Summary
Jet2 is the UK’s last passenger operator of the Boeing 757, marking one of the last opportunities in Europe to fly this aircraft type.
The airline is a well-established low-cost and leisure airline, whose fleet primarily centres around the Boeing 737-300 and -800 and, in increasing numbers, the Airbus A321/A321neo, which is set to be the main focus of the airline’s future.
In 2005 Jet2 acquired its first two Boeing 757s.
The 757 fleet increased to nine aircraft by the end of 2006, after the purchase of six aircraft and one taken on lease from GATX for three months. Single additions followed in 2008 and 2010 from Thomsonfly and ATA Airlines respectively.
At this point, Jet2.com was the owner of all its 757s. However, in early 2011 they leased two aircraft (G-LSAL and G-LSAM) from Allegiant Air, increasing the fleet size to thirteen. At the end of the 2012 summer season, G-LSAL and G-LSAM were returned to the lessor and the fleet was reduced to eleven aircraft. In order to add additional capacity for the 2015 summer season, Jet2.com wet-leased a 757-200 from Spanish charter airline Privilege Style. A similar arrangement in 2016 and 2018, resulted in the wet-leasing of a 757-200 from Titan Airways.
Jet2’s Boeing 757 Fleet Today
Photo (c) Nigel Richardson
At present Jet2 operates a fleet of six Boeing 757-200s. They are:
- G-LSAC, 757-23A (winglets), 25488/471
- G-LSAE, 757-27B (winglets), 24135/165
- G-LSAI, 757-21B, 24016/150
- G-LSAJ, 757-236, 24793/292
- G-LSAK, 757-23N (winglets), 27973/735
- G-LSAN, 757-2K2 (winglets), 26635/608
All of the 757s are powered by Rolls-Royce RB.211-535E4 engines. They are operated in a single economy-class seating configuration accommodating up to 235 passengers.
Where Does Jet2’s 757 Fleet Fly?
Jet2’s operations are busier in the summer timetable, which are coming to an end next month.
This year the Boeing 757 fleet has been deployed on the airline’s widespread route network out of Manchester. Destinations include:
- Alicante
- Antalya
- Barcelona
- Corfu
- Dalaman
- Faro
- Fuertaventura
- Heraklion
- Ibiza
- Kos
- Larnaca
- Las Palmas
- Malaga
- Palma de Mallorca
- Rome Fiumicino
- Tenerife
- Verona
- Zakynthos
Heading into the winter season, the fleet will continue to be based at Manchester and operating a similar route network, albeit on a less busy schedule.
What’s the Future of Jet2’s Boeing 757 Fleet?
Mark Winterbourne, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
The size of Jet2’s Boeing 757 fleet has steadily declined over recent years, with the airline actively aiming to replace the ageing type with brand new Airbus A321neos.
The oldest of Jet2’s 757 fleet is G-LSAJ, at over 34 years old. The youngest is G-LSAK at 28 years.
No date has been set yet for the retirement of the Jet2 757 fleet, but it is expected to be announced in the coming years.
Boeing 757 Timelines
In his new book, Boeing 757 Timelines, author Nigel Richardson includes a full chapter on the history and operations of Jet2’s 757 fleet. It includes a full fleet listing and individual aircraft histories. Additionally, this colour, hardback book looks at the full history and operational life of the Boeing 757 in great detail.
2 comments
A lot of info in this article is incorrect. LSAI is in fact the oldest 757 at 36.9 years, LSAJ instead is the 3rd oldest. Regarding the retirement date, there will be no announcement in a few years, Jet2 will start phasing them out as soon as next month, completing the withdrawal in January 2025. The first 3 to go in November in chronological order are LSAC, LSAJ, LSAN.
I have been photographing JET 2 since its inception, at MAN and BFS airports, and always ,love to see the 757, a truly great Boeing build. Wil be sorry to see them go, however, thats progress as they say. I would rather fly in a 757 than an 321 any day ! Thanks for the great update Matt.