On 6 June 1932, the prototype, "G-ABPI", performed its maiden flight; it was named "Atalanta", which was later applied to the whole class as well. Flying testing revealed only minor difficulties, many of which were rapidly resolved, enabling the aircraft to receive a certificate of airworthiness only three months later. On 26 September 1932, Imperial Airways operated the type's first commercial service from Croydon to Brussels and Cologne. The Atalanta primarily served the airline's Eastern routes as intended for five years before being displaced; in its later year, various other civil and military operators flew the type up until its withdrawal amid the Second World War.