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{{short description|Defunct British charter (and scheduled) airline (2003–2019)}}
{{Infobox Airline
{{About|the defunct British airline|its sister companies|Thomas Cook Group Airlines|the English businessman|Thomas Cook|holiday provider|Thomas Cook Tourism}}
| airline=Thomas Cook Airlines
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
| logo=File:Thomas_Cook_Airlines_Logo.png
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
| IATA=MT
{{Infobox airline
| ICAO=TCX
| airline = Thomas Cook Airlines
| callsign=KESTREL
| logo = Thomas Cook Group AIRLINES logo.png
| aoc=549
| logo_size = 175
| parent=[[Thomas Cook Group]]
| IATA = MT
| founded=30 March 2008
| ICAO = TCX
| company_slogan =''Let's Go!''
| callsign = THOMAS COOK
| headquarters= [[Manchester]], [[England]]
| aoc = 549
| bases=
| parent = [[Thomas Cook Group]]
*[[Belfast International Airport|Belfast]]
| founded = {{start date|1999|09|01|df=yes}}<br />{{small|(as [[JMC Air]])}}
*[[Birmingham Airport|Birmingham]]
| commenced = {{start date|2003|04||df=yes}}<br />{{small|(as ''Thomas Cook Airlines'')}}
*[[Bristol Airport|Bristol]]
| ceased = {{end date|2019|09|23|df=yes}}
*[[Cardiff International Airport|Cardiff]]
| headquarters = [[Manchester]], England, United Kingdom
*[[East Midlands Airport|East Midlands]]
| bases = {{ubl|class=nowrap
*[[Glasgow International Airport|Glasgow]]
*[[Gatwick Airport|London-Gatwick]]
| [[Belfast International Airport|Belfast–International]]
*[[London Stansted Airport|London-Stansted]]
| [[Birmingham Airport|Birmingham]]
*[[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]
| [[Bristol Airport|Bristol]]
*[[Newcastle Airport|Newcastle]]
| [[Cardiff Airport|Cardiff]]
| [[East Midlands Airport|East Midlands]]
| fleet_size=32<!--Check this matches Fleet table below-->
| [[Glasgow Airport|Glasgow]]
| destinations=95<ref>[http://book.thomascookairlines.com/cheap-flights/ Thomas Cook flight route map]</ref>
| [[Gatwick Airport|London–Gatwick]]
| key_people=Christoph Debus ([[Managing director|MD]])<br>Cor Vrieswijk (Head of Operations)
| [[London Stansted Airport|London–Stansted]]
| website={{url|http://www.thomascookairlines.com/}}
| [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]
| [[Newcastle International Airport|Newcastle upon Tyne]]}}
| fleet_size =
| destinations = [[List of Thomas Cook Airlines destinations|82]] (at demise)
| key_people = {{bulleted list|
| [[Peter Fankhauser]] ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
| Christoph Debus (managing director)}}
| net_income = £103.06 million (2018)
| website =
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer =
| num_employees =
| alliance =
| subsidiaries =
}}
}}


'''Thomas Cook Airlines (UK) Limited''', 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.
'''Thomas Cook Airlines Limited''' was a British [[charter]] and scheduled [[airline]] headquartered in [[Manchester]], England. It was founded in 2007 from the merger of [[Thomas Cook Group]] and [[MyTravel Group]], and was part of the [[Thomas Cook Group Airlines]]. It served leisure destinations worldwide from its main bases at [[Manchester Airport]] and [[Gatwick Airport]] on a scheduled and charter basis. It also operated services from eight other bases around the United Kingdom. Thomas Cook Group and all UK entities including Thomas Cook Airlines entered compulsory liquidation on 23 September 2019.


==History==
Thomas Cook Airlines is part of the airline division of the [[Thomas Cook Group]], which consists of several sister airlines, all of which have a joint fleet management: [[Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium]], [[Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia]] and German based [[Condor Flugdienst|Condor]].
[[File:JMC Air Airbus A320 Watt.jpg|thumb|A JMC Air [[Airbus A320-200]] on final approach at [[London Gatwick Airport]] in 2002]]
[[File:Thomas Cook Airlines Boeing 767-31KER; G-TCCB@MAN;14.05.2011 596gp (5732967832).jpg|thumb|A Thomas Cook [[Boeing 767-300ER]] at [[Manchester Airport]] in 2011]]
The airline was created on 1 September 1999 as '''JMC Air Limited''' through the merger of [[Flying Colours Airlines]] and [[Caledonian Airways (1988)|Caledonian Airways]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Otter|first=Saffron|date=2019-09-24|title=When was Thomas Cook founded and how old is it?|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/how-old-thomas-cook-founded-16968382|access-date=2020-09-24|website=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> following the purchase of [[Thomas Cook & Son]] by the Carlson Leisure Group. It started operations on 27 March 2000, operating flights from 6 bases in the UK, offering seat-only bookings and bookings via Thomas Cook Tour Operations. In 2001, the airline became the first UK operator of the stretched [[Boeing 757-300]]. In April 2003, [[Thomas Cook AG]] rebranded its airlines under the ''Thomas Cook'' name brand.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=27 May 2002|title=JMC iarline to be rebranded|url=https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/18454/jmc-airline-to-be-rebranded#:~:text=THOMAS%20Cook%20is%20set%20to%20rebrand%20its%20JMC%20airline.&text=across%20all%20its%20aircraft,%20including,completed%20by%20summer%20next%20year.|access-date=2020-09-24|website=Travel Weekly}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=9 December 2002|title=JMC 757 demonstrates new Thomas Cook livery|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/jmc-757-demonstrates-new-thomas-cook-livery/46086.article|access-date=2020-09-24|website=Flight Global|language=en}}</ref><ref>[http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/ab55eea81d36ea14c8d8f88fffe456f5/compdetails JMC Fades Away]</ref>


