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Celebrate Orion Airways, the British holiday airline that grew from Horizon Travel’s need for charter capacity into a broader operation. Flying began in 1980 with three Boeing 737-200s, and the fleet reached eleven by summer 1984. Scheduled holiday services followed in 1986, before Orion’s final flight in January 1989 and integration into Britannia. This embroidered dad cap hat offers airline history fans a wearable reminder of a focused decade of fleet growth, route development, and corporate change.
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 Embroidered Dad Cap Hat
$29.99
Sale price
$29.99
Regular price
Celebrate Orion Airways, the British holiday airline that grew from Horizon Travel’s need for charter capacity into a broader operation. Flying began in 1980 with three Boeing 737-200s, and the fleet reached eleven by summer 1984. Scheduled holiday services followed in 1986, before Orion’s final flight in January 1989 and integration into Britannia. This embroidered dad cap hat offers airline history fans a wearable reminder of a focused decade of fleet growth, route development, and corporate change.
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
- Unstructured 6-panel body for a relaxed, low-profile fit
- Permacurv® precurved visor with 4-row stitching and color-matched underbill
- Self-fabric hideaway strap with antique brass buckle and grommet for adjustable fit
- 100% cotton construction (Green Camo variant 65% polyester / 35% cotton)
- Sewn-in label and brand sticker on visor; adult sizing (not for ages 0–3)
Care instructions
- Use warm water and dish soap and clean spots off your hat. It's not necessary to soak the whole item. For hard to clean spots use a soft bristled brush.