I'm based in the Maldives. Before Beond started their operations, I met some of the crew members on the beach. They are from Thailand and were eager to start flying. I hope Beond get the snags sorted out. It is a unique concept, and they deserve success. And next time, you must experience the seaplanes! Remember to bring your scuba gear.
The inside looks like a posher version of the A318 all-business British Airways used to fly from London City to New York in an all-business configuration, even the IPAD for IFE.
how to use the gadgets could also be done via a looping video while passenger are waiting to board. then a one-on-one follow-up after the meal service.
Great feedback but since there is no built-in screen they would need to program the ipad accordingly. Depends if its possible but I love when people come up with solutions since I'm sure the airline is reading comments!
In the U.S. there used to be an airline called Midwest express it was all biz class gourmet meals two across biz class seating through out the entire plane and they even baked their famous chocolate chip cookies on board it was an amazing airline… miss them !!
I miss them too. Flying with them was a great experience. Great food, friendly Midwest hospitality, and those AMAZING chocolate chip cookies. The entire plane smelled like them. My kids loved them. They were my hometown airline. So sad they were taken over.
I would not take it as well as you did, Josh. No moist towel before landing, lights in my eyes when I want to sleep, no toothbrush or even running water. To top it off, sleeping my next to a stranger! Any Business Class experience must be better than that.
Funny how your review strikingly differs from Sam Chui's (paid?) trip review a few days ago ;) Way more detailed and constructive, company management should be blessed to get such review to improve the product!
I have no issues with Sam doing paid reviews but it should be clearly communicated from his side. His recent Qatar Airways promotion in response to my review shows that he does anything for money unfortunately.
Beond should be at the top of their game launching this service. Apparently this isn't the case. Particularly insofar as there were only 4 pax on the flight, they should have been over attentive, if anything. Also I'm surprised that with a tech stop at Dubai they didn't seem fit to have the issue of no water resolved. Perhaps their director of inflight services should be on a light flight like this noting the deficiencies. Simply acquiring an old A319 and filling it with semi-nice seats doesn't make one a player in international premium transportation.
Only 4 passengers? I get it’s business class so it costs more but,Even if all the passengers paid the price that Josh paid. I don’t think $8,888 is cutting it for this route
Maybe they get a part of their income from doing cargo runs aswell (even though the a319 has limited space, i don't think passenger luggage will take all of said space in the cargo hold below)
I spend a lot of my time on airplanes weekly, I am always intrigued by single class, and more importantly, business class airlines for long haul - the FlyBeond product looks interesting - to answer your question, perhaps if FlyBeond can partner with one or two of the major airline alliances. They may have a better reach to passengers and leverage the marketing platform the Airline Alliances represent… with limited passengers it will not survive. Nevertheless, I would like to see these types of airlines survive but also some of the discounted international long haul airline products like Zipair and AirJapan succeed putting pressure of FlyBeond and LeCompagnie that can redefine luxury vs other major airlines. Keep up the good work Mr. Josh Cahill!!!
I don't know, I think you were very generous to them with the review. If this is suppose to be a high end, business class product but they can't even do basics like a functioning cabin and full amenity kit, it makes me wonder what corners are being cut elsewhere.
Josh - We had a similar airline here in Oz a number of years ago called "OzJet". They were running 4 x 737-200's and were primarily a charter jet company. They started operations in 2006 and ceased in 2012.
I think anyone outside of US prefers not to have fake interactions with crew, asking "hiiii how was you dayyy", as we're not friends nor I care about telling them about my day, nor they actually care about my day. So stating that as a minus is a rather subjective thing that depends on the passenger. Also, if I came to the plane with a camera, tripod and a wireless mic and she offered to explain how to use headphones -- i'd consider it to be demeaning and extremely rude.
Speak for yourself. When I pay thousands of dollars, i better receive that attention. If I don't need the extra service, its easy for me to let them know. In fact, I don't know how you came to the conclusions that the rest of the world doesn't want that service. Reads like tales from my behind.
Love your videos. A couple of suggestions: Personally, I would love more detailed descriptions and reviews of the menus, what food and drinks you ordered, and the quality. Also, please don't forget to tell us at the start of the videos how long the flight is.
To be honest, a few of the issues can be smoothed out over time with feedback and improvements in ordering stock but that livery might take some extra work. I'm not a fan of block colour liveries.
