A new airline is set to redefine the world of luxury air travel when it takes to the skies for the first time this September.
Known as Beond (pronounced like the word “beyond”), the new airline will focus on flights from Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé, the capital city of the Republic of Maldives. Headquartered in Dubai, Beond aims to set new standards as the “world’s first all-premium class leisure-oriented airline.” Its primary objective is to connect the Maldives to key destinations in Europe, Asia, Australia, and–eventually–South Africa.
The company was founded in 2022 by three aviation industry veterans, including CSO Max Nilov (previous experience includes Boeing, Lufthansa, and Aeroflot), CEO and chairman Tero Taskila (Finnair, AeroMexico, Qatar Airways, and Gulf Air), and CCO Sascha Feuerherd (Lufthansa).
The ambitious venture is a collaboration between Dubai-based investment firm Arabesque and the Maldivian hospital group SIMDI Group.
Beond Plans to Surpass 50 Destinations Across 26 Countries by 2028
According to Beond’s website, the carrier plans to begin operations in September with flights to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB), and Delhi, India (DEL). The carrier intends to surpass 50 destinations across 26 countries with a fleet of 30-35 aircraft within five years.
What sets Beond apart from other carriers operating premium services from the Maldives, however, is their strategic use of narrow-body Airbus aircraft. Initially, the carrier will deploy three leased Airbus A319 aircraft, each equipped with 44 lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration. A standard A319 typically accommodates 156 seats in a 3-3 configuration. By the end of 2023, four more A319s will join their fleet, all leased from San Francisco-based lessor Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management (BBAM).
Beond plans to expand further by introducing Airbus A321LRs to the fleet in 2024. These longer-range variants will feature 68 lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration. Typically, an A321 would have around 220 seats.
Once the A321LRs come online, the carrier can serve Europe, the Far East, and Australia. A route map on Beond’s website indicates the carrier has plans to fly as far west as Paris and Munich, as far north as Astana, Kazakhstan, and as far east as Tokyo, Seoul, and Perth.
Ride in Luxury to Paradise
As a premium airline, one would expect that Beond would have some pretty impressive amenities. And indeed, they do.
Travelers can check-in in the comfort of their homes – including baggage, which will be delivered to the aircraft via concierge. The carrier plans to offer limousine service to the airport, where passengers will wait in premium lounges inside private jet terminals (where possible).
The lie-flat seats are the work of Italian boutique seat manufacturer Optimares. The all-leather seats will be in a 2-2 configuration, which means there will be no middle seat.
Once on board, travelers will experience a culinary adventure, indulging in Michelin-star cuisine. Passengers can stay connected with full Bluetooth connectivity, while every seat will feature iPad Pros, wireless headsets, USB ports, and power outlets.
The carrier also plans to offer exclusive packages at luxury Maldivian resorts.
“We don’t just fly aircraft,” it says on its website. “We make traveling a way of life, creating magic memories that last a lifetime.”
And what about the price tag? Officials from Beond say fares will be structured to compete with business class fares on other airlines. Despite facing tough competition from ultra-premium products offered by airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad, Beond will be the only airline offering an all-premium product to Malé. Beond leadership believes their product will pave the way for long-term success.
Beond Will Become the Maldives’ Second Flag Carrier
The Maldives is a stunning tropical archipelagic paradise located about 470 miles from the southwest coast of India in the Indian Ocean. Comprised of 26 atolls, the Maldives has become a playground for the ultra-wealthy in recent decades.
Its biggest city and capital, Malé, is served by Velana International Airport (MLE).
The current Maldivian flag carrier is Island Aviation Services, operating under the brand name Maldivian. However, Maldivian’s service is somewhat limited, relying on a fleet of aging aircraft, including 44-year-old De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters, De Havilland Canada Dash-8s, one ATR 42 and two ATR 72s, and a single Airbus A320. The Dash-8s and ATR 42/72s service most domestic airports in the country, while the lone A320 operates on international routes to India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Recognizing the country’s need for a more globally connected carrier, Beond will become the second carrier granted flag carrier status.
With ambitious plans and a beautiful product, Beond has much at stake in terms of its success. However, the carrier is candid about its perspective on its heavenly home in paradise. As stated on its website, its mission is to “deliver you to heaven on earth.”
And from all indications, this ride to paradise will be nothing short of extraordinary.
