Maldives-based airline Beond has announced sweeping plans to expand around the globe, including significantly increasing its network in the United States.
The all-business-class carrier, which began flying in 2023 and categorizes itself as “the world’s first premium leisure airline,” is seeking an additional $100 million USD investment to expand into new international markets and grow its fleet to a total of 56 aircraft by 2030.
At least 10 of those aircraft would be based in the U.S., according to Beond’s investment plan. Eight of those aircraft will be used to operate a new subsidiary, Beond America, that the airline is launching in partnership with New Pacific Airlines.
Under the new agreement, FAA-certified New Pacific will operate U.S. flights marketed under the Beond brand, and the two airlines will partner on additional factors like customer experience and flight schedules. No routes or timelines for Beond America have been officially announced.
“New Pacific as a partner brings operational depth in the United States and strengthens our multi-jurisdictional structure,” said Tero Taskila, CEO and chairman of Beond. “Together, we can introduce more travellers to a premium leisure experience that focuses on comfort, calm and care from the moment the journey begins.”
Beond’s other new aircraft would be added to the airline’s various markets, including 22 planes in the Maldives, 14 planes across Gulf countries, and 12 aircraft based in India, all regions where the carrier is planning route expansions.
The fleet expansion would be significant for Beond, which currently operates a fleet of just two Airbus aircraft: one A319 jet and one A321 plane. Inside, the single-aisle aircraft are outfitted in an all-business-class cabin concept, with 68 lie-flat seats in a 2-2 seating arrangement.
“In just two years, we have been accelerating inbound premium tourism into the Maldives,” said Taskila. “On the strength of this performance, we are partnering with local stakeholders in the Middle East, the United States, and India to open new AOCs and bases of operation. This enables us to serve global luxury travellers locally, bring our award-winning service to new fast-growing luxury markets, and continue building an ecosystem designed entirely around the needs of the modern luxury traveller, where design, comfort, and service work together seamlessly.”
The airline said it would also put part of the new investment into expanding its charter platform, which can be booked “for events, sports teams, government delegations, and luxury travel agents seeking curated, around-the-world travel itineraries for their high-net-worth clients.”
The carrier currently operates five routes from Malé’s Velana International Airport (MLE) in the Maldives to Zurich, Dubai, Munich, Riyadh, and Milan. But Beond is planning to grow its network by 18 new routes, potentially launching in 2026.
Among the new flights are five routes to European cities, including Paris, Vienna, Dusseldorf, Rome, and Warsaw; five routes to Asia, including Bangkok, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou; four routes to India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad; and four routes to Middle East destinations, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Jeddah, and Abu Dhabi.
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