UK leisure carrier Jet2 has unveiled its inaugural Winter 2026/27 programme from London Gatwick, putting Vienna, Salzburg and three other Christmas-market cities on sale almost 15 months earlier than usual. The schedule, announced on 19 December, includes up to four weekly Gatwick–Vienna rotations between late November and early January, operated by 189-seat Airbus A321neos.
While primarily aimed at leisure travellers, the new service boosts seat capacity on a route otherwise dominated by British Airways and easyJet and offers corporates based south of London a same-day link to Austria’s capital. Early-bird return fares start at £79 including 10 kg cabin baggage.
For Austria, Jet2’s decision is a vote of confidence in the resilience of city-break tourism – a segment closely intertwined with short-term project work and meetings. Vienna Tourist Board estimates that each UK visitor spends €311 per day, and business-leisure (‘bleisure’) stays average 3.2 nights. Additional frequency may also relieve capacity constraints during the peak Advent congress season, when hotels near the Austria Center and Messe Wien routinely sell out.
![Jet2 adds Vienna Christmas-market flights in first Gatwick winter schedule]()
Before booking, companies should verify visa requirements for Austria, especially for non-UK passport holders. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/austria/) streamlines Schengen visa applications by providing step-by-step guidance, document checklists and courier handling, ensuring consultants and project teams secure the correct travel documents in time for tight winter itineraries.
Mobility managers should note that Jet2’s standard product includes a 22 kg checked bag, making it attractive for consultants carrying presentation equipment. However, the carrier does not participate in global distribution systems, so travel buyers will need to load private fares or book via the Jet2 Business portal. Gatwick operates a soft-curfew after 23:30, so weather diversions to Stansted or Birmingham remain a risk in winter.
If load factors exceed 80 %, Jet2 says it will consider extending Vienna into its shoulder-season City Breaks portfolio, potentially providing year-round competition and further downward pressure on fares.
While primarily aimed at leisure travellers, the new service boosts seat capacity on a route otherwise dominated by British Airways and easyJet and offers corporates based south of London a same-day link to Austria’s capital. Early-bird return fares start at £79 including 10 kg cabin baggage.
For Austria, Jet2’s decision is a vote of confidence in the resilience of city-break tourism – a segment closely intertwined with short-term project work and meetings. Vienna Tourist Board estimates that each UK visitor spends €311 per day, and business-leisure (‘bleisure’) stays average 3.2 nights. Additional frequency may also relieve capacity constraints during the peak Advent congress season, when hotels near the Austria Center and Messe Wien routinely sell out.
Before booking, companies should verify visa requirements for Austria, especially for non-UK passport holders. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/austria/) streamlines Schengen visa applications by providing step-by-step guidance, document checklists and courier handling, ensuring consultants and project teams secure the correct travel documents in time for tight winter itineraries.
Mobility managers should note that Jet2’s standard product includes a 22 kg checked bag, making it attractive for consultants carrying presentation equipment. However, the carrier does not participate in global distribution systems, so travel buyers will need to load private fares or book via the Jet2 Business portal. Gatwick operates a soft-curfew after 23:30, so weather diversions to Stansted or Birmingham remain a risk in winter.
If load factors exceed 80 %, Jet2 says it will consider extending Vienna into its shoulder-season City Breaks portfolio, potentially providing year-round competition and further downward pressure on fares.
