At the time of going to press, Beond operates a single Airbus A319- 111, which is seen here at November’s Dubai Air Show
All-premium airlines don’t have the best track record. Whether it’s start-ups like Silverjet (2007-2008) and Eos Airlines (2005- 2008) from the UK, or MGM Grand Air (1987-1994) in the US, they never seem to last very long. Of course, the exception is Paris-based La Compagnie, which commenced operations in 2014, and currently links Paris/Orly, Nice and Milan/Malpensa with New York/Newark, flying two Airbus A321neos.
The majority of start-ups in the premium-only segment have so far focused on transatlantic flights touching New York and been aimed at business travellers. Now there is a brand-new attempt at an allpremium operation, this time targeting a completely different segment of the market. Based in the Maldives, a premium leisure destination near to the southern tip of India, Beond is introducing the all-premium airline idea to upmarket holidaymakers.