In September 2017 I first wrote about Global Ghana Airlines, a new startup airline that intended to operate nonstop flights between Chicago and Accra. At the time the airline announced that they’d begin operating flights within weeks.
There was only one slight problem. The airline didn’t actually exist. That’s to say that they didn’t have a plane, and they didn’t have any sort of approval from US or Ghanaian authorities (and as Baltia can attest to, that can take 30+ years to get).
In fact, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority accused Global Ghana Airlines of misleading consumers, and advised the public not to conduct business with the company.
In December 2018 Global Ghana Airlines issued a press release assuring people they were legitimate, and stating that they had a new launch date of March 20, 2019.
In April 2019 they even published a video highlighting their tantalizing onboard cuisine (on their imaginary aircraft), and highlighting how they were going to launch flights in October 2018 (yes, you read that right).
If you’re anything like me you’re lining up and ready to give Global Ghana Airlines your money. This is one inaugural flight I don’t want to miss!
So there’s some great news on that front. This week Global Ghana Airlines announced that they’re launching the Chicago to Accra route in a couple of months, and tickets are now on sale.
As of now the airline will only operate nine roundtrip nonstop flights (which they refer to as a “charter schedule”), on the following dates:
- October 16-17, 2019
- November 6-7, 2019
- November 20-21, 2019
- December 11-12, 2019
- December 25-26, 2019
- January 8-9, 2020
- February 12-13, 2020
- March 4-5, 2020
- March 25-26, 2020
That seems like an ideal schedule. You can spend either four hours or three weeks in Ghana.
And indeed if you go to their website, flights are now on sale. It’s even an amazing deal, because business class is cheaper than “economy perk.” These flights are selling like hot cakes, though, because regular economy is already sold out.
Roundtrip business class for $1,247? DEAL!
The seatmap for the plane sure is interesting-looking. Business is in a 2-3-2 configuration, while economy is in a 3-3-3 configuration:
I tried to call the number on Global Ghana Airlines’ banner, but when I did, it said that the person I was calling had a voice mail box that wasn’t yet set up, and it hung up.
Global Ghana Airlines’ founder is based in the US (he attended the prestigious Aeronautics Institute of Chicago), and he has had all kinds of interesting excuses for why operations have been delayed, like:
- Deicing fluid is expensive
- They had issues getting flight attendants because “there are two types of flight attendants — high altitude flight attendants and low altitude flight attendants,” and unfortunately the flight attendant they hired was a low altitude flight attendant, so they had to start over
He has also said that up until now the airline hasn’t taken anyone’s money. Well, that’s about to change, and I’m about to be Global Ghana Airlines’ first ever customer!
Who else am I going to see on the inaugural flight?
I actually met him in 2016 when he claimed he wsw fling out of MDW. He actually had an office in a hanger on the Central Ave side
If you haven't listened to this interview with the ACTUAL Johnny O'Toole... It might be worth 30 min of your day haha. Would be interesting to see if anything he says about aviation or aircrafts are true!
https://soundcloud.com/wvon-1690am/chat-daddy-talks-to-johnny-otoole-from-global-ghana-airlines
Their contract of carriage is lifted almost word for word from Delta's.
Some lucky Nigerian princes must have bought all the economy tickets for the inaugural flight series.
And as of Today, the first flight to Chicago, seems to be sould out in Economy according to their website...
@Fed UP
"Can you imagine, this plane probably hasn’t had a mechanical checkup, if ever."
I don't think the concern should be about mechanical issues. The concern should be what plane?
They will take your money alright, and you will be walking to Africa. Can you imagine, this plane probably hasn't had a mechanical checkup, if ever.
Unbelievable.
Interesting enough, I just realized one thing.
The FBI does have grounds for arrest. From the bookings it seems like they are not collecting tax, or avoiding it. Al Capone and Chicago suddenly comes in my mind.
Are they just chartering old Emirates 777s from wet lease carriers? Quite a few airlines do that (Air Peace even bought two, but with first class)
I am looking forward to reading your trip report!
