Excel Airways began life as Sabre Airways, which started operations on 17th December 1994 from London Gatwick International Airport with two Boeing 737-200 aircraft. These aircraft were phased out in 1997 and were replaced with four B737-800 aircraft between 1998 and 2000. Sabre Airways bought a majority stake in the Libre Holidays Group in in 2000 and in November of that year was renamed Excel Airways.
The Avion Group bought a 40.5% stake in Excel Airways in March 2004. In May 2006 sister airline Air Atlanta Europe was merged with Excel Airways, bringing three B747-300 aircraft to the Airline.
In October 2006, a Management Buyout purchased the XL Leisure Group, including Excel Airways Group in the United Kingdom. In November of that year a branding change took place to XL.com and the aircraft started to be repainted in a new livery.
On 12th September 2008, XL.com was put into Administration in the UK and ceased operations. However, the German and French Divisions continued operations.