Was anyone on the first Global Airlines flight or have any info on how full it was?
Posted by TheCurator96@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 41 comments
So interested in this story. Never thought they'd get off the ground but their A380 just flew from Glasgow to JFK. I heard they had to lower ticket prices due to low sales. Would love to hear any insight on all this. Seems like it's all going to go tits up sooner or later!
fortgla@reddit
I was on the first flight. I was a bog standard passenger. I saw it was an inaugural flight, signed up on their website a couple months back then bought a ticket a couple days before the flight. I paid £380 which was the reduced price. I think it was not marketed well and you had to be somewhat 'in the know' about the one off flight. They could have marketed it better. However as their CCO said to me, 'these are test flights, as much as it would be nice to be full, it would just be unnecessary, added stress and pressure', or something to that effect.
There were not many people on the flight. There were a lot of YouTubers and press, there were however many normal paying passengers, most if not all though were into aviation in some way. We were pretty much all punted upstairs.
My experience onboard in economy was great. Hot towel, Drink options good. Food was amazing and actually a bit too much of it. Great amenity kit, almost over the top good, they tested a smaller one on the ready back. They had cool snack options, popcorn, sweets, etc. The crew were fine but clearly needed more training in places (knowledge of the wine etc) but they were all lovely and working hard. Business/First seemed to have a poorer service, not sure how the crew were faffing around so much to not be able to even get a second meal service out for them.
In flight screens not working, had QR code to access films etc via WiFi. Not keen on that, not unless they at least add USB power and device mounts. I'm not holding my phone and looking down at it for 6 hours.
They invited all of us to the after party in the TWA hotel (Definitely pop in if you are ever in JFK, what a cool place). There was a buffet and free flowing drinks. The crew were making the most of that 😂.
The comment about Simon Calder being told to start his onward journey sooner than expected. I didn't witness it. However, he had openly published that the airline would fail and the flight would never happen. I personally wouldn't buy a pint for a guy who had been calling me a failure for months publicly. I think the constant negative attitude to the whole thing is ridiculous. Give them a chance! They are trying to do something incredibly difficult in an age that makes it even harder. Simon sat near me on the plane and was having a great time. In the border queue he was typing away on his laptop. I did see Simon gave them a great review. James and him made-up on the flight back.
The global team locked themselves away in a hotel for the next 4 days working on improvements. The return journey was much the same, some of the YouTubers didn't do the return journey. The food again was, I actually couldn't eat any more. Too much food! Really nice though.
There are definitely many improvements needed. The crew obviously need to get the 'Global Experience' nailed. I personally think they need to make many more changes to set themselves apart from other airlines. Slightly nicer food and a better pair of socks in an amenity kit is great but I want more. And I think there will be more. They are not winging it. They want to be better. They openly said that to us, they wanted feedback.
LittleStitch03@reddit
There was around 95ish on board, not that I was counting but Simon’s Calder count seems right if you count cabin crew alongside passengers. Everyone was moved to top desk to make plane appear more full in photos. Many of those onboard were influencers or journalists. Some of which were upgraded at check in
Cielo11@reddit
They don't put people all on the same deck to make it seem more full. They do it because it's easier to serve food to all the passengers when they are in the same place on the plane.
This is the industry standard for planes this big. It's not that unusual for pre scheduled flights to be nearly empty.
Impossible-Wolf-1354@reddit
Hopefully should see some videos out soon then!
LittleStitch03@reddit
There is a few out now, not that I was caught on any of them (hopefully). The whole experience was decent but the IFE wasn’t working and service could be improved but for a first flight it was not too bad. However, it’s still an actual viable in the future who’s to say.
Impossible-Wolf-1354@reddit
I think any competition for the market is a welcome thing as it drives innovation. That said, time will tell
LittleStitch03@reddit
I agree with that. Interesting to see what happens once the JFK-MAN flight returns, when future flights will be scheduled. They spoke about running the LGW-JFK wrote with A380, but their have many that would tried and failed with this route before.
MagicalMagyars@reddit
Good luck getting a slot in Gatwick let alone a space at the only A380 gate...
TheCurator96@reddit (OP)
The IFE wasn't working? For anyone? Surely that's a pretty big blunder on the inaugural flight of a long-haul. Would love to hear more about your experience.
LittleStitch03@reddit
Basically for all seats IFE screens (Economy, Business and First) they were not operational. This was communicated in advance though so not a surprise when you went onboard. They did have a QR code on the seat where it takes you to website which had a small selection of films like Barbie etc, not groundbreaking but better than nothing. Still you would have needed a iPad or something to watch it.
