Thomas Cook Airlines

Timeline

1919

In the aftermath of the First World War, Thomas Cook & Son is the first travel agent to advertise public trips by airplane (Easter 1919). The firm becomes a passenger agent for the principal air companies and is soon selling tickets (costing 30 guineas – equivalent to over £1000 today) for return flights from London to Paris or Brussels.

1927

Thomas Cook & Son organise the world’s first personally-conducted tour by aeroplane. A group of six people (four passengers, a Thomas Cook representative and a pilot) fly from New York to Chicago for the Tunney-Dempsey world heavyweight boxing contest. The price of the package – comprising return flights with inflight meal, first-class accommodation in Chicago and a ringside seat for the fight – is $575.00 (equivalent to over £6000 today).

1939

Holidays by air on specially-chartered aircraft to the French Riviera are included in Thomas Cook’s summer brochure for the first time.

1996

Thomas Cook acquires its first airline, Airworld, when it purchases UK tour operator Sunworld.

1998

The Flying Colours Leisure Group is acquired by Airworld parent Sunworld (itself a subsidiary of Thomas Cook) in June 1998. The two airlines (Flying Colours and Airworld) merge at the end of the 1998 summer season under the Flying Colours name.

1999

JMC Airlines is launched on 1 September 1999 through the merger of Flying Colours and Caledonian Airways (the latter airline having been acquired by Thomas Cook when it took control of Carlson Leisure Group’s UK interests earlier in the year).

2013

Thomas Cook has set out plans to merge its German, British and Belgian airline businesses, with a new airline management board overseeing the single outfit.

Creation of Thomas Cook Airlines

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.

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.

In 2013, Thomas Cook Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia and Condor merged into a single operating segment of the Thomas Cook Group. Thomas Cook Airlines carried around 6.4 million passengers during 2015, a six percent increase compared with 2014.

Destinations

Thomas Cook Airlines operates flights to destinations in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, North America and Asia. The airline also operates worldwide charter flights from the United Kingdom for a number of tour operators; however, Thomas Cook Tour Operations is the main user of the airline. The airline also provides direct customer bookings on a seat only basis, through their own website.

Fleet

As of February 2017, the Thomas Cook Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:

Short-haul flights

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 or on the 'My Booking' page of the airline's website. Since May 2012, the in-flight meals available on Thomas Cook flights are designed exclusively by celebrity chef James Martin. Passengers who have not pre-ordered a meal can buy a selection of meals from the cabin crew. In-flight entertainment is available on most services. The new delivery of A321 aircraft will feature drop down 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 cafe cloud menu and Emporium brochure, which details all the drinks & snacks and tax/duty-free products Thomas Cook Airlines stock on board.

Long-haul flights

When flying long haul with Thomas Cook, in-flights meals are included in all cabin classes, chiefly a main meal with crackers and dessert and a further meal before landing. Drinks and snacks can be purchased on board from the Café Cloud menu. The in-flight meals available on board Thomas Cook flights are designed exclusively by celebrity chef James Martin. 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 on-demand seat-back entertainment is available on the A330-200 aircraft.

A new Premium Economy product and service is offered for departures from Manchester and Belfast which includes priority check-in, priority boarding, fast track security, complimentary drinks, meals and snacks, newspapers, extra luggage, pillows, duvets and amenity kits. This cabin has dedicated cabin crew and passengers are seated in the front section of the aircraft in a newly designed cabin.

Short-haul flights

On short-haul flights, entertainment is fitted in A321 and B767 aircraft. Screens are fixed on the ceiling of the aircraft showing numerous films and TV shows depending on the length of the flight. B757-300 aircraft do not have an in-flight entertainment system fitted. Seats in most planes have a headphone socket and controls for 10 radio channels.

Long-haul flights

On long-haul flights, personal seatback entertainment is available on A330 aircraft in both cabins. Economy passengers receive 4 movies and 6 TV shows free. This can be upgraded to the full library, which is unlimited entertainment, for a small fee. This is purchasable from the cabin crew. Premium economy passengers receive complimentary access to the full library. Also, all passengers can listen to 24 radio channels and listen to thousands of songs.

Short-haul flights

Thomas Cook have replaced their B757-200 aircraft with new Airbus A321s. The cabin is yellow and grey to reflect the new corporate livery. The new and refurbished aircraft feature new slim design leather seats in a two tone grey design, with a blue smile and headrest with the new Sunny Heart logo. These seats have a seat pocket in the upper part of the seat in front, which allows for increased legroom. Each seat has its own set of brochures such as Emporium, an entertainment guide and a safety card for that aircraft. The seat in front also has a foldable tray table and cup holder.

Long-haul flights

As of Summer 2015, the A330 aircraft have been refurbished. This includes new seats, a new cabin and new services such as free meals and larger luggage allowances.

Premium Economy is only available on long haul A330 flights. This offers a 35" seat pitch with a 6" recline and a 20" width in a wider 2-3-2 cabin layout. Each seat has an in-arm tray table which can be folded in half to become a cup holder or for other small items. Also underneath each seat in front is a foot rest. Seats also have a personal screen either in the arm rest or seat in front.

Economy seats on long haul flights are set in a 2-4-2 configuration and premium economy is set in a 2-3-2 configuration. Upgrading to premium features added extras such as increased width and comfier seats. Economy and premium economy both have two tone grey seats with a yellow smile. Also, both classes have leather headrests and fabric seats for increased comfort. 1 of 6 A330 aircraft are set in an all economy configuration consisting of seats the same as the A321 but with adjustable headrests and set in 2-4-2. The all economy aircraft operates Glasgow. The 2 cabin A330 aircraft operate primarily out of Manchester.

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