easyJet expands its Scottish network with new Glasgow–Rome A319 flights

easyJet (U2) has inaugurated a brand-new scheduled service between Glasgow Airport (GLA), Scotland, and Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Rome, Italy, with the inaugural flight departing on 2 February 2026 as the carrier expands its European network from Scotland. This year-round route will operate up to four times weekly, offering direct access between western Scotland and central Italy for both leisure and business travellers.

Photo: Futurepilot1999 | Wikimedia Commons

easyJet: An Overview 

Category Details
Founded 1995
Headquarters London Luton Airport, United Kingdom
CEO Kenton Jarvis (succeeded Johan Lundgren)
Fleet Size ~356 aircraft
Number of Destinations ~163
Number of Countries Served 35+
Number of Airports Served 160+
Main Hubs London Luton (LTN), London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN)
Secondary Bases Edinburgh (EDI), Bristol (BRS), Geneva (GVA)
Employees ~18,968 (2025)
Corporate Listing London Stock Exchange (FTSE 100)
Photo: aeroprints.com | Wikimedia Commons

Travel Tips that Will Be Useful in Italy

easyJet’s Strategic Expansion from Glasgow Airport to Rome

easyJet’s Glasgow–Rome service represents a deliberate network enhancement that aligns with observed passenger demand trends between the UK and Southern Europe. In recent years, easyJet has prioritized routes that reinforce regional connectivity while diversifying its portfolio beyond traditional leisure markets.

Kevin Doyle, easyJet UK Country Manager, emphasized the importance of the Scottish market a year ago when it had announced four new routes from Glasgow for summer 2026, to popular beach and city break destinations:

  • Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt
  • Pisa in Italy
  • Lisbon in Portugal
  • Malta

….the carrier said that “more than eight million people chose to fly with us to and from Scotland over the past year for our choice“.

Photo: MercerMJ | Wikimedia Commons

Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK Country Manager, said that in its 30th year, the carrier remained “committed to making travel easy by continuing to offer greater choice and exceptional value across our unrivalled network”:

“Our new service from Glasgow to Rome Fiumicino offers customers a convenient link to one of Europe’s most historic cities. Whether they want to explore the rich history of the Eternal City and its iconic landmarks or enjoy world-class cuisine, Rome has something for everyone.”

Glasgow Airport’s management has similarly framed the route as a strategic addition that enhances the airport’s Mediterranean network, supporting both inbound tourism to Scotland and outbound cultural travel to Italy. Chris Tibbett, Aero Director at AGS Airports, added:

“The addition of these four routes by easyJet is fantastic news for the airport, the city and our passengers. The announcement comes just a matter of weeks after we marked the 30th anniversary of the airline’s first flight to Glasgow and it continues to go from strength-to-strength. Enhancing our connectivity with major European cities is a key priority, so it’s particularly pleasing to see Lisbon and Pisa added to the over 40 destinations now served by easyJet from Glasgow. Both Sharm El Sheikh and Malta are two hugely popular destinations, and all four routes will provide passengers with even greater choice.”

Founded in 1995, easyJet has grown into one of Europe’s largest short-haul carriers, known for its low-fare model and broad network across major European cities. The airline’s strategy mixes leisure-oriented leisure routes with services that appeal to price-sensitive business travellers, particularly in markets with constrained competition.

Photo: Philip Haling | Wikimedia Commons

easyJet Aircraft Deployed: Airbus A319 on Glasgow–Rome

easyJet operates the new Glasgow–Rome service using its Airbus A319 family aircraft, which make up a growing share of the airline’s fleet due to improved fuel efficiency and reduced operating costs compared with earlier models. According to data from planespotters.net, the carrier has 44 aircraft of this type in its fleet, and these average 17.5 years.

Airbus A319-100 (easyJet UK) – cabin and seating overview

  • Aircraft type: Airbus A319-100

  • Cabin configuration: Single-class Economy

  • Standard seating capacity: 156 seats

  • Reduced-crew configuration:

    • Some aircraft limited to 150 seats

    • Enables operation with three cabin crew instead of four

economy class seating

  • Seat pitch: 28–29 inches (71–74 cm)

  • Seat width: 18 inches

  • Recline: None (fixed, pre-reclined seat design)

  • Seat types:

    • Older aircraft fitted with Weber seats

    • Retrofitted cabins equipped with Recaro slimline seats, offering improved knee clearance

cabin layout and facilities

  • Lavatories:

    • Two total

    • One forward

    • One aft

  • Galleys:

    • Located at the front and rear of the cabin

legroom and seat considerations

  • Row 1 (01ABC):

    • Significantly more legroom

    • No bulkhead or seats ahead

    • Close proximity to forward lavatory and galley

  • Left-hand side seats ahead of emergency exits:

    • Approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) extra legroom

  • Emergency exit rows (rows 10 and 11):

    • Additional legroom

    • Window seats may experience cold air drafts

  • Last row:

    • Least desirable seating

    • No window

    • Narrower seats

    • Adjacent to aft galley and lavatory

Data: Seatmaps

Photo: Philip Halling | Wikimedia Commons

Competitors of easyJet in the Glasgow-Rome route

There are two other carriers that compete with easyJet on this route. These are Jet2, which operates a Boeing 737-800. Jet 2 has 93 aircraft of this type in its fleet and these average a little less than 16 years. Travelers flying in economy class on Jet2.com’s Boeing 737-800 can expect a functional and welcoming cabin environment configured for 189 passengers, with a 30-inch seat pitch, 17-inch seat width, and 3 inches of recline.

The other aircraft that operates this route is Wizz Air Malta, which operates an Airbus A321neo. The carrier has 103 aircraft of this type in its fleet and these are just 2.4 years. Travelers flying in economy class on Wizz Air Malta’s Airbus A321neo can expect a high-density, single-class cabin configured with 239 seats, offering a seat pitch of 28–29 inches, an 18-inch seat width, and no recline, as the seats are fixed in a pre-reclined position.

Photo: aeroprints.com | Wikimedia Commons

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Why is easyjet operating to Rome now?

According to easyJet, its operations to FCO is a “perfect for a getaway to enjoy the grandeur of the Italian capital.”

Rome is known as an “Eternal City” and has vibrant culinary landscape, offering everything from traditional Roman pasta served in intimate trattorias to refined dining experiences overlooking ancient ruins. Whether strolling along cobbled streets or tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, visitors often find Rome as rich in flavour as it is in memory.

Steeped in centuries of history, Rome continues to enthral culture seekers with iconic landmarks such as:

  • The Colosseum
  • The Roman Forum
  • The monumental Pantheon

Art lovers are drawn to the Vatican Museums, home to some of the world’s most celebrated works, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling.

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