In June 2007, following the merger between [[Thomas Cook AG]] and [[MyTravel Group]] to form [[Thomas Cook Group]], on 30 March 2008, [[MyTravel Airways]] was merged with Thomas Cook Airlines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/de0c9e2a-8e75-11dd-9b46-0000779fd18c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/de0c9e2a-8e75-11dd-9b46-0000779fd18c |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Big two UK holiday groups look set to dominate|date=30 September 2008|publisher=FT|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>
Carrying more than 6.7 million passengers, to around 60 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and America from over 20 regional and national airports throughout the UK, Thomas Cook Airlines is one of Britain’s favourite airlines.


In 2013, Thomas Cook Airlines, [[Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium]], [[Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia]] and [[Condor (airline)|Condor]] merged into a single operating segment of a group named the [[Thomas Cook Group Airlines]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/thomas-cook-merges-european-airline-businesses-8482480.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/thomas-cook-merges-european-airline-businesses-8482480.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Thomas Cook merges European airline businesses|date=2013-02-05|website=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-05-09}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Thomas Cook plans airline merger|url=http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2005024&c=setreg&region=2|access-date=2016-05-09|website=Travel Mole}}</ref> Thomas Cook Airlines carried around 6.4 million passengers during 2015, a six per cent increase compared with 2014.<ref name="caa"/>
Thomas Cook Airlines Limited holds a [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]] Type A Operating Licence, permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.<ref>[http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=183&pagetype=90&pageid=340 Operating Licence]</ref>


== History ==
===Collapse===
{{Further|Thomas Cook Group#2019: Final year and collapse}}
===Conception and birth===
The airline fell into liquidation on 23 September 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2019-09-22/thomas-cook-set-to-cease-operating-as-rescue-talks-fail/|title=Thomas Cook set to cease operating as rescue talks fail|work=itv News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Duffy|first1=Clare|last2=McLean|first2=Rob|date=23 September 2019|title=Thomas Cook collapses, leaving thousands of travelers stranded|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/22/business/thomas-cook-collapse/index.html|access-date=2020-09-24|website=CNN}}</ref> Airlines around the world took part in ferrying stranded passengers back to the UK, using their aircraft. The repatriation effort covered 165,000 passengers, the largest in UK history, and 65,000 more passengers than the collapse of [[Monarch Airlines]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/thomas-cook-ceases-trading-flights-bringing-stranded-customers-home-11817529|title=Thomas Cook collapse: Repatriation to take two weeks|website=Sky News}}</ref> The last flight to depart was MT2643, Registration G-MLJL ([[Airbus A330-243]]) from [[Orlando Sanford International Airport|Orlando]] to [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wert|first=Jakob|date=2019-09-23|title=Thomas Cook Airlines suspends operations, planes impounded|url=https://www.ifn.news/posts/thomas-cook-airlines-uk-ceases-operations-planes-impounded/|access-date=2020-09-24|website=International Flight Network|language=en-GB}}</ref> The airline's AOC was revoked on 7 November 2019.


==Corporate affairs==
'''1919'''
===Overview===
Thomas Cook Airlines was part of the airline division of the [[Thomas Cook Group]], which consisted of three more sister airlines, all of which had a joint fleet management: [[Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia]], German-based [[Condor (airline)|Condor]] and [[Thomas Cook Airlines Balearics]]. The airline held a [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]] Type A Operating Licence, permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-industry/Airlines/Licensing/Licence-types/Airline-licence-holders/#4294971660-accordioncollapse-1|title=Operating Licence Holders|work=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)]]|access-date=16 July 2017}}</ref>


===Profits===
In the aftermath of the First World War, Thomas Cook & Son is the first travel agent to advertise public trips by aeroplane (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.
{| class="wikitable"

|+Thomas Cook Airlines Limited Corporate Affairs<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1010455/thomas-cook-airlines-ltd-net-profit/|title=Annual net profit/loss of Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd from 2010 to 2018|work=|access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref>
'''1927'''
!Year

!Net Income
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).
!CEO

'''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 1st 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).

