Orion Airways

Orion Airways was a British charter airline founded in 1979 by Horizon Travel to support its growing package holiday business. Based at East Midlands Airport in Castle Donington, the airline quickly expanded its operations to include scheduled services alongside its core charter flights. Orion primarily served popular holiday destinations across Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, catering to the booming demand for affordable leisure travel during the late 1970s and 1980s.

The airline operated a fleet that included Boeing 737-200s, Boeing 737-300s, and Airbus A300 aircraft. Its main hubs were located at East Midlands, Birmingham International, London Gatwick, and Manchester airports, allowing it to serve a wide range of UK travelers. Orion Airways was known for its distinctive livery and reliable service, which helped it build a loyal customer base during its decade of operation.

In 1989, Orion Airways was merged into Britannia Airways, marking the end of its independent operations. The merger was part of a broader consolidation in the UK travel industry, with Orion’s parent company, Horizon Travel, having been acquired by Bass Brewery and InterContinental Hotels Group. Though Orion ceased to exist as a standalone brand, its legacy lived on through Britannia and later Thomsonfly, contributing to the evolution of British leisure aviation.