Joining the Jet2 set

Jet2 got off to a flying start this week with its inaugural flight from Leeds Bradford International Airport to Amsterdam. The arrival of the low-cost airline means that large parts of Europe have become much more accessible and cheaper to reach for people in North Yorkshire.

We no longer have to trail across the Pennines or sit in traffic on the A1 to reach an airline offering cheap flights to a wide range of destinations across Europe.

From April, Jet2 will also be flying to Barcelona, Alicante, Milan, Malaga, Palma and Nice in the summer.

I joined Wednesday's inaugural flight to Amsterdam and enjoyed a day of sightseeing, shopping, a leisurely lunch and one of the highlights of a visit to Amsterdam - a cruise around the canals - before returning to the airport for the return flight at 9.15pm.

I was back home and tucked up in bed by 10.30pm - well it was an early start.

Business men will find the new service a boon. The first flight leaves at 7am, affording a full day's work on the continent.

Getting into Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport is easy and is only a short distance. A rail link whisks you into the heart of the action in about 15 minutes.

Philip Meeson, managing director of Jet2, said: "We are very excited about the inaugural flight of Jet2, especially with it being to the culturally diverse city of Amsterdam which can serve both as a holiday and business destination. When we originally asked the people of the region where they would most like to fly, Amsterdam was one the highest rating destinations. We are so pleased we have been able to provide so many flights from the region's original 'wish list' and look forward to expanding our schedule from Leeds Bradford."

Fares to Amsterdam start from as little as £15 one-way including taxes and the service will run twice daily.

Full timetable and schedules can be found on the Jet2 website at www.jet2.com, or via the Jet2 call centre on 0870 737 8282.

Updated: 11:26 Saturday, February 15, 2003