Many in the aviation world said James Asquith’s plan to start Britain’s newest airline wouldn’t fly, but here he is, zapping a boarding card to get on to his own plane.
He looks proudly at the huge A380 jet he has bought, freshly painted and glistening in the spring sunshine.
We meet in Berlin where he tells me there’s a market for a return to the ‘golden age’ of flight because passengers are fed up with what he perceives as average service – especially in economy. He believes Global can be Britain’s newest transatlantic airline, competing on both price and service.
After months of technical hurdles, the second-hand double-decker jet is ready to go. I’ve been invited onboard, alongside colleagues, investors and his parents, flying from Barcelona to Berlin, then on to Gatwick.
Regular passengers will use the service for the first time on Thursday. The inaugural flight will be from Glasgow to New York for £777 return in economy, reduced to £380 with a promotional code.
By comparison, JetBlue’s economy fare from Edinburgh to JFK ranges from £335 to £450. Global’s business class return ticket costs from £3,700 (or from £1,999 with a promotion) compared with return JetBlue business fares from Edinburgh to New York, which range from £1,800 to £2,400.
The flight I’m on is a chance for the crew to get used to their bright red uniforms and become acquainted with how Global wants the onboard service to be delivered.
Asquith, 36, grew up with a love of travel. His father was a commercial pilot and James once held the record for being the youngest person to visit every single country.
James Asquith is ready for take-off with Global’s first A380 jet. Once airborne, he pops open Laurent-Perrier champagne in the bar area, renamed ‘Sky Pub’
Owning his own airline has been his dream since he was a child. Recently married and with a baby on the way, he doesn’t stand still.
Once airborne, he pops open Laurent-Perrier champagne in the bar area, renamed ‘Sky Pub’.
He says: ‘It has gone from ‘it’s a bull**** made-up scam’, to ‘they’ll never be able to own a plane’, to ‘they’ll never be able to fly a plane’, to ‘they’ll never put passengers on a plane’ to now, ‘will it survive?’ For me, that’s progress.’
Asquith was previously a banker before setting up the Holiday Swap website. He has been compared to Richard Branson, and is backed by big names, including ex-Etihad boss James Hogan.
His jet was formerly operated by China Southern. He believes owning it – rather than leasing at huge cost, like most airlines – gives him flexibility both financially and in terms of the in-flight experience.
Global cabin crew in their distinctive red uniforms and colourful scarves
He says: ‘The engineering challenges are huge. I think the main thing is we have the right intentions, we have the right team and we really want to create a better and improving product.’
Global can’t yet operate regularly from its preferred airport, Gatwick, and doesn’t have an operating certificate. The aircraft is currently run and operated as a charter by a third-party company Hi Fly Malta.
I check out the 428 economy seats – or ‘Global Traveller’ – 70 business class seats and eight first-class suites. A comfy-looking bed in first-class has been made up, with fine china and glassware laid out. Business class seats lie flat and come with smarter amenity kits than you would find if flying with some rivals.
The cabins have been refreshed, the seats reupholstered, but the layout is the same as in China Southern’s configuration. Instead of using seatback TV screens, passengers are directed to a QR code to watch films and TV shows on their own devices.
An advert for Global shows lunch being served on board. The cabins have been refreshed, the seats reupholstered, but the layout is the same as in China Southern’s configuration
The UK has seen many airlines come and go.
Freddie Laker’s Skytrain, Norwegian, Silverjet and many others have all failed.
Most airlines have abandoned the A380 due to high fuel costs, difficulties sourcing spare parts and the limitations it imposes on airport operations. Passengers, however, love the space on board.
But will they pay premium fares when Global doesn’t yet offer a dedicated lounge, fly from Heathrow or match the flexibility and frequency of more established transatlantic carriers?
Before we disembark, Asquith tells me: ‘I’ve had random messages in the thousands. One person said, ‘If you ever fly a passenger, I’ll eat my hat’. Go on then, eat that hat.’
Travel facts: Return fares from Glasgow to New York from £777 or from £380 with promotion code GLOBAL380 (ga.flights). For the cheapest business-class returns of £1,999, the code is GLOBAL1999. Latest promotion codes are on Global Airlines’ Instagram account.
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