some cases.

Know the carry-on luggage rules

All passengers can bring one bag on board with a maximum size of 22x18x10 inches including handles and wheels. There is no weight limit, but you must be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin.

Travelers who have purchased an extra-legroom/up front seat, FLEXI fare or hold an EasyJet Plus card can bring an added personal item to place under the seat with a maximum size of 18x14x8 inches.

In some cases, the airline staff may be lax to enforce this one-bag-only rule if you are flying with one bag and one small personal item, like a purse. In other cases, the staff at the gate may strongly enforce the rule. So, if you decide to push the limit and travel with an additional personal item that's not included in your fare, be prepared to put the smaller item inside your carry-on bag if asked, in order to avoid paying extra fees.

According to EasyJet, there is only room for 70 cabin bags in the airplanes' overhead lockers. All remaining cabin bags will be checked and can be collected from the baggage carousel on arrival. So, if you want to be certain your baggage travels with you in the cabin, pack a backpack that can fit under the seat or purchase speedy boarding to be one of the first passengers on the plane.

Know the checked luggage rules

Each traveler can bring three checked bags weighing under either 33 pounds, 51 pounds or 71 pounds. Checked baggage fees are dependent on route, flight and time of booking. If purchased online, prices range from $10 to $48 for bags weighing up to 33 pounds and from $21 - $52 for those weighing more than 33 pounds up to 51 pounds. An extra $17 for every 7 pounds of weight is added for bags weighing more than 51 pounds on up to 71 pounds.

Passengers can only pay to check the lower-priced 33-pound or less bag online. If you wait to pay for your bag at the airport, you'll be charged $55 at the bag-drop desk or $69 at the boarding gate for a bag up to 51 pounds. Additional weight can only be purchased online in increments of 7 pounds, either at initial booking or post-booking. If your bag weighs more than the amount you pre-purchased, expect to pay an extra $12 per pound above the pre-booked weight.

A final option is to take advantage of EasyJet's Hands Free option. This means that you check your carry-on bag at the bag drop, allowing you to navigate the airport and security checks efficiently without dragging a bag with you. The bags also reportedly arrive first off the baggage carousel. This service costs $10 per person, or $22 for a family or group of three to six passengers.

Here are TPG tips for checked baggage:

• Always weigh your bag before traveling.
• Pack a small travel scale to weigh it again before returning home.
• Book and pay for your checked luggage online to avoid extra charges for doing so at the airport.
• Ensure your checked baggage doesn't exceed the maximum size. The length + width + height must total under 108in.

Pay for your extras in advance

It's clear from reading the baggage rules that purchasing in advance will save you money. You should consider purchasing your seats and other extras in advance too, not only to save money but to avoid hassle and disappointment later on. Each aircraft has up-front seats, extra legroom seats and regular seats. Prices for seat selection range from $3- $11 for standard seats to $11 - $41 for front, extra legroom or overwing seats. FLEXI fares or EasyJet Plus have seat selection included.

If you choose not to pay extra for seats and are traveling with a group, be sure to check in as early as possible (remember, you can do so 30 days in advance) for the best chance of being seated together. Unfortunately, speedy boarding isn't available as a standalone purchase, but it's available to travelers with an EasyJet Plus card, FLEXI ticket or an up-front or extra-legroom seat.

Consider a FLEXI fare or EasyJet Plus

FLEXI fares allow changes to flight dates and times, plus a free 51-pound checked bag, dedicated bag drop, speedy boarding, Fast Track security at selected airports, a seat at the front of the airplane, an under-seat bag in addition to your cabin bag and a $10 (or currency equivalent) bistro voucher to spend onboard.

EasyJet Plus membership costs $275 per year and includes allocated seating every time you fly, dedicated bag-drop desks, Fast Track security at select airports, speedy boarding, an additional cabin bag and more. This option may be worth it if you fly EasyJet several times per year.

EasyJet partners with other airlines to fly you, well, everywhere

EasyJet flies to over 150 destinations across Europe and North Africa. They also partner with airlines like Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Norwegian, Singapore, Virgin and several others to help serve destinations the airline doesn't fly to itself, like spots in North America, the Caribbean, Asia and beyond. To book these flights go to Worldwide EasyJet .

Be prepared

If you haven't flown EasyJet in a while, you may be pleasantly surprised. Compared to some of the more bare-bones low-cost carriers, EasyJet can seem like a delight -- they even have a seatback pocket!

