Startup Airline Beyond to Begin First Flight in November
Airbus 319-100 Modified to Accommodate 44 Passengers
A new airline equipped with seats that allow all passengers on the plane to lie down and travel will begin its first flight next month.
According to foreign media including the UK Independent on the 14th (local time), Beyond, a startup airline headquartered in the Maldives, recently unveiled its first aircraft, an Airbus 319-100, at a press conference held in Dubai. Beyond has remodeled the interior of this aircraft, which can accommodate up to 160 people, to allow only 44 passengers. Without distinguishing seat classes, all passengers can comfortably travel in a lying position.
New airline Beyond's Airbus 319-100 plane remodeled so that all passengers can lie down and travel to the Maldives [Photo by Beyond website capture]
Beyond promotes itself as the "world's first premium leisure airline." Tero Taskila, CEO of Beyond, said, "Beyond targets people who want a luxurious experience in travel." In addition to being able to lie down in the airplane seat, premium in-flight meals prepared by Michelin-starred chefs are provided, and passengers can watch movies and various programs using Apple iPads. The airline also offers home check-in service, where customers visit a designated place at a pre-booked time before boarding to check in and have their luggage personally transported, as well as limousine services for transportation to the airport.
The company will start flights from Riyadh Airport in Saudi Arabia to Mal?, the capital of the Maldives, on November 9, followed by flights from Munich, Germany, and Zurich, Switzerland, to Mal? on the 15th and 17th of the same month, respectively. Additionally, in March 2024, flights from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Milan, Italy, to Mal? will be introduced. Beyond plans to expand its destinations to more than 60 within the next five years. CEO Taskila said, "What is implemented in this aircraft is only the beginning of the vision we dream of."
Beyond's ticket prices are $2,000 (2.71 million KRW) round-trip from Riyadh, and about $3,820 (5.17 million KRW) from Switzerland and Munich. This is slightly cheaper than Saudi Arabian Airlines' business class fare of $2,050 for the Riyadh-Mal? route.
The first aircraft remodeled by Beyond is scheduled to be exhibited at the Dubai Airshow in mid-November. Beyond plans to introduce additional Airbus aircraft at the end of 2023 and early 2024.
The Maldives is a representative tourist country with 1.6 million visitors annually as of 2022.
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