===Creation of Thomas Cook Airlines===
[[File:Thomas Cook Airlines Airbus A320-214; G-DHJZ@MAN;14.05.2011 596ae (5732945374).jpg|thumb|A Thomas Cook aircraft at [[Manchester International Airport]] in it's former livery]]
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|Airworld Aviation Ltd]] into the airline. JMC Airlines was renamed as Thomas Cook Airlines UK on 31 March 2003.<ref>[http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/ab55eea81d36ea14c8d8f88fffe456f5/compdetails Name change to Thomas Cook Airlines]</ref>

Following the merger between [[Thomas Cook AG]] and [[MyTravel Group|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.

===Merger with other Thomas Cook Group Airlines===
In 2013, Thomas Cook Airlines, [[Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium]] and [[Condor Flugdienst|Condor]] merged into a single operating segment of the Thomas Cook Group.<ref>http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2005024&c=setreg&region=2</ref>

==Corporate Affairs==
===Offices===


'''Manchester Airport:'''


Thomas Cook Airlines,
Hanger 1,
Western Maintenance Area,
Runger Lane,
Manchester Airport,
Manchester,
M90 5FL


'''Peterborough:'''


The Thomas Cook Group UK & Ireland,
Thomas Cook Business Park,
Coningsby Road,
Bretton,
Peterborough,
PE3 8SB


'''London:'''


Thomas Cook Group Plc,
3rd Floor,
South Building,
200 Aldersgate,
London,
EC1A 4HD

==Logo's & Slogan's==



In 2001, following the acquisition of Thomas Cook by Condor & Neckermann, a new logo was introduced, combining the Thomas Cook name with the blue and yellow (representing sea and sun) “holiday” colours of C&N. The company slogan of this time was "Don't Just Book It, Thomas Cook It".


In October 2013, the Thomas Cook Group of companies unites for the first time in its history under one identifier (the ‘Sunny Heart’) and celebrates the launch of new, differentiated products and innovative online tools. The company slogan for this logo is "Let's Go !"

== Destinations ==
The airline 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 at www.thomascookairlines.com.

Thomas Cook Airlines operates flights to the following destinations:

'''Africa''', '''Caribbean''', '''North America''', '''Asia''' and '''Europe'''

{{Main|Thomas Cook Airlines destinations}}

==Fleet==

As of March 2015, the Thomas Cook Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:

<center>
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center"
|-
|-
|2010
! rowspan="2" style="width:120px;" | Aircraft
|£21.418 million
! rowspan="2" style="width:65px;" | In Service
|[[Manny Fontenla-Novoa]]
! rowspan="2" style="width:25px;" | Orders
! rowspan="2" style="width:25px;" | Options
! colspan="4" | Passengers
! rowspan="2" | Notes
|-
|-
|2011
! style="width:25px;" | <abbr title="Upper">J</abbr>
|£32.03 million
! style="width:25px;" | <abbr title="Premium Economy">W</abbr>
|[[Manny Fontenla-Novoa]]<br>[[Harriet Green]]
! style="width:25px;" | <abbr title="Economy">Y</abbr>
! style="width:25px;" | Total
|-<!-- Do not add any A320s to the table. The A320 are wet-leased from Aer Lingus, therefore they do not belong to Virgin Atlantic fleet. -->
|[[Airbus A321-200]]
| style="text-align:center;"|15
| style="text-align:center;"|7
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|220
| style="text-align:center;"|220
| Economy Class Configuration in a 3-3 configuration
|-
|-
|2012
|[[Airbus A330-200]]
|£54.61 million
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|rowspan=2|Harriet Green
| style="text-align:center;"|2<!-- If you think that 2 A330 from Monarch Airlines will be transfered. Please provide the source. -->
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|49
| style="text-align:center;"|273
| style="text-align:center;"|322
| Premium (2-3-2 Configuration) Economy (2-4-2 Configuration)
|-
|-
|2013
|[[Boeing 757-200]]
|£77.218 million
| style="text-align:center;"|7
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|235
| style="text-align:center;"|235
| Economy Class Configuration in a 3-3 configuration
|-
|-
|2014
||[[Boeing 757-300]]
|£24.878 million
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|Harriet Green<br>[[Peter Fankhauser]]
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|280
| style="text-align:center;"|280
| Economy Class Configuration in a 3-3 configuration
|-
|-
|2015
||[[Boeing 767-300ER]]
|£85.347 million
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|rowspan=4|Peter Fankhauser
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|326
| style="text-align:center;"|326
| Economy Class Configuration in a 2-4-2 configuration
|-
|-
|2016
!Total
|£171.952 million
!31
|-
!9
|2017
!0
| -(£31.109) million
!colspan="4"|
|-
!
|2018
|£103.061 million
|}
|}
</center>


== Livery ==
===Business figures===
{| class="wikitable"
[[File:Thomas Cook Airlines A321 (G-TCDE) lands Bristol 22.6.14 arp.jpg|thumb|Airbus A321 in current "Sunny Heart" livery]]
! Year !! Total passengers !! Total flights !! Load factor !! Passenger change YoY

When Thomas Cook Airlines was created on 31st March 2003, it created it's first livery and adopted the Thomas Cook 'Globe' as part of it's scheme.

When Thomas Cook Airlines merged with My Travel Airways, both airlines adopted the Thomas Cook 'Globe' livery.

