European Low-Cost Giant: The easyJet Fleet In 2021

easyJet has come a long way since it launched two routes to Scotland from Luton with the Boeing 737 in 1995. Now, an all-Airbus operator, the airline holds over 300 aircraft. Here is a look at the British carrier’s setup as 2021 comes to an end.

easyJet is one of the largest low-cost carriers in Europe, serving up to over 100 million passengers a year – even though 2021’s activity has been a fraction of this figure, the airline still has a large fleet. Photo: Getty Images

Split between three departments

Specializing in short and medium-haul routes across Europe and North Africa, easyJet solely holds narrowbody jet aircraft. The Airbus A320 is the family of choice, with the airline flying several models of the series across its network.

The company’s fleet is divided between its three core subsidiaries. easyJet UK’s office is located in Luton, England, easyJet Europe’s headquarters can be found in Vienna, Austria, and easyJet Switzerland is based at Geneva International Airport.

easyJet UK

According to ch-aviation, easyJet UK holds the following:

• 66 x A319-100
• 60 x A320-200
• 37 x A320neo
• 10 x A321neo

Notably, most of the A319s are currently inactive, and they have an average age of 13.8 years, making it the oldest type in the easyJet UK’s fleet. The youngest of the crop is the A321neo, with an average age of just 2.5 years.

During the early period of the global health crisis, the easyJet group grounded all of its aircraft for 11 weeks. Photo: Getty Images

easyJet Europe

The setup of the easyJet Europe fleet is similar to its UK sibling, but the A320neo is missing. The aircraft are split between: 

• 32 x A319-100
• 85 x A320-200
• 4 x A321neo

Again, the A319 is the oldest of the lot, with an average age of 13.1 years. The four A321neos aren’t even two years old yet.

The A320 aircraft can hold up to 186 passengers, while the A321neo can carry up to 235, and all of the models in easyJet’s fleet have a cruising speed of 520 mph (840 km/h). Photo: Getty Images

easyJet Switzerland

Formerly operating under the TEA banner, easyJet Switzerland currently has the youngest aircraft of the whole group, flying at an age of just 7.7 years. The fleet is divided by:

• 5 x A319-100
• 22 x A320-200
• 2 x A320neo

Again the A319s are the most mature, averaging an age of 10.5 years. Meanwhile, the two A320neos, registrations HB-AYE and HB-AYN, were delivered new just last month.

The Airbus A319 has a seating capacity of 156, and it brings down the age of the fleet across the broader group. Photo: Getty Images.

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A notable fan

After a significant downturn in 2020, activity has been returning for easyJet’s vessels. Regardless, the company is likely to continue temporarily grounding and redeploying aircraft as restrictions continue to take their toll on the aviation industry.

We can expect additional modern A320 family aircraft to join easyJet and replace older units this decade. Just this week, the airline firmed up seven A320neo options and 12 purchase rights. These planes are expected to arrive between 2025 and 2027.

Looking to the future, we can also anticipate entirely new Airbus designs to join the fold. With sustainability on its mind, easyJet is keeping a close eye on Airbus’ ZEROe hydrogen program. The airline is also looking at green solutions with the likes of Wright Electric to address short-haul goals.  

What are your thoughts about easyJet’s holdings this year? What do you make of the overall prospects of the fleet? Let us know what you think of the carrier and its aircraft in the comment section.

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