
Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday: The Viral Meme Explained
If you’ve scrolled through TikTok recently, you’ve probably heard a cheerful voice declaring “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” over a video of a chaotic airport scene — a phrase that has become a viral meme flipping polished advertising into ironic comedy. By July 2025, the audio had been used in more than 1 million TikTok videos, according to Forbes (business news outlet).
Viral TikTok videos using audio: Over 1 million ·
Original commercial release: Circa 2016 (estimated) ·
Discount offer in ad: Save £50 per person ·
Featured song: Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne
Quick snapshot
- Became a recognizable meme in British internet culture (The Guardian)
- Parodied and referenced in user-generated content (Mashable)
- Jet2holidays embraced the trend for brand awareness (ABC News)
- Jet2holidays reportedly capitalized on the viral moment (Forbes)
- Potential increase in brand visibility and engagement (The Guardian)
- No official statement has been made (unclear as of July 2025) (Forbes)
Six facts summarise the core details of the meme, from the exact slogan to the viral numbers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full slogan | “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” |
| Original commercial tagline | “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday. Right now, you can save £50 per person.” |
| Viral audio source | Jet2holidays TV advertisement (circa 2016) |
| Song used | “Hold My Hand” by Jess Glynne |
| TikTok video count (July 2025) | Over 1 million |
| Reported by | Forbes (July 21, 2025) |
What is the “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday” Slogan?
Official slogan used by Jet2holidays
- Jet2holidays used the tagline “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” in television commercials (Forbes, business news outlet).
- The slogan is often accompanied by the song “Hold My Hand” by Jess Glynne (USA Today, travel news section).
- A typical ad ends with the line “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday. Right now, you can save 50 pounds per person” (USA Today).
The implication: the brand’s original message was straightforward — a promise of unbeatable value. The irony of the meme comes from the contrast between that promise and the reality of travel mishaps.
Variations used in commercials
- Some versions of the ad include the line “That’s 200 pounds for a family of four” (Genius.com, user-contributed annotations).
- The commercial aired in multiple formats across TV and YouTube since 2016 (CBC Kids News, Canadian news outlet).
For Jet2, the slogan was a straightforward marketing tool. For TikTok users, it became a canvas for creative contrast — a classic case of brand messaging being repurposed by the internet.
The pattern: a simple ad line gained a second life as a comedic device, showing how context reshapes meaning.
What Does “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday” Mean?
Literal meaning vs ironic usage
- The phrase literally means Jet2 holidays are the best option (USA Today).
- On TikTok, it is often used ironically or sarcastically over disappointing travel clips (Mashable, tech and culture news).
- The meme plays on the contrast between the cheerful audio and the actual holiday experience (The Guardian, UK newspaper).
What this means: the same set of words can signal a great deal or a joke about a terrible trip, depending entirely on the context.
Slang interpretation on TikTok
- Teenagers and young adults use the audio to caption holidays that went wrong — delayed flights, lost luggage, bad weather (Reddit).
- The phrase has become a shorthand for “things didn’t go as planned” (Know Your Meme, internet culture database).
The meme’s success depends on the original ad being earnest. If Jet2 had tried to be ironic from the start, the joke would have no punch.
The implication: sincerity in advertising can be a double-edged sword when the internet decides to remix it.
Who Says “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday”?
Origin in Jet2holidays commercials
- The line is spoken by a female voiceover artist — identified as Zoë Lister — in the original commercial (Forbes).
- The ad has been used in multiple versions since the mid-2010s (CBC Kids News).
Ad voiceover and characters
- The “lady” referenced in related searches is likely the voice talent or an actress featured in the ad (Forbes).
- No definitive public confirmation of the actress’s identity has been made (unclear).
The pattern: the voice is the meme’s anchor. Without a recognisable, upbeat delivery, the ironic contrast wouldn’t land.
Why Is Everyone Saying “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday” and How Did It Become a Meme?
Viral spread on TikTok
- The audio clip was used in over 1 million TikTok videos as of July 2025 (Forbes).
- Mashable reported that the trend inspired over 1.2 million TikTok videos (Mashable).
- The meme often pairs the audio with intentionally bad travel situations for comedic effect (Know Your Meme Trending, meme culture guide).
Role of user-generated content
- Reddit users note the ironic use of the slogan (Reddit, user forum).
- One account of the trend says it began in late 2024 with a post featuring a person chased by a camel (Reddit).
