Thomas Cook Airlines Limited, styled as Thomas Cook, is a British charter airline based in
Manchester, England.
It serves main holiday resorts worldwide, from its main bases at Manchester and London
Gatwick Airport.
It also operates services from eight other bases around the United Kingdom; Belfast International
Airport, Birmingham Airport, Bristol Airport, Cardiff International Airport, East Midlands
Airport, Glasgow International Airport, London Stansted Airport and Newcastle Airport.
The airline carried just over 6 million passengers during 2013, and operates a fleet of around
30 Airbus and Boeing aircraft during the peak summer holiday season, making it the sixth
largest UK airline by passengers carried.
The airline will standardise its narrow body fleet, replacing Boeing 757s with Airbus A320
family aircraft over five years beginning in 2012.
Thomas Cook Airlines 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.
History Following the merger between Thomas Cook AG
and MyTravel Group PLC to form Thomas Cook Group plc in June 2007, Thomas Cook Airlines
was formed on 30 March 2008 by the merger of Thomas Cook Airlines UK Ltd and MyTravel
Airways.
The airline commenced operations in time for the summer 2008 season, with a fleet of Airbus
A320, A321 and A330 aircraft along with Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft.
Thomas Cook Airlines UK Ltd
The original Thomas Cook Airlines was established on 1 September 1999 and started operations
on 27 March 2000.
It was created as JMC Airlines through the merger of Flying Colours and Caledonian Airways,
following the integration of the Carlson Leisure group with Thomas Cook & Son, which brought
both airlines under common ownership in October 1999.
Previously in 1998.
Flying Colours was also integrated by Airworld Aviation Ltd into the airline.
JMC Airlines was renamed as Thomas Cook Airlines UK on 31 March 2003.
MyTravel Airways MyTravel Airways was founded in 1990 as Airtours
International Airways, which also acquired Inter European Airways in 1993 and Scandinavian
charter airline Premiair in 1996 prior to re-branding as MyTravel in 2002.
Merger with other Thomas Cook Group Airlines In 2013, Thomas Cook Airlines, Thomas Cook
Airlines Belgium and Condor merged into a single operating segment of the Thomas Cook
Group.
The Condor flight number is now code-sharing on selected Thomas Cook Airlines flights between
selected UK airports and the US airports of Orlando International Airport and Las Vegas
McCarran Airport Destinations
The airline operates worldwide charter flights to and from the United Kingdom for a number
of tour operators; however, Thomas Cook Tour Operations is the main user of the airline.
Fleet
As of May 2014, the Thomas Cook Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:
In addition to leases to and from other group airlines like Thomas Cook Scandinavia and
Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium the airline normally leases or sub-leases aircraft to other operators
during the winter season in particular to Canadian inclusive-tour operators such as
WestJet.
In December 2010, the Thomas Cook Group chose the Airbus A320 family to replace its 71-strong
narrow body fleet of aircraft across the four group airlines, including Thomas Cook Airlines,
as part of a five year fleet renewal programme.
An initial order by the Group for 12 Airbus A321 aircraft was confirmed in January 2011,
with first deliveries expected to commence in late 2013.
Livery
In 2003, all Thomas Cook aircraft received a livery of white, with the yellow and blue
Thomas Cook logo on the tail of each aircraft.
A light blue covered the underside of the aircraft.
Three aircraft received a special Egypt tourism livery that covers the rear of the fuselage,
this applied to two Boeing 757-200 aircraft and one Airbus A321.
The Thomas Cook Group introduced a new brand symbol, known as the "Sunny Heart", on 1 October
2013.
The fleet are due to receive a new white, yellow and grey livery, featuring the new
symbol on the tail fins.
On board service Drinks and snacks can be purchased on board
from the Café Cloud menu.
In-flight meals, champagne and a selection of gifts can be pre-ordered at the time of
booking a flight.
Since May 2012, the in-flight meals available on board Thomas Cook flights are designed
exclusively by celebrity chef James Martin.
Passengers who have not pre-ordered a meal can buy a selection of Look what we've found
meals from the cabin crew.
Entertainment is only available on selected services operated by A330 and B757 aircraft.
It has been removed from the Airbus A320/321 aircraft although the new delivery A321 aircraft
will feature state of the art entertainment systems with a potential for onboard wi-fi
capabilities.
A copy of the Thomas Cook Airlines magazine Travel can be found in all seat pockets, alongside
the Emporium brochure, which details all the tax/duty-free products Thomas Cook Airlines
stock on board.
Personal seat-back entertainment is available on the A330-200 aircraft, serving long-haul
and selected short-haul routes.
Cabin Interior The aircraft cabins feature grey and dark
leather seats with blue smile and blue carpets.
On the Airbus A320/321 and Boeing 757 there is 28/29" seat pitch.
On short and medium-haul flights the Airbus A320, A321 and Boeing 757 aircraft are used.
The Boeing 767 is also used on some short and medium-haul routes, and operates in an
all economy configuration with a 30" seat pitch.
This aircraft can be used on longhaul routes when and if additional capacity is needed.
The Airbus A330 aircraft is used primarily on long-haul routes and features seat-back
entertainment in both Premium economy and Economy class cabins.
Economy offers a 33" seat pitch with a 4" recline and 17" width in a 3-3-3 setup.
Premium Economy offers a 35-36" seat pitch with a 6" recline and a 19" width in a wider
2-3-2 setup, much like a domestic business class type seat.
The new Thomas Cook A330-200 aircraft features blue seats, the same as the A321 just with
adjustable headrests, and the seats with built in IFE, better than the old system.
The new economy seats will have the same recline as the old seats, but with a 31" seat pitch
and an 18" width in a wider 2-4-2 setup.
Premium Economy will be featured on these aircraft starting May 2015.
The new premium economy seats will have the same seat pitch, recline and setup as on the
old A330's, but with a 20" width and upgraded service compared to economy class.
Both Economy and Premium Economy class will have a 9" PTV in each seat back.
The Thomas Cook Boeing 757 - 300 aircraft does have IFE capabilities but Thomas Cook
choose not to operate IFE on most short/medium haul flights, but occasionally playing the
"Thomas Cook Radio".
Statistics Thomas Cook Airlines carried around 6.1 million
passengers during 2013, a 10.3% reduction compared with 2012.
Awards Silver Award - Most Environmentally Responsible
Airline 2008 Runner-Up UK Charter Airline for Punctuality
- Summer 2006 FlightOnTime.info Most Punctual UK Charter
Airline - Summer 2002 & Summer 2003 FlightOnTime.info Most Punctual UK Charter
Airline - Winter 2002/03, Winter 2003/04, Winter 2008/09 & Winter 2009/10
References
External links
Official website