From Laker to Lufthansa

Location: Various countries around the world.

Summary: I was asked the other day if I had flown with a certain airline, and it got me thinking of all the different airlines I have travelled with over the years. My first flight was with Freddie Lakers Sky train from LGW to Miami. It was my first-ever flight and since then, I have taken hundreds of flights with over 30 different airlines. The last one that I currently have booked is with Lufthansa on a journey from the Dominican Republic to Spain via Frankfurt.

My longest flight was a flight to Sydney in Australia that stopped briefly in Singapore. It beat my previous longest flight after I cruised from Barcelona to Rio de Janeiro, and returned on a flight from Brazil to Spain.

On another flight, I was going to Las Vegas and had to fly through a storm. When lightning just missed the plane, it dropped 300 feet (91.44 metres), even the air hostesses screamed, and the Nun I was sat next to threw up and started preying.

I flew over the Painted Dessert in a DeHavilland DHC‑6 Twin Otter on a sightseeing trip once. I have flown in helicopters over the  Grand Canyon three times and over and onto the  Mendenhall Glacier once. I have even flown in a Learjet 35A air ambulance when I was airlifted from Barcelona to Southampton in 2014 after a short trip and long enforced hospital stay, after I went to see both  Madrid and Barcelona.

I flew in a small two-seater Cessna plane that a friend in Orlando owned. We flew from Kissimmee to Lakeland, touched down and flew back a few hours later. He even let me take control of the plane and fly it myself for a short time.

These are the airlines that I can remember flying with but if I remember any others I will add them as they come back to me. I have added them all in airline name, alphabetically.

Air 2000

A British charter airline founded in 1987, Air 2000 specialised in holiday flights across Europe, North Africa, and long‑haul leisure routes. Known for friendly crews and reliable service, it later became part of First Choice Airways before merging into Thomson Airways.

I flew from London to Jamaica when I went on a Thomas Cook package holiday in 1991. I also flew Air 2000 in the early 1990s, Air 2000 experimented with unusual long‑haul charter routings to test demand from smaller UK airports. Southampton was one of them.

They operated a single long‑haul charter that:

1. Departed Southampton

2. Flew to Cardiff to pick up the main load of passengers

3. Continued across the Atlantic to Florida (usually Orlando or Sanford)

This was done because:

• Southampton’s runway was too short for a fully‑loaded long‑haul aircraft
• They could depart lightly loaded, refuel or take on passengers in Cardiff
• Cardiff had the runway length needed for a heavy takeoff
• Tour operators wanted to test demand for “local airport to Florida” holidays

It was a trial flight, not a regular service.

American Airlines

One of the world’s largest airlines, American is a major US carrier with an extensive domestic network and strong international reach. It’s known for its massive fleet, frequent‑flyer programme, and long history dating back to the 1930s.

Air China

China’s national flag carrier, operating major international routes from Beijing. Air China is part of Star Alliance and offers a mix of modern long‑haul aircraft and strong regional coverage across Asia.

I flew Air China on my journeys out to and on the return leg of my  Escorted Tour of China. The tour also included several internal flights all on smaller Air China aircraft.

Air France

France’s national airline, known for polished service, strong European connectivity, and long‑haul flights from Paris. A founding member of Sky Team, it has a reputation for style, comfort, and excellent food onboard.

I flew with Air France as part of my journey from Spain to Japan via Paris for an  escorted tour of Japan, I actually circumnavigated the world on the combined outbound and return flights.

Air India

India’s flag carrier, operating long‑haul routes to Europe and the US alongside domestic services. Historically known for its Maharaja branding, Air India is now modernising its fleet and service under new ownership.

I flew Air India from London to Delhi when I went to  India on an escorted tour, it is still one of the best holidays I have been on.

America West

A former US airline based in Phoenix and Las Vegas, popular in the 80s and 90s. Known for affordable fares and friendly crews, it later merged with US Airways, which eventually became part of American Airlines.

I flew America West on an Internal flight in the USA.

