In late 2023, Beond Airlines, an attractive luxury airline startup, was launched. The airline has been flying for a few months now and has changed quite a bit since it took off, so we wanted to get an update on what's going on with this unique airline.
Biondo Airlines details
Beond Airlines is an all-business class airline with ambitious expansion goals. The company's aircraft are registered in the Maldives, but the company's headquarters are in Dubai. The airline bills itself as “the world's first premium leisure airline.” Perhaps the airline does not consider La Compagnie to be a purely leisure airline. Otherwise you would think La Compagnie would get that title.
Take a look at the airline's fleet, destinations, routes, fares, and more.
Biondo Airlines aircraft
Beond Airlines began operations with an Airbus A319 registered in the Maldives (the company's Air Operator Certificate can also be found here). The first aircraft had the registration code 8Q-FBA and was used more than 20 years ago, first flying with EasyJet and then transferring to other airlines. The A319 has just 44 business class seats in a 2-2 configuration. I have to say that Biondo Airlines' livery is gorgeous.
Biondo Airlines plans to begin operating an Airbus A321 aircraft with registration code 8Q-FBB in the coming weeks. The Airbus A321 aircraft is more than 22 years old and is in service with British Midland, British Airways and Fly2Sky. The plan is for the A321 to have 68 business class seats, also in a 2-2 configuration.
After that, the airline plans to deliver the new Airbus A321LR, which is expected to have the same cabin as the A321 but with improved range and fuel efficiency. However, I'm a bit skeptical as the exact details of these plans haven't been revealed yet.
The airline has high expansion goals. At the time of its launch, airline executives claimed that Biondo would have a fleet of 32 aircraft within five years. Let's see how it goes.
Biondo Airlines destinations and routes
Beond Airlines has made significant adjustments to its route network since its launch, and I think that will continue. In the present circumstances:
- The airline operates twice weekly flights between Male (MLE) and Zurich (ZRH), with refueling in Dubai (DWC). The sector between Zurich and Dubai is a fifth freedom route, so you can only use the airline on that sector.
- The airline operates four flights per week between Male (MLE) and Dubai (DWC).
- The airline operates twice weekly flights between Male (MLE) and Riyadh (RUH).
- As of July 2024, the airline will operate twice weekly flights between Male (MLE) and Milan (MXP), with refueling in Dubai (DWC).
- As of late October 2024, the airline will operate twice weekly flights between Male (MLE) and Munich (MUC), with refueling in Dubai (DWC).However, this route opened a few months ago and was seasonally closed, so let's see if this route actually reopens
It's important to note that Beond Airlines doesn't operate its network very consistently. Airlines have canceled many flights with minimal notice, and I suspect this has something to do with lack of demand for certain flights. When you fly with such a small airline, you also run a higher risk of problems due to irregular flights, as they don't have spare aircraft.
At the time of launch, the airline said it planned to use 32 aircraft to fly to 60 destinations within five years. Let's see how it goes…
Biondo Airlines cabin and seats
Beond Airlines seats are fully lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration. The seats are designed by Optimares, and airlines have already ordered these seats for future aircraft, so we can expect them on other aircraft as well.
Instead of providing traditional personal televisions, airlines are giving passengers tablets that they can place in their personal device holders. Rather disappointingly, the airline does not offer Wi-Fi, which seems to be standard on all business class airlines.
Of course, it's not the most advanced business class seat, but it's a leisure airline that targets couples and families, so things like direct aisle access aren't as important as on other airlines.
Another thing to note is that the bulkhead and exit seats have large legrooms for you to rest your feet on, whereas the other seats have small cutouts to rest your feet on and are quite narrow.
As for amenities, Biondo Airlines offers William Edwards flatware, silverware in partnership with Robert Welch, and Chilliwich placemats and crystal glassware.
Biondo Air fares and inclusions
Beond Airlines has three different fare tiers for business class, and there are quite a few differences between them.
- The Delight Experience fare class includes 40kg of checked baggage, 10kg of carry-on baggage, seat selection for a fee, no lounge access, and only ticket changes for a fee.
- Bliss Experience fare class offers complimentary seat selection and lounge access on a tiered basis
- Opulence Experience offers 60kg of checked baggage, 15kg of carry-on baggage, and free ticket changes.
As you can see, the entry level fare is very “basic” and does not even include lounge access. I can't say that there is that much “joy” in business class.
