Three niche all-business class carriers have outlined potential new destinations to Bloomberg. The airlines include established operator La Compagnie (B0, Paris Orly) and startups BeOnd (B4, Malé) and BermudAir (2T, Bermuda).
La Compagnie already operates a pair of A321-200NX(LR)s on scheduled flights to New York Newark from each of Paris, Milan Malpensa, and Nice. However, the airline says it plans to take another two aircraft by 2026, facilitating flights to destinations such as Beijing, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, and South America.
Bermudair is obtaining a Bermudan air operator's certificate (AOC) and wants to start operations using two ERJ 170-100STDs fitted out with just 30 seats, reportedly targeting US east coast-based bankers with business in Bermuda. The airline is currently planning flights to Boston, White Plains, and Fort Lauderdale International.
For its part, Maldives-based BeOnd recently told ch-aviation that it was shooting for mid-year certification, an October launch date, and four to five aircraft by the end of December. In the same interview, co-founders Max Nilov and Sascha Feuerherd listed a wish list of airports they wanted to fly to from Malé using leased Airbus narrowbodies seating 68 passengers.
The start date has slipped back to late 3Q/early 4Q this year, but the Bloomberg report indicates a narrowing of initial destinations to Delhi International and Dubai International, plus "a handful of other destinations in the Middle East and Asia." In the first 12 months of operations, the target is to expand flights to cities in Europe and Australia. BeOnd's strategy, as explained to ch-aviation, is to fly premium cabin passengers to the Maldives nonstop, offering an alternative to established airlines that usually require a transit stop.