Britannia

One of Britain’s biggest charter airlines, flying millions of holidaymakers to Europe and beyond. Known for dependable service and strong ties to Thomson holidays, it eventually rebranded into Thomson fly.

British Airways

The UK’s flagship carrier, offering global long‑haul routes and premium service. BA is known for its heritage, large fleet, and strong presence at Heathrow, with a reputation for reliability and international reach.

I have flown British Airways many times on many journeys around the World. I have even flown first class with British Airways after being given a free upgrade on a return trip from Orlando to London once.

British Caledonian

A Scottish‑based charter airline known for long‑haul leisure flights in the 80s and 90s. It offered a more premium holiday experience and later merged into other UK leisure carriers.

I would have used them on flights from England to somewhere in America on one of the many flights I took to different airports. I used to fly to one city in America, drive around exploring different American areas, and fly back from another City.

Continental

A major US airline with a strong reputation for customer service and international routes, especially to Europe and Latin America. Continental merged with United Airlines in 2010, forming today’s United brand.

Delta

One of the largest airlines in the world, Delta is known for excellent operational reliability and a massive US network. A founding Sky Team member, it operates extensive long‑haul routes with a modern fleet.

EasyJet

A leading European low‑cost airline based in the UK. Known for simple, affordable fares and a considerable network across Europe, easyJet focuses on efficiency, quick turnarounds, and no‑frills service.

Emirates

Dubai’s flagship airline, famous for luxury, modern aircraft, and world‑class service. Emirates operates one of the largest fleets of Airbus A380s and connects passengers globally through its Dubai hub.

I used Emirates when I flew back from a  New Zealand escorted tour, to London. I flew from New Zealand to Australia to London, changing at Dubai en route.

First Choice

First Choice Airways was the flight arm of the First Choice holiday company, operating charter and long‑haul leisure routes from the UK. Known for friendly crews and modern aircraft, it focused on comfortable holiday travel rather than business routes. In 2008, it merged with Thomsonfly, eventually becoming part of today’s TUI Airways.

Iberia

Spain’s national airline, based in Madrid. Iberia offers strong links to Latin America and Europe and is part of the IAG group alongside British Airways. Known for warm service and modernised long‑haul cabins.

I have flown Iberia several times on short trips but also on longer flights. I flew to Lima in Peru for an  escorted tour of Peru using Iberia and my flight back from my  Cruise, from Barcelona to Rio de Janeiro was also with Iberia.

Icelandair

Iceland’s main airline, specialising in transatlantic flights via Reykjavík. Famous for its stopover programme, Icelandair uses narrow‑body aircraft on long routes and offers a unique Nordic service style.

I used to fly regularly on Icelandair from London to Iceland and onto Orlando. It was the cheapest way to get there and by a strange coincidence my neighbour in Iceland, Karl Carlsson was a pilot for Iceland air and whenever I flew he would arrange for me to get free drinks.

KLM

The world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name. KLM is known for friendly Dutch service, blue aircraft, and a strong global network through Amsterdam Schiphol.

I flew KLM on a flight to Orlando when I went there via Amsterdam from Spain once.

Laker

Founded by Sir Freddie Laker, this pioneering British airline introduced low‑cost transatlantic travel with its famous “Sky train” service. It changed aviation history before ceasing operations in the 1980s.

One of the more unusual travel memories from my early years of flying came from the collapse of Laker Airways. We had flown with them to Miami, enjoyed the holiday, and returned home without any hint that the airline was about to disappear. Not long after, Laker went out of business completely, leaving thousands of passengers stranded around the world. We were lucky, our trip had already finished, but the story didn’t end there.

The following year, something unexpected happened. Because of the chaos surrounding Laker’s collapse and the way other airlines behaved during that period, British Airways quietly offered compensation flights to families who had been affected or inconvenienced. It wasn’t a public scheme, and it certainly wasn’t advertised. It was more like a behind‑the‑scenes gesture to smooth things over while the industry was under pressure and facing legal trouble.

