Travel News | Travel Advice

Thomson and First Choice, both part of TUI Travel, have been forced to delay expansion plans for flights and holidays to long haul destinations due to the delayed delivery of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft it has on firm order.

TUI Travel have 23 of the new Boeing aircraft on firm order and Boeing have pushed the entire delivery schedule back. The introduction of new long haul destinations for both Thomson and First Choice is now no longer possible.

The delay in the delivery of the 787 aircraft is quite significant. First Choice Airways (which became part of the TUI group in 2007) was due to receive the first of the 23 787 Dreamliner aircraft in February 2009. This date has been put back to at least March 2011.

First Choice and Thomson are both now taking bookings for long haul holidays departing in 2010. These holidays can be secured with a deposit of just £100 and include destinations such as Sri Lanka, Cuba and the Maldives.

First Choice boasts some of the best long haul cabins in the UK, with economy customers receiving a generous 33” seat pitch, leather seats and a free pampering pack.