Sir Freddie Laker (b.6 Aug 1922 – 9 Feb 2006) was an English airline entrepreneur best known for founding Laker Airways in 1966, which went bankrupt in 1982. He was one of the first airline owners to adopt the "low-cost/no-frills" airline business model, which has since proven successful worldwide.
Laker used to drive around pubs in Surrey drumming up business for his travel firm in his yellow Vauxhall Cadet, which he purchased for £70 and restored. Pictured here in the driver's seat surrounded by his crew, the box on the back contained sales brochures and had the slogan 'Live like a lord with a Lord Bros holiday' painted on.
These photographs were published in the Sunday Times Magazine on the 25th March 1973 for the article 'I'm Freddie, Fly with Me.' At the time of publishing, Laker promoted a 'Walk-on service' flight from Stanstead to New York for £32.50 in the Winter and £37.50 in the Summer. This was almost a third cheaper than rival airlines at the time.
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