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Thomson Airways
File:Thomson Airways logo.svg
IATA ICAO Callsign
BY TOM TOMSON
Founded1962[1] as Britannia Airways
Commenced operations1 November 2008 (as Thomson Airways)
Operating bases
Fleet size58
Destinations96
Parent companyTUI Travel PLC
HeadquartersRegistered office: Crawley, UK
Head office: Luton, UK[2][3]
Key peopleChris Browne[4] (Managing Director)

Carl Gissing (Director of Customer Services)[5]

John Murphy (Director of Flight Operations)[6]

Fraser Ellacott[7] (Director of Engineering)
Websitethomson.co.uk

Thomson Airways Limited is the world's largest charter airline, offering scheduled and charter flights from the UK to destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. The company commenced operations on 1 November 2008, following the merger and subsequent re-branding of Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways. It carried over 10.9 million passengers in 2010, making it the third-largest UK airline by total passengers, after EasyJet and British Airways.[8] Its head office is located in Wigmore House in Luton, Bedfordshire, and the its registered office is in Travel House in Crawley, West Sussex.[9]

Thomson Airways Limited holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.[10]

History

Thomson Airways has its origins in several predecessor airlines. Euravia, an airline which was founded in January 1962[1] was renamed Britannia Airways in December 1964.[11] Orion Airways, founded in 1979 by Horizon Holidays and later owned by the large brewing firm Bass Brewery and InterContinental Hotels Group, was sold and merged into Britannia Airways in 1989. Britannia Airways was rebranded as Thomsonfly in May 2005.[12] Finally, Air 2000 was founded in 1987, and which integrated the operations of Leisure International Airways in 1998, became First Choice Airways in 2004.

Following the merger of the Travel Division of TUI AG and First Choice Holidays PLC in September 2007, First Choice Airways and Thomsonfly merged, with all flights being operated under the Thomsonfly CAA Air Operator's Certificate since 1 May 2008.[citation needed] On 1 November of the same year, the Thomson Airways brand was launched.[13] As of January 2011, some aircraft in the Thomson Airways fleet still bear their former First Choice or Thomsonfly livery. The remaining aircraft will be painted in the Thomson Airways livery during 2011 when the Thomson Airways brand will receive a makeover including a new uniform for the staff. The merger also made Thomson Airways the world's largest charter airline.

Thomson Airways was awarded the title "Most Punctual UK Charter Airline" for consecutive summers of 2008, 2009 and 2010.[14][15] In May 2010 the airline achieved the Best Leisure / Charter Airline award at the 2010 World Airline Awards.[16]

Corporate affairs

Wigmore House, head office of Thomson Airways

The airline's head office is in Wigmore House in Luton, Bedfordshire.[17][18] The 41,250-square-foot (3,832 m2) facility is adjacent to London Luton Airport and is 33 miles (53 km) north of London.[19]

Bases

A Thomson Airways Boeing 757-200 takes off from Birmingham Airport in the new livery (2011)

Thomson Airways' largest base is at London Gatwick Airport, closely followed by Manchester Airport and Birmingham Airport. Operations and engineering are based at London Luton Airport. Further aircraft are based at Belfast International Airport, Bournemouth Airport, Bristol Airport, Cardiff Airport, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Dublin Airport, East Midlands Airport, Exeter Airport, Glasgow International Airport, London Stansted Airport and Newcastle Airport.

Over the winter season, aircraft are also based at Norwich Airport, Leeds/Bradford Airport and Durham Tees Valley Airport.[citation needed]

Destinations

Main article: Thomson Airways destinations

Most scheduled flights operated by Thomson Airways are on behalf of tour operators. Certain seat contingents on these flights can be directly purchased. The airline offers a wide range of flights to holiday destinations at the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean from a total of 24 airports across the United Kingdom. Additionally, seasonal charter routes are served.

Fleet

A Thomson Airways Boeing 757-200 parked at Rhodes International Airport, Greece, still in Thomsonfly livery. (2009)
A Thomson Airways Boeing 757-200 taking off from Manchester Airport still in First Choice livery. (2009)

As of December 2011, the Thomson Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft[20] with an average age of 11.2 years:[21]

Thomson Airways was the first European customer for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with TUI Travel PLC having placed an order for 13 aircraft of this type, 8 of which will go to Thomson Airways.[22] 12 of the TUI Travel Order originated from an order placed by First Choice Airways. In July 2010 Thomson Airways announced that the introduction of these aircraft into the fleet from January 2012 will allow the airline to offer new long-haul destinations, including from regional UK airports such as; Bristol, Cardiff, Doncaster Sheffield, East Midlands, Exeter, Glasgow, London Stansted and Newcastle.[23][24]

Thomson Airways fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Options Passengers Notes
F Y Total
Airbus A320-200 4 0 0 0 180 180 Being phased out 2012[citation needed]
Airbus A321-200 2 0 0 0 218 218 Being phased out 2012/2013[citation needed]
Boeing 737-300 2 0 0 0 148 148 Being phased out May 2012[citation needed]
Boeing 737-800 16 8 0 0 189 189
Boeing 757-200 24 0 0 0 235 235 [citation needed]
Boeing 767-300ER 10 0 0 63
62
31
0 		195
196
252
328 		258
258
283
328
Boeing 787-8 0 8 13 47 241 288 Delivery spring 2013[25]
Total 58 16 13

