TUI Airways vs. Jet2: which airline offers the best value to Tenerife?

Manchester to Tenerife is one of the UK’s most competitive leisure routes, with Jet2 and TUI going head-to-head during the peak summer season. While both airlines offer flight-only and package holidays, they differ notably in flight frequency, pricing structure, and how their networks are built around the route.

This guide compares each airline on its Manchester-Tenerife service for Summer 2026, focusing on flight frequency, aircraft used, baggage allowances, and how each airline structures its flight-only and package holiday offering, alongside what passengers can expect from the onboard experience.

Manchester is the UK’s most competitive leisure airport

As the UK’s third-largest airport, handling over 32 million passengers in 2025, Manchester is a major hub for leisure travel. Tenerife South is one of its most heavily contested holiday routes, particularly during the school summer holidays.

In August 2026, four airlines are scheduled to operate a combined 39 weekly flights between Manchester and Tenerife. Jet2 and TUI account for over half of that capacity, reflecting their dual role as airlines and tour operators.  

Other carriers on the route, including easyJet and Ryanair, operate a traditional low-cost model, where flights are sold unbundled, and passengers pay separately for extras such as hold baggage, seat selection, and onboard service.

·      Jet2 – 14 per week

·      Ryanair – 10 per week

·      easyJet – 8 per week

·      TUI – 7 per week

Flight frequency from Manchester

Jet2 is scheduled to operate 14 weekly services between Manchester and Tenerife, offering two daily flights. The higher frequency provides greater flexibility for travellers, particularly those booking seven or ten-night package holidays, where departure day choice can significantly affect booking price. 

TUI will operate a single daily service, totalling seven flights per week. While this provides consistent coverage across the summer season, the lower frequency offers fewer departure options for passengers flying from Manchester.

Jet2’s higher frequency reflects its strong focus on the Manchester leisure market, where it operates one of its largest UK bases and supports the high-volume package holiday demand. TUI’s approach is more nationally distributed, spreading Tenerife capacity across a wider range of UK airports, including smaller regional bases like Norwich.

Aircraft used by Jet2 and TUI

Both TUI and Jet2 rely almost exclusively on narrowbody aircraft to serve Tenerife, reflecting the high-density, leisure-focused nature of this route.

Jet2 primarily operates Boeing 737-800 aircraft, complemented by its newer Airbus A321neo fleet, which forms the core of the airline’s fleet-renewal strategy. TUI deploys a mix of Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft, providing a consistent onboard product across its network.

While widebody aircraft such as TUI’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner are occasionally used on select European routes, service to Tenerife is mostly operated by narrowbody jets. However, when demand warrants, TUI retains the flexibility to deploy its B787s to increase capacity on high-demand routes such as Tenerife.

Package holiday options include checked-in baggage

Package holidays account for a significant proportion of bookings in the Manchester-Tenerife route, particularly in the peak summer season. As both Jet2 and TUI operate integrated tour operators, they can bundle flights, hotels, transfers, and check-in baggage into a single package price. This approach is more cost-effective than booking flight-only fares with added extras. 

For passengers choosing flight-only fares, TUI charges £55 for a 15kg check-in bag on a return flight, with an additional £14 per extra kilogram. Jet2 charges £49 per flight for a 22kg bag, resulting in a higher total baggage cost on a return journey.  

AirlineRatings.com compared both operators over one week from the 4^th of to the 11^th of August for 7-nights to highlight the price points each offers for a mid-range, three-star all-inclusive holiday package. Using each operator’s website to search for our criteria, Jet2’s package pricing was lower, supported by more promotional offers, while TUI’s packages were priced higher with fewer discounts available.

Onboard seat and service expectations 

In line with industry expectations for high-density leisure routes, both airlines offer a standard 29-inch seat pitch across their Boeing 737 aircraft. Jet2’s Airbus A321neo features a slightly tighter 28-inch pitch. Seat width varies marginally, with Jet2 offering between 17 and 18 inches, while TUI states a minimum seat width of 16 inches across its narrowbody fleet. 

As expected, both airlines operate a buy-on-board snack and beverage service, alongside pre-bookable hot meals. TUI and Jet2 serve soft and alcoholic drinks, hot and cold sandwiches, sweet and savoury snacks, and duty-free items.

You can view TUI’s menu here, and Jet2’s here.

So which airline offers the better Manchester-Tenerife value?

On the Manchester-Tenerife route, Jet2 holds a clear advantage on flight frequency and package pricing during the peak summer season. TUI, meanwhile, provides broader nationwide coverage from regional airports. Each airline offers a consistent onboard experience, with similar seat comfort and buy-on-board services. 

For travellers flying on this route, Jet2’s high frequency and stronger package value make it the more competitive option. However, both airlines continue to cater to the UK’s package holiday market, where bundled pricing, baggage inclusion, and simplicity remain key booking drivers.