Global Airlines Limited is a British startup airline aiming to begin operations fromLondon Gatwick toNew York andLos Angeles in 2025, using a fleet of fourAirbus A380s.[3] The company purchased its first aircraft in May 2023 and claims to be the first new Airbus A380 owner in eight years.[4] The company had initially proposed to operate its aircraft with five classes of service including a "Gamer class"[5] but later announced a more conventional three-class configuration with 450–470 seats.[6]
In March 2025, Global Airlines announced that its inaugural flight would be made on 15 May, fromGlasgow to New York.[7]
Global Airlines announced on 1 June 2023 that Richard Stephenson, former CEO of Aerotime[8] and communications director of theUK Civil Aviation Authority for six years, has been appointed asCCO and had been advising James Asquith since the previous summer.[9]
On 27 June 2023, Global Airlines announced Texas-based Matthew Brown[10] of Matthew Brown Companies had assumed the role of Shareholder and Advisor at Global Airlines, to focus on formulating the company's future investment strategy.[11]
In November 2023, Global Airlines announced a supplier partnership for a refurbishment programme, which was set to commence on the airline's first aircraft in January 2024.[12]
Global Airlines' first Airbus A380 was formerly operated byChina Southern Airlines. It arrived atGlasgow Prestwick Airport for storage in May 2024 before being ferried to Dresden for maintenance in October of the same year.
The aircraft previously referred to as its first was formerly operated bySingapore Airlines andHi Fly.[3] When asked in July 2024 whether this would be Global's second A380 in service, Asquith said that, "Potentially. We have an agreement in place for that aircraft. I can’t say if that would be the next one or the one after."[13]
