Latest news with #JamesAsquith
Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Times
Most airlines ignore economy — but these are the ones doing it well
Ah, the golden age of travel, said no one flying in economy. Don't mind us: we're too busy trying to fold up our limbs so we take up as few cubic inches as possible, reassert our extremities on armrests or find a space for the puny handbag that was all we were allowed to take for free. Perhaps the boss of Emirates has a point. This week Sir Tim Clark said that economy class has long been ignored in favour of premium seats and is stuck in the 1990s. While there has been huge innovation in the expensive seats, including bumper premium economy cabins (Virgin Atlantic), snazzy double beds in first (Singapore Airlines), customisable lighting (Cathay Pacific's new Aria Suite) and 'ultra-first-class' (Lufthansa's Allegris cabin), plain old economy has remained just that. There has been some innovation. On the big blue-sky thinking end there's Global Airlines, whose first transatlantic flight took off from Glasgow to New York last month. The entrepreneur James Asquith wanted to recover some of the magic of the 'golden age of travel' with his new venture, which involves posh amenity kits and even champagne in economy, but after two odd one-off charter flights there's no indication when it might fly again. At the bottom end there is talk of stand-up seats, or double-decker seats, which the planemaker Airbus is exploring with the Spanish firm Chaise Longue, to pack even more passengers in. Unfortunately economy class is a topic I'm extraordinarily well qualified to talk about. You might think travel editors turn left but I find myself in seat 54K far more often than I'd like to admit. Over the past 15 years of doing this job I've flown on hundreds of flights in what feels like a billion different seats, from short hops on Ireland's Aer Lingus to long-haul travel on Air New Zealand. I have seen the state of decay across different brands in everything from 'lite' fares that only involve hand baggage and no food, all while paying hundreds of pounds for the privilege. Of course the state of economy varies hugely depending on the airline you're flying with, the aircraft itself and how old it is. Seat 26F on a knackered old Boeing 747 is not the same as seat 26F on a top-of-the-range Airbus A350. I'll take the cheap seats on an Airbus A380 — the world's largest passenger aircraft — where window seats in economy come with handy storage bins. But some airlines do a much better job than others. The Middle Eastern 'Gulfies', for example, are actually pretty good, although naturally bombastic products such as Qatar Airways' Qsuites — spacious cubicles for up to four sheikhs only, given the exorbitant cost — munch all the column inches. I flew from Heathrow via Dubai to Sri Lanka and back in an Emirates middle seat a few months ago; if you forgive the sensible beige-and-red colour scheme, plus its old-fashioned swirly carpet-like seats, you'll find hundreds of box-office films, yummy meals and some natty storage for your phone and glasses. (My only complaint is that due to Emirati taste each film had the language sanitised, so Bridget Jones's memorable line about the Iraqi dictator came out as: 'I'd rather have a job washing Saddam Hussein's cars.' But then that's not economy's fault.) Same for Qatar Airways, with 13.3in TVs and amenity kits that now clog up my bathroom. It helps that its Doha hub, with its indoor waterfall and garden, is one of the most gorgeous airports there is. • Dear hotels, baths belong in bathrooms. The clue is in the name Air New Zealand and Qantas deserve a mention for their plush economy cabins — because the distances that they fly are so great, they have to be state-of-the-art. Qantas, which is planning nonstop London-to-Sydney flights, has a 'wellbeing zone' for mid-flight yoga and stretching on its Airbus A350 aircraft; Air New Zealand has the SkyCouch, where passengers can lounge across three seats as if they're in business. Somewhere in the middle is our very own British Airways. Although it did away with its free short-haul meals years ago and now you're lucky to get a bottle of water and a bag of ludicrously small pretzels, last year it announced an overhaul of its economy seats on short-haul aircraft, with snazzy quilted leather seats and various fast-charging USB plugs. On its transatlantic cousin in the Oneworld group of airlines, American Airlines, economy passengers do at least get a big can of Diet Coke to go with the free nuts. On the topic of food, I've always had a soft spot for Air France, which serves free champagne in economy; Swiss, which gives passengers a little bar of milk chocolate; and Virgin Atlantic with its free pots of Häagen-Dazs ice cream. It's the little things! Give me any of this over the Chinese airlines' 'vegetarian' options that actually mean chicken. Space is the main gripe of those who fly regularly down the back. The average pitch — the space between the back of one seat and the one in front — in economy is about 29 inches. A Which? report from April