When flying around Europe, easyJet is an extremely common option. easyJet is a low cost airline that specifically caters to short and medium haul point to point routes throughout Europe. While easyJet has 3 major bases in the UK, Austria, and Switzerland they run flights all over the continent and even a few beyond.
This EasyJet review will be a little different than my normal flight reviews. For this one I’m combining two flights into a single review do doing a less linear timeline approach. These flights were from Nice France to Olbia in Sardinia and then the return. Both of these EasyJet flights were on their A320.
Being a LCC, easyJet operates a single aircraft type, all A320 series aircraft. They do have A319s and A321s but those are all the same family. Again EasyJet being an LCC they don’t have anything except for economy. So all of their planes are arranged into a single class of service. Some seats, like the exit rows, might have a little extra leg room, but none of them have recline and are quite thin.
Bottom Line: When flying around Europe, easyJet is a great airline. It’s an LCC but with a little bit of knowledge and a little extra money you can get a full service experience for a bargain price.
EasyJet Booking Process
Booking for easyJet is simple. Find the flight you want and book it. Expect to be bombarded with optional extras. I’ll discuss those below.
One thing to keep on mind is that easyJet doesn’t really do connecting flights. They technically have the option but really it’s just buying two flights. Then easyJet charges extra for the connection. If that’s the only option then you might not have a choice, however I’d strongly encourage you to chose another route or airline.
EasyJet Baggage
EasyJet charges for everything, including luggage. On a short trip, if you can just use a small backpack or duffel, you don’t need to buy anything extra. With just a small underseat bag you’ll be good to go. You’ll notice the first thing after selecting your flights on the EasyJet website is that you’ll be asked about baggage.
If you’d like to bring on a full size carry-on and store it overhead, you’ll have to add that with easyJet. Yes, they will check and even measure luggage that looks too large. Adding a bag during the booking process is easy but can sometimes cost as much as the ticket. But in the grand scheme of things, paying a total of 60euro for a ticket with a carry on bag isn’t a bad deal.
If you’d like to add a checked bag, again it’s best to do this during the booking process. EasyJet will gladly accept baggage when you check in, but you’ll pay much more money for it. Depending on the size of bag you’d like to check, it can be as low as 15 euro, but large bags are more expensive.
EasyJet Seat Selection
EasyJet has lots option for seat selection. You could just not select a seat and one will be assigned to you automatically during check-in. This option is free but obviously you’ll just have to take what you get.
If you like to choose a specific seat like a window or aisle, easyJet will sell you one. It’s actually not too expensive, depending on the flight length it might only be a few euro for a seat behind the wing.
If you want a more “premium” seat like one near the front, or the exits with extra leg room, you can buy that too. Many of these premium seats also come with extras like a carry-on bag and speedy boarding. I personally think these are a good deal but to each their own.
EasyJet bundles
When booking an easyJet flight you’ll be presented with lots of upgrade options. The initial flight is cheap, but again that includes nothing. Just a small person item. If you want to select a seat, have luggage, early boarding, or a snack you can add it now.
EasyJet bundles these options together at booking and it can be a way to save money. If you’re going to want a seat assignment and carry on bag anyway, it’s cheaper to just buy it now rather than at check in.
While the bundles and extras may cost more money than the ticket itself, the overall cost is still very low in comparison with other airlines.
EasyJet A320 Flight Review
While in Europe we rode on 2 different easyJet flights. Both were very short flights but perfectly pleasant. EasyJet is cheap, yes you can usually find tickets for less than 20euro per person one way. This of course includes nothing, just a seat and a small underseat bag.
We checked in on the EasyJet app. The App is very good and allows you to check in and get a boarding pass, because we didn’t check any baggage, we can go right to the gate.
EasyJet Boarding Process
The boarding process with easyJet is a little different than what you’d expect if you’re accustomed to flying outside of Europe on LCCs. EasyJet only has 2 boarding zones, speedy boarding and regular. When they call boarding, you’ll be shuffled into a holding pen just past the gate. The plane might not even be on the ground yet, but easyJet is “boarding” already in order to make the turn around process faster.
Once through the gate, passengers head into the holding pen. Only once the plane has been unloaded, the door will open and everyone will be released either to a bus, the jet bridge, or directly outside to the plane. All of EasyJet’s planes are very similar, there’s very little difference between the A319, A320, and A321 except for length.
EasyJet boards from the front and rear of the plane at the same time. Your boarding pass will tell you what door to use, front or rear.