On 1st October 2013 the Thomas Cook Group introduced a new brand symbol, known as the "Sunny Heart".

The famous Thomas Cook Globe symbol was replaced on all it's aircraft with the new 'Sunny Heart' logo.

All new aircraft will be delivered wearing the new full Sunny Heart livery.

The current fleet are due to receive a new white, yellow and grey livery, featuring the new Sunny Heart symbol on the tail fins.

== On-Board Service ==

'''Short Haul'''

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 meals from the cabin crew.

In-flight Entertainment is available on selected services. 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.


'''Long Haul'''


'''''Economy Cabin'''''

When flying long haul with Thomas Cook, in-flights meals are included for all passengers, regardless of which cabin class. This would feature a main meal 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.

✔20kg checked in baggage allowance – non USA routes
✔23kg checked in baggage allowance – USA routes
✔6kg hand baggage allowance – All long haul routes
✔3 course meal service – James Martin
✔Lighter meal/snack prior to landing


'''''Premium Economy Cabin'''''

From May 2015 a new Premium Economy product & service will be offered, including priority check-in, priority boarding, fast track security, complimentary drinks, meals & snacks, newspapers, extra luggage, pillows & duvets & amenity kits.

This cabin will have dedicated cabin crew and passengers will seated in the front section of the aircraft in a newly designed on-board cabin.


Your pre-departure experience
✔Choose seats online prior to departure
✔30kg checked in baggage allowance – non USA routes
✔Two pieces of 23kg checked in baggage allowance (46Kg total) – USA routes
✔10kg hand baggage allowance


While at the airport
✔Sun Down Check-in & Bag Drop open from 4pm-10pm at Manchester Airport
✔Separate Premium Check-in (not including Holguin in Cuba)
✔Fast track security pass at Manchester airport
✔Separate premium boarding
✔Premium baggage – baggage first off


Our on-board services
✔Complimentary welcome drink and snack prior to take-off
✔3 course James Martin premium meal service plus light meal/snack prior to landing
✔Complimentary drinks (not including Champagne)
✔Amenity Kit Cool bag with eye mask, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, head set and ear plugs on the outbound journey and a felt folder for Ipad Mini or E-reader on return

✔Premium pillow and blanket
✔Head-set for the in-flight entertainment system
✔Complimentary activity for kids under 7
✔Newspaper or magazines
✔Additional content on the in-flight entertainment system

== Cabin Interior ==

Thomas Cook are in the process of replacing all their older aircraft with new Airbus A321's. The cabin interior is yellow & grey to reflect the new corporate livery.
[[File:Thomas Cook Airlines Airbus A330 Economy Class Cabin.jpg|thumb|190px|Economy class cabin of a Thomas Cook Airlines Airbus A330-200]]
The new aircraft will feature new slim design leather seats in a two tone grey design, with a yellow smile and headrest with the new Sunny Heart Logo. These seats feature the seat pocket in the upper part of the seat in front, which allows for increased legroom.

On short and medium-haul flights the Airbus A321 & Boeing 757 aircraft are used, both these aircraft types feature a cabin layout of 3-3.

The current fleet of Airbus A321 & Boeing 757’s have undergone a light cabin upgrade to increase your comfort on-board. Sit back and relax with a seat pitch of 29-30”, and a recline of 3”. Whilst you travel to your destination and still why not tune in to a family classic movie or a latest blockbuster on our overhead TV screens in-flight entertainment.

The Boeing 767 is primarily used on medium-haul routes, and operates in an all economy configuration with a 30" seat pitch, in a 2-4-2 cabin layout. This aircraft can be used on longhaul routes when and if additional capacity is needed.

The Airbus A330 aircraft are used primarily on long-haul routes and features personal seat-back entertainment in both Premium Economy and Economy Class Cabins. Economy Class offers a 33" seat pitch in a 2-4-2 cabin layout. Premium Economy offers a 35-36" seat pitch with a 6" recline and a 19" width in a wider 2-3-2 cabin layout.

Over the next 6 months Thomas Cook Airlines are investing over £8.5million in refurbishing their A330 fleet.

With brand new ergonomic seats giving increased living space, they've also reduced the number of seats per row from nine to eight seats to give your seats more width. To make your journey go even faster every seat has a personal on demand video system allowing you to watch the latest blockbusters or enjoy a classic film whilst tucking in to your James Martin meal.

Thomas Cook are introducing a new Premium cabin and service from Manchester, Belfast and selected flights from London Gatwick allowing you to arrive in style, relaxed and ready to start your holiday. With a wider seat, more legroom, dedicated crew you can trust that your every need will be catered for.

