easyJet is expanding operations from Northern Ireland by introducing new routes from Belfast City and adding more seats. easyJet has added 140,000 additional seats on routes from Belfast International and Belfast City to London Gatwick, London Luton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester
The additional seats provide customers in Northern Ireland with even more choice and direct convenient connections, whether they are flying for pleasure or business. Customers planning their Easter and summer getaways or business trips can now book great value fares from Belfast International starting from just £23.99* to London Luton and Glasgow and £22.99* to Manchester.
Brand new routes from Belfast City to London Luton and Manchester are now on sale
Brand new routes from Belfast City to London Luton and Manchester are now on sale
The airline has also announced two new year-round domestic routes from Belfast City to London Luton and Manchester, which will take off for the first time in June. Belfast to Manchester, which was previously served by Flybe, and London Luton will help maintain connectivity between the regions. This means the airline now operates six routes from Belfast City to Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, and London Gatwick, and now London Luton and Manchester. easyJet has rapidly expanded its offering at the city airport over the last two years since relaunching operations from Belfast City for the first time in over 10 years in 2021 with a route to London Gatwick.
Fights to London Luton and Manchester will take off for the first time on 26 June 2023, with departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays throughout the year.
easyJet will also be basing an aircraft in Belfast City overnight from June and will enable the airline to provide customers travelling from Belfast City with a new convenient 06.00 am departure to London Gatwick, meaning the airline will now offer up to four daily flights between Belfast City and London from next summer and the option for longer day trips to London.
With this news also comes the arrival of an eighth Airbus A320 family aircraft at its Belfast International Airport base from this summer, as well as the launch of two new summer routes to the popular Greek island of Rhodes and Antalya in Turkey. The airline now offers 30 routes to 9 countries from its Belfast base, providing customers with more choice when choosing where to holiday.
Ali Gayward, easyJet's UK Country Manager, said: “We know how important it is to support UK connectivity so people can visit friends and loved ones, do business, and explore more of what the UK has to offer, so we are delighted to be providing customers with even more direct and convenient domestic connections that we know will prove popular for business and leisure travellers alike, all with great value fares and friendly service.
easyJet offers more seats on UK domestic routes than any other carrier and we’re further strengthening our network from Northern Ireland today, by offering even more seats on key domestic routes and launching two new routes to serve customers travelling between Belfast City and the major hubs of London and Manchester.
And, with fares from just £21.99 and Easter around the corner, now is a great time to book with easyJet for a last-minute spring break or summer getaway and we look forward to taking even more of our customers away this summer.”
Uel Hoey, Business Development Director said: "easyJet have operated from Belfast International Airport (BFS) for almost 25 years during which time they have catered for over 70m passenger journeys. The relationship between Belfast International Airport and easyJet is symbiotic in delivering low fares and connectivity to the people of Northern Ireland and we are delighted that easyJet are continuing to add growth to their BFS route network.”
Katy Best, Commercial Director at Belfast City Airport, said: "The announcement of services to London Luton and Manchester from Belfast City Airport is fantastic news for passengers, coming only six months after easyJet’s last route launch to Glasgow.
In the space of 18 months, easyJet has increased its capacity and the number of routes operated to six, which is not only a testament to the strength of our partnership but also showcases our commitment to providing passengers with choice, convenience, and flexibility.”
easyJet’s flights to London Gatwick, Liverpool, Bristol, and Glasgow have already proved a massive success and we look forward to welcoming more easyJet travellers through the terminal doors.”
Welcoming easyJet’s expansion in Belfast, Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive, Visit Belfast said: “We are delighted to hear that easyJet will be bringing additional domestic services and new routes to both Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport. Connectivity is essential to continue the development of the city and region's tourism industry as a vibrant and cultural destination. This expansion offers positive opportunities for growth including new links and more choice for visitors. We look forward to working with easyJet and both Belfast airports to continue to promote the Belfast City Region as a must visit leisure, business and conference destination.”
For over 20 years easyJet has been the largest airline in Northern Ireland and now offers 36 routes across 9 countries in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. The airline launched services from Belfast in 1998 and since introducing its first flight to London Luton, easyJet has remained committed to the airport and customers in Northern Ireland by maintaining a continuous operation.
easyJet connects Belfast International Airport with more London airports than any other airline, offering up to 177 flights to key London airports including London Gatwick, London Luton and London Stansted.
