• Digital exclusion affects more than 19 million people across the UK, limiting access to education, employment, and essential services

  • One in seven adults and one in five children lack the devices, skills or connectivity needed to navigate today’s increasingly digital world

  • The gap risks leaving a whole generation behind as number of 16-24s not in education, employment or training edges towards one million

  • easyJet will start by donating around 500 iPads previously used by crew and flight deck teams to people in need through the Digital Poverty Alliance

  • Devices will be prioritised for communities near easyJet’s UK bases, including Luton, Gatwick and Newcastle initially

  • As part of the initiative, easyJet has signed the Digital Inclusion Charter, cementing its ongoing commitment to donate devices over the long term in future iPad renewal cycles

easyJet is set to donate hundreds of crew iPads to students in need following findings that one in five children are digitally excluded in the UK.

To help address this disparity, easyJet is working with the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) in a new nationwide partnership that aims to bridge the digital divide, starting with a donation of around 500 iPads to schools in some of the UK’s most deprived areas via the DPA’s trusted network.

easyJet has also signed the charity’s Charter for Digital Inclusion, underscoring its long‑term commitment to helping students access the technology and digital skills they need to enhance their learning and boost future employment opportunities.

According to the DPA, at least one in five children are digitally excluded in the UK, meaning they lack access to the technology they need to thrive. And with the rise of artificial intelligence and related skills such as data analytics, cybersecurity and coding becoming increasingly important stepping stones to opportunity, tackling this disparity is more important than ever.

New research commissioned by easyJet further underscores the extent of the issue, with more than three-quarters (77%) of parents polled agreeing that a lack of access to technology limits children’s learning opportunities, and with 93% believing that access to technology enhances a child’s ability to learn.

Further to this, nearly half (46%) admit to worrying about not being able to provide enough access to technology to support their children’s education.

Looking at common barriers, 41% cited the cost of devices as holding them back purchasing the tech their children need. The research also showed that 62% believe schools should be providing more than they currently offer.

To help fight tech inequalities, easyJet has chosen to work with the Digital Poverty Alliance, an independent charity launched in 2021 with a mission to end digital poverty by 2030. The initiative will focus on regions close to its major UK bases, including Luton, Gatwick and Newcastle – some of the areas where digital poverty is most rife.

Opal Perry, Chief Technology Officer at easyJet, said:  “The UK is facing a growing digital divide. With one in five children still living in digital poverty and the number of 16–24yearolds not in education, employment or training approaching one million, we risk leaving an entire generation behind. “If there aren’t interventions to equip young people with the technology they need to thrive, these inequalities will only deepen. “It’s essential therefore that we close this gap and this is why we are working with the Digital Poverty Alliance and signing their Charter for Digital Inclusion so we can continue to play our part in ensuring more people have the opportunity to participate in an increasingly digital society.”

Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said:  “Educational success is now closely related to digital access – with children and young people who are lack a device regularly struggling to complete homework, coursework and other school assignments. It is often assumed that every child is digitally included, but even creating essays and documents on phones is incredibly difficult, and our research has shown that over four fifths of parents believe their child’s educational engagement increases when they have a digital device suitable for learning.

“easyJet’s commitment to provide hundreds of iPads will have a huge impact on children and their families, and we are so grateful for their work to make this happen.” 

easyJet’s sustainability approach: easyJet was established to democratise air travel and opportunity and in its 30th year, that mission continues to take flight through recent initiatives such as donating its retired crew uniforms to people in need. Complementing this, the airline continues its ambition to reduce and decarbonise its environmental impact, investing in operational efficiencies and technologies to lower its impact both in the air and on the ground. Some recent examples, include:

While there is much still to do, easyJet remains on track to meet its ambitious target of a 35% reduction in carbon emissions intensity by 2035 and, showing progress is gradually being made, was recently recognised as the top-rated airline globally by Sustainalytics for managing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks, receiving an industry-leading score of 18.0.

For further information, please contact the easyJet Press Office on 01582 525252 or visit mediacentre.easyJet.com  

Notes to Editors

Survey of 2,000 parents of 4–16-year-old students commissioned by easyJet via 72 Point in October 2025.

About easyJet easyJet is one of Europe’s largest airlines offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe's primary airports with great value fares and friendly service. easyJet flies on more of Europe’s most popular routes than any other airline and carried more than 100 million passengers in 2024. The airline has over 340 aircraft flying on over 1,000 routes to more than 160 airports across 35 countries. Over 300 million Europeans live within one hour's drive of an easyJet airport.

easyJet aims to be a good corporate citizen, employing people on local contracts in nine countries across Europe in full compliance with national laws and recognising their trade unions. The airline supports several local charities and has a corporate partnership with UNICEF which has raised over £17m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.

In 2022, easyJet published its roadmap to net zero by 2050. The roadmap, which also features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology, has set an ambitious interim carbon emissions intensity reduction target of 35% by 2035, validated by the Science-based targets initiative (SBTi). The airline’s ultimate aim is to fully transition its fleet to zero carbon emission technology, which it will achieve through a number of strategic partnerships including with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace Solutions. Since 2000, the airline has successfully reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by one-third and is the number 1 ESG rated airline in Europe by Sustainalytics, MSCI and CDP.

Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA – since launching nearly 30 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital and operational innovations to make travel more easy and affordable for its passengers. In 2023 easyJet was named by TIME as one of the World’s Best Companies and a Leader in Diversity 2024 by The Financial Times.