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Our Story
Discover the story behind the nation's favourite package holiday company

Discover the story behind the nation's favourite holiday business

Here at Jet2 plc, we’re very proud of our incredibly diverse history. We've been a flying success for over 50 years. From Air Carpenter’s flying fragrant flowers in 1971 expanding to today's well-known successful brands, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays. Read on to discover how we’ve grown into the business we are now.

Latest Highlights

2020's

2024 – Jet2 announces 12th and 13th UK bases

2023 – Jet2holidays becomes the UK's biggest tour operator

2022 - A great year for news and praise

2021 - The fleet expands

2020 - Unprecedented times

2010's

2019 - Our fleet reaches 100!

2018 - A year of amazing awards

2017 - Jet2holidays becomes the UK’s second biggest tour operator

2016 - Jet2holidays expands again

2015 – Jet2holidays is one in a million

2014 - Jet2.com makes three the magic number with another Globe award!

2013 - Jet2.com celebrates ten years of taking to the skies!

2012 - Jet2.com is on top of the world

2011 - Jet2.com makes the big time in the North East!

2010 - Jet2.com welcomes 20 million customers onboard

2000's

2009 - Steve Heapy joins to drive the growth of Jet2holidays

2008 - Dart Group plc more than manages its systems

2007 - Jet2.com makes a break with Jet2holidays

2006 - Jet2.com has a share of success

2005 - Jet2.com spreads its wings with new aircraft and bases

2004 - Jet2.com is one in a million

2003 - Jet2.com takes flight

2002 - A star is born – Jet2.com!

2001 - Dart Group’s journey with the Boeings begins

2000 - Coolchain is completely agreeable

1990's

1999 - A cool new addition to Dart Group

1998 - The only way is UPS for our three Airbus A300-B4 Eurofreighters

1997 - Each Bus stop delivers 45 tonnes for our customers

1996 - Dart Group plc gets on the bus!

1995 - Channel Express says ‘buon giorno’ to the Italian Post Office

1994 - We welcome Fowler Welch into our Group

1992 - Channel Express gets there first yet again!

1991 - Darting for glory as the Group puts its stock in London

1990 - Channel Express acquires Benair Freight Ltd.

1980's

1989 - Look out for the arrival of the Lockheed Electra!

1988 - Channel Express stocks up for success

1987 - The answer’s in the post for Channel Express

1986 - A super start to the year

1985 - Channel Express Group wins TNT contract

1984 - A cooler way to deliver fresh flowers and produce

1983 - Philip Meeson channels an exciting new chapter for the Express companies

1980 - Express Air Services wins a very regal contract

1970's

1979 - New Services take to the skies

1978 - Here comes the Handley Page Dart Herald!

1975 - A new name for the Art of flying flowers

1971 - Art Carpenter gets his company off the ground