TUI Airways
British charter and scheduled leisure airline owned and operated by TUI Group. British charter airline that grew into a major holiday carrier before being absorbed into the Thomsonfly operation.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
TUI Airways is a British leisure airline owned and operated by TUI Group. It combines charter and scheduled passenger operations, with most of its scheduled flying arranged in support of TUI’s package-holiday and tour-operator business. The airline serves leisure destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, primarily from airports in the United Kingdom and Ireland, while also operating seasonal services from selected Nordic and other European airports. The present airline is the result of a long consolidation process involving several earlier carriers. Its principal historical lineage runs through Britannia Airways, which itself incorporated Orion Airways in 1989, and through Air 2000 and First Choice Airways. Britannia began as Euravia in the 1960s and later became one of the major British holiday airlines. Orion Airways had been established by Horizon Holidays in 1978 before passing through ownership associated with Bass Brewery and InterContinental Hotels Group. Air 2000 was founded in 1987 and later absorbed the operations of Leisure International Airways. After Air 2000 was acquired by First Choice, it became First Choice Airways and served as that travel group’s airline. A major structural change followed the combination of the travel businesses of TUI Group and First Choice Holidays in 2007. Their respective airlines, Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways, were consolidated operationally in 2008, and the combined carrier adopted the Thomson Airways name in 2009. This created a single airline platform for the enlarged British holiday business while retaining the relevant operating-certification arrangements. The carrier continued to operate a mixture of charter flights, tour-operator services and scheduled leisure routes. TUI Airways expanded its long-haul capability with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It became the first airline in the United Kingdom to receive the type in May 2013, and began passenger operations with a London Gatwick–Menorca service in June of that year. Although the 787 is a long-haul aircraft, its introduction formed part of a wider network serving holiday destinations rather than a conventional business-focused intercontinental model. The airline has also operated Boeing 737-family aircraft for short- and medium-haul leisure routes. The airline’s most visible identity change came from TUI Group’s decision in 2015 to give its airline subsidiaries a common TUI name while preserving their separate air-operator certificates. The British carrier began applying TUI branding during 2016 and 2017, replacing the Thomson identity on aircraft and onboard materials. Its legal trading name changed from Thomson Airways to TUI Airways on 2 October 2017. The associated Thomson Holidays business also moved to the TUI identity during October 2017. The rebranding unified the airline with TUI’s other European carriers and supported the group’s single-brand travel model. TUI Airways operates under a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, authorising the carriage of passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft configured for at least 20 seats. Its head office is at Wigmore House near Luton Airport. The airline remains an important component of TUI’s vertically integrated holiday offering, linking the group’s tour operations, hotels, cruises and destination services with its own air capacity. Fleet planning has included seasonal leasing and, through the Fly4 Airlines arrangement with Enter Air, the use of aircraft capacity that can be redeployed outside the peak European summer season. In November 2023, the airline retired its final Boeing 767, ending that aircraft type’s role as the last passenger-operated 767 in the United Kingdom.
