EasyJet has introduced a new route linking Belfast International Airport (BFS) in Northern Ireland to London Southend Airport (SEN) in Essex, England, with service set to begin on October 25, 2026.
The thrice-weekly operation—on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays—marks EasyJet's entry into this city pair, which connects Belfast's growing business and leisure travel hub with Southend's role as a convenient alternative to London's congested primary airports.
Route Significance and Market Context
This corridor serves a mix of business travelers from Northern Ireland heading to London's financial and tech sectors in nearby Canary Wharf and the City, alongside leisure passengers accessing Essex's coastal attractions and proximity to central London via the Elizabeth Line (about 50 minutes to Liverpool Street). The roughly 330-nautical-mile sector typically takes 70-80 minutes in flight, based on prevailing winds and standard jet speeds, offering a faster alternative to rail journeys exceeding five hours or indirect connections.
EasyJet, operating under IATA code U2, already maintains a robust presence in the UK domestic market, with bases at BFS featuring multiple daily flights to Gatwick (LGW), Luton (LTN), and Bristol (BRS). At SEN, the carrier bolsters its southeast England footprint alongside existing short-haul European routes, aligning with its strategy to grow from secondary airports that offer lower fees and less slot congestion. SEN, managed by Esbjerg Airport Holdings, positions itself as 'London's airport for Essex and East London,' handling around 1.5 million passengers annually pre-pandemic and emphasizing quick processing times.
Operational and Competitive Landscape
While aircraft type remains unspecified, EasyJet's UK domestic narrowbody routes commonly deploy Airbus A319 or A320 family jets, seating 156-186 passengers in single-class configuration. This new service enhances traveler options on the Belfast-London corridor, where dominant players include Ryanair from BFS to Stansted (STN) and multiple daily EasyJet flights from BFS to LGW and LTN. Other competitors like Aer Lingus and British Airways operate from Belfast City (BHD) to Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick, but SEN's appeal lies in its underutilized capacity and direct rail links avoiding central London transfers.
The addition diversifies choices amid rising demand for point-to-point regional flights, potentially capturing price-sensitive passengers avoiding Heathrow's premiums or Stansted's distance from central London (over an hour by rail).
Service Details
Flights operate three times weekly starting October 25, 2026, from Belfast International (BFS) to London Southend (SEN). Specific timings and booking details will follow standard EasyJet channels.
Bottom line: EasyJet's BFS-SEN route introduces affordable, direct access to southeast England from Northern Ireland, filling a gap in secondary airport connectivity.
Things to do at each end of the route
Top-rated tours & experiences in Belfast and Southend-on-Sea.