It's how you deal with the bump in the road that matters! David Thomas, Airline Pilot TUI & former Red Arrows display pilot

David Thomas always wanted to be a pilot. He grew up in Newcastle Upon Tyne and after a successful career with the RAF and the Red Arrows, he now flies 737 with TUI.  He lives with his partner Nikki, their two children Elliott and William. These and Nikki’s other two grown up children Jack and Tom are all a very important part of David’s life. 

From an early age, David was interested in airplanes and had always wanted to fly them. He remembers a holiday in Corfu watching the airplanes land at the airport as a pivotal moment in understanding what he wanted to do. From there, he crafted his education and career around getting to flying airplanes. His focus through school was gearing himself up to join the Royal Air Force after deciding he did not want to go to university.  

After school, David went to RAF Locking as a junior technician for electrical communications for two years. In 1996, he then spent four years training to be a pilot where he got his wings for the Royal Air Force. He learnt to fly Harriers and took great pride in being a NATO asset. As well as his time with the RAF, he also flew with the Red Arrows as a display pilot during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. David decided in 2006 that it was time for more domestic stability, so used his airline license which he’d gained through self-study to get a job with TUI, where is now, as an airline captain.   

In his spare time, David likes to cycle and is a keen photographer. 

For more information visit: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/david-thomas-832a52125