Jet2 Travel Tips For First-Timers: Fly Smarter, Spend Less ✈️
I thought I had budget flying nailed, then my first proper Jet2 trip gave me a reality check. Picture me at the kitchen table, cup of tea going cold, trying to outsmart the seat map and playing what I now call “check-in chicken.” It was part tactics, part luck, and fully addictive. The good news is Jet2 is friendly, straightforward, and pleasantly no-nonsense. The great news is you can make it even easier with a few simple habits. If you’re new to Jet2, these tips will keep stress low, costs sensible, and your vibe firmly holiday-mode. Let’get to it… ✈️
Jet2 Travel Tips: Start Here
If you only remember three things, make it these:
- Check in online early (Unless you’re doing Check-in Chicken)
- Know your exact bag sizes
- Give yourself more time than you think at the airport.
Jet2’s systems are clear, but the cut-offs are strict and the queues can creep up on you. Build a little buffer into every step and you’ll feel smug while everyone else is huffing at the scales.
💡 Good to know: Set two alarms for check-in closing and bag-drop closing. One reminder keeps you honest, the second saves you from faffing.
How Check-In Works (And How I Do It)
Online check-in is smooth on desktop and in the app. I add passport details, pick seats if I care about them, and immediately save boarding passes to my phone wallet (Apple Wallet or Google Wallet). I also take a screenshot because airport Wi-Fi loves drama (If you haven’t put them in wallet, and are gambling with the jet2 app). If you prefer paper, print a spare and tuck it with your passport. Low tech still wins at busy security.
Simply put:
- Add passport details, choose seats if you care
- Save passes to your phone wallet and take a screenshot
- Print a spare if you like paper
- Keep the paper with your passport at security
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Travelling as a couple or group and not paying for seats? Check in one by one, seconds apart. You often get sat together without paying extra. Not always, but often enough to be worth the small dance. 💃🕺
Recommended Flights from Trip.com
Bag Drop, Timing And Twilight Check-In
Aim to be at the airport about three hours before departure. That cushion keeps your heart rate in the healthy zone if security is slow. Jet2’s desks are punctual on their closing times, so do not cut it fine. If you’re on an early flight, look for Jet2’s Twilight Check-In the night before, this lets you drop bags the night before between 16:30 and 21:00 at participating airports. Dropping bags after work, then gliding straight to security in the morning, is the closest thing economy has to VIP.
💡 Fact: The biggest time saver after pre-printing passes is Twilight Check-In. You start the day lighter, calmer, and less sweaty. 🌙✅
Cabin Baggage: Sizes That Actually Fit
Jet2’s free cabin allowance covers one main cabin bag plus a small under-seat bag. Measure both. The overhead case needs to slide in wheels first without a struggle. The under-seat one should actually fit under the seat, not live in the aisle glaring at people. If the overhead space is rammed, some cabin bags get tagged into the hold, so keep your absolute essentials separate.
Jet2 baggage allowance as of 2025:
- One free cabin bag up to 10 kg within 56 x 45 x 25 cm
- One small under-seat bag up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
🔹 Pro Tip: Pack valuables, meds and cables in the under-seat bag so you’re fine if your overhead bag gets tagged for the hold. 🎧💊
🗺️ Holiday Related: Why Booking ABTA and ATOL Protected Holidays Is Your Smartest Travel Decision
Our Google Maps Legend
Get lifetime access to our endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in the area. You simply open the Google Map on your device and all our pins are at the touch of your fingertips.
Hold Baggage: What You Can Add
Add hold bags in advance. Airport prices can be spicy. If you’re sharing one case between two people, use packing cubes in different colours so you can find your life quickly at the other end. Sports gear usually flies fine as long as you stick to the weight rules and book it early.
Jet2 baggage allowance facts:
- You can book up to three 22kg hold bags per person, per flight by paying the applicable charges.
- Jet2 do not allow single hold bags that weigh more than 32kg.
