‘Flying without the riff raff’ — Travellers react to new ‘glamourous’ UK airline

Global Airlines is set to launch its first flight very soon (Picture: Global Airlines)

A new UK airline is preparing for its maiden voyage from Glasgow to New York.

But this isn’t any ordinary airline. The start-up has pledged to put the ‘glam’ back in flying, and ‘bring back the golden age of air travel, with a modern flair.’ This is the plight of Global Airlines, spearheaded by UK self-made millionaire James Asquith.

Having launched ticket sales for its inaugural passenger flight on Thursday, May 15 – where return economy tickets cost a whopping £778 – opinion has been split down the middle.

While some Metro readers welcome the idea of travel being more comfortable for the masses, others have stated that it won’t work. Or if it does, it’s only a matter of time until money becomes an issue.

Wayne Kinder sits on the against side. ‘Not interested in glam,’ he stated, adding that he ‘just wants to get from A to B with a bag at a good price.’ He also said that personally, he’s not interested in in-flight meals or entertainment. ‘I can get a meal deal for £4.99 from Boots and I have a phone.’

The airline is the brainchild of James Asquith, a UK self-made millionaire (Picture @jamesasquith)

David Wainwright simply said: ‘Don’t think I’ll be flying with them, at those prices,’ while Julie Rose Hayward echoed: ‘I will stick with good old British Airways, thank you.’ For context, a return ticket with BA for the same dates is £399, making Global Airlines almost 95% more expensive.

Interestingly, Danny Douglas-Gill thought that the prices ‘looked very cheap,’ as Paul Carp joked: ‘Flying without the riff raff. Sounds ideal.’ Hans Albert also suggested there ‘maybe no drunken lads onboard,’ which he said ‘would be nice.’ He is, of course, talking about the rising problem of drunk and disorderly plane passengers.

Elsewhere, Johann van Rensburg estimated that Global Airlines has ‘a year tops,’ branding it as ‘a sure way to lose money.’ However, he did wish the airline luck.

Others not convinced include Daniel Kriegler, who stated that ‘nothing is mentioned re/ a regular schedule.’ Similarly, Dominic Greene said: ‘It won’t work. The A380 needs to be flown at close to full capacity to be profitable. That’s why the aircraft type is no longer in production.’

What is Global Airlines?

Global Airlines is a UK-based airline founded by James Asquith in 2021. Dubbed as ‘the new era of commercial air travel,’ it aims to offer a luxury, premium experience to all flyers.

Running a fleet of four Airbus A380 aircraft – with plans to increase this number in the future – the airline will target transatlantic routes like London to New York and Los Angeles. Addressing common issues like late flights, lost luggage, long security lines, and poor customer service is also a priority.

Who is James Asquith?

James became the youngest person ever to visit all 196 countries by the time he turned 24 (Picture: @jamesasquith)

Self-made millionaire James Asquith is the youngest person ever to have travelled to all 196 countries, aged just 24. He is the CEO and founder of Holiday Swap, an Airbnb rival, which offers travellers the opportunity to book, host or swap homes anywhere.

James announced plans for Global Airlines in 2022, citing it as his childhood dream, having grown up with pilot parents.

According to the airline website: ‘James is insanely passionate about the joys of travel.’ But, he is also ‘constantly bewildered and disappointed by the poor experiences he has encountered aboard hundreds of commercial flights whilst on his many adventures.’

How many seats are available on Global Airlines flights and how much do they cost?

Each flight has 506 seats, divided between the classes. Economy will carry 428 passengers, business class will seat 17, and first class will hold eight.

Prepare to pay much more than other airlines, too. An economy return ticket costs £778, business class is £3,700, and first class is £6,506. Note that the first class suites seat two.

When will the first flight take off?

Global Airlines’ first flight is set to take off on Thursday, May 15. The Glasgow Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York route will then return on Monday, May 19.