Ruth Haines
EasyJet is a pan-European airline group with three airlines based in the UK, Austria, and Switzerland: EasyJet UK, EasyJet Europe, and EasyJet Switzerland. The airline was established in 1995 with a fleet of just two leased aircraft serving two Anglo-Scottish routes. Today, EasyJet serves 183 destinations and is the second-largest European budget airline. The airline's IATA code is U2, and its ICAO code is EZS.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| IATA code | U2 |
| ICAO code | EZS |
| Year established | 1995 |
| Founder | Stelios Haji-Ioannou |
| Number of initial employees | 70 |
| Head office location | Hangar 89 (H89), London Luton Airport, Luton, Bedfordshire |
| Number of destinations served | 183 (as of January 2024) |
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What You'll Learn
IATA code U2
The IATA code for EasyJet is U2. This low-cost airline, which is headquartered at London Luton Airport, was established in 1995 with a fleet of just two leased aircraft serving two Anglo-Scottish routes.
Upon its launch, EasyJet needed an IATA code to prefix its flight numbers. Ideally, this would have corresponded to the two words that make up the airline's name. However, as "EJ" was already taken by New England Airlines, and "EZ" was in use by Scandinavian carrier Sun-Air, EasyJet had to settle for U2.
This code stands out as many major airlines' IATA codes directly relate to their names, such as AF for Air France and BA for British Airways. However, EasyJet is not the only airline with an IATA code that doesn't appear to relate to its name. For example, All Nippon Airways uses NH, which refers to its former name, Nippon Helicopter, and Icelandair's code of FI comes from Flugfélag Íslands, which merged with Loftleiðir Icelandic in the 1970s to become Icelandair.
EasyJet's foreign subsidiaries, EasyJet Switzerland and EasyJet Europe, have different IATA codes (DS and EC, respectively) to distinguish themselves as separate entities.
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ICAO code EZS
The ICAO code EZS refers to EasyJet Switzerland S.A, a low-cost airline based at Geneva Airport in Switzerland. The airline, founded in 1988, is one of the more mature carriers and offers a web check-in option for its passengers. It is part of the EasyGroup conglomerate, which was established in 1995 and is based at London Luton Airport. The group comprises three airlines: EasyJet UK, EasyJet Europe, and EasyJet Switzerland, all owned by EasyJet PLC, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
The ICAO code is an identification code assigned to airlines by the International Civil Aviation Organization. It is a unique 3-letter designator for each airline, and in the case of EasyJet Switzerland, it is EZS.
On the other hand, the IATA code for EasyJet Switzerland is DS, and its flight numbers generally start with the IATA code U2. These IATA codes are 2-character designations that often do not directly relate to the airline's name. For example, EasyJet's IATA code of U2 does not correspond to its name, unlike other airlines such as Air France (AF) or British Airways (BA).
The IATA and ICAO codes are important for identifying airlines and their operations, with the former being more commonly used for flight numbers and ticketing, while the latter is used for aviation operational purposes.
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EasyJet's history
EasyJet is a British low-cost airline that was founded in 1995 by Greek-Cypriot entrepreneur Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. The airline was established with the aim of providing affordable air travel to its customers. Based in London Luton Airport in Luton, Bedfordshire, EasyJet has grown to become a household name in several industries.
In its early days, EasyJet operated a pair of wet-leased Boeing 737-200 aircraft, with a seating capacity of 130 passengers. These aircraft were flown on two routes: Luton to Glasgow and Luton to Edinburgh. In 1996, EasyJet took delivery of its first wholly-owned aircraft and expanded its services to Amsterdam from London Luton. The airline's website, easyjet.com, was launched in 1997, although online bookings were not available until a year later. In October 1999, EasyJet was voted "Best Low-Cost Airline" by readers of Business Traveller magazine. The following year, in November, EasyJet shares were formally admitted to the London Stock Exchange.
In 2001, EasyJet established London Gatwick as its fifth base and became the second-largest scheduled airline at the airport. In 2002, EasyJet merged with Go, creating Europe's number one low-cost airline. The following year, the airline entered its first Airbus unit into service. By 2004, EasyJet had removed the 5 kg weight restriction on hand baggage, and in May 2005, it welcomed its 100 millionth passenger. In October of the same year, the airline established its first base in Italy at Milan's Malpensa Airport.
EasyJet continued to expand its route network, adding more destinations and operating bases across Europe. The airline also acquired several smaller airlines, including Go Fly in 2002 and GB Airways in 2008. By 2009, EasyJet had become a truly pan-European airline, operating over 400 routes in 27 countries, with more than 175 aircraft. In February 2010, EasyJet became the UK's biggest airline, reaching 500 itineraries. Today, EasyJet operates over 1,000 routes to more than 30 countries, serving both leisure and business travellers. The airline has consistently focused on providing affordable fares, excellent customer service, and a convenient travel experience.
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EasyJet's headquarters
When EasyJet moved into Hangar 89, the building had a 1970s-style office setup. The airline renovated the building, painting it orange, a colour that has become closely associated with the company. EasyJet's early marketing slogan was "making flying as affordable as a pair of jeans", and its original advertising consisted of little more than the airline's telephone booking number painted in bright orange on the side of its aircraft.
The orange colour used by EasyJet is similar to that of the telecommunications corporation Orange, and this led to a dispute between the two companies in 2004 when EasyGroup launched a mobile phone subsidiary called easyMobile. EasyJet has an award-winning public relations team that deals with media enquiries, consumer campaigns, and communicating the company's progress toward net zero.
EasyJet was established in 1995 by Stelios and began with just 70 employees and two leased Boeing 737-200 aircraft serving two routes: Luton to Glasgow and Luton to Edinburgh. Luton Airport supported the fledgling company by providing free use of a 15,000-square-foot (1,400-square-metre) building for its headquarters, which EasyJet named EasyLand. EasyJet's IATA code is U2, which does not directly correspond to its name, unlike some other airlines such as Air France (AF) and British Airways (BA).
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EasyJet's current destinations
EasyJet's IATA code is U2, and the airline is based at London Luton Airport in the UK. The airline was established in 1995 with just 70 employees and two leased Boeing 737-200 aircraft, which were used on two Anglo-Scottish routes: Luton to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
As of January 2024, EasyJet serves 183 destinations across three airlines: EasyJet UK, EasyJet Europe, and EasyJet Switzerland. All three airlines are owned by EasyJet PLC, which is EU-owned and controlled and listed on the London Stock Exchange.
EasyJet's head office, Hangar 89 (H89), is located on the grounds of London Luton Airport and can house three aircraft the size of an Airbus A319. The airline's flight numbers generally start with the IATA code U2.
To explore EasyJet's current destinations, travellers can visit the airline's website, which features an interactive map and a tool to inspire travellers who are unsure about where to go.
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Frequently asked questions
The IATA code for EasyJet is U2.
EasyJet got its IATA code fairly late on and could not use EZ, which was already in use by Scandinavian carrier Sun-Air. Instead, EasyJet was randomly issued the code U2.
The ICAO code for EasyJet is EZY.
