Part of leading international leisure travel company TUI Travel PLC, First Choice Airways is one of the UK's leading leisure airlines. It was founded in 1987 as air2000 with the aim of delivering value for money while maintaining exceptional service and performance standards.
Operating a fleet of 32 aircraft from 15 UK airports, it now flies six million customers on more than 30,000 flights to around 60 destinations world-wide every year, including the Maldives, Mexico and resorts across the Mediterranean.
As well as its parent company, the airline works with more than 80 tour operators and also provides bespoke flights for clients ranging from Manchester United FC to the UK government. Its freight business, Viking Aviation, carries 6 million kg of cargo each year from furniture to racing cars.
First Choice Airways remains faithful to its original aims. It continues to lead the market in terms of On Time Performance; in summer 2003 it achieved the best OTP of all UK charter carriers. It has also consistently worked to set the standard for airlines in its sector; it was the first to introduce hot meals, hot towels and newspapers on all flights, as well as the first to offer computerised in-flight information and entertainment.
In summer 2005, it introduced three new look Boeing 767s. Fitted with Boeing's 777-style interior, the aircraft will offer: enhanced legroom of 36" in Premium class and 33" in Standard, ground-breaking seat back in-flight entertainment giving customers up to 30 channels on 9" widescreen TVs in Premium and up to 20 on 7" widescreen TVs in Standard, as well as upgraded meals and dedicated crew per cabin.
Commitment to product and service innovation ensures First Choice Airways consistently receives industry and consumer recognition. It has won the prestigious British Travel Award for Best Charter Airline 3 times and the Golden Globe in the same category 6 times.
The airline re-branded as First Choice Airways in March 2004, taking on the name of its parent company to reflect its status as the airline of one of the UK's four major tour operators and to ensure our customers can enjoy the First Choice experience from the beginning of their holiday to the end.
As a First Choice Airways customer, First Choice Airways strives to offer you the highest standards of care before, during and after your flights with us. To that end, First Choice Airways is a signatory to the European Airline Passenger Service Commitment to deliver defined standards of service to air travellers.
The Commitment addresses fourteen areas of customer service before, during and after travel. Although not legally bound by these commitments, we undertake to do our utmost to ensure you will receive a consistently high level of service while in our care.
Utilising this framework, First Choice Airways has developed its own Customer Service Commitment applicable to all customers travelling on First Choice Airways flights. The First Choice Airways Customer Service Commitment describes the level of service you may expect from us and reflects our corporate philosophy to combine exceptional value for money with class leading levels of service, reliability and performance. Read our commitment
Although most First Choice Airways flights depart on time, there are unfortunately occasions when a flight will be delayed. If your outbound or return flight is delayed, First Choice Airways believes it is our responsibility to look after you. Your tour operator, First Choice Airways or our agents will do our best to keep you informed and, depending on airport facilities, will offer assistance and/or welfare. Read our delay management policy
For delays up to 3 hours:
For delays of 3 to 4 hours:
For delays of 4 to 8 hours:
For delays of more than 8 hours:
First Choice Airways currently operates a fleet of 32 aircraft:
First Choice Airways works hard to minimise its impact on the environment in line with First Choice Group's commitment to sustainable tourism. Its fleet and operational strategies focus achieving a reduction in fuel consumption per revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) and emissions per revenue passenger kilometre (RPK), minimising airline-specific waste through a combination of reduction, re-use and recycling and minimising impact from aircraft noise by improving tracking accuracy at noise sensitive airports.
The airline flies a modern, fuel-efficient fleet, which operates with very high load factors. First Choice Airways currently consumes around half of the amount of fuel per passenger compared to a leading scheduled airline. Future work will study aircraft lease arrangements, for example by discussing appropriate environmental issues when considering renewing aircraft in the fleet. Further to this, recent educational initiatives for pilots to highlight the environmental benefits of fuel-efficiency are already providing savings in fuel burn.
Recognising the potential impact of noise on communities around airports, First Choice Airways works with operators to minimise noise pollution. On departure, aircraft follow designated noise preferential routes (set by a combination of airspace, air traffic and environmental criteria). On approach, they employ techniques which maximise the use of idle thrust (descending using less power) and thereby minimise noise.
First Choice Airways aims to reduce and recycle waste generated both in-flight and by engineering work. Initiatives are currently under way to investigate the feasibility of waste segregation on-board aircraft. A recent cabin survey highlighted the amount generated on typical long and short haul flights; the airline is now working to gauge how much could be recycled. The engineering teams are also measuring levels of engineering waste with the aim of identifying areas where the airline can minimise, recycle and reuse materials. First Choice Airways is also looking at resource efficiency measures including saving energy and water across all its bases and offices.
As well as flying six million passengers to destinations across five continents, First Choice Airways also carries six million kg of freight per year. Through its cargo division, Viking Freight, it sells excess hold space from its flight programme to customers around the world, transporting cargo, which ranges from furniture to ships masts and aircraft engines. It has also provided solutions for complex customer requests: transporting hot air balloons for the Challenger Team, moving racing cars for the Daytona Speedway, carrying lobsters to Tenerife, live worms to Orlando and Antiguan rum to London for the Boat Show
First Choice Airways can offer you a powerful mix of traditional and ambient advertising opportunities at cost-effective rates. Subject to availability, some opportunities include our in-flight magazine, television and radio, our scheduled services timetable and ambient media including meal tray cards, seat back cards and in-flight carrier bags. For further information, please contact OnPack Media on 020 7428 7012 or email firstchoice@onpack.com.