TUI Airways - review

TUI Airways is part of one of the world’s largest integrated tourism businesses. We found TUI operates low-cost scheduled and charter flight services, departing direct from the UK and Ireland to over 70 holiday destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and North America.

TUI Operations: We found TUI to be one of Europe's most comprehensive travel brands, offering both flight and package holiday deals departing from 3 London and 18 UK regional airports. TUI is highly regarded within the airline industry and has been named the 'World's Best Leisure Airline' at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards.

TUI Destinations: TUI offers low-cost flight ticket deals on short, medium and long-haul destinations. Europe's top holiday hot spots remain some of the most popular routes, including the holiday destinations of Benidorm, Mallorca, Ibiza, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the Costa del Sol. TUI offers holiday deals to long-haul destinations too, including Jamaica, New York and Mexico.

Flight Extras & Upgrades

(1) TUI Short-Haul flight extras: For most TUI flights, you can check in online, pre-select your seat, and advance-purchase extra legroom or extra space seats (subject to aircraft type and availability). You also have the option to pre-order hot snacks in advance or purchase in-flight refreshments and snacks once on board subject to availability.

(2) TUI Long-Haul flight extras: TUI Long-haul routes offer direct flights from selected UK airports and two cabin choices, Economy Club and Premium Cabin. Economy Club seating provides good legroom, a complimentary three-course meal served with a glass of wine (menus can vary depending on the time of day and destination), plus a personal seatback entertainment screen packed with movies and games.

(3) Upgrades: Long-haul flight upgrades to Premium Cabin are subject to aircraft type and seat availability. Premium cabin benefits include priority check-in and boarding, fast-track and UK airport lounge access (subject to availability), greater seat pitch, plus individual seatback entertainment screens with on-demand TV, movies and games.

(4) TUI Luggage Allowance: A standard 20kg luggage allowance applies with additional hold luggage available to buy at the time of booking or through the TUI Flight Extras website.

TUI's Fleet

On short and mid-haul routes, TUI operates Boeing 737-800 aircraft, plus the new fuel-efficient 737 MAX. The MAX features additional space for passengers, with extra room for cabin bags, plus convenient USB outlets at every seat.

TUI also operate state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, a long-range aircraft with revolutionary fuel-efficient engines that emit less CO2 and are quieter, with 60 per cent less noise than standard planes during take-off and landing. TUI's modern fleet has helped transform long-haul holiday travel, with the added convenience of no stopovers, larger windows, leather seats, personal seatback entertainment systems, complimentary meals and more headroom and legroom compared with standard aircraft. The TUI fleet contains additional aircraft types and services to the ones mentioned above.

TUI History: The airline started operations in 1962 as Britannia Airways and switched to its current name after a merger between TUI's Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways. In 2015 TUI announced the Thomson name would be dropped from its travel agencies, website and aircraft and replaced with TUI.

TUI is headquartered in Hanover, Germany, with its UK main operational hubs located at London Gatwick Airport (LGW), Manchester Airport (MAN) and Birmingham Airport (BHX).

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