Translate
UK charter airline serving holiday destinations worldwide.
Founded
1983
Headquarters
Crawley, United Kingdom
First Choice Airways was a British charter airline that operated leisure flights primarily to holiday destinations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and other sun destinations. It was the airline arm of First Choice Holidays, one of the United Kingdom's major tour operators.
The airline operated under IATA code DP and ICAO code FCA, with the callsign JETSET. It was headquartered in Crawley, West Sussex, near London Gatwick Airport, which served as its primary base of operations.
In 2007, First Choice Holidays merged with TUI Travel, and First Choice Airways was subsequently integrated into Thomson Airways in 2008, ceasing to operate as an independent airline brand. Thomson Airways itself later rebranded as TUI Airways in 2017.
Hubs & network
First Choice Airways operated primarily out of London Gatwick Airport, with additional departures from major regional UK airports including Manchester and Birmingham.
Fleet
The airline operated a fleet consisting mainly of Boeing 757, Boeing 767, and Boeing 747 aircraft configured for high-density leisure travel.
Notable facts
- ›First Choice Airways was the flight division of First Choice Holidays, a major UK package holiday operator.
- ›The airline used the ICAO callsign JETSET, reflecting its leisure travel focus.
- ›Following the merger of First Choice Holidays and TUI Travel in 2007, the airline was absorbed into Thomson Airways in 2008.
- ›Thomson Airways, which absorbed First Choice Airways, later became TUI Airways in 2017.
- ›First Choice Airways operated transatlantic routes to the Caribbean in addition to its European charter services.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
