Several months ago, I wrote about an unusual airline startup that plans to launch flights between the United States and Bermuda. There’s now a major update — the airline has put tickets on sale, and plans to launch flights next week.
The basics of airline startup Bermudair
Bermudair is a new all-business class airline that will shortly launch flights between the United States and Bermuda. The airline has received its air operator certificate (AOC) from the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA), and has also received a foreign air carrier permit from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). Let’s go over the basics of the airline.
Bermudair fleet
Bermudair’s fleet will initially consist of two leased Embraer E175 aircraft, which have been acquired from leasing company Azorra. The planes have the registration codes VQ-BLU and BQ-BLW, and these are both roughly 10-year-old aircraft that used to operate for Flybe (which has gone out of business… twice).
Bermudair cabin configuration
Bermudair will be an all business class airline, though don’t expect the carrier to immediately offer its planned product.
As of November 1, 2023, Bermudair aircraft will be configured with just 30 seats, spread across 15 rows in a 1-1 configuration. I was really curious to see what the cabins on these planes would be like, and I’m ridiculously impressed. I wasn’t expecting the airline would actually have a unique, highly customized product, but it appears that the airline does.
Interestingly the planes won’t have overhead bins, but the airline promises there will be space for carry-on bags in the seats.
The airline plans to offer an all-inclusive business class experience, with free Wi-Fi, and complimentary food and drinks. The airline will even have a signature cocktail, the Dark ‘n Stormy.
Now, there is one catch. Bermudair claims the new experience will only be available as of November 1. Prior to that, the planes have the inherited 2-2 configuration, with 88 seats. The airline will be blocking every other seat, so that each passenger gets an aisle and window seat.
Personally I’d be a little skeptical of the timeline of November 1 sticking, since that’s a very exact date when there are apparently supply chain delays, and I imagine installing a new configuration for the first time can also take longer than planned.
Bermudair destinations & schedule
Bermudair plans to initially fly from Bermuda (BDA) to three destinations:
- Boston (BOS) — 6x weekly as of August 31, 2023
- White Plains (HPN) — 6x weekly as of August 31, 2023
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) — 6x weekly as of September 22, 2023
Those are quite some frequencies for an airline startup!
Bermudair fares
What are fares like on BermudAir? When the airline first launches (without its new configuration), fares seem to start at $299 one-way.
Meanwhile as of November 2023, when the airline is promising its new configuration, fares start at $999 one-way.
As you can see, there are different fare bands, ranging from “Light” to “Flex.” Fortunately they all include carry-on bags and at least one checked bag, plus free seat selection. The difference is primarily how many checked bags you are entitled to, and also what the fees are for changes.
I’d say these fares seem reasonable, and roughly in line with what you’d expect for a product like this.
Bermudair management
For those wondering who is behind this airline, the CEO is Adam Scott, while the CFO is John Bavister. They’re both also behind Odyssey Airlines, which was an airline startup that intended to operate all-business class transatlantic flights from London City Airport (LCY) using Airbus A220s. That concept was initially unveiled over a decade ago, but the airline still hasn’t launched.
My take on the Bermudair business concept
I love writing about airline startups, regardless of how real they might be. To Bermudair’s credit, the airline is clearly serious about launching operations, and should be flying by next week.
So this is a “real” airline startup, and not some teenager pulling a prank, with no intent of actually starting an airline. That being said, this is a very strange business model, and I think the company faces an uphill battle:
- I suspect the reason for the 30 business class seats is so that the airline can be a Part 135 operator (similar to JSX), which means that pilots can be hired with fewer hours, and there are also fewer regulatory hurdles; I am curious how the airline can operate its 44-seat configuration at launch, given that it’s not a Part 121 operator?
- I’m really impressed (and surprised) that the airline is introducing a custom product, which actually looks incredibly comfortable; I am skeptical about the timeline, though, and the fact that the airline is already promising this product as of a specific date
- While I understand Bermuda has a fair bit of business demand (insurance, asset management, etc.), it seems to me like that alone wouldn’t justify launching routes like this; these aren’t markets with New York to London levels of demand
- I just don’t get the economics of this concept; how are you going to fill 30-60 business class seats per day at high fares year-round between the United States and Bermuda?
- While a private jet-like experience sounds great to business travelers, there are also some downsides; many businesses have corporate contracts with other airlines, Bermudair might not have lounges, Bermudair can’t be as reliable as a larger airline when an aircraft has a maintenance issue, etc.
I appreciate that this airline is doing something innovative, though I’m scratching my head as to what traffic data the founders are looking at to justify these routes, especially with exclusively premium capacity.
I assume the airline can have an attractive cost structure, between reasonably priced aircraft, plus managing labor costs by being based in Bermuda. But still, if you’re going to start an all-business class airline, it seems like Bermuda to the United States isn’t necessarily the first market you’d consider.
I’m also a bit surprised by how the airline is going “all-in” so quickly, immediately launching nearly daily service in all markets. I hope the airline is well funded.
Bottom line
Bermudair is an airline startup that intends to operate all-business class flights between Bermuda and the United States using former Flybe Embraer E175s. Not only that, but the company intends to configure these planes in an all-business class layout, with just 30 seats, in a 1-1 configuration.
Bermudair has now put tickets on sale, and will launch flights as of August 31. The airline plans to offer its true business class layout as of November, at which point fares will start at $999 one-way.
I can’t wait to give this airline a try, though I’ll wait to book until a plane with the new configuration is actually flying.
What do you make of the Bermudair concept?
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