this year found that Aer Lingus and Air Canada had the most generous seat pitch in economy for a long-haul airline (31 inches), although the American airline JetBlue beats the lot of them with its ultra-wide seats, among the industry's best at 18 inches. • The best business class, first class and premium economy cabins You don't need to cross the pond to find this, though. The Scottish regional airline Loganair has a 30in seat pitch, the most generous among the short-haul carriers; as well as space you'll also get a lovely Harris Tweed tartan headrest cover, a proper brew and a Tunnock's caramel wafer. But presumably not on its shortest flight, which lasts just 53 seconds, from Westray to Papa Westray in Scotland's Orkney Islands. In this very scientific analysis it feels mean to target budget airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz. They all get you from A to B safely with no faff; you'll have to bring your own martini glasses and caviar, as two TikTokkers did on an economy flight from New York to Miami. • Hand luggage: Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways policies explained That said, Wizz has started to fly medium-haul flights from London to Saudi Arabia — sevenish hours — with no free food, just one small handbag and no opportunity to recline the seat. You might need more than a martini to deal with that. If you are flying in economy, here's how to behave 1. Don't hog the armrests, especially if you have a window or an aisle seat. If you're stuck in the middle seat, this is your real estate to annex. Elbow others out of the way as appropriate.2. Respect the overhead bin space. If all you've got is an anorak and a tiny handbag, don't throw them up there with the Samsonites, which passengers have no doubt paid through the nose for. Put them under your seat and move them up there only when everyone else has boarded.3. Don't put your feet on the seats. In 2025 this shouldn't need saying but I've lost count of the number of passengers who disrobe and then put their icky feet everywhere — including poking through the gaps in the seats in front. Quite the mid-flight sharpener.4. If you're in a window or middle seat, control your liquid intake and don't tap passengers on the shoulder constantly asking to get up. This is particularly important on a night flight. What do you think airlines could do to improve their economy offering?
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
I flew on hyped new airline claiming to bring back 'golden age'
Global Airlines is promising a return to the 'Golden Age' of air travel - but what's it really like to fly on board the A380 from Manchester to New York with the new carrier? If you've ever jetted off from Manchester Airport to the Big Apple, your airline choices likely included Aer Lingus or Virgin Atlantic, perhaps even British Airways connecting via a London airport. But brace yourselves for a sky-high revolution as a new contender, Global Airlines, promises to channel the charm of yesteryear's glorious air travel days. Arriving seemingly out of the blue, Global Airlines is taking on established heavyweight carriers, deploying the mammoth "Superjumbo" Airbus A380 as its weapon of choice. The venture kicked off in 2021, steered by entrepreneur James Asquith – the same high-flyer who challenged the hospitality sector with Airbnb competitor Holiday Swap and snagged a Guinness World Record as the youngest bloke to trot across every nation on the globe. Taking under his wing a seasoned 12 year old A380 that once graced the skies with China Southern, 'millionaire' Asquith – new to the aviation industry but not to travel – added the behemoth to his fledgling fleet in May 2023. He's been upfront about it: launching an airline has always been his boyhood fantasy. But is this vision genuinely within reach? Here's the grand blueprint: refit the airliner into a bastion of class-straddling splendour, including a unique gaming cabin, a lively onboard pub, and the inception of a newfangled travel category that blends the luxuries of business with premium economy's value. Passengers can anticipate the novelty of boarding a four-engine, double-decker colossus — a dwindling thrill as most airlines favour smaller, easier-to-manage machines. Emirates remains one notable exception, still cruising triumphant with three A380s leaving Manchester daily. The inaugural Global Airlines flight, operated by Hi Fly, from Glasgow to New York JFK on May 15 received mixed reactions, with the much-anticipated 'gamer cabin' missing and the aircraft retaining a strong China Southern vibe. Youtuber Josh Cahill didn't mince words in his review titled "Global Airlines STRANGE First Flight and it was VERY BAD!", slamming the airline for failing to meet expectations. However, The Independent's travel expert Simon Calder offered a contrasting view, describing the journey as a "very comfortable flight" and a "fascinating event". Despite its grandiose name, Global Airlines isn't actually an airline and lacks an operating licence; it's legally run by Portuguese carrier Hi Fly, with Travelopedia handling the ticket