Cabin

Short-haul: On short-haul and mid-haul flights Thomson Airways have a 28"/30" seat pitch. New Boeing 737-800 aircraft with SKY Interior are being rolled out replacing older B757, and all legacy Airbus fleets from 2011 onwards. Alcoholic and soft drinks, sweet and savoury snacks can be purchased onboard. Pre-bookable traditional hot in-flight meals were discontinued from 1st November 2011 and replaced in favour of a range of hot cafe style products for onboard sale branded "the eatery". 1st November 2011 marked the end of traditional In-flight TV/Movie/Audio Entertainment onboard Short and Medium-haul flights. A Comfort Service is offered after take-off with the sale of magazines, snuggle kits and the opportunity to hire Sony PSP units. An extensive range of Tax/Duty-Free perfumes and gifts along with tobacco and spirits remain available on most flights. A limited number of extra legroom seats can be purchased prior to travel through various channels and opportunities.

Long-haul: On long-haul flights, the Standard Cabin (Economy) has a 33" standard seat pitch with a personal 7" widescreen TV. Customers have the option of upgrading IFE to the premium on-demand entertainment system for £5. Complimentary hot meals and a snack are served on all Thomson Airways long-haul flights. Both alcoholic and soft drinks, along with additional snack items may be purchased onboard.

The Premium Economy Cabin at the front of the B767-300 aircraft have a 36/37" seat pitch with wider leather seats and a personal 9" widescreen on-demand entertainment system. Customers in the Premium Economy Cabin receive upgraded meals, complimentary drinks, a comfort pack and dedicated cabin crew. On some aircraft the Premium Cabin is fitted with mood lighting.

Thomson Airways Magazine Inflight is available to all customers in the seatpocket. In addition a Whats On guide is available on B767-300 to complement the on-screen seat-back menus provided by Panasonic.

Statistics

Thomson Airways carried over 10.9 million passengers during 2010, a 2.4% reduction compared with 2009.[8]

Year Total passengers Total flights Load factor Passenger Change YoY
2005* 15,501,616 82,913 88.6%
2006* 15,134,699 83,556 88.4% Decrease002.4%
2007* 15,018,973 82,360 89.1% Decrease000.8%
2008 12,234,618 65,348 91.1% Decrease018.5%
2009 11,238,774 59,195 90.2% Decrease008.1%
2010 10,965,111 56,522 89.9% Decrease002.4%
* Data for 2005 to 2007 includes First Choice Airways
Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority [8]

Awards

  • Most Punctual UK Charter Airline - Summer 2009[26] & Summer 2010[27]
  • Winner of a Mercury Award in 2010
  • World's Best Leisure Airline 2010 & 2011 - Skytrax[28]

References

  1. ^ a b Euravia (London) Ltd
  2. ^ Thomson Airways CASA AOC
  3. ^ UK CAA aircraft ownership details
  4. ^ Company press release quoting MD
  5. ^ Carl Gissing (Director of Customer Service) LinkedIn profile
  6. ^ BALPA news article quoting John Murphy, Director of Flight Operations
  7. ^ Fraser Ellacott (Director of Engineering)
  8. ^ a b c "UK Airline Statistics | Data | Economic Regulation". UK CAA. 2010-04-19. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  9. ^ "Booking Conditions." Thomson Airways. Retrieved on 4 February 2011."Both Thomson Airways and TUI UK Limited have their Registered Office at TUI Travel House, Crawley Business Quarter, Fleming Way, Crawley RH10 9QL[...]"
  10. ^ CAA operating licence
  11. ^ Flight International article published 17th December 1964
  12. ^ Company news archive
  13. ^ New Thomson Airways brand launched
  14. ^ FlightOnTime.info - Summer 2008
  15. ^ FlightOnTime.info - Summer 2009
  16. ^ Thomson Airways wins award for the World's Best Leisure / Charter Airline at World Airline Awards
  17. ^ "Contact Us." TUI UK & Ireland. Retrieved on 4 January 2011. "Wigmore House Wigmore Lane Luton Bedfordshire LU2 9TN"
  18. ^ "Luton." Thomson UK. Retrieved on 27 September 2009.
  19. ^ "http://www.duncan-welch.co.uk/product.php?prod_id=424." Duncan-Welch & Co. Retrieved on 4 January 2011.
  20. ^ Civil Aviation Authority Aircraft Register - Thomson Airways
  21. ^ Thomson Airways fleet list at planespotters.net
  22. ^ TUI Travel PLC hails a new era in long haul travel as the first UK Airline to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
  23. ^ Thomson will use 787 to offer new destinations
  24. ^ [1]
  25. ^ Chloe Berman (2 December 2011). "Interview: Thomson Airways boss Chris Browne". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  26. ^ Flightontime.info - Summer 2009 UK Charter Airline Delays & Punctuality
  27. ^ Flightontime.info - Summer 2010 UK Charter Airline Delays & Punctuality
  28. ^ "Thomson Airways repeat success, named as World's Best Leisure Airline". Skytrax. Retrieved 1 January 2012.

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