easyJet and easyJet holidays have recently announced their top travel trends for 2024, marking the beginning of their largest ever Big Orange Sale. This sale, which offers up to 20% off on over two million seats across Europe and up to £300 off package holidays, has sparked significant interest among travelers, particularly from the UK.
2024’s Top Travel Destinations
During the first week of the sale, flights to Amsterdam, Paris, Geneva, Alicante, and Malaga emerged as top choices among British travelers. Notably, destinations like Hurghada in Egypt, Rovaniemi in Lapland, and Milan have seen a remarkable increase in popularity compared to the previous year. The trend continues with cities like Prague, Nantes, Berlin, Bilbao, and Verona also gaining traction among British holidaymakers.
The 2024 travel landscape shows a sustained interest in package holidays, 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 the pack, while Paris, Amsterdam, and Iceland are the go-to choices for city escapes, typically ranging from three to five nights.
An interesting shift in consumer behavior has been observed during the festive period, with a significant increase in people searching for holiday deals. easyJet holidays’ web and app visits soared by over 40% on Christmas Day and nearly 80% on Boxing Day compared to the previous year, indicating a growing trend of planning holidays during this time.
In terms of specific travel periods, January flights were highly popular in the first week of the sale, with British consumers eagerly booking last-minute winter sun breaks. Destinations like Tunisia, Hurghada, and Almería in the Spanish region of Andalusia experienced a surge in bookings. For ski enthusiasts, Geneva, Lyon, and Innsbruck are the top picks, aligning with easyJet’s expanded ski route offerings, including the addition of three aircraft in Switzerland.
The summer months also show distinct preferences, with May emerging as the most popular month for flight bookings, thanks to attractive half-term deals to destinations like Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, and Faro. August is anticipated to be the peak month for package holidays, with Faro being the most booked destination since the sale’s inception. Other destinations like Sharm El-Sheikh, Agadir, Malta, Verona, and Valencia are also showing early signs of increased popularity.
This surge in bookings aligns with recent research conducted by easyJet, which revealed that over two-thirds of Brits (67%) are more likely to travel abroad in 2024 compared to 2023. The research also highlighted that protecting holiday spend remains a priority, with over three-quarters (77%) of respondents indicating they would prioritize spending on holidays over other yearly budget items, an increase from 70% in the previous year.
Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, commented on these trends, emphasizing the value and importance of holidays to consumers. He noted the resurgence in popularity of North African destinations, alongside the consistent preference for destinations in Spain and Portugal. Lundgren also highlighted the growing popularity of easyJet holiday packages, especially all-inclusive breaks for 2024.
easyJet’s commitment to providing value and a wide range of choices is evident in their extensive network. With flights from the UK to over 130 destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and package holidays available to over 5000 hotels, easyJet continues to be a preferred choice for travelers seeking both affordability and variety.
In conclusion, easyJet’s Big Orange Sale for 2024 has set the tone for the year’s travel trends, offering great value deals and a glimpse into the destinations that will be most sought-after by travelers. With a focus on customer satisfaction and a wide range of options, easyJet is poised to lead the way in 2024’s travel scene.
