easyJet celebrates 30 years since its first flight, with a crew who were all born the same year

easyJet has celebrated three decades in the skies in true orange style by recreating its very first flight from London Luton to Glasgow, this time with a crew who, like the airline itself, are all turning 30 this month.

Taking off exactly thirty years to the day since easyJet’s maiden flight in 1995, today’s anniversary trip brought together the past and present of one of Britain’s biggest aviation success stories. Joining the crew on board was retired Captain Fred Rivett, the pilot who commanded that historic first flight on 10 November 1995, carrying 122 passengers on what was then a bold new experiment in low-cost air travel.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been three decades since that first take-off from Luton to Glasgow,” said Rivett. “Back then, easyJet was a complete disruptor, and to see how it has grown into the UK’s largest airline and helped millions to travel is something I’m incredibly proud of.”

From ‘Just the Price of a Pair of Jeans’ to a European Household Name

When easyJet launched, its slogan promised fares for “the price of a pair of jeans”. Thirty years later, that promise still holds true, and, in fact, tickets are cheaper in real terms than they were in 1995. A flight that once cost £29 now averages around £26, a drop of more than 50 per cent when adjusted for inflation.

Chief Executive Kenton Jarvis said the anniversary marked more than just a company milestone, but also a social shift. “easyJet has made it possible for millions to travel easily and affordably, opening up opportunities that once felt out of reach,” he said. “From first holidays abroad to spontaneous city breaks, we’ve been part of people’s most important journeys, and we’re excited to see what the next 30 years will bring.”

The ‘easyJet Effect’ – How a Low-Cost Airline Changed British Life

A nationwide study commissioned for the anniversary reveals the true cultural impact of easyJet’s rise.

Nine in ten Brits say travelling abroad has become simpler and more frequent compared with their childhoods. More than half of today’s 18–35-year-olds took their first overseas holiday on easyJet, while 83 per cent say they now visit destinations further afield, like Morocco or Egypt, thanks to affordable fares and more direct routes.

The research also highlights how the airline helped spark new travel habits. Two-thirds of respondents said accessible local flights have made spontaneous weekend breaks possible, while nearly three-quarters feel more confident travelling solo because of flexible, low-cost fares.

Beyond Travel – A Taste of Europe at Home

It’s not just where Brits go that’s changed, it’s what they bring back. The survey found that 83 per cent of people now enjoy Mediterranean-inspired food at home, with feta, houmous and Aperol among the nation’s favourite imports from abroad.

Even pop culture has gone global. Two in five Brits have flown overseas to see their favourite artists live, and shows like Money Heist and Lupin have sparked “screen tourism” to Europe’s filming hotspots.

Travel journalist Lisa Minot said: “easyJet essentially invented the modern city break. It made spontaneous weekends away a reality and gave a whole generation the freedom to explore Europe like never before.”

From Two Planes to a Continental Giant

From those first two leased Boeing 737s in 1995, easyJet now carries over 100 million passengers a year, operating more than 1,000 routes across 35 countries. With 11 UK bases, and a new one set to open in Newcastle next year, the airline’s distinctive orange jets have become as familiar as the destinations they serve.

Travel journalist Nigel Thompson reflected on the airline’s journey, saying: “Thirty years of low-cost flying has brought a new age of discovery. Families, friends and solo adventurers are now just a few clicks away from anywhere in Europe. What was once a dream is now a weekend away.”

As for Captain Jamie Smart, who piloted today’s commemorative flight, and shares his birthday month with the airline, the occasion was deeply personal. “It’s surreal flying the anniversary flight when I was born the same year as easyJet,” he said. “The excitement I feel flying for this airline hasn’t changed, and I know it won’t for another 30 years.”

From jeans-priced flights to a generation of globetrotters, easyJet’s first 30 years have taken millions of Brits further than ever imagined, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.