- Jet2 charge £12 per kg for baggage that exceeds your total weight allowance.
🗺️ More Guides: How to Handle Flight Delays Without Losing Your Cool
💡 Good to know: If you’re travelling with an infant, you can add an extra 10 kg of baby essentials to the adult’s hold bag for free.
Families And Babies: The New Perks
The big win for parents right now: infants under two go free on Jet2 across current promotions, plus you can check up to two baby items per child or infant for free, like a pushchair and car seat. Jet2 also notes that infants get that extra 10 kg in the adult’s hold allowance. All positives in my eyes!
🗺️ Recommended Read: Travel Mishaps? No Worries! Conquer Common Travel Problems Like A Pro
💡 Tinker’s Tip: Ask crew for warm water early if you need it for bottles. Service gets busy after take-off, so a polite heads-up helps.
Seating: Legroom, Rows And A Cheeky Strategy
Standard seats are fine for short hops, extra-legroom rows are worth it for long legs or long flights (roughly 29–30 inches of pitch). If you love a window view, know that not all “window” seats actually have one on every aircraft layout (11A and 11F can lack a window). If getting off fast matters, pick near the front. If calm matters, sit over the wing. If you’re feeling lucky, hold off choosing and see what the system gives you at check-in.
Quick seat checklist:
- Up front for speed
- Exit rows for legroom
- Over the wing for a smoother ride
- Back rows for empty middles, sometimes
💡 Good to know: Why not make economy feel like first-class!
“Check-In Chicken” Explained: How It Works, When To Try It, And The Risks
I love a little airport game, but this one isn’t for the faint-hearted. Check-In Chicken is the tactic of waiting until later in the online check-in window so fewer middle seats remain. In theory, the system has to place you in one of the nicer leftovers, like near the front or around the wing. It can work, but it is a gamble, so play smart.
What real trips show:
Checking in later sometimes lands a better seat without paying the fee. Think “2C near the front” rather than a middle in row 28. It doesn’t happen every time, and results vary by route and season.
Know the airline rules first:
Online check-in typically opens well in advance and closes several hours before departure. If you plan to play, set alarms and give yourself a buffer. The cut-off is strict.
The simple idea:
- Early on, many “good” seats are held for paid selection
- As time passes, the worst seats tend to go first
- If decent seats remain near the end, the system may assign them to late check-ins
- You’re rolling the dice for a nicer free seat, not guaranteed extra-legroom
How to play it safely:
- Watch the seat map a couple of times on check-in day to see which rows disappear
- Pick a personal cutoff well before the official closing time
- Set two alarms on your phone: one to review, one to commit
- Have passport details ready and the app installed so you don’t fumble at the last minute
- Solo travellers generally have the best odds; larger groups are harder to seat together
When to skip the game:
- You’re flying with kids or anyone who must sit together
- It’s a peak-time or obviously full flight
- You need an exit row for legroom, or a specific seat for comfort
- You know last-minute decisions make you anxious
Risk vs reward at a glance:
| Your priority | Risk level | Better move |
|---|---|---|
| Sit together as a family | High | Pay for seats upfront |
| Solo, flexible, just want “not a middle” | Medium | Try late check-in with alarms |
| Need extra legroom | Medium | Buy exit row early |
| Hate stress | High | Check in early and relax |
💡 Good to know: Online check-in closing times are firm. Don’t push it to the wire.
A sensible timeline you can copy:
- T-24h to T-10h: Peek at the seat map two or three times. Note front vs back availability
- T-8h: Decide your personal cutoff. If rows you like are still there, hold
- T-6.5h: Final check. If only decent seats remain, commit now
- Hard stop before closing: Check in and save your passes. No hero moves past the deadline
Little extras that help:
- Screenshot your passes for offline access. Airports love patchy Wi-Fi
- Backup plan: If you lose your nerve, just check in early and enjoy your day
- Expectation check: You might land a nicer row up front. You might also get something ordinary. That’s the trade
‼️ Bottom line: Check-In Chicken can deliver a sweet free seat upgrade, especially if you’re flying solo and keep a cool head. It’s a game of timing, not magic. If any part of you hates the gamble, pay for the seat you want and treat yourself to a calm airport coffee instead. * Do this at your own risk! ☕️
Our Google Maps Legend
Get lifetime access to our endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in the area. You simply open the Google Map on your device and all our pins are at the touch of your fingertips.