We were one of the families who received that gesture. Out of the blue, we were given free flights with British Airways to travel from London to Orlando. For a kid, the idea of a bonus holiday to Florida felt unbelievable. For the adults, it was a strange reminder of how turbulent the airline industry had been at the time.

Looking back, it still feels surreal. One year we were flying with Laker to Miami, unaware that the airline was about to vanish. The next year, we were boarding a British Airways flight to Orlando, a trip we never expected and didn’t pay for. It remains one of the most unusual travel experiences I’ve had, a small personal footnote in the bigger story of an airline that tried to change the industry and paid the price for it.

LAN

Part of the LATAM group, LAN Peru operates domestic and international flights across South America. Known for modern aircraft and reliable service, it connects Peru with major regional hubs.

I flew with LAN internally as part of my  Peru escorted tour in 2013.

Lufthansa

Germany’s flag carrier and one of Europe’s largest airlines. Lufthansa is known for efficiency, engineering quality, and a vast global network. A founding member of Star Alliance.

I will be flying back from the  Dominican Republic after my cruise, using a Lufthansa flight via Frankfurt in Germany.

Monarch

A British leisure airline that operated for nearly 50 years. Monarch flew holiday routes across Europe and had a loyal customer base before ceasing operations in 2017.

Norwegian

A major European low‑cost carrier known for modern aircraft and long‑haul ambitions. Norwegian introduced affordable transatlantic flights and remains a strong regional operator.

Qantas

Australia’s national airline and one of the world’s safest carriers. Qantas operates long‑haul routes across the globe and is known for excellent service and iconic branding.

I flew Qantas to Australia for my  escorted tour of Australia.

Ryanair

Europe’s largest low‑cost airline, famous for ultra‑cheap fares and no‑frills service. Ryanair’s massive network and aggressive pricing reshaped European aviation.

I have flown Ryanair many times from Spain to England and also when I flew from Spain to  Morocco for a short trip.

I will say that if there were any other airlines flying the routes that I have flown with Ryanair I would have travelled with anyone else because I hate Ryanair. The planes are minimal and uncomfortable and the worst I have travelled on anywhere.

South West

The original low‑cost airline in the US, known for open seating, friendly crews, and Boeing 737s. Southwest pioneered the budget model and remains hugely popular domestically.

Thomas Cook

A UK leisure airline tied to the Thomas Cook holiday brand. It operated short‑ and long‑haul flights until the company collapsed in 2019.

Thomson

A major British holiday airline, formerly Britannia. Thomson operated a large fleet for package holidays before rebranding as TUI Airways.

TWA

A legendary US airline known for glamorous long‑haul travel and global routes. TWA was a major international carrier before merging into American Airlines in 2001.

I flew TWA when I used to travel to different Cities in America when I was exploring the USA.

United

A major US airline with a huge domestic network and strong international presence. United operates globally through its Chicago, Newark, and San Francisco hubs and is part of Star Alliance.

I liked United a lot and often used them when I used to fly quite a lot from London to America. 

Virgin Atlantic

A British long‑haul airline founded by Richard Branson, known for stylish cabins, great service, and a fun, modern brand. Virgin specialises in transatlantic and leisure long‑haul routes.

I have flown Virgin Atlantic on several occasions from London to Orlando on trips to my homes in Florida.

Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia is one of Australia’s major airlines, offering domestic flights across the country and international routes to Asia and the Pacific. Known for its stylish branding and relaxed, modern service, it brought a fresh alternative to Qantas in the Australian market. The airline continues to operate a mix of short‑ and long‑haul aircraft with a strong focus on customer experience.

I used Virgin Australia on an Internal flight in Australia when our Qantas flight from  Brisbane to Cairns was cancelled and our tour guide managed to get us on a different flight.

Vueling

A Spanish low‑cost airline based in Barcelona. Vueling offers affordable fares and a large European network, with a focus on Mediterranean and business routes. I have flown Vueling on many short-haul flights in Europe.