EasyJet and easyJet holidays have unveiled the leading travel trends for 2024 as reservations soared in the initial days of their largest-ever Big Orange Sale, which offers up to 20% discount on over two million seats throughout Europe and reductions of up to £300 on package holidays until February 5, 2024.
UK flights to destinations like Amsterdam, Paris, Geneva, Alicante, and Malaga were most sought after during the first week of the sale. Meanwhile, Hurghada in Egypt, Rovaniemi in Lapland, and Milan saw a notable increase in popularity in comparison to 2023. Other locations that gained traction since the sale's inception include Prague, Nantes, Berlin, Bilbao, and Verona.
Package holidays continue to be in demand for 2024, with all-inclusive, week-long breaks being the top choice during the sale's initial week. Beach holiday hotspots included Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Hurghada, while city escapes like Paris, Amsterdam, and Iceland were favored for stays of three to five nights.
The festive period saw a surge in individuals seeking holiday deals, with visits to the easyJet holidays website and app rising by over 40% on Christmas Day and nearly 80% on Boxing Day compared to the previous year. The peak booking time was between 4pm and 6pm.
Flights in January were the most popular in the sale's first week, with Brits capitalizing on last-minute winter sun breaks. Bookings for destinations like Tunisia, Hurghada, and Almería in Spain's Andalusia region saw an uptick at the beginning of the sale. For ski breaks, Geneva, Lyon, and Innsbruck were the favored destinations. The airline aims to expand ski routes with the addition of three aircraft in Switzerland, projecting a 20% rise in its ski flying programme compared to last year.
May emerged as the most popular month for summer flight bookings in the sale's first week, with travelers taking advantage of half-term deals to destinations like Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, and Faro. Meanwhile, August is anticipated to be the preferred departure month for package holidays.
Since the commencement of the sale, Faro has been the most booked peak summer destination. Other locations such as the Egyptian resort Sharm El-Sheikh, Agadir in Morocco, Malta, Verona, and Valencia have shown early indications of being more popular than in 2023.
These booking trends align with a recent survey conducted by the airline in November 2023, which revealed that over two-thirds of Brits (67%) are more likely to travel abroad in 2024 than in 2023. With over three-quarters (77%) prioritizing holiday spending over other yearly budget items – an increase from 70% the previous year.
There are still excellent value deals available during the Big Orange Sale, with up to 20% off 1.2 million seats across thousands of flights to and from the UK, starting at just £24.99. There are also discounts of up to £300 on easyJet holidays, with over 5000 hotels to choose from.
easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren commented, "Year after year, we see the value and importance of holidays to consumers, especially during this traditionally busy booking period. It's encouraging to see North African destinations gaining popularity alongside last-minute winter sun, city, and ski bookings for the new year. Destinations in Spain and Portugal continue to be firm favorites for our customers, while the popularity of easyJet holiday packages shows no sign of slowing down, with all-inclusive breaks being the most popular for 2024."