sales. I joined the second Global Airlines flight from Manchester Airport to New York JFK on May 21, and it turned out to be one of the most bizarre flights I've ever experienced. From check-in to take-off, with plane enthusiasts peering through the airport fence, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. However, as the flight progressed, it became evident that the Global Airlines experience is still very much a work in progress. The branded headrest covers, vanity kits and flight menus were no match for the obvious signs of 12 years' wear and tear inside the aircraft. Strip away the icons from any major airline and you'd get a fairly good idea of who you were flying with based on brand identity alone. But take the Global Airlines branding out of the picture, and you wouldn't have a clue which company's aircraft you were in – not exactly confidence-inspiring in times when brand trust is everything. However, taking a seat on an Airbus A380 was undeniably a highlight. The plane attracted plenty of excitement, especially from several YouTubers who were there capturing every moment of the journey – cameras seemed to emerge left, right, and centre over passenger seats. Amongst them were the renowned travelling couple Kara and Nate, boasting a staggering 4.2million subscribers. Another YouTube personality even made the trip all the way from Melbourne just to be part of the flight. So what was the flight like? Here's the lowdown on my experience with Global Airlines from Manchester Airport to New York JFK. Regarding check-in and boarding: On the night before the flight, we got an email from James Asquith himself, where he said he was "looking forward to seeing us". He helpfully told us which check-in desks we should head to and reminded us about the ESTA – useful advice, albeit a bit late for those who hadn't sorted one yet. We were also advised to 'charge up' our devices as we would need them to access the inflight entertainment system and informed that there was no wifi on board. I found the former more annoying; I enjoy watching a good film or two on a long-haul flight and appreciate being 'offline' for several hours. Not owning a tablet, I have no desire to squint at my phone screen to watch a movie. Another notable aspect: Global Airlines' website is basic, with little guidance on customer service. There was no help number, and no responses to any emails when we had a query about the booking. Most major airlines have the option to 'manage your booking' online, but this was not the case here. Upon arriving at check-in the next morning at Manchester Airport's Terminal 1, we saw banners displaying Global Airline's branding (with "operated by Hi Fly" in small print), one for each class: Global Traveller, Global Business, and Global First. A sparkly photo point, branded cupcakes, and a buzz among passengers created a lively atmosphere. I spotted two men with Airbus A380 key rings dangling off their bags. I chatted with two young men who had won their tickets in an Instagram competition, finding out only 48 hours before the flight's departure. After receiving my economy ticket, I proceeded through security like any other traveller. I must say, it was the smoothest security experience I've ever had, breezing through in less than five minutes thanks to the new scanners that don't require you to remove anything from your bags - a real boon for passengers. I can't say whether business and first class passengers were whisked away to a lounge, but I found myself left to my own devices in Manchester's soon-to-be-demolished Terminal 1. However, I did enjoy a splendid view of the Global Airlines A380 as I savoured my coffee at Starbucks, the massive aircraft dwarfing all others nearby. Having purchased my obligatory (at least for me) magazines and a 750ml bottle of Buxton from WH Smiths, gate 20D was announced and I made my way there, where a gentleman directed me downstairs. It quickly became apparent that the flight wouldn't be heavily populated. I later learned that there were only between 80-90 passengers on the plane, which has a capacity of around 500. It does make one wonder: why operate such a large aircraft if you can't even fill it? Asquith himself arrived, flanked by a group of people, but without any fanfare - you wouldn't know it was him unless you recognised his face - no grandstanding here. First class passengers were, naturally, called up first, partially filling the bus that would transport them to the aircraft. The rest of us were then ushered on, although when my boarding ticket was checked I was told it needed to be altered and received a premium ticket - although there was no mention of the word 'upgrade', simply that I had been issued the wrong ticket at check in. We sped across the apron to the plane, which bore the Global Airlines livery, its vast size truly becoming apparent. And it really was a beast of a plane - honestly massive. Even the ground staff seemed excited about it. We climbed the steps to the lower deck, and headed inside. We were led upstairs, passing through the first class cabin on the way, and then I settled