Global Airlines, the start-up carrier pledging to “revolutionise” transatlantic flying, has announced the date of its first passenger flight, according to a report in The Independent. The first take-off will be a one-off charter rather than a regular scheduled flight, the report said.  

As per The Independent: “On arrival at the US airport, the plane will remain on the ground for four days, returning to Scotland on 19 May. The next venture leaves Manchester two days later for another four-day trip to New York. No plans have been revealed for the originally envisaged scheduled link between London Gatwick and JFK.” 

The introductory economy fare is, reportedly, £699 return. Sales are shortly expected to open up to the public. 

The airline told travellers: “Onboard the cabins have all been overhauled to give a brand-new look and feel. 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.” 

Ahead of the launch, founder and chief executive James Asquith told The Independent: “I’m feeling good. It’s been a long road to get here. It’s those crazy kind of last couple of days and weeks looking to enter into service and it has certainly not been easy. 

“We knew it would be massively challenging. But we persevered and here we are.” 

The 36-year-old airline founder added: “I’ve sold and risked everything to be in the position I’m at. I’m putting everything on the line.” 

In May 2024, the Sunday Times Rich List estimated Mr Asquith’s wealth at £182m. 

In other details that may be of interest to the underwriting and broking community, the initial commercial flights will: “use a Global Airlines A380 but will be operated by a Portuguese firm, Hi Fly. The operator specialises in providing short-term aircraft and crew to help airlines fill gaps in their schedules, and has some experience of the A380.Tickets will not be sold direct by Global Airlines but by a Slough-based company, TravelOpedia Ltd.” 

Not everyone in the aviation industry is convinced that the airline will fill seats on the world’s biggest passenger plane. As the report notes: “Competition is intense. Existing carriers have strong loyalty programmes and networks offering connections. There are signs of a downturn in bookings to the US in response to the actions of the Trump administration, with travellers fearful of border officials or appalled by events in America.” 

An aviation insider pointed out that: “British Airways, with a fleet of 12 Airbus A380s, has repeatedly experienced reliability problems leading to large-scale cancellations. A three-hour-plus delay on a flight due to technical reasons could trigger compensation claims totalling £140,000 or more.