Security: The Liquids Rule Right Now
The UK’s security rules are in flux. Some airports are upgrading scanners, but as of 2025 the safe assumption is the classic 100 ml limit in a 1-litre bag still applies for most departures, and Jet2’s own FAQ repeats that message.
🔹 A quick heads-up: A few UK airports have moved to new scanners with more generous allowances, but rollout is uneven. Check your specific airport’s latest notice a day before you fly.
The Jet2 App + myJet2: Easy Wins
The app lets you check in, store boarding passes, add extras and see live flight info. Sign in with a myJet2 account for member-only deals and easier management.
💡 Good to know: Member promos run all the time. In summer there are often savings on routes plus occasional discounts on baggage and seats. Check for offers before you lock things in. 📲
✋🏼 Be a Travel Master: Mastering Peak Season Travel: Essential Do’s and Don’ts
Food And Drink On Board
Pre-order hot meals on longer flights or buy in the sky from the seasonal menu. Recent menus added a few new items, familiar snacks and barista-style coffee. Simple meal-deal bundles make family ordering easier.
💡 Good to Know: You can usually pre-order up to 48 hours before flights longer than about 2 hours 25 minutes. On board is card or contactless only. ☕️🍲
Airport Flow: Kiosks, Queues And Cut-Offs
Bag-drop kiosks are common, and the app’s bag-drop flow makes tagging bags quick. Join the same queue as everyone with luggage even if you checked in online.
💡 Good to know: If you pack light, go hand-luggage only and head straight to security. It is the biggest time saver on short-haul. ⏱️
🚨 We like to help out at The Travel Tinker: How to Get Through the Airport Quickly: Expert Tips for Savvy Travellers
A Handy Jet2 Cheat Sheet
| Thing | The short answer |
|---|---|
| Online check-in | Opens far in advance, closes about 6 hours pre-flight |
| Desk open/close | Aim to arrive 3 hours before, desks close around 40 minutes before departure |
| Cabin bag | One overhead case up to 10 kg, 56 x 45 x 25 cm |
| Under-seat bag | One small item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Hold bag | Add up to 3 x 22 kg per person (book in advance for best price) |
| Infants | Often travel with free baby items in the hold and an extra allowance — check your booking |
| Liquids | Assume the classic 100 ml rule unless your airport announces different |
| Food | Pre-order hot meals on longer routes or buy from the onboard menu |
Money Savers That Actually Help
Use Low Fare Finder style searches, sign in before you browse, and look for promos on baggage or seats. Families should keep an eye on free child places and infant offers when available.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Use our Entry Requirement Checker before you book big pieces. It saves time and stress.
💡 Fact: Passport validity rules can vary by nationality. Double-check before you book.
Comfort Hacks For Short-Haul
Bring a soft neck pillow, wired headphones as a backup, and a big refillable bottle to top up after security. If you are tall, pay for exit rows or try for them with the late check-in gamble. You definitely want that extra leg room if you’re tall on these planes!
💡 Good to know: Keep chargers and must-haves in your under-seat bag. If crew gate-tag your overhead case, you still have the essentials. 🔌
City Break, Beach Break, Ski Season
Jet2 leans into European city weekends, classic beach escapes and winter ski. Pick flight times that align with hotel check-in so you are not babysitting your suitcase in a lobby.