The seat in Economy was pretty meh, legroom wasn’t great but bearable for 6-7 hour flight. The padding on the seat was coming off and headrest was like leaning in a rock. The plane was really showing its age aesthetically.
The 2 x meal service was fine, the food was eatable what you would expect on a typical Delta/United flight. This was not served until 3 hours in the flight so pretty much 1/2 way through. Everyone was served a glass of champagne, economy though in plastic cup. The service though for the food was pretty slow considering the ratio of flight attendants vs passengers.
Overall, the flight was fine. Bit of turbulence over Newfoundland but overall pretty smooth. It was nice to see Glasgow have a flight to US again albeit to one off.
purplehammer@reddit
Info? I've seen a couple vids on this and the entire aircraft appeared to be exclusively nothing but bellend "influencers" with a camera in one hand and (for some weird reason) holding a lapel mic in the other.
I can imagine the internet is a wash with every single person on board's opinion at this point 😂
Efficient-Secret-728@reddit
Those influencers were invited by Global, but had to pay their own fares. Given it’s meant to be the launch of the ultimate in luxury aviation, you’d think they’d have a big name celeb fly with them to help promote. Instead the best they could do was to reach out to aviation/travel influencers and journalists.
Whether you or I like those “influencers” or not, their videos of this flight have been watched hundreds of thousands of times in just 3-4 days. They have reach, they have influence. And from the camera footage provided they covered all 3 classes on the flight and showed that none were premium. No second meal service for business and first class because they ran out of time, hours between the courses that were served. The inflight entertainment system was turned off, you could access very limited films & tv shows via your personal devices but when selected they wouldn’t play - and there was no charging ports, so once your battery ran out you had no entertainment for a 6+ hour flight.
It’s quite jarring to see the video footage and compare that with the words of Simon Calder, what he writes doesn’t seem to match the experiences of many others, and there’s a claim that he was thrown out of the after party at JFK, something he also makes no mention of. Can’t help but wonder if he’s scared of not being invited back to cover Global.
At least one of the content creators disclosed in their review that they are friends with those behind Global. They expressed discomfort with that because minutes later they are showing the product they were sold (remember they paid) was not what was provided. They felt awkward about being scathing towards something their friend worked hard towards, but they were still honest and pointed out the flaws. If they can do that, but professional journalist Simon Calder just falls over himself to compliment a shoddy operation (after what did happen between him & Global’s founder on TV in Glasgow & then allegedly being removed from the party in NY) - I’d be inclined to trust the influencers more.
Crafter66@reddit
is it true that simon calder was made to leave the event after he gave criticism of the airline’s cabin? noel phillips on youtube said that is true.
CH86CN@reddit
Calder’s write up was very complimentary so if he drew ire I’d hate to be one of the others
Ok-String-5580@reddit
Yeah, God save the points was…umm…not nice at all… in his write-up.
CH86CN@reddit
I have a strict “no josh Cahill” rule but I gave his review a click and found myself agreeing with him
Melonpan78@reddit
I'm interested in this; is it his voice or something else that bugs you?
CH86CN@reddit
To be honest I can’t stand most of them but him and non stop Dan really grate. It’s the kind of whingey yet “I got myself into this situation” clickbaity drama sort of stuff
LittleStitch03@reddit
Yes that was true, Esqueth was seething at him for his remarks. They were very fair though.
purplehammer@reddit
They are either very lucky or banked on Simon's professional and respectful manner because he didn't even mention it in his review and if he went in on them for doing something like that it'd be a PR disaster for them.
I mean you have to take the criticism on the chin and spin the same old yarn of new company, lessons to be learned, things will improve yada yada yada. What you definitely do not do is eject probably the most highly respected travel journalist in the entire UK from an event you invited him to for having an opinion.
Future doesn't look too bright if I'm honest.
Melonpan78@reddit
Just watched Josh Cahill's experience on YouTube.
Dire, by all accounts.
It's like what would happen if Alan Sugar told The Apprentice candidates to start their own airline. One blunder after the next.
I was shocked but not surprised to learn that Global doesn't actually have a planned schedule in place beyond the GLA and MAN rotations. Of course it doesn't. That plane will be back in the Arizona desert by July.
Such a huge, carbon-footprinted, vanity project. There must be better, greener, more ethical ways for young entrepreneurs to make a statement.
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
Simon Calder at the Independent reports about 140 pax, which is 1/3 full.
That's probably not too bad for a first flight on a route they won't fly regularly.
agha0013@reddit
inaugural flights are often sold out, if for no other reason than the novelty of it.
