Global Airlines has significantly reduced ticket prices for its debut flight from Glasgow to New York, just days before take-off.
The UK-based carrier, launched by entrepreneur James Asquith, initially raised eyebrows with premium fares that far exceeded competitors.
In April, a return economy seat on the airline’s inaugural transatlantic route was priced at £778, departing from Glasgow to JFK on May 15 and returning May 19. That rate was nearly double British Airways’ charge of £399 for the same dates.
Two weeks on, Global Airlines is offering discount codes that nearly halve the initial prices. The move comes after widespread criticism and price comparisons with established carriers.
According to a recent Instagram post from the airline, travelers can now use the code “GLOBAL380” to book a return economy seat from either Manchester or Glasgow for just £380. The promotion reflects a dramatic turnaround from earlier pricing strategies.
This new offer positions Global Airlines as even more affordable than EasyJet on the same route. At the time of writing, the lowest EasyJet return, operated in partnership with Norse, was priced at £573.21.
Business-class passengers are also seeing steep discounts. The promotional code “GLOBAL1999” now secures a return seat for £1,999, down significantly from the original £3,700 listed in April.
The fare reductions have been met with enthusiasm on social media. One user commented, “I’m booked. Can’t wait,” while another added, “Looks amazing! Can’t wait to experience it.”
Despite the excitement, aviation experts remain cautious about Global Airlines’ business model. Critics are concerned about the airline’s long-term viability given its current pricing and operational costs.
Asquith, also the CEO of holiday platform Holiday Swap, announced the creation of Global Airlines in 2022. He has long dreamed of launching an airline, inspired by his pilot parents and a desire to revive luxury air travel.
His vision includes spacious 12-foot first-class suites and a dedicated “Gamer class” cabin equipped with Xbox and PlayStation consoles. These features aim to appeal to a younger, tech-savvy audience.
Asquith once projected that by 2025, Global Airlines would have a fleet of 100 aircraft flying out of major European hubs. Though the airline has yet to reach that target, its first commercial flight is now imminent.
A central concern among critics is the airline’s reliance on the Airbus A380. These massive aircraft, which can carry up to 800 passengers, were discontinued in 2021 and are expensive to operate.
Asquith defends the decision, stating that the A380 is a favorite among passengers and crew alike.
However, the financial burden of running such aircraft requires consistently high passenger numbers to justify costs.
Aviation analyst Marina Efthymiou from Dublin City University expressed skepticism about the model. She noted that even established airlines struggle to fill A380s on transatlantic routes.
The average occupancy on such flights is around 250 passengers, making it difficult to break even on an 800-seat aircraft. This adds pressure on Global Airlines to consistently attract high booking volumes.
Efthymiou cautioned that the airline may have to operate at a loss for some time. “How long Global can survive will depend on how deep James Asquith’s pockets are,” she said.
Thin profit margins are a well-known challenge in the airline industry. Filling seats on long-haul routes, especially with such a large aircraft, remains a key test for the fledgling airline.
As launch day nears, all eyes will be on Global Airlines to see whether its pricing tactics and luxury branding can deliver results. For now, bargain hunters are welcoming the last-minute deals.