A new startup airline wants to change how passengers fly across the Northern Atlantic using the world’s largest commercial aircraft – but will it last?
Global Airlines is preparing for their first commercial flight from the United Kingdom to John F. Kennedy International Airport, but will their business model stand the test of time?
Britain’s The Independent reports the airline is ready for operations, despite not yet having their own Air Operator Certificate or Operating License from the nation’s authorties.
“We’ve Got A Lot of People That Want to Fly”
With two Airbus A380s in their fleet, Global Airlines describes their vision as travel without “long security queues, late flights, lost luggage, inedible food and constant poor customer service.” Instead, they want to make travel easy by using the world’s biggest commercial aircraft to transport passengers across the Atlantic Ocean.
Despite having an aircraft in their livery, Global’s first flight – scheduled for May 15, 2025 – will be operated by Portuguese company Hi Fly with ticketing handled by TravelOpedia LTD. The airline is selling return tickets to a small group of travelers starting at around $902 for economy class, with upgrades available for business and first class cabins.
“Onboard the cabins have all been overhauled to give a brand-new look and feel,” the airline told The Independent. “The catering team has been busy preparing a new menu and there will be special ‘limited edition’ amenity kits in all cabins, for all passengers.”
The carrier’s founder and chief executive James Asquith says he is ready to present the travel community with something original in the space.
““No one’s done this before,” Asquith told The Independent. “When’s the last time a new airline’s come to the market that said. ‘We’re leading with a product’? No one’s started an airline by owning their aircraft and having the largest aircraft in the world.”
With no additional flights scheduled beyond the inaugural service, it is hard to say how the new carrier will fare. Airline leaders are optimistic that they can pull off a better quality service compared to their competitors, including U.K. flag carrier British Airways.
“We’ve got a lot of people that want to fly on what we’re doing at Global,” Asquith told The Independent. “People can be critical, but you’ve got a good bunch of people trying to do something for good reasons here, and we’re almost there.”