But don't get too excited. The seats don't recline and have a pitch of a mere 30 inches. All food and beverages are at an added cost, including water. You may have to line up for a while before boarding in order to board early enough to store your carry-on in the overhead bin.

To ensure you'll have a comfortable flight make sure to bring:

• Noise-canceling headphones
• Water (post-security)
• A neck pillow, if you plan to sleep
• A travel scarf or blanket, if you get cold

Read the fine print

This EasyJet cheat sheet will definitely help you prepare for your flight, but remember, the airline can change their policies at any time -- baggage limitations, check-in procedures or fees, etc. So be sure to read the conditions of your fare and ticket before purchasing. It's also a good idea to know and understand your rights as a flyer in case of delays, flight cancellations and strikes. Once you know the rules, your airport and in-flight experience will be much easier.

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EasyJet leave passenger almost £1,500 out of pocket after wrongly denying boarding – again

Exclusive: uk’s biggest budget airline wrongly claims british passports ‘expire after 10 years’ since brexit, article bookmarked.

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EasyJet is once again turning away some British passengers to the EU on the basis of wrongly applied post-Brexit passport rules .

On 9 April 2024, Jacqueline McGeough was travelling with her daughter from Edinburgh to Naples on an easyJet flight for a four-day holiday in Italy .

Her British passport , which The Independent has verified, was issued on 12 May 2014 and expires on 12 August 2024.

It was therefore valid for travel to the European Union and wider Schengen Area up to and including 12 May 2024.

Ms McGeough said: “At the gate my boarding pass flashed red and the rep asked me when we were returning.

“I advised her 12 April. She stepped aside to make a call then advised me that my passport wasn’t valid. I told her I had carefully considered the published guidance before booking. She stated that my passport was only valid for 10 years from the issue date and therefore was not valid for travel.”

Read more: When to renew your passport before visiting Europe

The easyJet ground agent was incorrect. Ms McGeough’s passport comfortably met both the tests for UK passports to the European Union:

• Under 10 years since issue date on the day of outbound travel
• At least three months remaining on the intended date of return

Ms McGeough explained this to a supervisor, who nevertheless confirmed the original, erroneous decision to deny boarding.

The pair left the airport, having lost nearly £1,500 on the trip. Ms McGeough spent two days verifying that her passport was acceptable for travel. The Italian consulate in Edinburgh confirmed her passport was within date. She then lodged a complaint with easyJet.

Six weeks later easyJet ’s customer service department told her that her passport had expired on 12 May 2024, which was false.

She then appealed to the chief executive, Johan Lundgren.

“On 27 May I received a response from the executive support team advising that having ‘thoroughly investigated’ my claim, I had been appropriately denied boarding as my passport expired on 12 May, 10 years from the anniversary of issue of my passport.”

Again, this was false, and Ms McGeough appealed for the decision to be reversed.

But easyJet doubled down, telling her: “Post- Brexit , EU countries no longer accept passports issued more than 10 years ago, even if they have additional months of validity due to the old passport transfer.”

This is not correct; a British citizen can be present in the European Union over 10 years after the passport was issued, so long as they enter the area before the passport’s 10th birthday and have three months’ passport validity remaining.

Ms McGeough said: “Following the initial humiliation of being turned away and distress associated with missing out on our holiday, I am now pretty convinced that there has been no attempt to resolve the issue and rather it is easyJet’s tactic to to hold this line and not accept any liability in the hope that customers will give up.

“I have no idea how they can ignore all the published guidance and everything I have passed to them, including your articles going back to 2022, but still maintain that they have ‘thoroughly investigated’.

“I am out of pocket by almost £1,500. I have needlessly missed out on a short break with my daughter and have lost two days of my annual leave entitlement.

“Had the mistake been mine I would have been accepting and would have forgotten about it by now.”

After the Brexit transition phase ended, easyJet – along with its main rival, Ryanair – imposed incorrect rules , even though The Independent had provided them both with the correct European Union policy.

Eventually both airlines fell into line, as did the UK government – which had continually misrepresented the EU rules.

After The Independent contacted easyJet, the airline said a mistake had been made and that its policy had not, in fact, changed.

A spokesperson for easyJet said: “We are very sorry that Ms McGeough and her daughter were unable to take their flight to Naples due to a misunderstanding at the gate of passport validity rules, which we are investigating with our ground handling partner at Edinburgh airport to ensure this doesn’t happen in future.

“We are also looking into why they received incorrect information in response to their claim as easyJet has not changed its policy which is in line with government guidance.

“We are in touch with Ms McGeough to apologise for this experience and to reimburse their flights and any expenses, as well as provide the compensation that is due.”