Here's him being interviewed on WVON last year. Lot's of great info including why his last name is O'Toole.
http://wvon.com/uncategorized/chat-daddy-talks-to-johnny-otoole-from-global-ghana-airlines/
Oh, and there is no one by that name or a variation of that name when I search the various flight instructor lists.
Looks good.
According to their website "Today, Mr. O’Toole continues to operate his flight school as a pilot instructor..." But according to the Illinois Department of Corporations ISO Aeronautics Training Institute was involuntarily dissolved on April 12, 2013.
Searching the AOPA website using their flight school finder there's no listing for ISO Aeronautics Training Institute nor does one matching that name show up when searching using the address or zip code on file with the State,...
According to their website "Today, Mr. O’Toole continues to operate his flight school as a pilot instructor..." But according to the Illinois Department of Corporations ISO Aeronautics Training Institute was involuntarily dissolved on April 12, 2013.
Searching the AOPA website using their flight school finder there's no listing for ISO Aeronautics Training Institute nor does one matching that name show up when searching using the address or zip code on file with the State, nor for that matter is there any flight school in Illinois with that name.
So yeah, this seems completely legit. Go for it.
I'm more of a mid altitude guy. Do you think I have a chance?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-nyarkoh-903768176?trk=org-employees_mini-profile_title
I FOUND THEIR FA!!!
That business and economy switcheroo is either a mistake or part of their scam. Lucky, if you have purchased the tickets at that lower than economy business class, does it indeed show business on the confirmation?
1) Peter Gabriel could have a very good case for copyright infringement by their theme song
2) I am starting an airline which will fly SSJs between Newfoundland and Inuvik. Are you interested in buying a seat (will go nicely with your GGA and KF tickets?
@EDV5
I don't think it is flipped, since the pricing is also off or it is really flipped and the pricing doesn't matter. Some "prince" in Africa will still get your money.
I thought I saw an ad in the newspaper about them looking for low altitude flight attendants. Oh boy, their HR really botched that one!
It seems that the website flipped the Economy and Business at the booking page. When I first select Business class at https://www.flygga.com/index.html, it will only allow me to choose "Economy" Class (the rightmost column). After choosing it, I can select business class seat and the class code of the "Economy" is J. On the other hand, If I first select Economy class, it will show "Business" Class and Economy Perk, same as the screenshot above.
On other news today, for real!!!!!
FBI charged over 80 people involving over $6M romance scam from Nigeria.
Now back to the topic.
@Lucky
@Sean M.
How would banks or credit card respond if the card users are (to the best of knowledge) aware it is a scam. Isn't this charge been not in good faith? Would the card still cover this, can you legitimately dispute the charges?
Hey if I'm covered, I...
On other news today, for real!!!!!
FBI charged over 80 people involving over $6M romance scam from Nigeria.
Now back to the topic.
@Lucky
@Sean M.
How would banks or credit card respond if the card users are (to the best of knowledge) aware it is a scam. Isn't this charge been not in good faith? Would the card still cover this, can you legitimately dispute the charges?
Hey if I'm covered, I guess I'll see you 2 on the inaugural flight. I'm also booking economy just because, if you are searching for economy, it will show as sold out, just like the screenshot above.
However, if you search for business, economy WILL BE AVAILABLE and business WILL BE SOLDOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too funny! Made my day Lucky!
Just booked business with only
700,000 sky pesos
Haha this is too hilarious!!
I don't know why you are suspicious of the existence of this airline. That's a legitimate B797 MAX.
Too late. I already booked on the inaugural yesterday. I guess you can use this to connect with your Air Peace adventure to Sharjah!!!
I would be interested in which CC would be used in this case. What CC has the best protection in case the airline turns out to be a scam and/or goes out of business?
Thinking about being the 2nd ever to book!
I don't think you can be their first ever customer, since economy is all sold out already. Darn.
I love how excited you get about this stuff.
sCaM
"And unfortunately the flight attendant they hired was a low altitude flight attendant, so they had to start over" - I am laughing out loud at my desk Ben.
Thanks for keeping us updated on this riveting story.