If this airline can't manage 89% or more load factors regularly, they will just bleed money. The A380 is somewhat unforgiving
purplehammer@reddit
By all accounts it appeared to be nothing but "influencers" on board. I watched a couple vids and honestly I'd say about half of the entire runtime of the videos you could see other people's cameras in the background. And I ain't talking phones, I am talking gopros and tripods etc.
As you say, if they can't even get more than 150 people on for the first flight, that A380 will be a financial disaster. An incredible piece of engineering, but not viable in the majority of cases. Very similar to the Concorde in that respect.
magnificentfoxes@reddit
They won't fly it again. Ever. I give it a couple of weeks before they decide to temporarily suspend operations for another few years whilst the founder fleeces more gullible people.
SubjectiveAssertive@reddit
I suspect a lot of those were aviation/travel vloggers.
I think they probably actually announced the launch too close to the launch (I think it was only 6 weeks ago the tickets went on sale)
LittleStitch03@reddit
I’d say 70% of passengers onboard were a vlogger or journalist, that’s just my rough guess. But yeah they only advertised ticket quite late.
Doogers7@reddit
I just watched Patrick Shea’s YouTube video, he flew economy class. Beyond obvious teething issues such as with food service, which can be overcome, there were some notable issues for an airline focusing on image…
Lots of visible wear and tear, chipping, cracking and separation within the cabin materials.
Seating - At one point Patrick adjusted his headrest and pulled the whole piece off the seat. He also said the seats were so worn out you could feel the seat supports.
No USB or power outlets, which is unforgivable in 2025 for a long haul flight…particularly a problem for this initial flight as the IFE was disabled and you had to use your own devices.
Legroom - Patrick is 5’9” and his knees were 1” away from the seat in front.
On the positive side Patrick had good things to say about the actual food and choice of options, amenities, drink service choices.
His video is definitely worth checking out First Ever Flight of Global Airlines
fedecrim11@reddit
What I don’t fully understand is how the seats/cabin can be so worn when they’re all new, right? Because they’re all branded with GLOBAL, so surely they have to be new. Or maybe they literally just took the seats from another airline and just printed/sewed in the GLOBAL logo?
Doogers7@reddit
The plane was bought from China Southern and the seats were not replaced, maybe just reupholstering of the surface material while continuing to use the original seat frame and cushioning. Only the headrests are branded.
Seat backs, IFE etc. all appeared to be original and this is where the wear and tear was visible.
fedecrim11@reddit
Ahhh I see. Thanks for the clarification.
LittleStitch03@reddit
I’ve seen Patrick’s video and it largely reflected my feelings towards the experience. Indeed the drinks selection overall was really good, thus better than I expected. The seats were an obvious issue, really worn and tired looking especially in Economy. I’ve flown Air Europa before on their A330 and that was similar experience, but that was night and day compared to Global’s ambitions of offering luxury.
anaerobyte@reddit
Noel Philips was on it so he will probably post a video.
Smoke-00@reddit
He did! Looking forward to watching it!
anaerobyte@reddit
It posted today. Wild
JustACanadianGamer@reddit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnszB3fdp0o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UElywo4cNeE
Rook8811@reddit
Someone said 95 passengers
Imlooloo@reddit
What were they pricing these seats at? I can fly RT from nearby Edinburgh to JFK on Delta for about $500. You can see Global’s profitability challenge here!
A_storia@reddit
Found a news article from last month that said around £780, which is $1000. They may have dropped prices nearer to departure to encourage ticket sales but if so, it didn’t work.
At this rate, they’d do well to make it to January
Shed-End@reddit
That doesn’t even pay the fuel bill.
A group I was consulting for looked at converting the Thai 380 aircraft into 853 Yankee class people movers for the hadj season.
The plan was to convert 4 and chop two for spares.
We discussed with various ACMI operators about hosting the aircraft on their AOC and with crew, insurance and all other costs it was about $500k per aircraft per month or $24m per year for the 4 birds.
There was enough hadj contracts to make it profitable but the ancillary costs were insane (Mostly Engine and Mx related). The A380s were cheap enough although Global paid a much cheaper price (good business).
In the end the group decided there were safer ways of deploying over $100 million.
Long story short, Global will need to sell a lot of tickets to break even. The summer season is upon us and the ACMI market is dry so they would be able to deploy the A380 at a good hourly rate for at least three months.
A_storia@reddit
Without a significant business class load, they’ll do well to break even and their schedule isn’t attractive to frequent business passengers