== Statistics ==
Thomas Cook Airlines carried around 6.1 million passengers during 2013, a 10.3% reduction compared with 2012.<ref name=CAAairline/>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:400px; margin:auto;"
|+
|-
! style="width:75px"| Year !! Total passengers !! Total flights !! Load factor !! Passenger Change YoY
|-
|-
!2005*
!2005*
Line 318: Line 108:
|-
|-
!2006*
!2006*
|8,441,276 || 42,182 || 89.0% || {{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}9.4%
|8,441,276 || 42,182 || 89.0% ||{{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}9.4%
|-
|-
!2007*
!2007*
|8,528,655 || 43,013 || 87.9% || {{increase}}{{0}}{{0}}1.0%
|8,528,655 || 43,013 || 87.9% ||{{increase}}{{0}}{{0}}1.0%
|-
|-
!2008
!2008
|8,315,327 || 42,410 || 90.0% || {{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}2.5%
|8,315,327 || 42,410 || 90.0% ||{{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}2.5%
|-
|-
!2009
!2009
|8,202,534 || 38,849 || 92.0% || {{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}1.4%
|8,202,534 || 38,849 || 92.0% ||{{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}1.4%
|-
|-
!2010
!2010
|8,120,815 || 37,571 || 93.1% || {{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}1.0%
|8,120,815 || 37,571 || 93.1% ||{{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}1.0%
|-
|-
!2011
!2011
|7,969,693 || 36,103 || 93.3% || {{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}1.9%
|7,969,693 || 36,103 || 93.3% ||{{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}1.9%
|-
|-
!2012
!2012
|6,783,661 || 32,109 || 94.1% || {{decrease}}{{0}}14.9%
|6,783,661 || 32,109 || 94.1% ||{{decrease}}{{0}}14.9%
|-
|-
!2013
!2013
|6,084,315 || 28,438 || 93.1% || {{decrease}}{{0}}10.3%
|6,084,315 || 28,438 || 93.1% ||{{decrease}}{{0}}10.3%
|-
|-
!2014
| colspan="13" style="text-align:right;"| <sup>''* Data for 2005 to 2007 includes [[MyTravel Airways]]<br>Source: [[United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority|UK Civil Aviation Authority]]'' <ref name=CAAairline>{{cite web|url=http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=80&pagetype=88&pageid=1&sglid=1 |title=UK Airline Statistics &#124; Data &#124; Economic Regulation |publisher=UK CAA |date=2010-04-19 |accessdate=2014-05-27}}</ref></sup>
|6,043,480 || 28,858 || 91.4% ||{{decrease}}{{0}}{{0}}0.7%
|-
!2015
|6,395,623 || 30,601 || 91.8% ||{{increase}}{{0}}{{0}}5.8%
|-
!2016
|6,623,564 || 32,208 || 89.8% ||{{increase}}{{0}}{{0}}3.6%
|-
!2017
|7,319,546 || 35,553 || 90.2% ||{{increase}} 10.5%
|-
!2018
|8,092,208 || 39,512 || 90.5% ||{{increase}} 10.6%
|-
|colspan=13 style="text-align:right;"|<sup>* Data for 2005 to 2007 includes [[MyTravel Airways]]<br>''Source: [[United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]]'' <ref name="caa">{{cite web|url=http://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airlines/Datasets/Airline-data/|title=UK Airline Data|work=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)]]|date=29 April 2017|access-date=29 April 2017}}</ref></sup>
|}
|}


== Awards ==
==Fleet==
[[File:Airbus A321-211 ‘G-DHJH’ Thomas Cook (46028638815).jpg|thumb|Thomas Cook Airlines [[Airbus A321-200]]]]
*Silver Award - Most Environmentally Responsible Airline 2008 <ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.britishtravelawards.com/award_ER.php | work= British Travel Awards | title= British Travel Awards | date= 11 December 2008 | accessdate= 2008-12-11 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
[[File:Thomas Cook Airlines, G-OMYT, Airbus A330-243 (47663114631).jpg|thumb|Thomas Cook Airlines [[Airbus A330-200]]]]
* Runner-Up UK Charter Airline for Punctuality - Summer 2006<ref name="fot">[http://www.flightontime.info FlightOnTime.info]</ref>

*FlightOnTime.info Most Punctual UK Charter Airline - Summer 2002 & Summer 2003<ref name="fot" />
===Final active fleet===
*FlightOnTime.info Most Punctual UK Charter Airline - Winter 2002/03, Winter 2003/04, Winter 2008/09 & Winter 2009/10<ref name="fot" />
At the time of closure, the Thomas Cook Airlines fleet consisted of the following aircraft:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siteapps.caa.co.uk/g-info/ |title=GINFO Search Results Summary, Thomas Cook |work=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)]]|date=31 October 2017|access-date=2 November 2017}}</ref>
*Best Airline Website – UK Travelmole Web Awards 2015 <ref>[http://www.travelmole.com/awards.php]</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|+Thomas Cook Airlines fleet
|-
!rowspan=2|Aircraft
!rowspan=2|In <br> service
!rowspan=2|Orders
!colspan=3|Passengers
!rowspan=2|Notes
|-
!<abbr title="Premium Economy Class">P</abbr>
!<abbr title="Economy Class">Y</abbr>
!Total
|-
|[[Airbus A321-200]]
|27
|&mdash;
|&ndash;
|220
|220
|One in Cook's Club livery.
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Airbus A330-200]]
|4
|&mdash;
|49
|273
|322
| rowspan="3" |
|-
|3
|&mdash;
|49
|265
|314
|-
|1
|&mdash;
|52
|261
|313
|-
!Total
!35
!&mdash;
!colspan=4|
|}

