First Choice Airways
First Choice Airways was a British charter and scheduled leisure airline that evolved from Air 2000 and merged with Thomsonfly in 2008 to create Thomson Airways, now TUI Airways.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
First Choice Airways was a British leisure airline associated with the First Choice Holidays travel group and, later, TUI Travel. Its corporate history began in 1986, when Owners Abroad Group established the carrier as Air 2000. Operations started on 11 April 1987 with two Boeing 757-200 aircraft, flying from Manchester to Málaga. The airline was created primarily to support package holidays sold by its affiliated tour operator, but it also developed a significant network of charter services for external travel companies and a smaller scheduled leisure operation. During its Air 2000 period, the carrier expanded from short- and medium-haul European holiday routes into long-haul flying. It introduced services to Mombasa, Kenya, during the 1988–89 season and adapted Boeing 757 aircraft for extended-range operations. Flights to the United States began in 1989. The airline also explored international growth through a Canadian subsidiary, although its first Canadian licensing attempt was suspended within days. A later venture ultimately became Canada 3000, a separate Canadian airline. Air 2000 received a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority licence for scheduled operations in 1992. Scheduled flying began in autumn 1993 with a London Gatwick–Paphos route, followed by services to Cyprus from Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle. The airline used the DP designator for scheduled services, while charter operations used the AMM identifier. In 1996, Dublin became its first overseas hub. By 2000, the scheduled leisure network had broadened to include routes from eight UK airports to holiday destinations in Spain and Portugal. Corporate expansion also shaped the airline. In 1998, First Choice acquired the Unijet tour operator for £110 million. Unijet's airline subsidiary, Leisure International Airways, was integrated into Air 2000 in November of that year, bringing aircraft and long-haul ambitions into the group. Air 2000 considered Airbus A330 aircraft but ultimately retained and expanded its Boeing 767-300ER fleet. In October 2003, the airline adopted the First Choice Airways name, aligning the aviation operation more closely with its parent travel brand. First Choice Airways remained a predominantly charter carrier. Approximately 70 percent of its services were operated for the parent company, increasing to about 85 percent during the summer season; the balance was flown for roughly 120 other tour operators. Its long-haul services were generally sold through affiliated travel businesses, including First Choice Holidays, Eclipse Direct, Sunsail, Sovereign, Hayes and Jarvis, and Unijet. Its principal bases were Birmingham, London Gatwick and Manchester, with other operations from airports across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The airline carried about 6.5 million passengers in 2002 and approximately 6.0 million in 2005, according to UK Civil Aviation Authority statistics cited in the reference material. It refurbished Boeing 767 aircraft for long-haul growth and introduced a Boeing 777-style cabin interior on its 767 fleet. By 2007, six aircraft were configured for long-haul flying with Premium and Economy cabins, seat-back entertainment and mood lighting in the Star Class Premier product. Its onboard offer combined included or pre-ordered meals on some long-haul and premium holiday bookings with paid snacks, sandwiches and drinks on other services. First Choice Holidays merged with TUI in 2007 to form TUI Travel plc. The associated airlines, First Choice Airways and Thomsonfly, began operating under one air operator certificate on 1 May 2008. Flight operations adopted the Thomson Airways name on 1 November 2008, ending First Choice Airways as a separate airline brand. The combined carrier inherited First Choice's Boeing 787 order, becoming the UK launch customer for the type; the first aircraft entered service in 2013 after programme delays. Thomson Airways was later renamed TUI Airways in 2017.
History
First Choice Airways originated as Air 2000, an airline founded by Owners Abroad Group in 1986 to support the group's package-holiday business. It commenced flying on 11 April 1987 with Boeing 757-200 aircraft on a Manchester–Málaga service. The carrier rapidly expanded its European charter network and added long-haul destinations, including Mombasa in Kenya during the 1988–89 season and the United States from 1989. The airline's early development included experiments in international expansion. A proposed Canadian subsidiary had its licence suspended shortly after launch, while a subsequent Canadian venture became Canada 3000. In the United Kingdom, Air 2000 obtained approval for scheduled operations in 1992 and started scheduled flying in 1993 with London Gatwick–Paphos services. Cyprus routes were later added from several British airports, and Dublin became the airline's first overseas hub in 1996. Air 2000 expanded its long-haul capability through Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. In 1998, First Choice acquired Unijet, whose airline subsidiary Leisure International Airways was integrated into Air 2000. Although Airbus A330 aircraft had been considered, the group retained Boeing 767s and used them for long-haul holiday services. The airline also grew its scheduled leisure network to Spanish and Portuguese resorts. The Air 2000 name was replaced by First Choice Airways in October 2003. The renamed carrier remained closely integrated with First Choice Holidays and other group travel businesses. Most flights served the parent company's holiday programmes, while a substantial minority were chartered by outside tour operators. Main bases included London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester, with operations also extending across the United Kingdom and Ireland. First Choice Airways carried millions of passengers annually and invested in refurbished long-haul Boeing 767 cabins, including premium seating, seat-back entertainment and mood lighting. It placed orders for Boeing 787 aircraft and was expected to become the British launch customer for the type, although delivery was postponed by delays in Boeing's programme. In September 2007, First Choice Holidays and TUI merged to form TUI Travel. First Choice Airways and Thomsonfly subsequently operated under a common air operator certificate from 1 May 2008. The new airline adopted the Thomson Airways name on 1 November 2008, and the First Choice Airways identity ceased to operate as an independent airline. The successor later became TUI Airways in 2017.
