Key Points
- Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks announce a new route from Leeds Bradford Airport to Tallinn, Estonia’s capital.
- Two weekly flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays across November and December 2026.
- The addition expands Jet2.com’s festive flight programme for winter 2026/2027 to eight Christmas market destinations.
- Other routes include Berlin, Budapest, Cologne, Copenhagen, Krakow, Prague, and Vienna.
- Jet2CityBreaks is offering ATOL-protected packages with deposits starting from £60 per person.
- The new route has been introduced due to rising customer demand for European winter city breaks.
- Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, highlights Tallinn’s “magical” festive appeal.
- Flights will be available from November 2026 through January 2027.
Leeds Bradford Airport is set to offer even more festive travel options in winter 2026/2027 as Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks announce a brand-new route to Tallinn, Estonia — expanding the airline’s increasingly popular Christmas markets programme.
- Key Points
- What makes the new Tallinn route special for Leeds Bradford travellers?
- How many Jet2 Christmas market routes now depart from Leeds Bradford?
- Why is Jet2 expanding its winter 2026-2027 operations?
- What does this mean for Leeds Bradford Airport and the regional economy?
- What can travellers expect from Jet2CityBreaks packages to Tallinn?
- When will tickets go on sale and how can customers book?
- Does this signal further expansion for Jet2 in 2027?
- How does this announcement reflect broader post-pandemic travel trends?
As first reported by Leeds Live and Examiner Live, Jet2.com confirmed the launch of two weekly services connecting Yorkshire travellers to the Estonian capital starting in November 2026, with departures scheduled every Monday and Friday.
The route will operate through December and aims to cater to British travellers eager to explore northern Europe’s winter destinations amid a continued surge in demand for city breaks and festive market trips.
What makes the new Tallinn route special for Leeds Bradford travellers?
According to Jet2.com’s official announcement quoted by Examiner Live reporter Jessica Shepherd, this marks the first time Jet2.com will connect Leeds Bradford with Tallinn, opening “a fresh gateway to one of Europe’s most enchanting winter capitals.”
Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks have described Tallinn as “a fairy-tale winter city” known for its UNESCO-listed Old Town, cobbled medieval streets, and vibrant Christmas market held in Town Hall Square. The market, featuring traditional Estonian crafts and festive food stalls, attracts thousands of visitors from across Europe each December.
Steve Heapy, chief executive officer of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, told Leeds Live:
“We are delighted to be putting a brand-new festive route on sale to Tallinn from Leeds Bradford Airport and giving holidaymakers even more choice for winter 2026/2027. The expansion comes in direct response to the continued demand we are seeing from customers and independent travel agents looking to explore the most magical winter wonderlands across Europe.”
How many Jet2 Christmas market routes now depart from Leeds Bradford?
With the addition of Tallinn, Jet2.com’s winter programme for 2026/2027 from Leeds Bradford Airport will feature eight destinations centred around Europe’s Christmas markets.
As reported by Examiner Live, the full list includes:
- Berlin (Germany)
- Budapest (Hungary)
- Cologne (Germany)
- Copenhagen (Denmark)
- Krakow (Poland)
- Prague (Czech Republic)
- Vienna (Austria)
- Tallinn (Estonia)
Flights will operate between November 2026 and January 2027, offering both flight-only and ATOL-protected holiday packages.
Customers booking through Jet2CityBreaks can secure packages with a £60 per person deposit, encompassing flight, hotel, and baggage options designed to appeal to families, couples, and groups.
Why is Jet2 expanding its winter 2026-2027 operations?
The decision aligns with the airline’s broader growth strategy as Jet2.com continues to strengthen its network from northern England.
As noted by Yorkshire Evening Post, Jet2’s winter products — including festive market breaks — have “consistently sold out earlier each year,” signalling a sustained post-pandemic demand for short-haul, seasonal escapes.
Heapy explained that the Tallinn expansion is a direct response to strong consumer appetite for “authentic winter experiences.” In his words, “customers increasingly want unique holidays that balance affordability with a sense of adventure, and Tallinn does just that.”
Industry analysts echo that sentiment. Aviation consultant Paul Charles told Travel Weekly UK that budget airlines like Jet2 are “capitalising on a revived winter travel boom” driven by travellers’ preference for short, culturally rich European getaways.
What does this mean for Leeds Bradford Airport and the regional economy?
From a regional perspective, the move is a boost for Leeds Bradford Airport and the wider Yorkshire tourism sector.
The airport’s official spokesperson, cited by Leeds Live, said:
“We’re thrilled to see Jet2.com continue to expand its winter network from Leeds Bradford. The introduction of Tallinn adds another vibrant destination to our growing list of direct European connections.”
Economically, new routes like this not only boost outbound tourism but also increase inbound connectivity, opening opportunities for Estonian visitors and entrepreneurs to access northern England more easily.
Travel industry experts note that such expansions can translate into tangible economic benefits — including local job creation, airport retail growth, and increased hotel occupancy during typically slower winter months.
What can travellers expect from Jet2CityBreaks packages to Tallinn?
According to Jet2CityBreaks’ press release, holidaymakers can choose from a range of central Tallinn hotels, often within walking distance of the Christmas market and Old Town attractions. Packages include return flights, 22kg checked baggage, and centrally located accommodation.
The company emphasises the flexibility of its offering, with customers able to design tailor-made short stays — from weekend getaways to extended four-night city explorations.
A Jet2CityBreaks spokesperson told Examiner Live:
“Tallinn is one of Europe’s most picturesque winter destinations, offering visitors festive charm alongside history, culture, and great dining. We’re proud to make it easily accessible from Leeds Bradford.”
When will tickets go on sale and how can customers book?
Jet2.com confirmed via its official website that flights and holiday packages to Tallinn are now on sale for travel in November and December 2026, with booking available at Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks.com.
The airline anticipates strong early demand, encouraging customers to book ahead to secure preferred dates and accommodation. Early-bird promotional fares have already been launched across Leeds Bradford routes, according to Leeds Live’s travel desk.
Does this signal further expansion for Jet2 in 2027?
While Jet2.com has not yet confirmed additional routes, the company’s trajectory suggests continued growth across both holiday and city-break markets.
Aviation analysts at Simple Flying have speculated that the airline may consider adding Riga, Vilnius, or Ljubljana in future winter seasons, based on the popularity of lesser-explored northern and central European capitals among UK travellers.
Jet2’s growing presence at Leeds Bradford positions it as a leading short-haul carrier for Northern England, serving both leisure and business passengers and steadily expanding beyond traditional Mediterranean routes.
How does this announcement reflect broader post-pandemic travel trends?
The expansion mirrors a wider European trend toward cultural and seasonal travel. Data from Visit Britain show steady increases in out-of-season travel to continental destinations associated with Christmas markets, festive lighting, and winter gastronomy.
Travel writer Helen Coffey of The Independent observed earlier this year that “shorter, atmospheric city breaks” are among the most sought-after experiences by UK travellers, with Tallinn emerging as a “hidden gem” offering charm without the crowds of Vienna or Prague.
As air connectivity from Leeds Bradford continues to recover and grow, this Tallinn route strengthens both Jet2.com’s market position and Yorkshire’s travel accessibility to continental Europe.
Jet2.com’s new festive flights from Leeds Bradford to Tallinn signify both a response to growing travel demand and a vote of confidence in regional air connectivity. For Yorkshire-based travellers seeking a unique winter escape filled with historic charm, medieval streets, and festive markets — Estonia’s capital will soon be just a short flight away.