History
TUI Airways developed from the consolidation of several British holiday airlines rather than from a single newly established carrier. One of its main predecessors was Euravia, which became Britannia Airways in the 1960s. Britannia later absorbed Orion Airways, an airline created by Horizon Holidays in 1978 and subsequently associated with Bass Brewery and InterContinental Hotels Group. The merger preserved the Britannia name and strengthened its role in British charter aviation. Another important lineage came through Air 2000. Established in 1987, Air 2000 integrated the operations of Leisure International Airways in 1998. Following its acquisition by First Choice, the airline became First Choice Airways and operated as the in-house carrier of the First Choice travel group. These predecessor airlines reflected the close relationship between British tour operators and the charter-airline sector, in which aircraft capacity was used to transport customers to European and long-haul resorts. TUI Group’s acquisition and reorganisation of the Thomson Travel Group led to another stage of consolidation. Britannia was rebranded as Thomsonfly in May 2005. After the travel divisions of TUI and First Choice Holidays were combined in September 2007, Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways were brought together operationally. The merged airline adopted the Thomson Airways name in 2009. Its aircraft initially retained elements of the earlier Thomsonfly visual identity, while former First Choice aircraft were gradually repainted or withdrawn. A new visual scheme known as Dynamic Wave was introduced in 2012. The airline’s fleet and network evolved beyond its traditional European charter base. In May 2013, it received the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivered to a United Kingdom airline. Commercial operations with the type began the following month on a London Gatwick–Menorca route. The Dreamliner supported TUI’s long-haul leisure network, complementing the Boeing 737 fleet used for shorter routes. TUI Group also placed a large order for Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in 2013 as part of the planned renewal of its airline fleet. In May 2015, TUI Group announced that its five airline subsidiaries would gradually adopt the TUI name while continuing to operate with separate air-operator certificates. The British airline began the transition in 2016. By 2017, TUI titles had appeared on most aircraft and the new identity was being used in flight-tracking systems and onboard materials. Thomson Airways legally became TUI Airways on 2 October 2017, making it the last of the group’s airlines to complete the common-brand transition. The related British holiday business also abandoned the Thomson name in favour of TUI UK during the same month. The airline continues to support TUI’s integrated holiday model through a mix of scheduled and charter flying. It operates from numerous United Kingdom bases and provides seasonal capacity from other European airports. Its fleet strategy has included short-term aircraft leasing to meet summer demand. In 2023, TUI Group and Enter Air agreed to establish Fly4 Airlines, an Irish-based ACMI operator intended to use aircraft associated with TUI during periods of lower seasonal demand and return capacity to TUI during the summer peak. TUI Airways retired its last Boeing 767 in November 2023. More recent fleet planning has focused on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, including additional leased MAX 8s announced in December 2024 to help compensate for delayed MAX 10 deliveries. The carrier remains active under a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence and is headquartered at Wigmore House near Luton Airport.
- 2024
Additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft announced
[1]The airline announced 14 additional leased Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to support fleet renewal and cover delayed MAX 10 deliveries.
- 2023
Final Boeing 767 retired
[1]TUI Airways retired its last Boeing 767 in November, ending the type’s United Kingdom passenger-operator presence.
- 2017
Thomson Airways legally becomes TUI Airways
[1]The airline completed its corporate rebrand and changed its legal trading name to TUI Airways on 2 October.
- 2015
TUI Group announces common airline branding
[1]TUI Group announced that its five airline subsidiaries would progressively adopt the TUI name while retaining separate operating certificates.
- 2013
First United Kingdom Boeing 787 delivery
[1]TUI Airways became the first United Kingdom airline to receive a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
- 2012
Dynamic Wave livery introduced
[1]The airline introduced a new visual identity called Dynamic Wave.
- 2009
Thomson Airways brand launched
[1]The combined airline began operating under the Thomson Airways name.
- 2008
Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways merge
[1]The two airlines were combined under the former Thomsonfly operating certificate.
- 2007
TUI and First Choice travel businesses combine
[1]The travel divisions of TUI Group and First Choice Holidays were merged, setting up the consolidation of their airline operations.
- 2005
Britannia becomes Thomsonfly
[1]Following TUI’s ownership of the Thomson travel business, Britannia Airways was rebranded Thomsonfly.
Products and positioning
An integrated leisure airline positioned around TUI Group’s package holidays, charter capacity and scheduled holiday travel. Its proposition emphasizes access to resort destinations and coordination with TUI’s wider travel ecosystem rather than a standalone premium or business-travel model. Leisure-tourism charter airline combining broad regional airport coverage with integrated package-holiday operations.
airline services
Scheduled leisure flights
TUI Airways operates scheduled services designed primarily for holiday travel. Routes connect United Kingdom and Irish airports with resort destinations around the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and other leisure regions. Many flights are integrated with TUI’s tour-operator programmes rather than being aimed principally at business passengers.
