Bizarre Airbus A380 airline startup Global Airlines will somehow have a couple of one-off flights in May 2025, with tickets now being on sale, or at least that’s the claim. Nothing about this airline ever made sense, but it all just keeps getting stranger.
There’s no clear strategy as to how the airline will actually transition from these one-off flights to regularly scheduled operations. For that matter, Global Airlines won’t actually be operating these flights, but instead, they’ll be operated by Portuguese aircraft charter company Hi Fly.
Anyway, the airline hasn’t shared all too much about what we can actually expect onboard the flight, so what will the interiors be like? There are some interesting updates on that front.
In this post:
Global Airlines A380 has maintained China Southern interiors
Global Airlines’ first Airbus A380 has the registration code 9H-GLOBL, and it’s a 13-year-old jet that used to fly for China Southern. So, with all the promises that Global Airlines has made, what is the interior of this aircraft actually like?
Global Airlines CEO James Asquith has just shared some video footage from inside the jet, including of the first class cabin, and up the staircase, to the business class cabin. Asquith seems proud of how the airline has come up with the “Sky Pub” concept, which seems to consist of… painting “Sky Pub” on a couple of the galley carts at the top of the stairs?
As you might be able to tell, Global Airlines has maintained China Southern interiors, and has just introduced new carpets and reupholstered seats (which is needed, considering the plane was in storage for an extended period of time). I’ve reviewed China Southern’s A380 first class and business class, in case you’re curious to see what we can expect.
Separately, Global Airlines’ Instagram account has pictures of aspects of the first and business class experience.
This is quite a contrast to what we were promised
Just about everything related to Global Airlines is a complete catfish, from the outside of the aircraft, to the inside. I mean, let’s start with the outside. Below is what Global Airlines’ A380 livery was supposed to look like…
…and below is what it actually looks like.
If you go to the “Global Experience” page of Global Airlines’ website, it shows completely different products than what Global Airlines will actually offer. Heck, I mean, Global Airlines is using pictures of Emirates’ A380 first class bar on its website, rather than its own pictures.
In December 2023, Global Airlines announced it would partner with Factorydesign to overhaul the interiors of its A380s. As Global Airlines’ CEO described it at the time (bolding mine):
“The UK is a leader in aircraft interior designs, and it speaks volumes for the progress we are making that Adam and the team at Factorydesign are now officially onboard with us driving the innovation we are all excited to see on our aircraft. They have worked on some of the most exciting projects in the industry over the past three decades, developing products that passengers all over the world, including me and many of our Global team members, admire and love. The team at Factory is totally bought into our desire to deliver a better product for passengers, and I am really excited to reveal all of the designs, across all cabins, in the coming months.”
Heck, the claim was that the below is what the entrance to the plane would look like, and also what the first class cabin would look like. That never happened, as you can see in Asquith’s newly released video.
In May 2024, the airline announced it would “start work on the complete interior refurbishment” of the aircraft.
All of this says nothing of what Global Airlines claimed its product would be like back in 2022, including the concept of Gamer Class…
The more I think about it, the more I feel like I really need to take the inaugural flight, because I think it will be an experience to remember.
Speaking of the inaugural, how strange is it that Global Airlines hasn’t actually updated its website to reflect that the airline is operating these two flights, but instead, you just have to go through this site? Honestly, if they don’t ban me from the first flight, maybe they’ll just divert the jet to Cairo instead…
Bottom line
Global Airlines will apparently soon be operating its first flights, which are two one-off itineraries from Europe to New York. While I don’t think this will surprise anyone, Global Airlines’ A380 interiors looks very similar to how they did when China Southern flew the plane. While a lot of innovation has been promised, the reality is a different story.
Completely unrelated, but did everyone see how Fyre Festival 2 has been postponed? Hmmm…
What do you make of Global Airlines’ first A380 interiors?
I'd hoped to take the inaugural flight (given Glasgow is my "local" airport), but the timings are too close to a family trip to Spain on the 17th (and while my wife is supportive of my travels, the lack of any buffer in timings - even assuming I flew immediately back later on the 15th with BA/AA, the chance of something stopping me being home for an early flight on the 17th was too great...
I'd hoped to take the inaugural flight (given Glasgow is my "local" airport), but the timings are too close to a family trip to Spain on the 17th (and while my wife is supportive of my travels, the lack of any buffer in timings - even assuming I flew immediately back later on the 15th with BA/AA, the chance of something stopping me being home for an early flight on the 17th was too great to take).