into my seat in business. Take off and settling in: The flight was due to depart at 12.25pm, at 12.45pm we were taxiing to the runway, and after a smooth take off - watched by dozens of plane spotters - we were up in the air by 1pm, informed by the pilot that the flight would be six hours and 30 minutes. My business class cabin was barely a quarter full, unlike any other flight I've been on. The way it's configured is that there are four seats across - one at either window and two in the middle. Each has a side table, a screen directly in front of the seat and a foot rest which comes into use when you recline the seat into the flat position. The foot rest also has a handy storage section for your shoes or bag. There's a tray table that can be pulled out for dining, and plenty of storage for your books, phones and more beside the seat. My seat was adorned with a certificate for the maiden voyage, a menu, a bookmark with a message from Asquith, a blanket, a cushion and a vanity kit. This was a stylish zipped leather wallet containing socks, an eye mask, ear plugs and a dental kit, along with a pen. It was decent but not too dissimilar to a Turkish Airlines economy kit I recently obtained - which even had slippers. The seat was certainly comfortable and spacious; having the side table was a real plus. Yet it felt tired and dated; 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. It's obviously not what Global Airline's had planned. Food and drink: My menu was the Global Traveller option, which presumably meant I was getting the economy meal while sitting in business, not unheard of if you're upgraded at the last minute but still a little bizarre. It stated that we would be presented with a selection of drinks including Laurent Perrier Champagne, fine wines, spirits and beers, soft drinks and juices, and snacks. I was anticipating a round of drinks before the meal, but none came. However, it was intriguing to see that a few passengers near the front were being served and it became clear throughout the flight that they were receiving the true business experience, while I and other passengers nearby were not. After a reasonable wait, lunch arrived: caprese salad to start, followed by a main course of either herbed chicken ballantine, pan fried sea bass or spiced white bean and aubergine cassolette, with a citrus tart to finish. I opted for the chicken and it was scrumptious, served with carrots, spring onion, and crushed potatoes with some gravy. The salad was delightful with a charming tiny bottle of dressing, while the tart was exceptional, refreshingly tangy and light. However, the bread roll was not served warm, as is customary on flights, making it rather chewy. There was also no salt and pepper, or wet wipe provided with the cutlery. We were offered a drink but there was no sign of the champagne, so I chose white wine. The meal was satisfactory, but it lacked refinement. I was told that during the Glasgow flight there was a delay in getting the food on board, resulting in long waits for passengers, although this was not the case on our flight. About an hour later, the crew came round to offer us a snack such as crisps, olives and sweets, along with a drink. This time I asked for champagne and I did receive it, along with some salted Kettle chips. Our menu also had an 'a la carte' section which included two types of afternoon tea, one for meat-eaters and one vegetarian. About 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. I feared a bout of turbulence would threaten its arrival, but it safely appeared, although the sandwiches were a mix from both the options and the scones were missing. It was delicious though and filled a hole - I was just glad I had the initiative to push for it. In flight entertainment: Inflight entertainment, particularly if you're not going to offer WIFI, is key on a long haul flight. Across most major airlines it's gone from strength to strength and often it's a chance to catch up on new releases you may have missed in the cinema. So 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 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. The option to view the flight route was available, albeit in a very basic manner: it didn't display departure time, arrival time, ground speed or any of the usual information you'd expect on a plane. It seemed like my friends and family on the ground had more information about my flight than I did up in the air. A few films were available for viewing, including Beetlejuice, Barbie and Twister, along with several others I hadn't heard of. There was a category labelled 'Europeen' - yes, spelled incorrectly, and 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. The service: The aircraft was staffed by a Hi Fly crew, though I was told that some of them had undergone Global Airlines training and they all wore the uniform. All crew members were friendly, polite and carried out their duties professionally. At one point, we were given hot damp cloths (always a treat) and a selection of hand, foot and cuticle creams - I used the hand cream but due to cabin pressure, it wouldn't