UK start-up Global Airlines has completed the first in a series of two special transatlantic flights on its Airbus A380.
As Global Airlines does not yet have an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) the flights are being flown by Hi-Fly Malta on behalf of Global Airlines and operated as HFM380.
The first flight took off from Glasgow (GLA/EGPF) yesterday bound for New York’s JFK airport where it will stay on the ground before making a return leg on the 19th May.
Shortly after the airline plans to operate a second flight to New York from Manchester (MAN/EGCC) on the 21st May and returning on the 25th May.
Beyond these two charter there are currently no further flights planned and no launch date has been stated.
Global’s Airbus A380 (9H-GLOBL) previously belonged to China Southern and despite a repaint not the outside, the interior remains set up for China Southern. On the inaugural flight the TV system was not available and there was no access to wifi meaning passengers were limited to an internal system which streamed the flight map and other entertainment.
The flight was largely made up of those who were willing to pay a premium for flying on the “first Global Airlines flight” including travel blogger Noel Phillips.
Passengers on the flight were also invited to a reception at the TWA Hotel at JFK.
Global Airlines is the brainchild of entrepreneur James Asquith Global Airlines who says he wants to bring back the golden age of travel to transatlantic passengers.
