Global Airlines launch flights announced

[Failed Unit]

When you look at the vloggers reviews, most of them seemed to have gone elsewhere since. Maybe they will get their 2 meals on the way back My Calder on his independent review seemed the most positive out of the ones I read / watched.

 

[ainsworth74]

When you look at the vloggers reviews, most of them seemed to have gone elsewhere since. Maybe they will get their 2 meals on the way back My Calder on his independent review seemed the most positive out of the ones I read / watched.

Which is of course ironic because the CEO gave him the most grief!

 

[alholmes]

Which is of course ironic because the CEO gave him the most grief!

Perhaps he’s just holding back from saying what he really thinks until after the return flight, to ensure he doesn’t get bumped off the flight.

 

[John R]

Perhaps he’s just holding back from saying what he really thinks until after the return flight, to ensure he doesn’t get bumped off the flight.

I doubt he'll have stayed in New York for several days, and will have travelled back the following day.

 

[Iskra]

From the one review I watched; while there were clearly teething issues which comes with any new operation, for the (low) price paid it seems to compare reasonably with the only airline I’ve used that does a similar route at a similar price (Aer Lingus Manchester-JFK). For a similar price you get to do it on an A380 instead of a narrow body.

That said, the main issue for me is one of trusting them not to go bankrupt while sitting on my fare money, and also what happens if things go wrong and a flight is cancelled, do you have to wait 10 days or so for the next flight they operate to the UK or are you on your own? Neither option seems great!

 

[Failed Unit]

From the one review I watched; while there were clearly teething issues which comes with any new operation, for the (low) price paid it seems to compare reasonably with the only airline I’ve used that does a similar route at a similar price (Aer Lingus Manchester-JFK). For a similar price you get to do it on an A380 instead of a narrow body.

That said, the main issue for me is one of trusting them not to go bankrupt while sitting on my fare money, and also what happens if things go wrong and a flight is cancelled, do you have to wait 10 days or so for the next flight they operate to the UK or are you on your own? Neither option seems great!

Some of the teething problems seemed a bit off. I would have expected that they would have done a significant amount of training on the ground (or at least got the crews familiar with the menu.) I have in the past gone to restaurants soft launches. They tend to offer 1/2 price food on the understand that they are familiarizing themselves with the service. I doubt they would invite critics to such an session.

Maybe it isn't easy to test these things on a mock-up aircraft in a warehouse.

I suspect Richard Branson is probably glad he didn't have the vloggers back in the day he did his first virgin Atlantic flight. I am not sure if the CEO was actually on board or just at the airport. Watching the reviews, they may still be sorting these teething problems for a few flights. will the public for this on the job trianing, or just use Delta from Edinburgh? We will see.

 

[Ted633]

Some of the teething problems seemed a bit off. I would have expected that they would have done a significant amount of training on the ground (or at least got the crews familiar with the menu.) I have in the past gone to restaurants soft launches. They tend to offer 1/2 price food on the understand that they are familiarizing themselves with the service. I doubt they would invite critics to such an session.

Maybe it isn't easy to test these things on a mock-up aircraft in a warehouse.

I suspect Richard Branson is probably glad he didn't have the vloggers back in the day he did his first virgin Atlantic flight. I am not sure if the CEO was actually on board or just at the airport. Watching the reviews, they may still be sorting these teething problems for a few flights. will the public for this on the job trianing, or just use Delta from Edinburgh? We will see.

In the past, airlines have got volunteers/staff to act as passengers on a ‘simulated’ flight. ie, the aircraft sits on the ground for 12 hours, but a full meal service & IFE etc is provided to check everything works smoothly. No need for a simulator in a warehouse.
BA certainly did this when their first 380 arrived.

As for Global, no one seems to be know if they are HiFly cabin crew or their own.

The whole operation is very bizarre. They only own the aircraft and don’t have an AOC (hence using HiFly). Bookings are done through another company and use their ATOL protection, as again Global don’t have their own.
There is no ‘plan’ beyond these 2 random charter flights. You surely would know your business plan before even thinking about buying an aircraft.

Can suggest reading the thread on PPRUNE forums.

 

[Darandio]

As for Global, no one seems to be know if they are HiFly cabin crew or their own.

The consensus from some videos is that's they are HiFly cabin crew given that the poor service matches that of previous experiences.

 

[RichJF]

Working in the industry, it screams wealthy person with Airline Manager dreams. Personal opinion ofc. If they succeed well done, if they go under I won't be surprised.

