22-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Airline puts 'special' A380 flight from Scotland on sale
Global will then operate a flight from Manchester Airport to JFK on Wednesday, May 21, before returning to Manchester on Sunday, May 25.
Return ticket prices are set at £778 for economy, £3,700 for business, and £7,127 for first class.
The "special A380 flights' will be operated by Portuguese charter airline Hi Fly, which ferried the airline's superjumbo from Dresden in Germany to Beja in Portugal to allow it to undergo maintenance in January.
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In a statement, Global Airlines said: "We are thrilled to announce that the ticketing website is now live. Therefore, you can now book your ticket and secure your place.
"Departing from Manchester and Glasgow to New York, these flights represent more than just a trip; they signify the beginning of something new, so come and rediscover the magic of flying.
"These flights on the first Global-owned A380 will be operated by Hi Fly. We cannot wait to see it in the sky! We look forward to welcoming you on board next month."
The release of the tickets comes a few weeks after Global Airlines' operating partners Hi Fly took the airline's first fully-owned A380 to the skies above Portugal on the final test flight before it enters commercial operations.
James Asquith, Global Airlines founder, expressed his delighted at seeing the aircraft in the sky again and said: 'There is nothing better than seeing our first aircraft in the sky where it belongs.
Global Airlines plans to operate a return flight from Glasgow to New York in May.
"Seeing 9H-GLOBL flying reminds me of the monumental efforts of so many people in the last two years that have led us to this moment. I want to say a huge thank you to every single person who has played their part in this journey.'
Founded by UK entrepreneur James Asquith in 2021, Global Airlines aims to begin regular operations from London to New York City and Los Angeles, using a fleet of four Airbus A380s.
The airline's mission is to take passengers back to the "Golden Age of Travel, reinvigorating the onboard experience with elevated service and products across all three cabins: First, Business and Global Traveller".
Produced by Airbus, the A380 is the world's largest passenger airliner and the only full-length double-deck jet airliner.
Global took full ownership of its first A380, formerly operated by China Southern Airlines, in February 2024. Prior to that, the superjumbo was withdrawn from use and ferried to Mojave Air & Space Port in California in late 2022.
In May 2024, Global Airlines debuted its first A380 in Scotland after it arrived at Glasgow Prestwick Airport from Mojave via Montreal.
The arrival at Prestwick, which drew a large crowd of aviation enthusiasts, marked the first time an Airbus A380 has landed at the nationalised airport. The flight also garnered significant interest online, with thousands tracking its journey on flight tracking site Flightradar24.
While at Prestwick, the aircraft underwent a livery overhaul, with Airbourne Colours - Europe's only privately-owned aircraft painting specialists in commercial and corporate aircraft painting, repainting and refinishing - completing the initial phase of the new livery identity.
The A380 then departed Prestwick for Dresden in October last year to undergo heavy maintenance - including mandatory inspections and component replacements - at Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH, a joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering.
Global Airlines took to social media following the departure, posting: "Today we witnessed the Global name, emblazoned upon 9H-GLOBL, soaring through the clouds for the first time as she departed Glasgow Prestwick International.
"She has now landed safely at EFW Headquarters in Dresden and will soon begin a new chapter in her progress towards commercial flying.
"Seeing the Global Airlines brand in the sky today was a significant milestone and an emotional moment for the whole team.
"Our Founder & CEO, James Asquith was in Dresden to hand her over to the excellent team at EFW. Thank you to the hundreds of people who have played their part in making this happen and getting us to the next stage. The journey continues."
