ANTHONY’S TRAVEL ARE FLYING HIGH!
When Anthony’s Travel of Runcorn, winner of the UK Coach Awards Coach Operator of the year were looking for inspiration to name their new coach they looked to the skies christening the new addition to the fleet ‘ The Spirit of Sir Freddie Laker’ after the late owner of Laker Airways and the original pioneer of low cost travel.
Richard Bamber Partner of Anthony’s Travel explains the reason behind the name choice:
‘In 1977 when I was six it was an ambition of my parents to visit the United States, however due to costly flights this was not possible until Laker Airways launched the Skytrain service in the same year offering fares across the Atlantic at around half of the price of the other carriers, therefore we were able to turn dreams into reality and visited California for a month along with my parents, brother, cousin and grandmother. We were even featured in the local papers under the headlines: ‘Grandmother went halfway round the world!‘ and ‘A glimpse of the great American Dream‘.
None of this would of been possible for us if it wasn’t for Freddie Laker who not only revolutionised the airline industry but transport in general and we like to think that this has been of benefit to Anthony’s Travel’
Freddie Allen Laker, Sir Freddie’s son, commented “This is an unexpected and fun tribute to my father’s legacy. My family and I are thrilled that Anthony’s Travel are passionate about the same ideals that my father believed in.”
The Neoplan Tourliner was provided by MAN Bus and Coach, Manchester in association with Landmark Finance and is fitted with the latest EEV Euro 5 engine, 49 reclining seats, Synectics CCTV and Genius system, Orbital tracking system, air conditioning, drinks machine, fridge, microwave and smart vac system.
The exterior of the coach is silver with the Anthony’s Travel livery and ‘ The spirit of Sir Freddie Laker’ in the the style of the Laker Skytrain Logo.
Anthony’s Travel were one of the UK launch customers for the Tourliner in 2007 and takes the amount of Neoplan coaches in Anthony’s Travel fleet to six.
Read more about Laker’s legacy in:
Flight International | 20 December 2011-9 January 2012 (.pdf)
Further coverage in: Runcorn and Widnes World