Belfast is a great destination for a traditional city break, although with so much on offer in and around the area, you might want to spend a bit longer there to explore everything there is on offer as well as going further afield.
Fantastic Four.......
Titanic Belfast, as you would expect, tells the story of the Titanic, from her conception in the early 1900s, through to construction and launch. It covers her maiden voyage and subsequent tragic end and her place in history.
The experience extends over nine interactive galleries, exploring the sights, sounds, smells and stories of RMS Titanic, as well as the city and people who made her.
Stretched over four decks a visit to Nomadic allows you to experience first-hand what it was like to be a passenger boarding Titanic on her fateful maiden voyage, to marvel at the intricate details and the contrasts between the separated class areas on board.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour
It may have finished quite some time ago, but Game of Thrones is still incredibly popular and in Belfast you can step inside the Seven Kingdoms and explore the whole world of Game of Thrones with the official Game of Thrones Studio Tour.
It is located at the shows filming location at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland, and is a pretty immersive experience designed to give you a journey through the lands of Westeros and explore pretty much everything Game of Thrones. Walk through iconic sets from Winterfell to King’s Landing, discover the secrets of filmmaking and explore the craftmanship and artistry responsible for bringing the global hit TV series to life on screen.
Ok, so yes it is outside of Belfast, about 30 minutes away, but it really is worth taking a day trip here not just for a GoT fans, but for all wanting a great experience. However, it is pretty expensive, Adult tickets start at £39.50 and for a child its £27.50.
The Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens is perhaps a more relaxed and gentle attraction but should be a key excursion for most first visits to Belfast. It really is an important part of Belfast's Victorian heritage and a popular meeting place for residents, students and tourists. It was established way back in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society, as a direct response to public demand.
Originally known as the Belfast Botanic Garden, the site contained exotic tree species and impressive plant collections from the southern hemisphere, many of which can still be seen in the park.
Today, the park is popular destination for both visitors and locals, plus it is often (covid permitting) a venue for concerts, festivals and other fun events.
Ulster Museum
It is a place where you can come face to face with dinosaurs, meet an ancient Egyptian mummy and see modern masterpieces.....where is it? It is Ulster Museum. The home of Northern Ireland's treasures from the present tdays to times long passed by. It houses a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences and - get this, it is free to all visitors. Yay, super bargin with lots to see and do, as well as a bit of an exhibition on recent TV smash, Derry Girls.
Other top attractions worthy of a visit or making time to explore include:
Parliament Buildings
Cathedral Quater
City Hall
Peace Wall
Grand Opera House
Belfast Castle
Great prices for hotel stays....
Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre is conveniently located close to the city’s retail and entertainment districts. The hotel is adjacent to Belfast’s main transport interchange and is easily accessible to the main road network makes this a great place to base yourself for Belfast city stays.
Radisson Blu Hotel
The hotel offers 120 guest rooms including five suites, two tower suites and the largest Presidential suite in the city. There is also onsite parking with over 200 spaces available.
For added luxuries and comfort upgrade to a Business Class room or one of eight suites. Additional amenities include complimentary newspaper, in-house movies, Super Breakfast Buffet, and a bathrobe and slippers. The hotel's Magnificent Suite 7 enjoys views across Belfast, a dining and lounge area, lobby and its own private boardroom with a kitchen.
For more information and reservations
Hilton Belfast
Plus of course you have amazing views from the 11th Floor Executive Lounge for guests booking into Executive Floors and Suites; breakfast and evening drinks and canapes (6 - 8 pm) are served daily.
Prime city center location next to Central Station, Belfast Waterfront and St. George's Market with financial, shopping and social districts nearby - Odyssey Arena, Titanic Belfast, Belfast City Hall, T13 and the Cathedral, Titanic and Queens Quarters all within 1 mile - WiFi available throughout hotel in public areas and in all areas for Hilton Honors Members.
The popular Sonoma Restaurant with river views serves breakfast and dinner daily. Relaxed dining, coffee and extensive drinks menu all day in Cables Bar.