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Time for easyJet to reflect on how it deals with passengers

Telling large companies how to run their businesses is much easier than actually running one. Nonetheless, allow me to address Britain’s biggest budget airline, easyJet , and recommend how it could improve.

To set the scene: I spent a fair amount of 2021 involved in a long back-and-forth with EU home affairs officials in Brussels about post-Brexit passport validity rules . After the UK voted to leave the European Union, Boris Johnson’s government requested that we should become third-country nationals – alongside citizens of an interesting range of other countries, including Tonga and Venezuela.

It was clear that, when international travel returned at scale after the shambolic tangle of quarantine rules was finally lifted, travellers and the travel industry needed to know what exactly the rules were. Finally, on 10 November 2021, I received sign-off from Brussels on the two EU tests for British passport holders:

On the day of travel to the EU, issued not more than 10 years earlier

On the intended day of exit, at least three months to run

For example, a British passport issued on 20 November 2014, expiring on 20 March 2025, can be used to travel out to the European Union up to 19 November 2024 for a stay until 20 December 2024.

I promptly informed all the leading airlines flying from the UK to the European Union about my findings – supplying the lengthy correspondence and contact details so they could conduct their own checks. I stressed that they should not make up nonsense conditions about British passports being valid in Europe only for nine years and nine months – pretending that the EU has imposed a limit of 10 years on any UK travel document.

As far as I know, British Airways has not put a foot wrong. Jet2 turned one passenger away very early but corrected the error overnight and promptly made good the harm to the traveller. Unfortunately, easyJet and Ryanair made up their own rules, citing bizarre UK government advice that showed ministers didn’t understand what they had signed up for.

Eventually, I persuaded all three organisations to accept the rules.

But occasionally a member of staff “goes rogue” and needlessly turns an innocent and properly documented passenger away.

Jacqui McGeough from Lanarkshire is the latest victim to have contacted me. On 9 April she and her daughter, Eilidh, turned up at Edinburgh in good time to fly off on holiday to Naples. But the gate agent inexplicably barred Ms McGeough from the flight, saying her passport was not valid.

Ms McGeough immediately appealed. An airport supervisor confirmed the original, incorrect decision. The holiday was off and the pair were £1,500 out of pocket.

Understandably upset, Ms McGeough contacted easyJet. Over the following seven weeks, she was assured five times that the organisation was right and she was wrong – even though exactly the opposite was true. A “thorough investigation” of the fact had been made, she was assured.

Arrogant nonsense. An actual “thorough investigation” of Ms McGeough’s case would take one minute:

Look at the passport, and observe it was valid for travel out to the European Union up to 13 May 2024

Look at the travel dates, 8-12 April 2024

Exclaim “Oops! Ms McGeough was right all along, so let’s open the chequebook to recompense the pair for the cost of their ruined holiday as well as statutory compensation for wrongly denying boarding”

Yet easyJet repeatedly brushed off Ms McGeough until she contacted me. Once I challenged easyJet, the airline promptly admitted “a misunderstanding at the gate of passport validity rules” and said it was “looking into why they received incorrect information in response to their claim”.

The vast majority of easyJet passengers turned away from a flight due to passport problems are correctly denied boarding. But when an upset passenger politely and persistently asks to be taken seriously, an airline manager could and should investigate.

I shall continue to fly on easyJet for its professional operation, good value and excellent cabin crew. But an organisation that pays more heed to a journalist than to a customer is on dodgy ground. Repeatedly blaming the victim rather than taking a long look at its own procedures has alarming resonances of the Post Office scandal; easyJet is better than that.

Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue – and what it means for you.

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What you need to know about European travel this summer

With headlines warning of everything from flight delays to wildfires, summer travel is changing. Here’s how to make sure your trip this summer goes smoothly.

Record numbers of tourists are expected to visit Europe this summer. In the first three months of 2024, the number of international arrivals has already risen by 7.2% compared to 2019’s pre-pandemic figures, according to the European Travel Commission , with 120 million international tourists visiting the region in that time. Yet while this is welcome news for the tourism industry, some challenges remain for visitors, especially during the summer’s busy peak season, when potential flight delays, high temperatures, new laws and major events could all impact travel. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your European trip this summer goes smoothly.