I do agree that there's been a lot of hype around them starting out. Promises of revolutionary new cabins; appointment of design agencies; etc, yet it turns out they are "launching" with the same product the aircraft came with from China Southern, with a quick reupholster job, and some new carpets.
While James' wife hails from Glasgow, I'm not clear on the thinking of making their initial launch flights from GLA and MAN, if those aren't the routes they are planning to operate going forward (I believe it's always been Gatwick that's been touted as their preferred based of operations); and it's not likely to draw any serious travelers from London, so I'm expecting these initial flights to be mostly filled with AVGeeks and travel vloggers/YouTubers (such as myself) looking for some novel content - that and probably some media outlets and investors as well. Very strange approach they have taken, so time will tell if these are simply going to be one-off flights, or if it actually leads to something more substantial.
As a former Laker Airways employee, and as one of the 1994 co-founders (with that bearded guy) at Virgin Atlantic Airways, I have a little experience in starting transatlantic scheduled (Part 121) carriers.
The Virgin start-up was no walk in the park: for one thing, we didn’t get our AOC (Air Operator Certificate) until a few weeks before our June 22, ‘84 take off. But for all its hyperbole about onboard product, this outfit...
As a former Laker Airways employee, and as one of the 1994 co-founders (with that bearded guy) at Virgin Atlantic Airways, I have a little experience in starting transatlantic scheduled (Part 121) carriers.
The Virgin start-up was no walk in the park: for one thing, we didn’t get our AOC (Air Operator Certificate) until a few weeks before our June 22, ‘84 take off. But for all its hyperbole about onboard product, this outfit hasn’t ever mentioned an AOC, which is not an easy thing to come by.
As for early operating costs, it looks like they may be parking an A380 at JFK for several days between flights .. kaching kaching!
They certainly deserve a place in the Guinness Book of Records for taking “overpromising and underdelivering” to new heights … ehm sorry, I mean depths.
Who cares?
This is what happens when a bunch of wannabes with absolutely zero clue of airline operations think they can run an airline.
From a customer perspective, you better stay away. I'd be worried for my safety, even if it's operated by a charter company.
I’m picturing an inaugural flight of a plane full of influencers stranded on a runway somewhere in an unknown country recreating the Fyre festival…
Another publicity stunt from Global.
The aircraft registration 9H-GLOBL is made up.
Aircaft registrations consist of 5 alphanumeric characters that may be separated by a dash between the country identifier and aircraft identifier.
Global is admittedly good at issuing press releases to keep interest alive, but that alone does not keep aircraft flying.
The cost per available seat mile (CASM) of an A380 are also less favourable than those of the venerable A330 or...
Another publicity stunt from Global.
The aircraft registration 9H-GLOBL is made up.
Aircaft registrations consist of 5 alphanumeric characters that may be separated by a dash between the country identifier and aircraft identifier.
Global is admittedly good at issuing press releases to keep interest alive, but that alone does not keep aircraft flying.
The cost per available seat mile (CASM) of an A380 are also less favourable than those of the venerable A330 or 777-300ER as the A380 was supposed to maximize passenger numbers on slot restricted long-distance city pairs where frequencies could not be increased easily even at the expense of CASM.
I expect the Global business model will follow the path of the all business or first class airlines from the 1990s. Remember those?
No need to book any seats on an old, previously retired A380 with minimal interior reconfigurations. I’ve flown on A380’s before.
B.
Not a made up registration - it is genuine.
You need to book a seat on their first flight ASAP.
based on the pic, the table lamps on both FCL and JCL are USB chargable ones which you probably can find on TEMU lol
I love the spelling mistakes in the gamer class material. Very professional.
I just got my tickets to Glasgow in Gamer Class! (Oh yeah, I did not)
I will give them some credit. I have been watching this story over the years and that they have a flying plane is something. Could it have been more like what they promised? Maybe. But they are literally off the ground soon with a business plan. I thought this airline was going to be as real as that all-747 United States airline that has been all talk for decades.
@ Bill J -- "But they are literally off the ground soon with a business plan." Sorry, business plan? What did I miss?
But they're not really off the ground. They're basically chartering a one off flight with hiFly. I mean, if I had the money I could call up hiFly and charter that exact same flight and aircraft for tomorrow. It doesn't mean I have a business plan to make this a sustainable business.
I suspect there are certain covenants in their loans or investments that if first flight doesn't occur by X date they must...
But they're not really off the ground. They're basically chartering a one off flight with hiFly. I mean, if I had the money I could call up hiFly and charter that exact same flight and aircraft for tomorrow. It doesn't mean I have a business plan to make this a sustainable business.