Brand response and capitalization
- Forbes reported the trend in July 2025, explaining how Jet2holidays capitalized on it (Forbes).
- ABC News said Jet2 ran a contest encouraging fans to lip sync the audio in April 2025 (ABC News, U.S. news network).
Jet2’s contest invited users to create their own versions — effectively turning the ironic meme back into a brand tool. The trade-off: the company risks looking out of touch if the joke becomes too critical.
The catch: by leaning into the meme, Jet2 gained visibility but also ceded control over how its brand is portrayed.
What Is the Full “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday” Commercial Script?
Exact audio transcript
- The full line is: “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday. Right now, you can save 50 pounds per person.” (occasionally with “That’s 200 pounds for a family of four.”) (USA Today).
- Genius.com has an annotated version of the ad lyrics (Genius.com, music annotation site).
- Instagram reels show the exact script as quoted (Instagram, social media platform).
Inclusion of ‘save 50 pounds per person’ offer
- The discount offer is a core part of the ad, making the slogan memorable and actionable.
The catch: the script is short and simple — which made it easy to remix. The less there is to change, the more the audio stays recognisable.
Timeline signal
- Circa 2016 — Jet2holidays releases a TV commercial featuring the slogan “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” and Jess Glynne’s “Hold My Hand”. (Forbes)
- Early 2025 — The audio clip starts circulating on TikTok, often used ironically over disappointing travel videos. (Know Your Meme)
- July 2025 — Forbes publishes an article explaining the trend, noting over 1 million TikTok videos using the audio. The meme becomes widely reported. (Forbes)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Jet2holidays used the slogan in television commercials. Forbes
- The song “Hold My Hand” is associated with the ad. USA Today
- The trend surpassed 1 million TikTok videos as reported by Forbes. Forbes
- Forbes article published July 21, 2025. Forbes
What’s unclear
- Exact year of the original commercial release (estimated 2016).
- Whether Jet2holidays intentionally started the trend or merely reacted.
- The voiceover was recorded by Zoë Lister (named but not officially confirmed).
- The campaign was launched in December 2022 according to Know Your Meme.
- Exact number of TikTok videos (Forbes says 1 million, Mashable says 1.2 million).
- No official statement has been made (unclear as of July 2025).
Quotes from the conversation
“The viral audio has been used in more than a million videos on TikTok, with users pairing the upbeat jingle with clips of travel disasters.”
— Conor Murray, Forbes reporter, July 2025
“Because the catchphrase is ‘Nothing beats a Jet2Holiday’ it’s implied that its supposed to be the best, but when you put it over a video of something going wrong, it’s funny.”
— Reddit user, r/NoStupidQuestions
“The jingle plays over bleak summer holiday footage from social media, turning the original ad into a joke format.”
— The Guardian, July 2025
For Jet2holidays, the meme is a double-edged sword. It has driven massive brand visibility — but it also jokes about the very travel pains the company is supposed to solve. The company’s decision to run a lip-sync contest shows it’s leaning into the trend, but the long-term effect on brand perception remains to be seen. For UK travellers, the lesson is simple: when you hear “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday”, you’re either watching a real ad or a joke about a holiday that went sideways. Either way, it’s a moment of shared cultural shorthand.
The meme’s soundtrack is Jess Glynne’s ‘Hold My Hand’, and a closer look at the singers viral moment provides a closer look at the singer’s viral moment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” meme real?
Yes, it’s a real meme that started from a Jet2holidays TV commercial and spread on TikTok in 2024–2025. Several news outlets have reported on it.
Can I still book a Jet2 holiday?
Yes, Jet2holidays continues to operate as a tour operator and airline. The meme hasn’t affected its booking availability.
What is the song in the Jet2 holiday meme?
The song is “Hold My Hand” by Jess Glynne, released in 2015.
Who created the original Jet2 holiday commercial?
Jet2holidays commissioned the ad. The voiceover was recorded by Zoë Lister, according to Forbes.
Why do people use the audio ironically?
Because the audio sounds cheerful and confident, so placing it over disappointing travel footage creates a humorous contrast.
Does Jet2holidays acknowledge the meme?
Yes, the company ran a lip-sync contest on TikTok in April 2025, as reported by ABC News.
How can I use the audio in my own video?
The audio is available on TikTok. Search for “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” sound and use it in your own video.