In the year since easyJet launched an on-line booking service, the airline has sold almost 300,000 seats via the internet and is currently achieving 25% of sales on-line.

easyJet started selling airline seats on the internet in April 1998 and sold 911 seats in the first two months. During the final two months of the first year (February and March 1999) easyJet sold 160,000 seats on the internet, turning over £7.7 million.

More people now contact easyJet by Internet than by telephone.

Between the beginning of February 1999 and March 21st 1999, easyJet answered 471,497 telephone calls but had 766,384 visitors to its website.

On-line bookings represent a benefit for both the airline and its passengers. The airline is able to reduce costs by selling to customers via its website and the consumer can consult prices on each individual flight all for the cost of a local call, wherever they are in the world. In addition, easyJet offers a saving of £1 per passenger per one-way flight for those who buy their seats through the internet.

“While British Airways is struggling to maintain the claim of being the world’s favourite airline, easyJet is definitely the web’s favourite airline,” said Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the easyJet chairman. “Once again, easyJet is providing an easier and more cost efficient service to consumers. People seem to be quite at ease with the internet, so I am looking forward to opening the first in my chain of internet shops in June 1999 in central London.”

easyEverything is the name of the internet shops, which will be opening in London, the UK and abroad from June 1999. Not only will the public be able to surf the net for information and send e-mails, but also they will be able to buy goods on-line at prices well below those charged in the high street.

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