TRENDING: Where does 'Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday' come from?
Just when you’ve settled down and started scrolling through short reels, you suddenly hear the familiar tune, “Darling, hold my hand…” mixed with a seemingly random commercial voice-over: “Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday, and right now, you can save £50 per person.”
From content creators to online users, many have jumped into this "Jet 2 holiday" trend. People used this meme as a backdrop for posting their clumsy moments caught on camera, hilarious lip-syncs, or voice-over challenges that parody the iconic commercial.
Recently, Vice Ganda and Regine Velasquez added their own twist, creating the now-viral “JetSki Holiday” spoof. This satirical skit is interpreted as poking fun at the rising tensions between China and the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea, while also referencing former President Rodrigo Duterte, as he awaits trial and remains in custody at The Hague, Netherlands.
But where exactly did the Jet2 Holiday meme come from, and how did it take social media by storm?
Where it all began: The ‘Jet2 Holiday’ Meme
In January 2024, UK airline Jet2 released a commercial for its Jet2holiday packages, which featured Jess Glynne's song Hold My Hand.
The ad was released to promote their discount offer of £50 off per person, which adds up to £200 off for a family of four.
In the original video, a family of four embarks on a journey aboard a Jet2 holiday plane. Shown from the perspective of what appears to be the mother, the father and children in the background are seen enjoying the vacation.
@aviation_on_tiktok2 #jet2 #ad #advert #aviation #planetok #planes #aviation #funny #trend #holiday #viral #fyp #foryou #uk @jet2 @aviationvids5 ♬ Jet2 Advert - ✈️A7-BBH | MAN 🇬🇧
For the memes, instead of a picturesque getaway, users have paired the upbeat “Nothing Beats a Jet2 holiday” tagline with clips of chaotic or disastrous moments, turning the ad into a sarcastic social media trend.
The voice actor featured in the commercial, Zoë Lister, said she did not expect the video to go viral.
The voice actress told NBC News in a July interview that the commercial was recorded in January 2024.
“I remember we workshopped the line, ‘That’s £200 for a family of four,’ and discussed how to present it in a way that wouldn’t annoy people. Like, ‘Of course, it’s for a family of four.’”
The “Jet2 Holiday” meme also carries a hint of irony, because back in 2018, people were “annoyed” by the overuse of Glynne’s Hold My Hand in Jet2 ads.
"I'm gonna just say to Jet2 and to everybody out there: Look, I didn't make them do it like that. I agreed to [let] them have my song, [and] I apologize if that annoys you," the singer said in a 2018 interview with The Official Vodafone Big Top 40.
Filipinos hop on the 'Jet2 holiday' trend
As many users used the trending Jet2 holiday sound, Filipinos would not be left behind, as they created their own interpretations of the trend. Aside from Vice's Jetski Holiday spoof, many have also joined in and put their own spin on it.
In one TikTok at a convenience store, the sound is played over one person who dropped a tray of siopao after trying to get just one. Unfortunately, he might have to pay more than just the price of one.
@cedo7_ ung siopao ya #fyp #7eleven #siopao #jet2holidays #philippines #funny ♬ Jet2 Advert - ✈️A7-BBH | MAN 🇬🇧
Voice artist and content creator Inka Magnaye, meanwhile, tried her hand at Lister's Jet2 Holiday voiceover.
@inkamagnaye MY VOICE IS BACK I can finally do the jet2holiday u keep asking for
♬ original sound - jet2
After the Philippines endured the devastating effects of Typhoons Cruising, Dante, and Emong, many still found ways to show humor amidst difficult times, as they posted TikToks with the Jet2 holiday meme.
@fall0227 Jet2 Holiday sa Sm Manila😂 #fyp #typhoonph #philippines #bagyo #baha #fypシ #foryou #smmanila ♬ Jet2 Advert - ✈️A7-BBH | MAN 🇬🇧
As of now, Jet2 has yet to comment on the sudden resurgence of its commercial. Both Glynne and Lister have embraced the trend, recreating the same commercial voice-over together in an FM radio segment.
