757s: Monarch or BA?

[swashplate]

Just purely out of Interest:

I read in an Airlines book that Monarch Airlines were the first company in Europe to operate the Boeing 757-200 in 1983.
I always thought that this was British Airways - they were the Launch customer for this type in 1978, or so I thought?

Can someone please enlighten me?

[jetstream7]

I believe BA was first by a couple of months.

If I remember correctly early 83 for BA, whilst Monarch started for the summer 83 holiday season, so I presume they took delivery in March or April

[Eff Oh]

British Airways and Eastern Airlines of the US, were joint launch coustomers of the B757-200. Eastern took delivery of their first 2 aircraft in December 1982. BA's followed shortly thereafter. (January 1983.) Monarch recieved their aircraft in March 1983.
Hope this helps!!
Eff Oh.

[Brace, Brace]

Monarch were first to go ETOPS using the 757, maybe that is the first you were thinking about.

[swashplate]

Thanks for that, chaps.

Just wanted to know because I flew on Monarch 757 as a (very young) SLF in July 1983 from MAN to Palma Majorca. At that time, the 757 was the all-new swanky glamourous a/c to be on, so thats why I remember it. Had only flown on Britannia 737s/Dan-Air 727s before that. There were also all the ads for the then-new BA super shuttle service, as well.

This book I was looking in said they were first, so it shows how people check thier facts.........NOT!!!!!

[This message has been edited by swashplate (edited 15 February 2001).]