[1][2] After he left the Royal Navy in 1998, aged about 40 years, he joined Airtours International Airways, based in Manchester, England.
He worked with them as first officer and line captain, piloting charters to "European and Middle East holiday destinations".
[1][2] In December 2004 he took up employment with British Mediterranean Airways as a Flight Captain and Crew Resource Management Instructor.
Then he flew with Flynas of Saudi Arabia continuing with the same tasks, including working as a flight safety investigator.
He also flew as captain on the Boeing 777 and trained other flight instructors and examiners on the equipment.
[2] After 41 contiguous years of piloting military and civilian aircraft, Thomas captained his last commercial flight on 30 November 2024.