It has been 15 years since the first Jet2.com flight took to the skies from Edinburgh Airport and the leading leisure airline is celebrating reaching the milestone with two colleagues who have been with the company from the start. 

The award-winning airline is marking the milestone with Gill Brown and Ian Gillespie who have been part of Jet2.com since it waved its first customers off from Edinburgh Airport in 2006. The two colleagues are sharing the 15^th anniversary celebrations with Jet2.com, which since its launch in Scotland has expanded to become the UK’s third largest airline.

Gill’s career as Cabin Crew spans over 23 years. Since the age of nine, when she went on her first holiday abroad, Gill has always wanted to work as Cabin Crew. Her career began at Air2000 based at Glasgow Airport and once Jet2.com was established in 2003 at its first base in Leeds Bradford Airport, Gill spent some years flying in and out of the airport as Cabin Crew.

When the airline launched at Edinburgh Airport four years later, Gill joined as Cabin Crew before progressing to become Senior Cabin Crew and then a Performance Trainer. After gaining a taste for management, along with a desire to keep both feet on the ground but a hand in flying, Gill decided to take on the role of Cabin Crew Base Manager. Day-to-day, Gill is responsible for the team of cabin crew at Edinburgh Airport, who look after customers and help deliver a VIP customer service on the company’s award-winning flights.

Ian joined the Royal Navy at 16 in the Fleet Air Arm working helicopters and hovercraft. After leaving the Royal Navy in 1998, he joined the Channel Express as an Engineer and worked on the Herald, F27, Lockheed L-188 Electra, Airbus and Boeing 737, travelling to various British overseas bases in support of Channel Express’ cargo and charter operation. Ian then moved into a new role as Station Engineer for Channel Express in 2004, before becoming Station Manager for Jet2.com in 2006. 

Over the last 15 years, Jet2.com has experienced substantial growth and success. The airline has flown over five million happy customers to and from the airport, and Gill and Ian have been part of the team since Jet2.com welcomed onboard its first customers from the base.

Gill said: “Since day one, I have loved working at Jet2.com. While it has changed considerably over the years, it still retains its family values. Every team member is very friendly and will go out of their way to support and assist in any way they can. I feel privileged to have been with the company from the start and feel immense pride in having seen us grow and become a firm favourite with holidaymakers in the region.”

Ian added: “The past 15 years have flown by and it only feels like yesterday when I joined Jet2.com and saw our first flights take off from Edinburgh Airport. Jet2.com has supported me throughout my career and has helped me progress by providing the relevant training opportunities, which has got me to where I am today. It has been fantastic to see the airline go from strength to strength and to have been there from the very start.”

Jet2.com is repeatedly recognised by customers for delivering a VIP service and continues to outperform other airlines when it comes to customer experience and satisfaction. When travelling with the award-winning airline, customers can experience and enjoy the company’s VIP customer service, which has seen Jet2.com win high-profile accolades, such as Which? Recommended Provider and TripAdvisor’s Best Airline – UK and Top 10 Airlines of the World. Since launching package holidays for customers in Scotland through Jet2holidays in 2009 it has grown to become Scotland’s largest tour operator.

The 15^th anniversary marks the continued growth and success Jet2.com has experienced at Edinburgh Airport and in Scotland. The company now offers daily flights to some of the most popular sun and city destinations across the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Europe – with Alicante proving to be Edinburgh customers’ number one sunshine destination! With an unrivalled choice of flying, holidaymakers are spoilt for choice when it comes to where and when they would like to enjoy a getaway and means they can book the duration of holiday that suits them.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “As we celebrate 15 years of Jet2.com flying from Edinburgh Airport, it is a fantastic opportunity to look back and remember all that we have achieved over the years. We are very pleased to have grown substantially during this time and a huge part of our success is our fantastic colleagues like Gill and Ian, who go above and beyond to ensure every single customer receives our famous VIP experience. We’d like to take this opportunity to offer our thanks to everyone who has contributed to our growth over the last 15 years at Edinburgh Airport, especially our wonderful colleagues.

“Since we first launched from Edinburgh Airport, we have grown considerably, and this is all down to the support and loyalty from holidaymakers and independent travel agents in the region. As we celebrate our 15^th anniversary, we look towards the future with confidence and are proud that our values remain as strong today as they did from day one. We look forward to taking many more happy holidaymakers on our award-winning flights and ATOL protected package holidays and proving just why we are the best at what we do.”

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said: “It’s a fantastic milestone to celebrate and we are thrilled that people like Gill and Ian have been able to see and experience growth at the airport itself and Jet2.com’s growth with us, opening up many new destinations to Scotland. Every day is a big day for people coming to and travelling from Edinburgh Airport, and I hope Gill, Ian and all of the Jet2.com staff realise just how many big days they have helped to facilitate.

“Passengers want choice and we have worked together to provide variety for people in the good times, and to support each other in the tough times. We know people are looking forward to travelling again and everyone at Edinburgh Airport and Jet2.com is excited to welcome them back to the airport and see them take that long awaited trip as we prepare for the next 15 years.”

Some top 15^th birthday facts:

Jet2.com has carried more than 5 million customers to and from Edinburgh Airport.

Nearly 1 million cups of tea and more than 200,000 KitKats have been served to Edinburgh customers since the airline started operating from the base.

Edinburgh’s favourite Jet2.com destination is Alicante.

And the most popular sandwich for Edinburgh customers is the Ham & Cheese Toastie.

Visit www.jet2.com or www.jet2holidays.com