I suspect there are certain covenants in their loans or investments that if first flight doesn't occur by X date they must forfeit some of their money. And so they're spending some of their cash on a (sure to be) money-losing flight because it loses them less money than having to return an investment.
Take the flight
Take the flight
Take the flight
Just make sure you purchase the ticket < 6 months before day of departure in case you have to charge it back with your credit card company.
I look forward to the review.
I agree 100%. Take the flight!!!
As someone who worked in the airline industry in the 70's - thru early 90's, those are the nicest beverage carts I've even seen. Not a dent, scruff or any marks. Clearly they invested some money in new beverage carts with fancy logos...instead of NWA, EAA, AAL, UAL on them - snort laugh!
Ben,
How can you be so cynical as they already have a 5 star rating on Skytrax?!?
Lucky, any concerns about safety?
If the plane has been in storage and the airline has limited cash even with the supposed safeguards isn't there a risk they haven't been as thorough as one might like?
Certainly there are airlines that it's not prudent to fly. Might this be one of them?
@ Steve; Im in Portugal by the moment and they will be operated by the Portuguese Charter Company HI FLY (that as mentioned before, if they ever got comercial) which has a very good reputation and they have been doing Testflights since ages here in BYJ.
Cool. Thanks. Who actually owns the airplane, do you know? Hi Fly?
The reason I ask is that while Hi Fly might supply the staff and be somewhat aware/involved with the maintenance and certifications ultimately its the owner who is responsible for the aircraft.
There aren't many, but there a few airlines I wouldn't fly because I don't trust them not to cut corners.
Oh - is this the explanation - it's going to crash. And they claim on the insurance?
Or have they offered their services as a Sparafucile to someone putting their enemy on board?
Utterly ridiculous ideas, but then what is happening seems untterly ridicuous too.
Just curious—does anyone with insider experience in aircraft painting know if the colors need to be Pantone-matched? Even something as simple as a shirt requires Pantone matching to ensure the final product matches the design.
My absolute favorite part is the cordless/portable restaurant table lamp they used in the third Instagram post slide for business class LOL
@Lucky, why business and first? Why not economy and ask for a cash upgrade? Maybe you can book via email?
Maybe you can even book a one way?
Ben,
We don't expect you to suffer enormous hardship.
You could buy Economy, but fly only the westbound (daytime).
Yes, it's expensive for Economy, but think of the clicks, and the avoided regrets!
Doooooo it @Ben! Dooooooooooo iiiiiit!
By the way Ben, booking mixed cabin definitely appears to be possible. Just search a return itinerary and they let you select the cabin class for each segment.
Ben, I'm very much looking forward to the review. I still can't forget your TAAG Angolan reviews, and I wonder if this will get even better/worse!
@ Daniel; impossible to beat the incompetence of DT... (don't hold your breath)
Lol, that inaugural from Glasgow to JFK is on my birthday and I need to fly from Dublin to the US around that time anyway. If I could book a one-way I'd seriously consider hopping over to Scotland to take that flight. (I already have a different award ticket back home then, could use it as a backup).
I’d book with a proper airline.
Ben, there's only one way to know for sure... Book it!
It would be the most interesting trip report ever. Approach it with an open mind. That said, the airline may never launch regularly scheduled flights.
I'm looking forward to the reviews. Especially curious about what kind of ground service they'll have.
Would be a great experience to report on!
I might be wrong but my opinion is that Global will NEVER EVER made a Comercial Flight. So don't waste your money, you will never see it back again.
Seems to me like a almost copy of Air Belgium, but without comercial service.
@ Nelson -- I don't think you're wrong, that's what I've been saying all along. ;-) But isn't that all the more reason to take this flight? It's truly a once in a lifetime opportunity...
@ Ben, sure it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity but I bet a lot on it your money will not have the same value as you had on your Air Belgium experience. Air Belgium got comercial but about Global...not sure. Btw, I saw them doing Testflights these days at BYJ, base of Hi Fly.
We know you want to do it, so do it!! Readers will be either appalled or amused, or entertained at the very least.
I'm near certain this will be a definite 'once in a lifetime' experience!
Do it!
You can book multi cabin itineraries easily: just buy two round-Trip tickets in separate booking classes and invite a reader…
I believe that "Global Airlines" is not authorized to sell tickets themselves as they do not have a license.
Consequently tickets muat be sold by ATOL licensed agency "GA Flights" as per UK CAA regulations.
As I recall, you booked a flight on one of the shady African startups in order to nail them to the wall.
You did well with Africa World, and I remember your story of rerouting away from one of the September 11 flights searching for bump compensation.
You need to write a book.