===Historical fleet===
As JMC Air, the airline has previously operated the following aircraft:<ref>{{Cite web|title=JMC Airlines Fleet Details and History|url=https://www.planespotters.net/airline/JMC-Airlines?refresh=1|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.planespotters.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Thomas Cook Airlines Fleet Details and History|url=https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Thomas-Cook-Airlines|access-date=2022-04-01|website=www.planespotters.net}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|+ Thomas Cook Airlines historical fleet
!Aircraft
!Total
!Introduced
!Retired
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Airbus A320-200]]
|27
|2000
|2011
|
|-
|12
|2012
|2019
|Leased from [[SmartLynx Airlines]] and [[Avion Express]]
|-
|1
|2017
|2018
|Transferred to [[Thomas Cook Airlines Balearics]]
|-
|[[Boeing 757-200]]
|21
|2000
|2016
|Replaced by Airbus A321-200.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://airinsight.com/thomas-cook-group-visit-replacing-757/|title=Thomas Cook Group visit – Replacing the 757 » AirInsight|date=16 December 2014}}</ref>
|-
|[[Boeing 757-300]]
|5
|2001
|2019
|Transferred to [[Condor (airline)|Condor]].<ref>{{cite web|date=23 November 2018|title=Thomas Cook Airlines UK to retire B757s in 1Q19|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/73124-thomas-cook-airlines-uk-to-retire-b757s-in-1q19|access-date=25 November 2018|work=ch-aviation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=15 January 2019|title=Thomas Cook Airlines UK transitions to all-Airbus fleet|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/74484-thomas-cook-airlines-uk-transitions-to-all-airbus-fleet|work=ch-aviation}}</ref>
|-
|[[Boeing 767-300ER]]
|3
|2010
|2017
|Withdrawn from use and converted to freighters for [[Atlas Air]].
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30]]
|2
|2000
|2001
|
|-
|}

==Callsigns==
The airline has used a number of callsigns:

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=3|Thomas Cook Airlines callsigns
|-
!Callsign
!Dates
!Airline
|-
|KESTRAL
|1990-2002
|Airtours International Limited
|-
|KESTREL
|2002-2007
|MyTravel Airways Limited
|-
|GLOBE
|2003-2005
|Thomas Cook Airlines UK Limited
|-
|TOPJET
|2005-2007
|Thomas Cook Airlines UK Limited
|-
|KESTREL
|2007-2018
|Thomas Cook Airlines Limited
|-
|THOMAS COOK
|2018-2019
|Thomas Cook Airlines Limited (before insolvency)
|}

==Cabin==
===Long haul===
'''Premium economy'''

Thomas Cook offered 'Premium Class' on most long-haul flights on board their Airbus A330 aircraft.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2014-09-16|title=Leisure carrier Thomas Cook unveils long-haul premium cabin|url=https://www.futuretravelexperience.com/2014/09/leisure-carrier-thomas-cook-unveils-new-long-haul-premium-cabin/|access-date=2020-09-24|website=Future Travel Experience|language=en-GB}}</ref> The cabin offered extra legroom, wider seats with more recline, personal entertainment, complimentary hot meal and drinks.<ref name=":1" />

'''Economy'''
Thomas Cook's long-haul 'Economy Class' was offered on all Airbus A330 aircraft. It offered a standard 31-inch of seat-pitch, seat-back entertainment, and complimentary hot meal.<ref name=":1" /> Drinks and additional snacks were available to purchase.<ref name=":1" />

===Short and medium haul===
'''Economy'''
Thomas Cook's short and medium-haul economy cabin on their fleet of A321 aircraft offered a standard seat-pitch of between 28-30-inch at 6-abreast. Drinks and snacks were available to purchase on board or to pre-order and inflight entertainment was available.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thomascookairlines.com/en/fly-with-us/classes-rates/economy-class/short-medium-haul-routes.jsp|title=Thomas Cook Short-Haul cabin}}</ref>

In 2017, the company introduced ''Economy PLUS, a''n upgraded economy class package on short and medium-haul flights.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Ireland|first=Ben|date=18 September 2017|title=Thomas Cook Airlines to introduce Economy PLUS|url=https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/287587/thomas-cook-airlines-to-introduce-economy-plus|access-date=2020-09-24|website=Travel Weekly}}</ref> This package included a priority security lane and check-in, an additional 4&nbsp;kg of hand luggage, inflight drinks and food, access to in-flight entertainment and an option to reserve their seat.<ref name=":2" />

==See also==
*[[List of defunct airlines of the United Kingdom]]


== References ==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
{{commons category|Thomas Cook Airlines}}
{{commons category-inline|Thomas Cook Airlines}}
{{Portal|Greater Manchester|Aviation|Companies}}
*{{official website|http://www.thomascookairlines.com}}
*{{official website|http://www.thomascookairlines.com}}


{{Portalbar|Greater Manchester|Aviation|Companies}}
{{Airlines of the United Kingdom}}
{{Navbox Airlines of the United Kingdom}}
{{Thomas Cook Group}}
{{Thomas Cook Group}}
{{Aviation lists}}


[[Category:Airlines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct airlines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Charter airlines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1999]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2019]]
[[Category:Defunct charter airlines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct charter airlines]]
[[Category:British Air Transport Association]]
[[Category:British Air Transport Association]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 2003]]
[[Category:Companies based in Manchester]]
[[Category:Companies based in Manchester]]

Latest revision as of 16:52, 6 September 2024

This article is about the defunct British airline. For its sister companies, see Thomas Cook Group Airlines. For the English businessman, see Thomas Cook. For holiday provider, see Thomas Cook Tourism.