airline services · 1962
Charter and package-holiday flights
Charter flying and package-holiday transportation remain central to the airline’s role within TUI Group. Aircraft capacity is scheduled to support TUI holidays and seasonal demand, giving the group direct control over an important link between its source markets and resort destinations. Britannia’s core offering was charter air travel sold through inclusive-tour and package-holiday companies. The airline connected British and later continental European departure airports with leisure destinations, especially in the Mediterranean. Its close alignment with Universal Sky Tours, Thomson Holidays and other group brands allowed aircraft capacity, accommodation and ground arrangements to be marketed as integrated holidays.
long-haul airline services · 2013
Boeing 787 Dreamliner services
The Boeing 787 introduced a long-haul aircraft platform to the TUI Airways fleet and supported leisure routes beyond the airline’s traditional European market. The carrier received its first aircraft in 2013 and began passenger operations in June of that year.
short- and medium-haul airline services
Boeing 737 family services
Boeing 737 aircraft form the core of TUI Airways’ short- and medium-haul leisure operation. They are used on dense seasonal routes from United Kingdom bases and are being renewed through the introduction of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Enhanced leisure-airline service · 1990
Royal Service
Royal Service was Britannia’s higher-end onboard service proposition, introduced during the 1990s to give the charter airline a more premium profile. It sought to distinguish selected holiday flights through upgraded hospitality and closer service coordination with Thomson’s travel business. The offering was later replaced by the 360 brand.
Enhanced leisure-airline service · 1990
360
360 succeeded Royal Service during the late 1990s. It was presented as a fresher and more personality-led service concept for Britannia’s holiday passengers, reflecting the company’s effort to modernize its public image and differentiate the customer experience within the charter market.
Passenger support service · 1990
Flying with confidence course
Britannia introduced a flying-with-confidence course as part of its customer-service initiatives. The program addressed passenger anxiety about air travel and complemented the airline’s broader effort to coordinate customer care more closely with the Thomson holiday operation.
Marketing campaigns
- 1990Royal Service
United Kingdom
Britannia promoted Royal Service as a more premium holiday-airline experience, seeking to raise the profile of its higher-end service levels.
Outcome. The proposition was later replaced by the 360 service brand.
- 1990360
United Kingdom · Europe
The 360 concept refreshed Britannia’s service positioning with a less traditional and more personality-focused presentation.
Outcome. It remained part of the airline’s late-1990s service and image activity until the Britannia identity was replaced.
Brand decisions
2024
Additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 leasing decisionGeneration changeBackground
Delays affecting Boeing 737 MAX 10 deliveries created a need for replacement or interim fleet capacity.
Action taken
TUI Airways announced 14 additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft leased from BOC Aviation.
Aftermath
The aircraft were intended to support fleet renewal and help cover the absence of delayed MAX 10 aircraft, while older Boeing 737-800s were scheduled for retirement.
2023
Seasonal capacity partnership with Enter AirStrategyBackground
TUI Group needed a way to use aircraft more efficiently across highly seasonal holiday demand.
Action taken
TUI Group and Enter Air agreed to establish Fly4 Airlines, an Irish ACMI operator intended to use aircraft during peak TUI periods and redeploy them in winter.
Aftermath
The arrangement was designed to provide additional summer capacity while allowing aircraft to be used by other airlines during lower-demand periods.
2015
Adoption of common TUI airline brandingStrategyBackground
TUI Group sought to present its airline subsidiaries under a unified international travel brand while maintaining separate operating certificates.
Action taken
The group announced that its five airline subsidiaries would progressively adopt the TUI name.
Aftermath
The British carrier completed the transition in 2017, replacing the Thomson Airways identity with TUI Airways.
2013
Introduction of Boeing 787 DreamlinerProduct launchBackground
TUI Airways needed aircraft suited to expanding its long-haul leisure network.
Action taken
The airline accepted its first Boeing 787 and began passenger services in June 2013.
Aftermath
The aircraft became part of the carrier’s long-haul holiday offering and made TUI Airways the first United Kingdom airline to operate the type.
2008
Consolidation of Thomsonfly and First Choice AirwaysM&ABackground
The combination of the TUI and First Choice travel businesses required their respective airline operations to be consolidated.
Action taken
Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways were merged under the Thomsonfly operating certificate.