As for fares, they have been significantly reduced since their launch. When the airline first started, most business class fares were around $3,500 round trip, but now you can find many fares starting at around $2,500 round trip. This at least gives Beond Airlines a slight value advantage over its competitors.
Unfortunately, Beond Airlines' one-way fares are significantly more than half of a one-way trip. That's a shame because I would have liked to try that airline in one sector. Furthermore, since Biondo Airlines' schedule is limited, many people may consider taking a one-way flight instead of a round trip.
Biondo Air Management and Investors
For those wondering who is behind this airline, there are two companies: SIMDI Group (a Maldivian company that supplies the hospitality industry) and ARABESQUE (a UAE-based investment company). are the main parties.
Beond Airlines CEO Tero Taskila explains his vision for the airline:
“Welcome to Biondo. Our purpose is simple: to transport our guests to the most unique and pristine destinations, where they can spend the most memorable vacation of their lives and unleash their inner explorer. Today is just the beginning of our vision for our customers, embodied inside and out by this beautiful aircraft, and we couldn't be more excited to showcase it in our home, the Maldives, and in Dubai. ”
Beond Airlines Chief Strategy Officer Max Nilov describes the airline as follows:
“Today marks the realization of a dream I first had 20 years ago. I dreamed of this airline, this aircraft, and this experience for our passengers. We created a premium experience.”
Sascha Feuerherd, Chief Commercial Officer of Beond Airlines, said of the airline:
“The response from customers and stakeholders in our destinations has been excellent, which was to be expected. And now we are seeing increased interest from other new points on our route map. looking forward to it.”
Below is an interesting interview that CNN's Richard Quest did a few months ago with the company's CEO, where he shares his vision for the company.
My take on the Beond Airlines concept
Oh my gosh, I have so many thoughts about Biondo Airlines. First of all, to the airline's credit, I'm impressed with the speed with which the airline has started operations. At first I couldn't believe this airline would actually take to the skies, but they did.
Now, I'm a bit skeptical if this airline's intention was indeed to primarily serve the Maldives in the long term.
- There are limits to how much airlines can grow in the Maldives. Ultimately, destinations are limited by the number of hotel rooms and interisland transportation capacity.
- The Maldives is a seasonal market and is quieter (in terms of tourist numbers and hotel prices) during the summer months.When you have an asset as expensive as an aircraft, it is very difficult to keep the service running if there is no demand throughout the year.
- Given the number of airline services in the Maldives and the fact that Biondo Airlines lacks the number of connections and name recognition, the airline faces a lot of competition.
- The all-business class concept sounds sexy, but for the time being aircraft will have to refuel in Dubai, which will limit the passenger experience in terms of being able to rest.
- While there are positives to flying on an all-seat business class jet, the lack of Wi-Fi and the limited legroom in many seats make it uncompetitive with other business class products.
- Operating a service to the Maldives from 60 destinations seems completely unrealistic to me
- Biondo Airlines has now acquired two Airbus jets that are over 20 years old, but I've actually never seen much detail about the airline's long-touted plans to acquire the Airbus A321LR. There wasn't.
That being said, there are some ways that I think airlines are pivoting and doing reasonably well.
- If an airline plans to operate 32 aircraft to 60 destinations, the airline should really consider serving point-to-point markets that do not include the Maldives, especially seasonal markets.There are many other potentially lucrative point-to-point markets.
- Even if they don't provide regular commercial service, we can see aircraft fleets configured this way doing pretty well in the lease market for everything from sports teams to luxury tour groups. .
- Historically, the concept of an all-business class airline hasn't worked, but broadly speaking, the longer range and better fuel efficiency of jets (such as the A220 and A321LR) have led to the concept becoming more popular. I think there is more potential than before.
- It would be interesting if Beond Airlines could establish itself as a global premium leisure airline.It will certainly be difficult to obtain permission to operate some routes.
So I'm very interested to see how this evolves. I would like to see the airline succeed, but I think some adjustments will have to be made.
conclusion
Biondo Airlines began operations at the end of 2023. The company is headquartered in Dubai but operates jets registered in the Maldives from Male Airport. The airline currently operates an A319 with 44 business class seats and will soon operate an A321 with 68 business class seats.
It's an ambitious concept, especially considering the company's long-term goal of operating 32 aircraft and serving 60 destinations over the next five years. This airline is struggling, but I want to see it succeed.
What do you think about Biondo Airlines?