It makes more sense to obtain something a little smaller, but proven (e.g. 2-3 good condition, recently stored 767-300ERs if you're going widebody) & spend the money on the product/ancillary industries (catering, safety, crew training). Then you can upsize when you have guaranteed cashflow from your core routes.

 

[WestCoast]

At the moment Global reminds me of one those random holiday charter airlines that would pop up for a few seasons using second hand aircraft often leased from someone else, before the big low cost carriers took that market away. Fair play they got it off the ground but we’d need to see a lot more to consider it a serious venture.

 

[Ted633]

At the moment Global reminds me of one those random holiday charter airlines that would pop up for a few seasons using second hand aircraft often leased from someone else, before the big low cost carriers took that market away. Fair play they got it off the ground but we’d need to see a lot more to consider it a serious venture.

Apart from they are not an airline! They only own a well used A380, which is leased in HiFly to operate flights on their behalf. They are yet to even apply for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC)

 

[WestCoast]

Apart from they are not an airline! They only own a well used A380, which is leased in HiFly to operate flights on their behalf. They are yet to even apply for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC)

I am not defending Global as a model but in all fairness, that’s not been historically unusual with startups! For instance, easyJet didn‘t have an AOC for the first two years of operation their flights were operated by GB Airways (who they ended up buying in the next decade!) and Air Foyle. Another example. Emirates first flights were operated by Pakistan International on their behalf.

 

[Ted633]

I am not defending Global as a model but in all fairness, that’s not been historically unusual with startups! For instance, easyJet didn‘t have an AOC for the first two years of operation their flights were operated by GB Airways (who they ended up buying in the next decade!) and Air Foyle. Another example. Emirates first flights were operated by Pakistan International on their behalf.

Agree, but they actually had a plan! Now GA have flown these two 'proving' flights, there is no indication of what's next.
The A380 is also now due it's 12 yearly 'D' Check. Where is that money going to come from?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The A380 is also now due it's 12 yearly 'D' Check. Where is that money going to come from?

No idea where the money is coming from, but the aircraft has already positioned to the overhauls location at Dresden.

Come to think of it, it would be HiFly, as the owner, who would have to pay for this...

The 2025 edition of the airliners version of the Combined Volume shows that Global have a second A380 on order, listed as 9H-MIP which is one of the very first built, being constructor's number 006 ( for the record 9H-GLOBL is c/n 120 ).

 

[Tetchytyke]

The A380 is also now due it's 12 yearly 'D' Check. Where is that money going to come from?

It’s been in deep storage for years so it might not need its D exam yet.

But “where is the money coming from” seems the main question for everything with Global. Rumours are that the investors are Emirati. Whilst it probably is chump change to them, I still don’t quite understand what they’re getting out of it.

Come to think of it, it would be HiFly, as the owner, who would have to pay for this...

HiFly don’t own it, Global does .

 

[cactustwirly]

No idea where the money is coming from, but the aircraft has already positioned to the overhauls location at Dresden.

Come to think of it, it would be HiFly, as the owner, who would have to pay for this...

The 2025 edition of the airliners version of the Combined Volume shows that Global have a second A380 on order, listed as 9H-MIP which is one of the very first built, being constructor's number 006 ( for the record 9H-GLOBL is c/n 120 ).

I heard on another forum, 9H-MIP is ex Singapore airlines and has non-certified seats fitted so needs a new interior before it enters service

 

[TravelDream]

No idea where the money is coming from, but the aircraft has already positioned to the overhauls location at Dresden.

Come to think of it, it would be HiFly, as the owner, who would have to pay for this...

The 2025 edition of the airliners version of the Combined Volume shows that Global have a second A380 on order, listed as 9H-MIP which is one of the very first built, being constructor's number 006 ( for the record 9H-GLOBL is c/n 120 ).

9H-GLOBL is owned by Global. Hifly operate it as Global don't have an AOC, but it is owned by Global.

I heard on another forum, 9H-MIP is ex Singapore airlines and has non-certified seats fitted so needs a new interior before it enters service

Yeah, the Japanese manufacturer Koito's seats are not allowed to be used as the company falsified safety data and tests to achieve certification.
Back 15 or so years ago it caused a big scandal and lots of delays for Singapore Airlines' A380 deliveries.
The certification is obviously no longer valid.
Koito no longer make seats.

Installing a brand new cabin in an A380 is a significant cost. Even a 'cheap' install would be well into the tens of millions of pounds.

I'd say it's a non starter for a startup like Global, but the whole concept they have with A380s is a non-starter. So, who knows?!