Flybe history
It all began in 1979 when Jersey European Airways was formed and began operating regional services from Jersey.
In November 1983 the companywas taken over by the Walkersteel group, already the parent company of Blackpool-based charter airline, Spacegrand.
Jersey European Airways and Spacegrand were initially run separately until 1985 when they were amalgamated and Exeter became the airline’s headquarters and base for Technical Services.
Success and growth continued into the 1990s with the acquisition of six additional Fokker F27s as passenger numbers continued to increase. A new appearance was launched in 1990, including a new livery and new uniforms.
Jersey European Airways gained its first London route in 1991 from Guernsey to London Gatwick and shortly afterwards the route from Jersey to London Gatwick began operation.
1993, three British Aerospace 146 Whisper Jets were introduced to operate routes from London to Belfast City and the Channel Islands. This proved such a success that a fourth jet was acquired later in the year to operate Belfast City to Birmingham.
In 1993 Business Class service was launched, making Jersey European Airways the first domestic airline to offer two classes.
The industry began to recognise Jersey European Airways as a major regional airline when it won the ‘Best UK Regional Airline’ award for 1993 and 1994 at the Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism awards. Jet maintenance was brought to Exeter in 1994, which expanded the scope for third-party customer services.
In November 1983 the companywas taken over by the Walkersteel group, already the parent company of Blackpool-based charter airline, Spacegrand.
Jersey European Airways and Spacegrand were initially run separately until 1985 when they were amalgamated and Exeter became the airline’s headquarters and base for Technical Services.
Success and growth continued into the 1990s with the acquisition of six additional Fokker F27s as passenger numbers continued to increase. A new appearance was launched in 1990, including a new livery and new uniforms.
Jersey European Airways gained its first London route in 1991 from Guernsey to London Gatwick and shortly afterwards the route from Jersey to London Gatwick began operation.
1993, three British Aerospace 146 Whisper Jets were introduced to operate routes from London to Belfast City and the Channel Islands. This proved such a success that a fourth jet was acquired later in the year to operate Belfast City to Birmingham.
In 1993 Business Class service was launched, making Jersey European Airways the first domestic airline to offer two classes.
The industry began to recognise Jersey European Airways as a major regional airline when it won the ‘Best UK Regional Airline’ award for 1993 and 1994 at the Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism awards. Jet maintenance was brought to Exeter in 1994, which expanded the scope for third-party customer services.
1994 and 1995 saw more BAe 146 jets joining the fleet, bringing the total number of jets to seven. Three new Business lounges were opened at Belfast City, Jersey and Guernsey, as well as the launch of the innovative Ticket to Freedom frequent flyer scheme to reward the loyal business customer.
The franchise partnership with Air France continued to expand in 1997 to include Birmingham International to Paris Charles de Gaulle and Glasgow for which 3 more BAe 146 aircraft were acquired. 
The new millennium saw the airline announce a new brand name at the beginning of May; British European. The rebrand reflected the true size and scope of what was now the UK’s third-largest scheduled airline. 
July 2002 saw the start of a new beginning for the airline, British European was forced to dramatically change its business model to survive in such a highly competitive and aggressive new low cost travel era. Flybe was born and along with it a bright modern brand and changes to commercial, fleet and operational policies that were to transform the airline. 
Flybe timeline
- 1979 - Airline founded as Jersey European
- 1983 - Airline taken over by the Walkersteel Group
- 1990 - Airline changed appearance with new livery and new uniforms
- 1991 - Jersey European gained its first London route from Guernsey to London Gatwick
- 1993 - Business Class Service was launched, making Jersey European the first domestic airline to offer two classes of service
- 1993/4 - Jersey European recognised as a major regional airline winning ‘Best UK Regional Airline’ award at Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism awards
- 1994 - Jet maintenance brought to Exeter
- 1995 - Launch of innovative ‘Ticket to Freedom’ frequent flyer scheme
- 1996 - First franchise routes in conjunction with Air France are launched from London Heathrow to Toulouse and Lyons
- 1999 - London City was established as a new base offering services to Dublin and Edinburgh
- 2000 - Jersey European becomes British European
- 2002 - British European becomes Flybe
- 2003 - Flybe voted the ‘Most Recommended UK Low Fares Airline’ by Holiday Which? Magazine
- 2004 - Flybe breaks in to the French market with the launch of new sun and ski destination routes and announces record half-year profits of £14million
- 2005 - Flybe signs a deal with Bombardier Aerospace for 20 Q400-78’s and the airline also adds Liverpool John Lennon and Norwich International to its domestic operations bases
- 2005 - Voted most popular UK Domestic and France-bound airline in Holiday Which?
- 2005 - CEO Jim French wins Executive of the Year at the Low Fares and Regional Aviation Summit
- 2005 - 17 new routes announced for 05/06
- 2005 - Massive aircraft order announced for upto 26 brand new Embraer 195 aircraft (14 firm and 12 options) which sees Flybe as the global launch customer
- 2005 - Wins award for Best Low Fares Airline Northern Ireland
- 2005 - First airline to offer celebrity endorsed snacks and sandwiches onboard
- 2005 - 14 new routes announced for summer 2006
- 2005 - Became first airline to introduce Fair Deal on Baggage
- 2006 - £12m invested in a brand new Hangar Facility in Exeter
- 2006 - Appoints four Non Executive Directors and announces year end profits of £6.6m
- 2006 - Names Belfast based aircraft after the football legend George Best
- 2006 - Becomes 1st low cost airline to offer passenger choice of including Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance protection as part of booking process
- 2006 - Launches on-line check-in facility - Q-Buster and becomes first airline to offer on-line check-in to passengers carrying hand and hold baggage
- 2006 - As part of its community commitment announces sponsorship of three Championship teams Norwich, Birmingham and Southampton
- 2006 - Launches self-service check-in facility
- 2006 - Takes delivery in Brazil of first ever Embrear 195 aircraft
- 2006 - Flybe agrees to acquire BA Connect in a deal that will see Flybe become Europe's largest regional airline
- 2007 Acquisition of BA Connect completed 5th March with full integration on 25th March
- 2007 Launches world first for Eco Labelling scheme for airline industry
- 2007 Rewards4all, the UK’s first low cost customer loyalty scheme opens to all passengers
- 2007 Flybe become sponsors of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC
- 2008 Announce landmark franchise agreement with Loganair, the Scottish regional airline, that will see it take to the skies in Flybe colours on 26th October 2008
- 2008 Introduces new 3-a-day Aberdeen to London Gatwick service after BA withdrawal of service
- 2008 Flybe named by UK Government as an Awarding Body for Flybe’s own approved qualifications
- 2008 Flybe re-accommodates 20,000 passengers left without flights after collapse of Isle of Man-based airline Euromanx, all without charge