The Manchester Giants proved no match for Thomas Cook Airlines when the tallest players from the basketball team visited the airline’s massive hangar at Manchester Airport.
The team brought with them some hot basketball skills to take on the cabin crew…but were firmly shown the right way to behave in the airlines’ posh new premium class cabin.
The visit was to promote the airline’s new long-haul routes to the USA from Manchester Airport. These include new direct flights to Los Angeles and Boston starting in May, complementing routes to Miami, JFK and Las Vegas, a programme which is expanding this year, with another A330-200 joining the Manchester base.
Thomas Cook’s chief airlines and hotels officer, Christoph Debus, said: “Our premium cabin is the bee’s knees and there was still legroom for even the tallest player that the Giants had to offer. Once our cabin crew put their basketballs away, they even helped themselves to our pre-order duty free service and enjoyed a James Martin meal too.”
Patrick Alexander, Head of Marketing for Manchester Airport, said: “Basketball is a sporting institution in the USA and Thomas Cook Airlines routes to LA, Boston, Miami, New York and Las Vegas will give fans the chance to holiday in those cities and watch their NBA heroes close up. And what better way to start their holiday than in the new premium economy product – Manchester Giants approved!”
Giants CEO John Dwan said: ” Basketball in the UK is a great family sport and it’s great to work with such a great family company as Thomas Cook Airlines.
“It’s important when you’re seven feet tall to have plenty of space! And the premium cabin provides just that. The food and service are of the highest quality – and the crew’s basketball skills weren’t too bad either.”