The bizarre new airline flying from the UK to New York

Wales Online

25-05-2025

The bizarre new airline flying from the UK to New York
Global Airlines is promising to shake up the transatlantic market - but it's not the finished article just yet
(Image: Liv Clarke )
A new airline is hoping to steal a slice of the lucrative UK to New York flight market, vowing to bring back the glamour of the 'Golden Age' of air travel.
Global Airlines is planning to take on the might of British Airways, American Airlines, Delta, Virgin and the other major carriers that dominate the transatlantic air routes. And it's hoping its "Superjumbo" Airbus A380 will set it apart.
Entrepreneur James Asquith's airline, which launched in 2021, bought a second-hand 12 year old A380 in May 2023. The Manchester Evening News reports that he wants the double-decker jet to offer five different travel classes.
As well as seat, he wants to install a 'gaming' cabin, bar and other facilities.
(Image: Liv Clarke )
The first Global flight, operated by Hi Fly, took off from Glasgow on May 15 bound for New York JFK. It received mixed reactions – not least because the 'gamer cabin' was missing, and the aircraft had a strong resemblance to its former life as a jet operated by China Southern.
Article continues below
YouTube reviewer Josh Cahill headlined his review: "Global Airlines STRANGE First Flight and it was VERY BAD!".
He said the new carrier over-promised and under-delivered. However, The Independent's travel expert Simon Calder however said it was "very comfortable flight" and a "fascinating event".
Despite its name, Global Airlines isn't an airline. Its operations are legally managed by Portuguese carrier Hi Fly while Travelopedia takes care of flight sales.
The Manchester Evening News' writer Liv Clarke was on the second flight from Manchester to JFK and said it was "oddly remarkable".
She wrote: "From check-in to takeoff, with crowds of aviation enthusiasts observing from the airport's boundary, the sense of anticipation was undeniable.
"Clearly, there was the impression that we were part of something significant. Nevertheless, as the journey progressed, it was obvious that the Global Airlines service is yet to be fully realised.
(Image: Liv Clarke )
"The branded headrest covers, vanity kits and flight menus couldn't mask the fact that you were sitting inside an aircraft showing 12 years' worth of wear and tear."
Liv said the most impressive part was the jet itself. She wrote: "Several YouTubers were on board gushing over the experience with cameras popping up everywhere like periscopes above the seats. Among them were husband and wife duo Kara and Nate, who boast 4.2million subscribers. Another YouTuber had journeyed from Melbourne, Australia to be on board."
(Image: Liv Clarke )
The jet was largely empty with just 80-90 passengers on the plane, which has a capacity of around 500.
She said however that the seats "felt tired and dated". She wrote: "I noticed several scuffs and stains, and when I fully reclined my seat I could see what looked like tea or coffee stains on the plastic back of the seat. You could see where old stickers had been removed, and where new stickers were covering up old ones. China Southern patterns were still visible and it all felt a bit shabby."
‌
(Image: Liv Clarke )
Liv said that lunch was a starter of caprese salad, a choice of main course between herbed chicken ballantine, pan-fried sea bass or spiced white bean and aubergine cassolette, and a citrus tart for dessert.
She wrote: "I opted for the chicken, which was delightful, accompanied by carrots, spring onion, and crushed potatoes with gravy. The salad was flavoursome, complete with a charming miniature bottle of dressing, while the tart was exceptional, offering a refreshing tanginess and lightness."
‌
(Image: Liv Clarke )
About an hour later, the crew distributed snacks such as crisps, olives and sweets, along with another drink. This time, I requested champagne and was duly served it, alongside some salted Kettle chips.
Liv added: "Our menu also had an 'a la carte' section which included two types of afternoon tea, one for meat-eaters and one vegetarian. Roughly 90 minutes before we were due to land the crew came round asking if we wanted anything - but didn't explicitly say 'would you like the afternoon tea', it was only by me pushing for more information that they said the afternoon tea was available."
‌
(Image: Liv Clarke )
Inflight entertainment didn't impress Liv. She wrote: "To be told the screens wouldn't be working on board was a huge disappointment for me, particularly as I didn't have a tablet computer. I
"I knew I wasn't going to bother watching anything but out of curiosity I scanned the QR code which connected me to the Global Times network.
‌
"A few films were available for viewing, including Beetlejuice, Barbie, Twister, and several others I hadn't heard of. There was a category labelled 'Europeen' - misspelled, with only a handful of TV shows, including the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I opted to stick with my magazines and podcasts, often catching my blurred reflection in the redundant screen opposite me.
In total, Liv's flights cost £697.28 for return flights from Manchester Airport to New York JFK, booked a week prior to departure. This price included 10kg hand luggage and 23kg hold luggage.
However they were later on sale more cheaply with return economy tickets starting from £380 and return business tickets from £1999.
Article continues below
Liv concluded: "Global Airlines has a significant journey ahead to establish a robust brand identity, revamp its A380 (not to mention expand its fleet), and crucially, it needs to become an official airline. Until then, trusted brands such as Aer Lingus, Virgin and British Airways seem much more attractive for transatlantic routes from Manchester.
"If Asquith manages to achieve this, Global Airlines will represent a new chapter in the history of aviation. But that's a very big, Superjumbo jet-sized if."