A new all-business class airline promising a 'private jet' experience is launching flights to the Maldives using Airbus aircraft with lie-flat beds — meet Beond

Taylor RainsJan 13, 2024, 10:36 IST

Beond is a new all-business-class airline flying between Europe and Asia and the Maldives starting next month. Return fares start at $2,000.Beond

Maldives-based Beond is a new all-business class airline launching flights next month.
The carrier will fly between Malé and cities across Europe and Asia, with return fares starting at $2,000.

The Maldives is about to get a little more accessible.

Dubbing itself the world's first "premium leisure" airline, Maldives-based startup carrier Beond is launching point-to-point flights between cities across Europe and Asia and the nation's capital of Malé starting in November.

At a press conference in Dubai on Wednesday, the new luxury airline unveiled its first plane: an Airbus A319, complete with a unique all-business-class interior. The company said it expects to receive Airbus A321 jets next year.

Take a look at what customers can expect onboard the airline's newly unveiled A319, which has been customized to offer a "private jet" experience.

Founded in January 2022, Beond has an ambitious goal of acquiring 32 aircraft and serving 60 destinations within the next five years.

The unveiling of Beond's A319 livery.Matheen Faiz/Beond

Prompting the rapid expansion goal is the significant premium leisure demand that Beond sees in the region.

One of the luxury resorts, Gili Lankanfushi, in the Maldives.Courtesy of Gili Lankanfushi

Because the Maldives is a predominantly tourist destination, Beond plans to attract high-paying leisure travelers with an all-business class plane.

Beond flight attendants pose for a photo on the A319.Matheen Faiz/Beond

The A319 unveiled on Wednesday is equipped with 44 lie-flat seats in a 2x2 configuration.

Beond's all-business-class A319.Matheen Faiz/Beond

The layout, however, means window seat passengers will not have direct-aisle access.

The beds blocks one set of exit doors, which Beond told Insider is allowed given the number of seats onboard. The pair of exit doors about two feet ahead of this seat is operable.Beond

The seat also lacks a proper inflight television, replacing it with an Apple iPad accompanied by wireless headphones.

Apple iPads are supplied on Beond's flights.Beond

Customers will still have the convenience of a lie-flat bed and power ports, and will be served premium meals onboard.

Customers can expect Michelin-star food onboard Beond.Beond

Some travelers may also appreciate the coziness of a narrowplane plane compared to a widebody on long-haul routes.

A rendering of Beond's Airbus narrowbody.Beond

Despite the high-end cabin, Beond says it will keep its fares competitive.

Beond customers can enjoy wireless headphones.Beond

Initial fares put roundtrip flights at around $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the season and the route.

Jeddah-based Saudia will compete with Beond between the Maldives and Riyadh. Markus Mainka/Shutterstock

Flights to Europe are expected to be the priciest. Currently, a December roundtrip flight on Beond from Zurich to Malé costs about $3,740.

Edelweiss flies an Airbus A340 quad-engine plane between Zurich and the Maldives.Frank Bienewald/LightRocket via Getty Images

The lower overall fares are thanks to efforts made to reduce weight, as well as having only one aircraft type, according to Beond.

The livery on the Beond A319 tail.Matheen Faiz/Beond

There is one problem with its current A319 aircraft, though — it requires a fuel stop in Dubai on flights to Europe.

Al-Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, also known as Dubai World Central or DWC.MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP via Getty Images

A fuel stop in Hanoi on the way to Seoul and Osaka is also indicated on Beond's route map, though neither service is officially scheduled.

Beond route map showing scheduled and future routes.Beond

Another potential inconvenience is the flights are not daily, but Taskila said this is intentional.

Flight attendants outside the Beond A319.Matheen Faiz/Beond

While Beond has big dreams and a unique business model, it still faces tough competition.

Power ports and control panel on Beond's A319 seats.Beond

Rob Morris, global head of consultancy at aviation data firm Cirium, told CNN that Dubai is already "presently well served from Malé."

An aerial view of Malé, Maldives.niromaks / iStock

Nevertheless, Beond's ambitious plan is all set to launch in November as international travel continues to boom post-pandemic.

Beond hopes to serve some 60 cities by 2027.Beond

I left my hometown of 20+ years to move to Canada, a place I'd never been. I love the surprises that come with living here.

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A new all-business class airline promising a 'private jet' experience is launching flights to the Maldives using Airbus aircraft with lie-flat beds &mdash; meet Beond