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Suzanne Lugthart, from Mortlake in Southwest London, who was travelling on Jet2’s first flight from London Gatwick on Thursday (26^th March), had an unforgettable start to her holiday after being gifted a 4-star holiday by the UK’s favourite tour operator.  

Suzanne was onboard the first flight from London Gatwick to Tenerife when she was surprised onboard before departure by the CEO of Jet2, Steve Heapy, who awarded her a 7-night Jet2holiday for 2 adults at the AluaSoul Mallorca Resort in Cala D’Or, Majorca.   

The holiday giveaway was just one of many celebrations that Jet2 held to mark the start of it operating award-winning flights and package holidays from the UK’s second largest airport for the first time.  

As well as presenting Suzanne with the holiday, Jet2 decked out the airport in its trademark red on its first day of operations and customers received a red-carpet welcome at check-in alongside personalised gifts and a surprise appearance was made by the voice of the summer, Zoe Lister.  

Continuing to put customers at the very heart of the celebrations, a number of customers were also surprised with free flight vouchers, and holidaymakers on the inaugural flight were invited to a special launch event where a Spanish guitarist entertained them.  

The official arrival of Jet2 at London Gatwick follows years of demand from customers and independent travel agents for the company to bring its award-winning customer service to the region. As well as further expanding its footprint to 14 UK airport bases, today’s launch means that more holidaymakers across London, Greater London and the Southeast of England can enjoy Jet2.com flights and ATOL protected package Jet2holidays.  

 Customers travelling from London Gatwick will also benefit from the presence of Jet2’s Red Team of Customer Helpers, with them visible in their red uniforms and delivering the company’s VIP customer service. The company is repeatedly praised for providing industry-leading customer service, earning Which? Recommended Provider status for the past eleven years running and ranked as amongst the very best companies in the UK for delivering first class customer service in the latest Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI).  

During its first summer of operations from the airport, Jet2 has 29 sunshine destinations on sale across Mainland Spain, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Malta, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria and Cyprus.  

For Winter 2026/2027, Jet2 has put 23 destinations on sale (14 winter sun, five ski and four Christmas market destinations) from London Gatwick. 

Customers looking to book ahead can take advantage of Jet2’s Summer 2027 programme that is now on sale and includes 34 sun and leisure city destinations, representing a capacity increase of 27% in just its second summer of operations from London Gatwick. The expanded programme has seen a brand-new and exclusive route to Lesvos (Mytilene) go on sale and 1.1 million seats, giving customers and independent travel agents across the region huge choice when it comes to booking early and unlocking the sunshine for next summer. 

On receiving the holiday, Suzanne, said: “Thanks to the all the celebrations Jet2 put on at the airport, we have had a fantastic morning, and it was made even more special when I was named as the lucky winner of a holiday to Majorca. I am still in shock, and it certainly made our holiday on Jet2’s first day of flying from London Gatwick very memorable and one we will never forget. My husband and I are looking forward to getting away again with Jet2 from London Gatwick!” 

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “Celebrations were in the air with Jet2’s expansion into London Gatwick. We were delighted to welcome customers on our first flight from the new airport base and announce the lucky winer of our holiday giveaway. We were proud to be mark the milestone of our 14^th UK airport base and bring our award-winning customer service to holidaymakers in the region. Congratulations to Suzanne, and we look forward to seeing her back onboard soon. “ 

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