BY TIM HEDGLEY, GROUP TRAVEL EDITOR

Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks have today announced an expanded programme to Iceland for Winter 23/24, giving customers and independent travel agents a choice of scheduled winter services and dedicated trips from across nine UK bases, at the best times of year to experience natural wonders such as the Northern Lights.

Today’s announcement means that the leading leisure airline and UK’s largest operator of city breaks to Europe is launching a scheduled programme of winter services to Iceland from Newcastle International Airport for the first time in Winter 23/24. This gives customers and independent travel agents fantastic choice and flexibility when it comes to the duration of the holiday.

A programme of scheduled flights will also operate from Manchester, Leeds Bradford and Birmingham Airports, alongside a series of popular once-in-a-lifetime trips from Belfast International, Bristol, Edinburgh, East Midlands and Glasgow.

The expanded programme means that the award-winning airline and city break specialist will operate to Iceland from nine of its UK bases in Winter 23/24. The programme represents over 135 departing flights and over 27,000 seats on sale, meaning a capacity increase of 24% compared to Winter 22/23.

Announcing the programme today comes in response to the number of customers who book early when it comes to choosing a flight or city break to Iceland. With Jet2.com and Jet2holidays pledging not to introduce any surcharges, this means customers can book their flight or city break, knowing that they have locked the price in.

Iceland has continued to experience strong demand thanks to its abundance of natural wonders, with early and late Winter proving to be particularly popular. Whether it is the cityscape of Reykjavik, the spectacular Northern Lights, or the stunning Golden Circle and its geothermal lagoons, spas and waterfalls, Iceland offers an incredible variety of things for customers to experience and see, which is why Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks have expanded their programme for Winter 23/24.

The companies will operate two weekly services (Wednesday and Sunday) from Leeds Bradford and Newcastle International Airports from 27^th September to 2^nd November, and from 27^th March (28^th March from Newcastle International Airport) to 21^st April, giving customers the opportunity to visit Iceland during the best time to see the Northern Lights. As well as giving customers more chances to see this spectacular event, it offers great choice and flexibility with three, four or seven-night stays available.

Scheduled services to Iceland are also available with Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks from Birmingham and Manchester Airports, with two weekly flights (Monday and Thursday) operating in late-September, October, November, February, March and April.

In addition, Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks’ popular programme of dedicated trips to Iceland return from Belfast International, Bristol, Edinburgh, East Midlands and Glasgow Airports for Winter 23/24. Customers can choose from 21 three-night or four-night trips, with seven trips taking place in November and 14 trips taking place between February and March.

Customers can pick from flight-only or package holiday options, with package options with Jet2CityBreaks available for a low £60 per person deposit. Package options with Jet2CityBreaks include a guided Northern Lights Tour, flights with Jet2.com, including 22kg hold luggage and transfers to and from the airport, as well as a choice of 3 and 4-star hotels in central Reykjavik which provide the perfect base from which to explore and experience authentic Icelandic cuisine. In addition, a choice of excursions are also available to purchase including those to the South Shore, Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon.

All flights to Keflavík International Airport near Reykjavik will be operated by award-winning Jet2.com and the full programme is as follows:

• Brand-new scheduled services operating twice weekly (Wednesday and Sunday) from Newcastle International (exclusive route) Airport between September and November, and from March to April.
• Scheduled services operating from Leeds Bradford Airport (exclusive route) and offering up to two weekly flights (Wednesday and Sunday) from 27^th September to 2^nd November, and from 27^th March to 21^st April.
• Scheduled services return from Birmingham (exclusive route) and Manchester Airports, with up to two weekly flights (Monday and Thursday) from 28^th September and 27^th November, and from 8^th February to 22^nd April.
• 21 trips to Iceland and the Northern Lights, including seven trips taking place in November and 14 trips between from February and March.
• Belfast International (exclusive route) – three trips in total (one three-night trip in November, one four-night trip in February and one three-night trip in March).
• Bristol – three trips available overall (one four-night trip in November, one four-night trip in February and one three-night trip in March).
• Edinburgh – three trips in total (one four-night trip in November, one three-night trip in February and one four-night trip in March). The November and February trips are perfectly timed for the October and February half-terms.
• East Midlands (exclusive route) – seven trips in total (one three-night trip in November, one four-night trip in November, two three-night trips in February, one three-night trip in March and two four-night trips in March). The three-night trip in November and the two-night trip in February are perfectly timed for the October and February half-terms.
• Glasgow – five trips in total (one three-night trip in November, one four-night trip in November, two four-night trips in February and one three-night trip in March). The first tip taking place in February is perfectly timed for the half-term.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “Our programme of flights and city breaks to Iceland continue to be hugely popular, as more customers than ever look to enjoy the stunning natural wonders. On the back of such strong demand, we have expanded our Winter 23/24 programme to Iceland, meaning we can offer more opportunities to visit this beautiful destination at the best times of the year. With a fantastic programme of scheduled services and once-in-a-lifetime trips on sale, we are giving customers and independent travel agents more choice and flexibility and we know this programme will be as popular as previous Iceland programmes.”

He added: “With its huge variety of activities and places to visit such as geothermal spas, geysers, natural parks, the incredible Aurora Borealis or the world’s northernmost capital Reykjavik, Iceland offers a truly memorable and unique holiday experience. Iceland’s appeal, coupled with our VIP customer experience and award-winning benefits, means we are confident of a very successful Winter 23/24 programme.”

Gretar Gardarsson, Director of Airline Relations and Route Development at Keflavik Airport, said: ”We at Keflavik Airport are very pleased to hear of Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks plans for the 2023/2024 winter. We are also delighted to hear of the continued high demand for exciting trips to Iceland. Keflavik Airport looks forward to working with Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks to expand our valued partnership for years to come.”

For further information and to book visit www.jet2.com or www.jet2CityBreaks.com.