Aftermath
The combined airline subsequently adopted the Thomson Airways name and served as the principal British airline platform for the enlarged holiday group.
2004
Rebranding as ThomsonflyStrategyBackground
TUI reorganized its United Kingdom airline operations and sought a common identity aligned with the Thomson holiday business.
Action taken
TUI announced that Britannia would be rebranded Thomsonfly, with operational integration completed after the Britannia name was withdrawn.
Aftermath
The Britannia Airways brand ceased to exist in 2005. The successor operation later became part of TUI Airways.
2000
Integration into TUI GroupM&ABackground
TUI Group acquired Britannia’s parent, Thomson Travel Group, as part of a wider European tourism consolidation.
Action taken
Britannia was brought into TUI’s airline and tour-operator structure, with related operations subsequently consolidated.
Aftermath
The airline’s German subsidiary closed, British operations were merged into the future Thomson airline, and the Britannia name was replaced by Thomsonfly.
1980
Introduction of Boeing 767 wide-body operationsProduct launchBackground
Britannia wanted to expand beyond European short-haul holiday markets and offer a more capable long-haul product.
Action taken
The airline introduced the Boeing 767, becoming the first European operator of the type.
Aftermath
The aircraft enabled long-haul charter growth and supported onboard audio and video entertainment.
1968
Adoption of the Boeing 737-200Product launchBackground
Charter airlines traditionally often obtained secondhand aircraft from scheduled carriers, while the Boeing 737 was still a relatively new design.
Action taken
Britannia ordered and introduced new Boeing 737-200 aircraft, becoming the first European operator of the type rather than selecting the rival BAC One-Eleven.
Aftermath
The decision accelerated fleet modernization and supported the airline’s growth into a large-scale charter operator.
Recent events
- 2024
TUI Airways orders additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The airline announced an order for 14 additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft leased from BOC Aviation, intended in part to address delays affecting Boeing 737 MAX 10 deliveries.
- 2024
AAIB investigates TUI Airways Flight 6114 takeoff event[1]
Other · Regulation
A Boeing 737-800 departing Bristol Airport passed close above the A38 road. The AAIB attributed the aircraft’s reduced performance to an uncommanded autothrottle disconnection associated with a known electrical fault affecting the autothrottle servo motor.
- 2023
TUI Airways retires its final Boeing 767[1]
Product generation
The airline retired its last Boeing 767, ending the type’s service with the final remaining United Kingdom passenger operator.
- 2023
TUI Airways Flight 3551 skids off runway at Leeds Bradford[1]
Other
A Boeing 737-800 left the runway while landing at Leeds Bradford Airport in heavy rain associated with Storm Babet. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft was later repaired and returned to service.
- 2017
TUI Airways begins operating under the TUI name[1]
Other · Leadership change
The former Thomson Airways completed its transition to the TUI Airways identity and changed its legal trading name on 2 October 2017.
- 2004
Britannia brand is replaced by Thomsonfly[2]
Leadership change
TUI announced a reorganization of its United Kingdom airline operations under the Thomsonfly identity. Britannia’s name disappeared from airline operations in 2005.
- 2000
TUI Group acquires Thomson Travel Group[2]
M&A
TUI Group acquired Thomson Travel Group, bringing Britannia Airways into the German group’s expanding network of tour operators and airlines.
- 1999
Britannia Airways Flight 226A has a landing accident at Girona[2]
Other
A Boeing 757 crashed during its second landing attempt at Girona in heavy rain and poor weather. Two people were seriously injured, 41 sustained minor injuries, and one passenger later died from suspected internal injuries.
- 1966
Britannia Airways Flight 105 crashes near Ljubljana[2]
Other
A Bristol 175 Britannia crashed into high ground while approaching Ljubljana after a flight from Luton. The accident killed 98 of the 117 people on board and was attributed to pilot error.
- 1965
Britannia becomes part of the Thomson organization[2]
M&A
Britannia was acquired by the Thomson organization, strengthening its access to capital and aligning the airline more closely with the group’s holiday-tour business.
Sources2 sources
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