stop pouring out and I had to use a wet wipe to deal with the excessive greasiness. Still, it was a nice touch. However, there was an undeniable feeling that this wasn't a Global Airlines crew, which added to the sense of an unfinished product. Cabin crew usually take great pride in their airlines, but the crew here felt like they were merely playing a role. The other cabins: I had the opportunity to explore both the first class and economy cabins. The latter was pretty standard as you'd expect. Much like the business cabin, first class was spacious, with each seat in its own cubicle equipped with privacy screens. The Global Airlines touch was evident in the finer details: small leather handbags containing vanity kits, beige pyjama sets (which one Youtuber demonstrated has a zip that encloses the hood completely, almost like a morph suit), and slippers. I managed to get a glimpse of the first class menu, which boasted more options than a high-end restaurant. Lunch choices included caviar, antipasti, a cheese platter and a smoked salmon platter. An 'amuse bouche' course featured dishes such as tuna tartar, duck foie gras, and smoked duck breast. Interestingly, while economy's 'a la carte' offered a lighter snack option of afternoon tea, first class passengers were treated to a three-course feast. Considering this is a flight of under seven hours, after their lunch, passengers in first could then dine on: beetroot salad, tomato and mozzarella or balik salmon; followed by: blackened miso cod, beef tender rib, chicken ballantine or pan fried butternut squash; and finished with 'pina colada' and 'strawberry gem' desserts or a chocolate and avocado mousse. The menu was certainly ambitious and impressive. However, I suspect it's the sort of grub you'd prefer to enjoy in a brand new first class seat, not one that's over a decade old. How much did the flights cost? We shelled out £697.28 for return flights from Manchester Airport to New York JFK, booked a week before take-off. This included 10kg hand luggage and 23kg hold luggage. However, in the weeks leading up to departure, they announced several flash sales, with return economy tickets starting from £380 and return business tickets from £1999. A safe landing, but an uncertain future: Catching glimpses of the iconic Manhattan skyline, we landed smoothly at JFK, our bags ready to collect promptly after passing through passport control. The A380, owned by Global Airlines, managed to get off the ground and safely deliver its passengers to their destination. Judging by the buzz surrounding the A380, perhaps Asquith is onto something. There was a touch of magic in the air, the sense that this could be the start of something truly exciting. However, the product I experienced felt unfinished. It somewhat resembled a stunt, akin to how people rent grounded private jets just to snap photos for their social media, creating an illusion. This felt like the A380 had been rented too, slapped with some logos and sent off on potentially a one-off service. Global Airlines has a mountain to climb in order to establish a strong brand identity, revamp its A380 (let alone 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 pull this off, Global Airlines will mark a new chapter in the history of aviation. But that's a very big, Superjumbo jet-sized if.
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
The bizarre new airline flying from the UK to New York
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."
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Who is James Asquith? Meet the multimillionaire CEO and youngest man to visit every country in the world
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GLOBE TROTTER James Asquith is the founder of the Airbnb rival platform Holiday Swap, and the founder and CEO of Global Airlines. In addition to being one of the youngest people to visit all 196 sovereign nations, he's also one of the nation's youngest millionaires - here's what we know about him. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Multimillionaire James Asquith has a net worth of £183million Credit: Instagram/jamesasquith 4 James' startup Global Airlines took its inaugural flight from Glasgow to JFK on May 15, 2025 Credit: Instagram/jamesasquith 4 James and wife, Robyn, are expecting their first child in September 2025 Credit: Instagram/jamesasquith Who is James Asquith? James Asquith is a 35-year-old entrepreneur, world record holder, author, and influencer with 1.1million followers as of May 2025 on Instagram. He flew to his first country outside of the UK - Lithuania - in 2001, and then visited a further 195 nations between 2008 and 2011, setting his world record as the youngest man to visit every sovereign country at the age of 24. James graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from The London School of Economics and Political Science in 2011, then worked investment banker in London for seven years before founding his two business ventures: Holiday Swap and Global Airlines. Although not much else is known about his early life, he and his wife Robyn tied the knot on June 8, 2024, and the pair are expecting their first child in September 2025. With a net worth of £183million, he's the 25th wealthiest person on the 2025 Rich List. James has held his Guinness World Record title since 2011 - although his crown may soon be handed over to 23-year-old Luca Pferdmenges, who claims to have completed the same task in April 2025. What is Holiday Swap? Rivalling the likes of Airbnb, Holiday Swap is a home exchange platform aiming to make accommodation abroad more affordable, with a similar user experience to a dating app. 