Internet users' unprecedented fascination with Jet2 Holidays has become a widespread phenomenon.
Jet2 Holidays: The Rise of Britain's Favourite Budget Tour Operator
Jet2 Holidays, a household name in the budget travel industry, has been making waves in the UK and beyond. Known for its lively red branding, upbeat staff, and smooth operations, the tour operator has become a favourite among British holidaymakers.
Founded as a holiday package brand in 2007, under Dart Group PLC, Jet2 Holidays has grown rapidly to become the UK’s largest tour operator. Its roots can be traced back to Jet2.com, a leisure airline that originally began as Express Air Services in 1978, primarily a freight operator.
Jet2 Holidays offers value-driven holidays with a friendly and organized approach that sets it apart in the competitive budget travel market. The company prides itself on its efficient airport experience, a stark contrast to typical budget airline service.
In January 2024, an ad for Jet2 Holidays offering discounts went viral on social media, soundtracked by the catchy tune of Jess Glynne's "Hold My Hand." The ad, accompanied by memes, quickly became a sensation, with fans of the singer brandishing "Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday" signs during her performances.
The use of "Hold My Hand" in Jet2's commercials has contributed to the song's virality, with over 115,000 Jet2 flights annually featuring the popular track. The song has also been sampled in a Coca-Cola ad and is part of the "Bridget Jones' Baby" soundtrack.
Jet2's fleet consists of 120 Boeing and Airbus airplanes, serving 13 regional airports around the UK and dropping off passengers at European hot spots. The company's growth is evident in its annual revenues, which recently reached around $385 million.
Jet2 has consistently received high ratings from Which?, a UK consumer association, for its friendly, helpful staff and customer service. The airline's predictable and upbeat service, including the playing of "Hold My Hand," is part of its appeal, according to Markus Kendall-Young, director of Auria Travel.
Tanya Kirk, an art therapist from Northern Ireland, has had a positive experience with Jet2 Holidays, including help when she lost her travel wallet. Rick Turner, a copywriter and designer from Leeds, is an unlikely fan of Jet2, calling it his "guilty pleasure."
The viral ad has been used in over a million TikTok videos, often to accompany footage of vacations going wrong. Despite the ad's success, Jess Glynne has remained silent on the song going viral, but she did post a spoof of the ad in May and has started closing her sets with the track.
However, Jess Glynne did speak out when the White House posted a controversial version of the meme using her song. She criticized the White House, stating that her music is about love, unity, and positivity, not spreading hate.
Jet2's use of "Hold My Hand" is seen as a British success story, embodying the appeal of package holidays in the UK. The company's popularity continues to grow, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Jet2 Holidays' viral advertisement featuring Jess Glynne's "Hold My Hand" has not only boosted the popularity of the song but also solidified the brand's position in the lifestyle and entertainment realm. Whether on a vacation or attending a concert, the catchy tune has become synonymous with the fun, travel-oriented lifestyle that Jet2 Holidays represents.
