The first DH.18 was delivered to
Aircraft Transport and Travel for use on the
Croydon-Paris service, but was wrecked in a forced landing shortly after takeoff from Croydon on 16 August 1920. Two more aircraft were under construction by Airco for Aircraft Transport and Travel when the bankrupt Airco was purchased by
BSA, who did not wish to continue aircraft development or production.
Geoffrey de Havilland, the chief designer of Airco then set up the
de Havilland Aircraft Company, completing the two partly completed aircraft as
DH.18As, with improved engine mountings and
undercarriages. Aircraft Transport and Travel closed down in early 1921, due to competition from subsidised French airlines. In March 1921, the British government granted temporary subsidies for airline services, with the
Air Council purchasing a number of modern commercial aircraft for leasing to approved firms. The DH.18 was retired from commercial service in 1923, with one aircraft,
G-EARO, having flown 90,000 mi (144,834 km) without accident. Two aircraft were used for test purposes, with one the subject of an
Air Ministry experiment on how long an aircraft could stay afloat after being
ditched, being deliberately landed on water off
Felixstowe on 2 May 1924, floating for 25 minutes. The other remaining aircraft was used for test purposes at
RAE Farnborough until 1927, when it was scrapped. ==Variants==