A new ‘premium leisure’ airline has shown its first aircraft, an Airbus A319 seating 44 passengers in an all lay-flat configuration.

Dubai-based Beond’s inaugural flights are scheduled for November 2023, with the Riyadh inaugural departing November 9, the Munich inaugural departing November 15, and the Zurich inaugural departing November 17. Between now and the scheduled service launch, early bird customers have chartered the aircraft to experience the Maldives. In addition, the airline announced new routes from Dubai and Milan, beginning in late March 2024.

“Today is the realization of a dream I first had 20 years ago,” said Max Nilov, Chief Strategy Officer of Beond, and a founder. “I had a dream of this airline, for this aircraft, and for this experience for passengers. We have created a premium experience coupled with an operating philosophy that is unmatched.”

Said Sascha Feuerherd, Chief Commercial Officer of Beond: “The response by customers and stakeholders has been excellent in our launch cities — which was to be expected. And now the interest has grown from other new origins on our route map. I look forward to greeting our first passengers as they board.”

This first Beond aircraft will be on display at the Dubai Air Show in mid-November. Additional Airbus aircraft will join the Beond fleet in late 2023 and early 2024.