- 2008
Merger creates Thomson Airways
[1]First Choice Airways and Thomsonfly operate under one certificate and adopt the Thomson Airways name.
- 2007
First Choice and TUI form TUI Travel
[1]The parent travel businesses merge, setting up the consolidation of First Choice Airways and Thomsonfly.
- 2005
Boeing 787 order is expanded
[1]The airline's planned Boeing 787 fleet grows through additional firm orders and converted options.
- 2003
Air 2000 becomes First Choice Airways
[1]The airline adopts the First Choice Airways name and a brand identity aligned with its tour-operator parent.
- 2000
Scheduled Spanish and Portuguese network expands
[1]New scheduled leisure services connect eight UK airports with major holiday destinations in Spain and Portugal.
- 1998
Unijet is acquired and its airline integrated
[1]First Choice buys Unijet, and Leisure International Airways is absorbed into Air 2000.
- 1996
Dublin becomes an overseas hub
[1]Dublin becomes the airline's first hub outside the United Kingdom.
- 1993
Scheduled leisure flying starts
[1]The airline launches scheduled services between London Gatwick and Paphos in Cyprus.
- 1992
Scheduled operating licence granted
[1]The UK Civil Aviation Authority grants Air 2000 a licence for scheduled operations.
- 1989
United States services begin
[1]Extended-range Boeing 757 operations enable the airline to begin flights to the United States.
Products and positioning
A vertically integrated British leisure airline focused on package-holiday traffic, charter capacity and selected scheduled resort routes, with a premium long-haul cabin for higher-value holiday bookings.
Airline services · 1987
Charter passenger services
The core business was charter flying for package holidays. Most capacity was used by First Choice Holidays and affiliated travel companies, while the remaining aircraft capacity was sold to numerous independent tour operators. The network covered European resorts and selected long-haul destinations.
Airline services · 1993
Scheduled leisure routes
After receiving scheduled authority in 1992, the airline operated year-round leisure routes, initially to Paphos and later to other Cyprus destinations as well as resorts in Spain and Portugal. These services complemented its seasonal charter programme.
Premium airline cabin
Star Class Premier
Star Class Premier was the carrier's premium long-haul cabin. Its Boeing 767 long-haul aircraft featured a two-class layout, premium seating, seat-back Panasonic entertainment and mood lighting. Some premium holiday bookings also included enhanced meal service.
Passenger amenities
In-flight catering and buy-on-board service
Depending on route and holiday package, passengers could receive a pre-ordered or included meal, particularly on eligible long-haul Premier Holiday bookings. Drinks, snacks and sandwiches were also offered for purchase on applicable flights.
Brand decisions
2007
Airline consolidation with ThomsonflyM&ABackground
The merger of First Choice Holidays and TUI created TUI Travel and required the associated airline operations to be consolidated.
Action taken
First Choice Airways and Thomsonfly were placed under a common air operator certificate from 1 May 2008, followed by the Thomson Airways name in November.
Aftermath
First Choice Airways ceased to exist as a separate operating brand, while its aircraft, routes and Boeing 787 commitments contributed to the combined airline.
2005
Boeing 787 fleet commitmentProduct launchBackground
First Choice planned to modernize its long-haul fleet and replace Boeing 767 aircraft over time.
Action taken
The airline placed Boeing 787 orders and later converted its remaining options, bringing the planned total to 12 aircraft.
Aftermath
The order was inherited by Thomson Airways after the 2008 merger and the aircraft eventually entered service with the successor airline after delivery delays.
2003
Rebrand from Air 2000 to First Choice AirwaysStrategyBackground
The airline was increasingly positioned as part of the First Choice holiday and travel portfolio.
Action taken
The Air 2000 name and livery were replaced by the First Choice Airways identity.
Aftermath
The rebrand strengthened the visible connection between the airline and its parent tour operator until the subsequent TUI consolidation.
1998
Acquisition of UnijetM&ABackground
First Choice sought to expand its tour-operator and airline platform by acquiring rival travel company Unijet.
Action taken
First Choice purchased Unijet for £110 million, and integrated Unijet's airline subsidiary, Leisure International Airways, into Air 2000.
Aftermath
The transaction added aircraft and long-haul capability to the airline group, although planned Airbus A330 acquisitions were later cancelled in favour of retaining Boeing 767 aircraft.
Acquisition price. £110 million (1998)
Sources1 sources
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