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25th Anniversary Special - Free UK Mainland Delivery over £25
February 1st 2025
4 min read

Soaring For 25 Years: The Flightstore Story

Soaring For 25 Years: The Flightstore Story
As Flightstore celebrates its 25 years, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the journey that started with a single page website in 1997 and has evolved into one of the most recognised names in aviation retail. From humble beginnings to becoming a leading name in aviation retail, Flightstore has remained true to its vision of delivering exceptional products, service and a unique shopping experience to aviation enthusiasts and pilots alike.


1997: Where It All Began

It all started in 1997 when Flightstore founder, Andrew, was asked by his father-in-law, the director of Yorkshire Aviation Airshow, Elvington Air Spectacular, to create a single-page website for the event. What began as a small project quickly grew over the years, and by late 1999, Andrew was tasked with figuring out how to sell event tickets online—marking his first venture into ecommerce.

“Looking back, I never imagined it would lead to where we are today," said Andrew. “The growth of the airshow and the website mirrored one another, and before long, we were building something far bigger than a website.”

As the website expanded, Andrew began adding a selection of pilot products and aviation books. A significant milestone came when he formed a partnership with Pooley’s, who agreed to supply 14 of their products to the fledgling online pilot store. These small steps proved pivotal as this single-page website transitioned from a side project into a fully-fledged business. And thus, Flightstore was born.


A Unique Business in Aviation

From the very beginning, Flightstore was a unique business within the aviation industry, bridging the gap between pilots, aviation enthusiasts and the general public—a vision that continues to guide us 25 years later. Unlike many competitors who focus on a single sector, we’ve built a business that caters to professional pilots seeking essential aircraft and pilot supplies, aviation enthusiasts passionate about collectibles and memorabilia, and even casual shoppers searching for unique gifts. This broad appeal, combined with our customer-focused approach and commitment to operational excellence, has enabled us to thrive across high street retail and online shopping.

2014: Mirfield, The Heart of Flightstore

In 2014, Flightstore took a major step forward by moving into its own dedicated premises in Mirfield, West Yorkshire. This 9,000-square-foot location became more than just a base for mail-order shipments—it also transformed into a flagship Aviation Showroom and Pilot Shop. Featuring three spacious showrooms, the store is open to the public five days a week, offering customers the chance to try on products they’ve seen online, test headsets in dedicated stations, and discover new lines in person.

“It allows us to connect with customers in a tangible way", said Andrew. "In an age where so much of shopping is done online, being able to offer an in-person experience where people can interact with products and engage with others in the aviation community is invaluable. Our store is not just a place to buy products, but a space for enthusiasts to share their passion and knowledge."

The Digital Era

In 1999, Flightstore became one of the first to offer an online shopping experience for aviation products. At a time when many in the industry were skeptical of the internet’s commercial potential, Flightstore took a bold step into the digital age—and it paid off.

“Embracing the internet was risky in those days, but we saw it as an opportunity to better serve our customers and reach a wider audience,” Andrew explains. “It wasn’t an easy transition, but we were determined to succeed.”

This early adoption of ecommerce was pivotal to Flightstore’s growth, allowing us to expand our reach far beyond the local market. Over the years, we've continued to refine and strengthen our online presence, which has been strengthened through partnerships with our ecommerce partners, Techquity. With their expertise in digital marketing and a robust platform in Aero Commerce, we continue to offer seamless online shopping experiences.

Adapting to Change

Over the past 25 years, Flightstore has faced its fair share of challenges, but adaptability and resilience have always been at the heart of our success. The COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit presented significant hurdles for the aviation industry as a whole, and we were no exception.

The pandemic brought unprecedented disruptions, grounding flights worldwide and reducing demand for aviation products. With much of the aviation industry at a standstill, we saw a shift in customer needs. Leveraging data from our website, we adapted by expanding our range of aviation gifts, models, and other enthusiast-focused products. This pivot led to a 30% increase in online traffic for these categories within just one year, helping us stay connected with our customer base despite the challenging circumstances.

At the same time, Brexit introduced new complexities for international trade, such as changing our customs regulations and delays in shipping. Anticipating these challenges we streamlined our supply chain and worked closely with logistics partners to minimise disruptions.

Through it all, Flightstore’s unwavering dedication to adapt to change and embrace new opportunities has been our guiding principle and as we look ahead, we are confident that the next 25 years will be just as prosperous.


Looking Forward to the Future

As Flightstore celebrates this significant milestone, we’re not resting on our laurels. The focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and community engagement will continue to drive us forward. With plans for an even stronger online presence, and a commitment to being a pioneer in the aviation world, Flightstore is soaring into its next chapter with confidence.


Here’s to 25 years of Flightstore—25 years of connecting pilots and enthusiasts, offering the best products, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aviation retail.





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