'You have a picture of a property and you swipe,' James told Business Insider. 'A lot of people who've used it said 'I feel like I'm on Tinder'.' If you get a match, you'll be able to start a chat and their property will be added as a pin on your in-app map. 'Another way of looking at Holiday Swap is a social media travel tool, which gives real savings and new experiences to all of us, by taking out one of the largest costs of travel," he added. According to the Holiday Swap website, users have the option of listing spaces of any size - from a bedroom in a shared flat (with housemate permission of course), to a sprawling mansion. "Who you swap with is entirely up to you," the website states. While it's free to sign up for, users can also opt for a $10-per-month premium subscription that waives booking fees - and with the help of that structure, Holiday Swap was valued at £300million in 2022. What is Global Airlines? Founded by James in 2021, Global Airlines is a start-up with a goal of reviving "the golden age of flying" - think double-decker aircrafts, luxurious food and drink options, more comfortable seats, and even an on-board Sky Pub. 4 Global Airlines aims to bring luxury back to long-haul flights Credit: Instagram/jamesasquith Global Airlines currently owns at least five Airbus A380 aircrafts, which they are in the process of refurbishing. Its inaugural flight from Glasgow to New York JFK took place on May 15, 2025, and the airline plans to launch regular routes between London Gatwick and the US in the future.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Who is James Asquith? Meet the multimillionaire CEO and youngest man to visit every country in the world
GLOBE TROTTER James Asquith is the founder of the Airbnb rival platform Holiday Swap, and the founder and CEO of Global Airlines. In addition to being one of the youngest people to visit all 196 sovereign nations, he's also one of the nation's youngest millionaires - here's what we know about him. 4 Multimillionaire James Asquith has a net worth of £183million Credit: Instagram/jamesasquith 4 James' startup Global Airlines took its inaugural flight from Glasgow to JFK on May 15, 2025 Credit: Instagram/jamesasquith 4 James and wife, Robyn, are expecting their first child in September 2025 Credit: Instagram/jamesasquith Who is James Asquith? James Asquith is a 35-year-old entrepreneur, world record holder, author, and He flew to his first country outside of the UK - James graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from The London School of Economics and Political Science in 2011, then worked investment banker in London for seven years before founding his two business ventures: Although not much else is known about his early life, he and his wife Robyn tied the knot on June 8, 2024, and the pair are expecting their first child in September 2025. Read More from The Rich List With a net worth of £183million, he's the 25th wealthiest person on the 2025 James has held his Guinness World Record title since 2011 - although his crown may soon be handed over to 23-year-old Luca Pferdmenges, who claims to have completed the same task in April 2025. What is Holiday Swap? Rivalling the likes of 'You have a picture of a property and you swipe,' James told Business Insider. 'A lot of people who've used it said 'I feel like I'm on Tinder'.' Most read in The Sun If you get a match, you'll be able to start a chat and their property will be added as a pin on your in-app map. 'Another way of looking at Holiday Swap is a social media travel tool, which gives real savings and new experiences to all of us, by taking out one of the largest costs of travel," he added. According to the Holiday Swap website, users have the option of listing spaces of any size - from a bedroom in a shared flat (with housemate permission of course), to a sprawling mansion. "Who you swap with is entirely up to you," the website states. While it's free to sign up for, users can also opt for a $10-per-month premium subscription that waives booking fees - and with the help of that structure, Holiday Swap was valued at £300million in 2022. What is Global Airlines? Founded by James in 2021, Global Airlines is a start-up with a goal of reviving "the golden age of flying" - think double-decker aircrafts, luxurious food and drink options, more comfortable seats, and even an 4 Global Airlines aims to bring luxury back to long-haul flights Credit: Instagram/jamesasquith Global Airlines currently owns at least five Airbus A380 aircrafts, which they are in the process of refurbishing.
