New British airline launches first-ever transatlantic flight

Published on April 16, 2025

Global Airlines is set to revolutionize air travel with luxurious flights from the UK to the US, offering unmatched service, luxury perks, and affordable fares starting May 2025.

Global Airlines, the innovative British start-up launched in 2021 by travel entrepreneur James Asquith, has begun selling tickets for its inaugural flights. The airline promises to “revolutionize commercial flying” by eliminating common frustrations such as long security lines, delayed flights, lost luggage, unappetizing meals, and poor customer service.

The airline’s debut flight will take off on May 15, 2025, with an Airbus A380 operating a seven-hour journey from Glasgow to New York. The return flight to Glasgow is scheduled for four days later. The second round-trip will depart from Manchester on May 21, heading once again to the Big Apple.

Global Airlines is offering some exclusive perks, including checked luggage and Laurent-Perrier champagne, even in economy class. Although their goal is to eventually offer regular scheduled services, their first two flights are essentially chartered operations, in partnership with Portugal’s Hi Fly. Tickets for these flights are being sold through Travelopedia, operating under the GA.Flights brand.

CEO James Asquith aims to rekindle the nostalgia of flying in its golden age. The airline promises a unique blend of affordability and quality. Currently, a “Global Traveller” return ticket to New York is priced at £778 (approximately €908), which includes checked baggage and champagne. For business class, the price is around £3,600 (€4,200), and first-class tickets are priced at over £6,500 (around €7,500).

Can Global Airlines compete in a crowded market? The A380’s configuration accommodates roughly 471 passengers, raising concerns about whether this new airline can fill all its seats. While Global Airlines is the only carrier offering a Glasgow-New York route, three other airlines—JetBlue, United, and Virgin Atlantic—serve the competing Edinburgh-New York route, just 67 km away.

There are also concerns surrounding the timing of Global’s launch, which coincides with a decline in European demand for transatlantic flights. This has been attributed to various concerns over US border policies and travel advisories from the Trump administration. Recent data from the US National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) and International Trade Administration (ITA) shows that UK travel to the US dropped 15% year-on-year in March 2025.