I like the business class product idea, i am sure it will work at the right price perhaps a little less than $1,000. My take about the business class seat arrangement is, it is the wrong type. Each BC seat should have window access and the IFE should have been connected to the seat.
I like these “new tech” revamps of legacy flying experiences. Honestly, they should have gone with wired headphones for the ipads. Much easier for users to use and uses less battery as well. Several airlines tried using tablets in the past in order to save on the massively expensive IFE systems, I have yet to see any that were entirely well managed software wise.
How can this all be profitable when the only (mildly) successful all business class airlines are transatlantic flights, not touristic destinations, and pax are not entitled any rewards/miles unlike with airline alliances? That's a big gamble
Usually, even all business class services that offer a good / working product don't make it, so I can't see this airline making it with so many things already not working from the get go. There is absolutely no excuse for a startup airline to not have a working faucet or working entertainment or a caring crew. Of course it is frustrating when you are making USD 10k on a flight that costs probably around USD 200k...
if there is only such a small amount of passengers per flight like yours i couldn't see how they could stay in business the seat and the interior looks very luxury and beautiful high end
I feel like this airline really needs the A321XLR to succeed for flights to Europe. People prefer nonstop flights almost all the time. The technical stop interrupts sleep and the inflight experience in general.
4 passengers.. Even at that price how can they possibly make it in the long run.. Especially considering your marks on the trip :) Great review as always :)
Sadly it won't last even though BA had a good run on the LCY>JFK route. Unfortunately, you need plenty of the great un-washed at the back of the bus plus a dozen or so in Business to be sustainable and then have a chance at profit. J-Class on its own won't work.
What a gorgeous interior. Food is beautifully presented. The cost for operating this plane has to require a lot more paying customers. Worrisome that there were only a few people on your flight.
Excellent review, as usual. The details are always important. Full business class fare demands the appropriate experience and you clearly did not get it. No running water? No toothbrush? No connectivity? No, thanks.
I am still trying to figure out what category of customers the airline is trying to target. Firstly, they used an A319 to make it a fully business class aircraft. I would have understood an A321 but A319 ? Secondly the route they are operating, they are directly competing against Emirates, Qatar, Air France, Oman Air, Condor, British Airways and Austrian Airlines. For the price of 2000-3000, you could easily get a better business class product and experience with the competitors or even fly in first class. I don't see the aircraft will be full of passengers consistently even during high seasons.
As a former United Airlines flight attendant I apologize you were the unlucky one to have a broken water system. I'd love to give some insight. Unlike engine troubles, which can be fixed in a matter of hours, water system issues are UGLY, and it takes days to fix. Most companies don't have the manpower to fix it before the next flight. It usually gets written up, and must wait until the next mandatory maintenance inspection. As for cleanliness, in the US, if the flight is crossing the pond, warm water and soap are mandatory.
A risky business/concept. They try on a large scale what others do (successfully) on a smaller scale. Fingers crossed. Since they are new in business, they should take Josh's comments as a basis to improve. I'm ok with the food shown but wouldn't be at all with an open amenity kit, a "lousy" iPad (even if the device is expensive) and no hot water (tech failures can happen, I know). BTW, thanks for showing that rather rare Luxair airplane at that destination.
I am confused. The dining menu says Munich to Riyadh, and RIyadh to Male, whereas you said they landed in Dubai!! Were you sleepy in saying that it landed in Dubai or the menu itself was wrong? Would love to get this clarified... 🙂
I feel like they should be filling their planes with some nice offers as well. Not just holding out for people to only pay the full fare. Half price would still only attract the right clients to be honest
Thanks, always great videos. I have one question for you or the hive: I dont understand the concept of a warm moist towel. why would I want to wipe off my hands or face before a trip, or after? I dont get in my car on a long drive and wipe my face/hands with a most towel, nor upon arrival wipe my face with a warm towell, then get out of my car. Plus its so gross to have to hold onto a used towel while someone else has to come around and collect it - nasty. Might as well be used toilet paper. And why dont economy class folks get one, are their faces different? I always turn down offers for towels and have always believed if you need to "refresh," along with washing your hands, brushing your teeth, combing your hair, clipping your nails, this should be done in the restroom. Maybe someone can enlighten me. thanks.