Thomas Cook Airlines
IATA ICAO Call sign
MT TCX THOMAS COOK
Founded1 September 1999 (1999-09-01)
(as JMC Air)
Commenced operationsApril 2003 (2003-04)
(as Thomas Cook Airlines)
Ceased operations23 September 2019 (2019-09-23)
AOC #549
Operating bases
Destinations82 (at demise)
Parent companyThomas Cook Group
HeadquartersManchester, England, United Kingdom
Key people
Net income£103.06 million (2018)

Thomas Cook Airlines Limited was a British charter and scheduled airline headquartered in Manchester, England. It was founded in 2007 from the merger of Thomas Cook Group and MyTravel Group, and was part of the Thomas Cook Group Airlines. It served leisure destinations worldwide from its main bases at Manchester Airport and Gatwick Airport on a scheduled and charter basis. It also operated services from eight other bases around the United Kingdom. Thomas Cook Group and all UK entities including Thomas Cook Airlines entered compulsory liquidation on 23 September 2019.

History

[edit]
A JMC Air Airbus A320-200 on final approach at London Gatwick Airport in 2002
A Thomas Cook Boeing 767-300ER at Manchester Airport in 2011

The airline was created on 1 September 1999 as JMC Air Limited through the merger of Flying Colours Airlines and Caledonian Airways.[1] following the purchase of Thomas Cook & Son by the Carlson Leisure Group. It started operations on 27 March 2000, operating flights from 6 bases in the UK, offering seat-only bookings and bookings via Thomas Cook Tour Operations. In 2001, the airline became the first UK operator of the stretched Boeing 757-300. In April 2003, Thomas Cook AG rebranded its airlines under the Thomas Cook name brand.[1][2][3][4]

In June 2007, following the merger between Thomas Cook AG and MyTravel Group to form Thomas Cook Group, on 30 March 2008, MyTravel Airways was merged with Thomas Cook Airlines.[5]

In 2013, Thomas Cook Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia and Condor merged into a single operating segment of a group named the Thomas Cook Group Airlines.[6][7] Thomas Cook Airlines carried around 6.4 million passengers during 2015, a six per cent increase compared with 2014.[8]

Collapse

[edit]
Further information: Thomas Cook Group § 2019: Final year and collapse

The airline fell into liquidation on 23 September 2019.[9][10] Airlines around the world took part in ferrying stranded passengers back to the UK, using their aircraft. The repatriation effort covered 165,000 passengers, the largest in UK history, and 65,000 more passengers than the collapse of Monarch Airlines in 2017.[11] The last flight to depart was MT2643, Registration G-MLJL (Airbus A330-243) from Orlando to Manchester.[12] The airline's AOC was revoked on 7 November 2019.

Corporate affairs

[edit]

Overview

[edit]

Thomas Cook Airlines was part of the airline division of the Thomas Cook Group, which consisted of three more sister airlines, all of which had a joint fleet management: Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia, German-based Condor and Thomas Cook Airlines Balearics. The airline held 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.[13]

Profits

[edit]
Thomas Cook Airlines Limited Corporate Affairs[14]
Year Net Income CEO
2010 £21.418 million Manny Fontenla-Novoa
2011 £32.03 million Manny Fontenla-Novoa
Harriet Green
2012 £54.61 million Harriet Green
2013 £77.218 million
2014 £24.878 million Harriet Green
Peter Fankhauser
2015 £85.347 million Peter Fankhauser
2016 £171.952 million
2017 -(£31.109) million
2018 £103.061 million

Business figures

[edit]
Year Total passengers Total flights Load factor Passenger change YoY
2005* 9,320,817 47,287 89.9%
2006* 8,441,276 42,182 89.0% Decrease009.4%
2007* 8,528,655 43,013 87.9% Increase001.0%
2008 8,315,327 42,410 90.0% Decrease002.5%
2009 8,202,534 38,849 92.0% Decrease001.4%
2010 8,120,815 37,571 93.1% Decrease001.0%
2011 7,969,693 36,103 93.3% Decrease001.9%
2012 6,783,661 32,109 94.1% Decrease014.9%
2013 6,084,315 28,438 93.1% Decrease010.3%
2014 6,043,480 28,858 91.4% Decrease000.7%
2015 6,395,623 30,601 91.8% Increase005.8%
2016 6,623,564 32,208 89.8% Increase003.6%
2017 7,319,546 35,553 90.2% Increase 10.5%
2018 8,092,208 39,512 90.5% Increase 10.6%
* Data for 2005 to 2007 includes MyTravel Airways
Source: United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority [8]

