Beond Airlines Launches Dubai Fifth Freedom Flights

In late 2023, we saw the launch of Beond Airlines, a new Maldives-based all-business class airline that has big growth aspirations. In addition to offering service to and from the Maldives, the airline has now put its first fifth freedom flight on sale, which seems logical enough.

Beond Airlines starts selling Zurich to Dubai tickets

Effective immediately, Beond Airlines has started selling tickets for flights between Dubai Al Maktoum (DWC) and Zurich (ZRH), with 2x weekly frequencies. On Tuesdays, the flight operates with the following schedule:

B490 Dubai to Zurich departing 2:00AM arriving 7:00AM
B491 Zurich to Dubai departing 4:30PM arriving 12:35AM (+1 day)

On Fridays, the flight operates with the following schedule:

B490 Dubai to Zurich departing 3:50PM arriving 8:50PM
B491 Zurich to Dubai departing 9:50PM arriving 5:55AM (+1 day)

The 2,975-mile flight is blocked at around seven hours westbound, and at around six hours eastbound. The flight is being operated by the carrier’s Airbus A319, featuring 44 business class seats. Roundtrip fares between Zurich and Dubai start at around $2,200, regardless of which direction you’re traveling in.

In reality, Beond Airlines isn’t actually launching a new flight here, but rather the airline finally has permission from authorities in Switzerland to sell tickets on this sector. That’s because these flights are part of the carrier’s service between Zurich and the Maldives, and the route requires a fuel stop in Dubai.

Now the airline is able to sell tickets on either of those sectors, so that you can travel either between Zurich and the Maldives, between Zurich and Dubai, or between Dubai and the Maldives. I imagine the airline will hope to get similar permission in other markets as well, since it’s a no-brainer to sell tickets between as many city pairs as possible, if you’re going to need a fuel stop anyway.

I’m curious how this all plays out

Beond Airlines is such an unusual airline startup, and I’m curious to see how it evolves. The airline has massive growth plans, and within five years hopes to have 32 aircraft in its fleet, connecting the Maldives to dozens of destinations around the globe.

The airline has started service with a 20-year-old Airbus A319, and shortly plans to start flying a 22-year-old Airbus A321, before eventually flying new Airbus A321LRs.

I’ve been skeptical about the company’s business model, especially when you see reports like there only being one passenger on some Beond Airlines flights.

Furthermore, the airline has been super fluid with its flight scheduling, and has often adjusted frequencies and canceled flights with little advance notice. For that matter, the airline has already “suspended” flights to Munich, within months of launch.

The airline has an uphill battle, serving a largely seasonal leisure destination that already has a lot of competition. While the concept of flying on a small jet is appealing in some ways, the fuel stop on the way isn’t, and it’s not like there aren’t world class airlines flying to and from the Maldives.

I really should fly with this airline sooner rather than later…

Bottom line

Beond Airlines is expanding the number of routes that it’s selling, as you can now book tickets on the airline exclusively for travel between Dubai and Zurich. These flights were already offered as part of the carrier’s service to the Maldives, with Dubai being a refueling stop. Now the airline also has permission to sell seats on just one sector, so that seems like a smart move. I’m still not sold on Beond Airlines’ business model, though…

What do you make of Beond Airlines now selling tickets between Zurich and Dubai?