Onboard finding a seat is just like any other airline. Find your seat and stow your things. The interior of the A320 is pretty much the same as all of the other EasyJet planes as they are all in the same family.
EasyJet A320 Seat Comfort
EasyJet planes are dense. There’s no way around it. They have an all economy configuration with slim line seats and they are packed in tightly. It’s an LCC and you should expect it when flying EasyJet.
Some seats are better than others and of course easyJet charges for those seats. For example the exit rows and bulk head seats are considering premium seats. Seats near the front of the plane are also considered better seats and are more expensive as well. Those seats include overhead bin space and speedy boarding. It can be a good deal if you value those items.
Other seats, like those behind the wing are selectable, usually for just a few euro or pounds. These regular seats don’t include overhead space.
Some seats are better than others and you’ll be charged accordingly. I kinda like the seats a few rows behind the wing. You board from the rear and there seems to be less crowding than in the front.
EasyJet In-flight Review
Push back and takeoff from NCE was as is expected from an A320.
Flying over the Mediterranean on the way to Sardinia was a beautiful view. Very smooth flights going and coming from Olbia.
In flight is mostly quiet on these short haul European flights. These two destinations are lots of tourists, but there were a few families traveling to visit home and then some people traveling on business.
This part of the world is unbelievably pretty and flying overhead really shows the uniqueness of the landscape.
EasyJet Onboard Service Review
Onboard there’s no included service. There is a buy on board program that includes drinks, snacks, and even heavier stuff like hot sandwiches. This can be purchased onboard or when you purchase your flight.
The flight attendants will pass though the plane with the beverage and snack service. It tends to go very quickly as there are not many takers.
You can also do what we did, bring a sandwich along. I much prefer to bring a good sandwich from a cafe or bakery over what’s served onboard any airline.
Tiny little tray tables on EasyJet. They aren’t serving full meals so no need for the extra size(or weight).
Like many other European LCC and ULCC airlines, with EasyJet there’s onboard advertising. Both on the seat backs and at the bulkheads.
EasyJet doesn’t offer in-seat entertainment, so you’ll want to bring something to entertain yourself.
Window watching over this part of the world is one of the best entertainment options I could think of.
EasyJet Tips and Tricks
With easyJet, sitting in an extra leg room or up front seat entitles you to speedy boarding. It also gets you an overhead carry on bag. This can be a great deal if booked ahead.
Don’t be late for boarding. EasyJet closes the gate earlier than most other airlines. Once it closed you’re not getting on, even if the other passengers aren’t even on the plane yet and are just waiting in the holding pen. So don’t miss the boarding time.
Because EasyJet boards from both the front and rear it can be beneficial to sit towards the back. You can be one of the first ones on and off the plane.
Being a snack from home, while easyJets buy in board program isn’t too expensive, outside meals are better. You might also want to pack a water bottle or other drinks.
EasyJet does have power on the plane so bring a power pack to keep your devices charged.
EasyJet also doesn’t have any form of in flight entertainment so you’ll want to bring a book, load up some movies, or have podcasts downloaded for the trip. The good news is that most easyJet flights are short so the lack of entertainment isn’t a big deal.
EasyJet Final Thoughts
When flying around Europe, easyJet is a great airline. It’s an LCC but with a little bit of knowledge and a little extra money you can get a full service experience for a bargain price.
I enjoyed our flights to and from Sardinia. They were mostly on-time and got us to and direct flights are fantastic. EasyJet’s network in this part of the world is fantastic. Not wasting time on vacation dealing with connections is paramount. The EasyJet App is very good and allowed us to breeze through check-in and the airports.
At the end of the day, I’d gladly ride on EasyJet again. Just know the tips and tricks and you’ll be good to go.
Follow This Trip
- Flight Review: American Airlines A319 Economy. CLT-YYZ Trip Report
- Flight Review: Air France A350-900 Business Class. YYZ-CDG Trip Report
- Hotel Review: OKKO Hotel Nice Aéroport
- Flight Review: EasyJet A320 Economy. What is it like to ride with EasyJet?
- Hotel Review: Teku Boutique Hotel-Bari Sardo Sardinia Italy
- Hotel Review: CasAunoe Boutique Hotel-Olbia Sardinia Italy
- Hotel Review: Best Western Hôtel Lakmi Nice France
- Lounge Review: The Infinity Lounge Nice Airport Terminal 2
- Flight Review: KLM 787-10 Business Class. AMS-YYZ Trip Report.
- Flight Review: American Airlines A321 Economy Class YYZ-CLT