1. What you need to know about flight disruptions

Increased passenger numbers, staff shortages and strikes meant there were 106.7 million delayed air passengers in Europe during peak summer months last year. More than 700,000 passengers were affected over the August bank holiday in the UK alone following a technical meltdown at air traffic control. This year, EasyJet has had to cancel over 100 flights from Paris due to a no-fly zone during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Ryanair has also cut flights from its summer schedule after the delivery of several of its new Boeing aircraft was delayed. If you’re due to fly, visit the airport’s website for the latest information, and check social media for real-time updates from other travellers. Remember that you may be owed compensation if you face disruption, but rules vary, so take out a travel insurance policy as soon as you book flights.

( What should you do if your flight is delayed or cancelled? )

2. Why you should consider travelling by train

Keep your carbon footprint low, avoid airport hassle and see even more of Europe this summer by taking advantage of a whole host of new and expanded routes across the continent. New services include a high-speed route connecting Barcelona to Madrid and Seville , a sleeper train from Brussels to Prague , a daily train between Vilnius and Riga , a relaunched night train between Paris and Nice and a sleeper train from Rome to the Dolomites . Following the success of Germany’s €49 unlimited monthly travel pass last year, France has also introduced its own nationwide rail pass for the same price. However, this is only valid for those under 27 and excludes high-speed TGV trains and travel in the greater Paris region of Ile-de-France.

( 6 of the world’s best coastal rail journeys .)

3. What to do you if you’re affected by wildfires

Following unprecedented high temperatures, wildfires swept through some of Europe’s most popular tourist spots last summer, scorching parts of Tenerife, mainland Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy. This year, protective measures have already been put in place that aim to prevent a repeat of the disaster, with Greece banning all outdoor fires from April and increasing investment in fire detection and water tankers. To ensure you’re protected if the worst happens, arrange travel insurance at the time of booking, then keep an eye on official travel advisories for up-to-date information. If you’re affected by wildfires or any other natural disasters when you’re away, follow the advice of the emergency services and evacuate when instructed, then contact your tour operator or airline for help getting home.

( What to do if you’re caught in a disaster while travelling. )

4. How big events could disrupt your travel  

From Taylor Swift’s tour across Europe to the UEFA European Championship in Germany, Europe is limbering up for a summer of major cultural and sporting events. The Olympic Games in Paris are expected to attract three million more visitors than usual . This is likely to mean a greater demand for accommodation, higher prices, crowded public transport, unexpected road closures and even increased security checks in response to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks. If your holiday does coincide with an event, try to explore beyond the city itself, visit nearby tourist attractions that could be quieter than normal, or just enjoy the inevitable citywide buzz surrounding the main event.

( How to explore Paris this summer beyond the Olympics. )

5. Why you should think about overcrowding

While many destinations welcome a return to pre-pandemic levels of tourism, others are actively trying to deter visitors. In Barcelona , tour groups have been capped at 20 people, while entrance to Athens’ Acropolis is now limited to 20,000 tourists each day. Dubrovnik has already cut the number of souvenir stands by 80%, while thousands attended an anti-tourism protest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in April. All are concerned that overcrowding leads to skyrocketing prices for locals and causes environmental damage, with increased plastic pollution, erosion of heritage sites and traffic congestion. Consider less-visited destinations instead, swapping Santorini for Folegandros an hour’s ferry ride away, Dubrovnik for Šibenik with its medieval centre and fortress, or Barcelona for the Spanish seaside city of Valencia.

( What’s the problem with overtourism? )

6. How to deal with heatwaves

2023 was the hottest year on record globally, with temperatures in Europe above average for 11 months of the year. The Mediterranean was the worst area affected, with temperatures soaring above 40°C across Italy, Spain, Turkey, Cyprus and Greece. Consider travelling outside the hottest months, between July and September, or visiting destinations further north such as Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania or Ireland which should escape the most intense heat. If temperatures do climb, wear high-factor SPF, avoid being outside in the middle of the day and wear light-coloured clothes made from breathable materials. Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water, and keep a close eye on vulnerable people, including young children and the elderly.

7. How to avoid being caught out by local laws and taxes

Do your research before travelling to make sure you don’t fall foul of new laws. A €5 tax for day-trippers was introduced in Venice in April, for example, and will be enforced on selected dates until July. It can be paid online in advance, and those staying overnight are exempt but do still need to register. A second tourist tax of €1 to €5 per night is already applicable to overnight stays and should be paid at your hotel. Be aware that some Airbnbs ask that this is paid in cash. Other new rules in parts of Mallorca and Ibiza ban drinking on the street and prevent shops selling alcohol at night, though you will still be able to buy drinks in bars and restaurants.

Related Topics

• FAMILY TRAVEL
• CITY GUIDES

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