Fleet

[edit]
Thomas Cook Airlines Airbus A321-200
Thomas Cook Airlines Airbus A330-200

Final active fleet

[edit]

At the time of closure, the Thomas Cook Airlines fleet consisted of the following aircraft:[15]

Thomas Cook Airlines fleet
Aircraft In
service 		Orders Passengers Notes
P Y Total
Airbus A321-200 27 — – 220 220 One in Cook's Club livery.
Airbus A330-200 4 — 49 273 322
3 — 49 265 314
1 — 52 261 313
Total 35 —

Historical fleet

[edit]

As JMC Air, the airline has previously operated the following aircraft:[16][17]

Thomas Cook Airlines historical fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Notes
Airbus A320-200 27 2000 2011
12 2012 2019 Leased from SmartLynx Airlines and Avion Express
1 2017 2018 Transferred to Thomas Cook Airlines Balearics
Boeing 757-200 21 2000 2016 Replaced by Airbus A321-200.[18]
Boeing 757-300 5 2001 2019 Transferred to Condor.[19][20]
Boeing 767-300ER 3 2010 2017 Withdrawn from use and converted to freighters for Atlas Air.
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 2 2000 2001

Callsigns

[edit]

The airline has used a number of callsigns:

Thomas Cook Airlines callsigns
Callsign Dates Airline
KESTRAL 1990-2002 Airtours International Limited
KESTREL 2002-2007 MyTravel Airways Limited
GLOBE 2003-2005 Thomas Cook Airlines UK Limited
TOPJET 2005-2007 Thomas Cook Airlines UK Limited
KESTREL 2007-2018 Thomas Cook Airlines Limited
THOMAS COOK 2018-2019 Thomas Cook Airlines Limited (before insolvency)

Cabin

[edit]

Long haul

[edit]

Premium economy

Thomas Cook offered 'Premium Class' on most long-haul flights on board their Airbus A330 aircraft.[21] The cabin offered extra legroom, wider seats with more recline, personal entertainment, complimentary hot meal and drinks.[21]

Economy Thomas Cook's long-haul 'Economy Class' was offered on all Airbus A330 aircraft. It offered a standard 31-inch of seat-pitch, seat-back entertainment, and complimentary hot meal.[21] Drinks and additional snacks were available to purchase.[21]

Short and medium haul

[edit]

Economy Thomas Cook's short and medium-haul economy cabin on their fleet of A321 aircraft offered a standard seat-pitch of between 28-30-inch at 6-abreast. Drinks and snacks were available to purchase on board or to pre-order and inflight entertainment was available.[22]

In 2017, the company introduced Economy PLUS, an upgraded economy class package on short and medium-haul flights.[23] This package included a priority security lane and check-in, an additional 4 kg of hand luggage, inflight drinks and food, access to in-flight entertainment and an option to reserve their seat.[23]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Otter, Saffron (24 September 2019). "When was Thomas Cook founded and how old is it?". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  2. ^ "JMC iarline to be rebranded". Travel Weekly. 27 May 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  3. ^ "JMC 757 demonstrates new Thomas Cook livery". Flight Global. 9 December 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  4. ^ JMC Fades Away
  5. ^ "Big two UK holiday groups look set to dominate". FT. 30 September 2008. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  6. ^ "Thomas Cook merges European airline businesses". The Independent. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Thomas Cook plans airline merger". Travel Mole. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  8. ^ a b "UK Airline Data". Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom). 29 April 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  9. ^ "Thomas Cook set to cease operating as rescue talks fail". itv News.
  10. ^ Duffy, Clare; McLean, Rob (23 September 2019). "Thomas Cook collapses, leaving thousands of travelers stranded". CNN. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Thomas Cook collapse: Repatriation to take two weeks". Sky News.
  12. ^ Wert, Jakob (23 September 2019). "Thomas Cook Airlines suspends operations, planes impounded". International Flight Network. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Operating Licence Holders". Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom). Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  14. ^ "Annual net profit/loss of Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd from 2010 to 2018". Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  15. ^ "GINFO Search Results Summary, Thomas Cook". Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom). 31 October 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  16. ^ "JMC Airlines Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  17. ^ "Thomas Cook Airlines Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  18. ^ "Thomas Cook Group visit – Replacing the 757 » AirInsight". 16 December 2014.
  19. ^ "Thomas Cook Airlines UK to retire B757s in 1Q19". ch-aviation. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  20. ^ "Thomas Cook Airlines UK transitions to all-Airbus fleet". ch-aviation. 15 January 2019.
  21. ^ a b c d "Leisure carrier Thomas Cook unveils long-haul premium cabin". Future Travel Experience. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Thomas Cook Short-Haul cabin".
  23. ^ a b Ireland, Ben (18 September 2017). "Thomas Cook Airlines to introduce Economy PLUS". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
[edit]

Media related to Thomas Cook Airlines at Wikimedia Commons

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