🔹 Pro Tip: Planning hikes or other adventure activities? A late afternoon return gives you a usable final morning, then you fly home fresh and calm. 🥾❄️
What To Do If Things Go Sideways
If a delay hits (and believe me they do in Europe), keep all receipts for food and essentials and follow live updates in the app or on the boards. Log issues as they happen and snap photos of gate screens so you remember what was promised.
💡 Good to know: If you are rebooked, double-check that your passes, seats and baggage are still attached to the new flight. A quick look now avoids a queue later. ✅
Always have Travel Insurance! Peace of mind = priceless. Don’t skip it! 🩹
Recommended Travel Insurers:
What to know How to Plan or Save for a Trip? Here are our best:
Budget flying is not a test of endurance, it is a set of tidy habits. Check in with a plan, measure your bags, and decide ahead of time if you care about seats. Try the cheeky strategies if you enjoy a little thrill, or buy the exact comfort you want and relax. Either way, you are in control. Jet2 keeps things simple, you add the calm. Next stop, holiday mode. ✈️🌍
Now, over to you…
Got your own Jet2 Travel Tips or a story from playing check-in chicken? Drop your wins, fails and clever hacks in the comments. Your lesson learned might save someone’s trip.👇🗣️
Adventure on,
The Travel Tinker Crew 🌍✨
Simliar Articles:
- 10 Overhyped Travel Spots You Should Skip
- Is Affordable Travel Still Accessible
- The 5 Most Popular Winter Destinations According To TripAdvisor
Recommended Websites and Resources:
FAQs
Is “check-in chicken” a good idea for Jet2?
It can be. Waiting later in the window sometimes reduces the number of middle seats left to assign, so you may get something nicer. It is still a gamble. If it will stress you out, check in early and enjoy your day. 🎯
How strict is Jet2 about hand luggage sizes?
Reasonably strict. If it does not fit in the sizer or is obviously too heavy, it may go in the hold and you may pay. Measure at home and save the drama.
What time should I arrive at the airport?
About three hours before departure usually keeps things relaxed. That gives you room for a queue or two without sprinting to the gate.
Do infants get extra allowances?
Jet2 is family-friendly and typically allows things like a pushchair and car seat for free. Check the exact allowances on your booking, then pack to those numbers.
Can I pre-order food on Jet2?
Yes on many routes, especially the longer ones. For short hops I bring a snack, for anything over two hours a pre-order can be worth the convenience.
Travel Planning Resources
Ready to book your next trip? These trusted resources have been personally vetted to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Book Your Flights: Kick off your travel planning by finding the best flight deals on Trip.com. Our years of experience with them confirm they offer the most competitive prices.
Book Your Hotel: For the best hotel rates, use Booking.com . For the best and safest hostels, HostelWorld.com is your go-to resource. Best for overall Hotel ratings and bargains, use TripAdvisor.com!
Find Apartment Rentals: For affordable apartment rentals, check out VRBO. They consistently offer the best prices.
Car Rentals: For affordable car rentals, check out RentalCars.com. They offer the best cars, mostly brand new.
Travel Insurance: Never travel without insurance. Here are our top recommendations:
- EKTA for Travel Insurance for all areas!
- Use AirHelp for compensation claims against flight delays etc.
Book Your Activities: Discover walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more on Get Your Guide. They have a vast selection of activities to enhance your trip. There is also Tiqets.com for instant mobile tickets.
Book The Best Trains: Use Trainline to find the most affordable trains or Rail Europe for rail passes!
Travel E-SIMS: Airalo Worldwide! Use your mobile phone anywhere!
Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Visit our Resources Page to see all the companies we trust and use for our travels.
You May Also Like
Save this post (pin it)
Share this post
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Author
Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
Get Social
Entry Requirement Checker
Popular Posts
Join the Community
Shop Our Google Maps
Travel Itinerary Generator
Other Resources
Destinations
Get Your Free Travel Starter Kit!
Sign up with your email to receive step-by-step planning checklists, free guides, and a wealth of money-saving tips to help you plan your trip like an expert!