A cool and short instructional video while the passengers are seated when the flight attendant hands them the device after drinks are poured would be a nice touch. There is reason legacy airlines have excelled at Business class, it’s because of trail and error over decades, and having a plan from the moment Business class passengers arrive at the airport. The service has to run like clockwork, and every part of that boarding process has to be intentional with the comfort, and safety of the passengers in mind. An informed guest is the best guest when you welcome them into your home. You have to set the expectations and nothing was on this flight. They’re a new airline but coming straight out to court business class passengers and not meeting basic level of expectations is a no no.
07:37 How come You were watching Sarah Willis, a fabulous, quite famous horn player from the Berlin philharmonic orchestra? I'm a horn player, with a passion for aviation (and photography, as it happens) so I noticed 😊 Anyway, about Your channel, I too stopped watching Sam Chui some time ago, as I discovered Your channel and got to really like quite informative and entertaining videos. Keep it going strong 💪🏼 I envy you. I haven't fly for some 15 years or more, I can't afford it.
How can you operate without water? Surprised they would let them fly. /he concept is great however it sounds like the crew needs more training. Hopefully they will reimburse some of your airfare. Please don't get banned from this airline. The hotel looks nice. Enjoy the beach and your bed when you get home. Safe travel to you.
They will not survive lomg. As I know some program reduction is already in progress and they are reducing the time table. Dont think they will be here in a year anymore
I bet their flights from Milan will be full. A lot of premium demand from Milan to the Maldives that usually get fulfilled by emirates. But if they don lower their prices they won’t get a lot of customers
The Munich region is by far the wealthiest in Germany, I guess that’s why they choose MUC as one of their first destinations … but yes, I would still choose emirates or Condor non stop over this.
if it only has a very low occupancy i would feel that smalle true bizjets are better but for a charter ops this is great. you can easily fit in soccer team with staff.
I was so interested in this airline, but after seeing your review…I’m like Thank you, Next! I think the concept is very appealing, but all I personally want is an airplane I can smoke on. 😂😂😂 I always fly from BER to LAS, LAX, or JFK and man…that would be life changing.
Same thing happened to me on Singapore airlines,they told me I had requested a special meal which I hadn’t and then kept asking me did I want my special meal.
This video reminds me of the so called “world’s five star airline” who also was operating a full A319 business cls from DOH to LHR daily service which ended up being a total fail and they had to stop using it. The flights were mostly departing half empty 😂
At least better than Lufthansa who once flew from Frankfurt to Pune in India with an A319 with standard European business class and a fuel stop in Baku, the absolute horror flight for 3000 bucks in business class 😂😂😂😂😂
@@christianbayerstein5243 I’m not sure if it was better than LH or not. What I know is that pax never liked that aircraft and the product. Pax were mostly preferring the long haul aircrafts rather than the A319, hence flying empty, loss of revenue. That’s why they stopped it (so the decision of implementing such a product by such a huge airline was a joke and total fail as it never worked) 🤣
Don't really like that configuration and seat layout, the window seat pax will have to climb over to get out of the seat. Yeah the first set crew was not up to standard as this is considered as a luxurious airline but they are beyond regular.
One of the pleasures of flying solo business class is having space to myself. It looks like, with this configuration, I would be sleeping with the person next to me. Ick
I think there is no market for. I heard about many flights with only one passenger, this cannot fly in the costs. A combination like at normal airlines with Business and Economy should be enough. And who has far enough money flies in an Business Jet
Many others have tried this concept around the world. They will try. However, I am not able to see it successfully making it. I would like to see them to successfully make it, thought.
Interesting concept but has been tried many times before and mostly failed I wish them luck and perhaps it was just as well that they only had 4 passengers. That 20 year old ex Easyjet 319 has been around the block a few times but looks good.
Some people like Josh, Sam, NonstopDan, yourtravelTV (German), some people don't. But in the end all of us are aviation fans sharing different point of views based on our feelings needs and experiences. That is the reason why I do not understand aviation freaks bashing...and I will keep watching all of them.
Ex Easyjet plane. Possibly former Easyjet crew sold as a bundled deal? Just kidding, although the crew are the face of the airline and must be told what standards the airline expect to portray. I'd fly them but they really need to up their game to compete, sell more seats otherwise their stay in the skies will be a limited one. Thanks for sharing, Josh. From UK.
Not for nothing and yes you paid alot but that's also a long distance, like Germany to Dubai is a hell of a go, if you wanted to do that in your VW rabbit it would take a few days and alot of gas. and then to fly out again for another few hours is ridiculous! Agreed that with only 4 people they could have splashed out a bit more tho......
