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Orion Airways began flying in 1980, carrying holidaymakers as its parent company built a growing travel business. Its fleet expanded from three Boeing 737-200s to eleven by the summer of 1984, before newer aircraft joined the story. This polo shirt celebrates a distinct chapter in British holiday aviation, including Orion’s move from charter work to scheduled services in 1986 and its final flight in January 1989. A thoughtful choice for airline history fans and collectors.
Orion Airways Ltd., usually known as Orion, was a United Kingdom airline established by Horizon Travel in late 1978 to support its package-holiday business amid a shortage of charter capacity. It began flying on 28 March 1980 with three Boeing 737-200s. The fleet grew to 11 of that type by summer 1984, and from 1985 the airline began replacing them with Boeing 737-300s. It also operated Airbus A300s. From 1984, Orion took on charter work for other tour operators. In 1986 it received permission to operate scheduled holiday services from airports in Castle Donington and Birmingham, starting on 4 September. The Horizon group, including Orion, was bought by the brewing and hotels group Bass in 1987. Thomson Travel Group acquired the group in 1988, and Orion was integrated into Britannia Airways in 1989. Orion’s last flight took place on 26 January 1989; its scheduled licenses transferred to Britannia without interruption. At the end of the 1990 summer season, Britannia withdrew from scheduled services in favor of charter flying. Orion’s former management had formed TEA UK with Belgium’s Trans European Airways; unable to base operations at Orion’s former airport, it chose nearby Birmingham.
Orion Airways Cotton Polo Shirt
$38.99
Sale price
$38.99
Regular price
Orion Airways began flying in 1980, carrying holidaymakers as its parent company built a growing travel business. Its fleet expanded from three Boeing 737-200s to eleven by the summer of 1984, before newer aircraft joined the story. This polo shirt celebrates a distinct chapter in British holiday aviation, including Orion’s move from charter work to scheduled services in 1986 and its final flight in January 1989. A thoughtful choice for airline history fans and collectors.
Orion Airways Ltd., usually known as Orion, was a United Kingdom airline established by Horizon Travel in late 1978 to support its package-holiday business amid a shortage of charter capacity. It began flying on 28 March 1980 with three Boeing 737-200s. The fleet grew to 11 of that type by summer 1984, and from 1985 the airline began replacing them with Boeing 737-300s. It also operated Airbus A300s. From 1984, Orion took on charter work for other tour operators. In 1986 it received permission to operate scheduled holiday services from airports in Castle Donington and Birmingham, starting on 4 September. The Horizon group, including Orion, was bought by the brewing and hotels group Bass in 1987. Thomson Travel Group acquired the group in 1988, and Orion was integrated into Britannia Airways in 1989. Orion’s last flight took place on 26 January 1989; its scheduled licenses transferred to Britannia without interruption. At the end of the 1990 summer season, Britannia withdrew from scheduled services in favor of charter flying. Orion’s former management had formed TEA UK with Belgium’s Trans European Airways; unable to base operations at Orion’s former airport, it chose nearby Birmingham.
Product features - Durable double-pique fabric designed for crisp embroidery - Modern classic fit with side seams and vents for better shape - Contoured welt collar and cuffs with a clean, topstitched shoulder - Soft Sport Grey option (90/10 cotton/poly) and 100% ring-spun cotton varieties - Tear-away label, dyed-to-match buttons, and finished placket for polished comfort Care instructions