In May 2025, Global Airlines made waves in the aviation world as its Airbus A380, 9H-GLOBL, finally took to the skies on its inaugural transatlantic flight with paying passengers.
The buzz was immediate—planespotters lined up for photos, while aviation YouTubers like Noel Phillips and Josh Cahill weighed in with sharply critical reviews of the inaugural flight. The startup’s debut drew fascination, skepticism, and no shortage of heated discussion.
Many (including us) wondered quietly if this ambitious venture would ever get off the ground. But one month ago, Global proved the doubters wrong—at least for now.
So, what’s really going on behind the scenes at Global Airlines?
To answer that, we looked at a recent statement from Global’s founder and CEO, James Asquith, and reviewed firsthand accounts from passengers on that first flight, including Cahill and Phillips.
First, though, let’s rewind and take a look at how Global Airlines got here.
A Dream Takes Flight
On 15 May 2025, Global Airlines defied doubters with the launch of its first–and much ballyhooed–passenger flight aboard an Airbus A380-800 from Glasgow Airport (GLA) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The flight, operating as HFM380 (with “HFM” nodding to Hi Fly Malta–more on that shortly), marked a significant moment for the fledgling carrier.
Bringing a nearly 13-year-old A380 back to life was no small task. Asquith calls it a “monumental achievement,” and he’s right—resurrecting an A380 from desert storage, overhauling its cabin, navigating regulatory mazes, and coordinating crew and catering is a Herculean task for a startup.
That inaugural flight carried just 95 passengers, far below the A380’s 500+ seat capacity. Critics were quick to point to the low passenger count as a sign of weak demand. But Asquith pushed back on that narrative.
“We wanted to test our service and products and focus on our premium cabins,” he explained in a social media post addressing the speculation. “If we had more passengers, we would never have got to test all the elements we wanted to try out.”
He also noted the airline didn’t market the flight to the general public.
“We didn’t do any marketing but simply reached out to our community online and in the wider aviation circles,” Asquith added.
In his words, the flight “succeeded on all fronts.”
Asquith’s Vision: Golden Age Glamour with a Modern Twist
When James Asquith founded Global Airlines in 2021, his mission was clear: bring back the elegance and excitement of aviation’s Golden Age—this time with a modern edge.
At the heart of that vision is the Airbus A380. Although it is a fuel-thirsty aircraft compared to more modern twinjets, the A380 remains a fan favorite known for its smooth, quiet, and spacious ride. Asquith’s strategy centers on acquiring retired A380s at bargain prices, refurbishing them inside and out, and putting them to work on high-demand routes, starting with transatlantic service between the UK and the US.
Global wholly owns its flagship aircraft, 9H-GLOBL, but partners with Maltese wet-lease operator Hi Fly Malta to handle the operational side. Bookings are managed through Travelopedia, a UK-based travel agency.
While early concepts like a five-class cabin—including a quirky “gamer” class—have been dropped, the airline is still pushing for a premium experience, with a strong focus on First, Business, and the airline’s signature “Global Traveller” cabins.
The ultimate goal? To become a full-fledged scheduled carrier. But as Asquith himself puts it, “There are still a lot of things to tackle on that journey.”
Did Global Airlines overpromise and underdeliver? It depends on who you ask.
While passengers aboard Global’s debut flight, HFM380, appreciated the A380’s signature quietness and roomy cabin, many came away underwhelmed by the overall experience.
Aviation YouTuber Josh Cahill, one of the first to board 9H-GLOBL, didn’t hold back. In a video titled “Global Airlines STRANGE First Flight and it was VERY BAD,” Cahill called it “one of the most chaotic flights I’ve ever been on.” He cited confusion at check-in, uneven service, and a noticeable lack of polish in the premium cabins Global had heavily promoted.
“It’s not too favorable to overpromise and underdeliver,” he said. “You promised us a new world, a new level of traveling—and that didn’t happen. It was really far away from it.”
Cahill criticized everything from the catering—describing it as “subpar” and sloppily presented—to the unprepared crew, who appeared to struggle with the logistics of working such a large aircraft. He also questioned the low passenger load, suggesting it reflected limited demand rather than a strategic soft launch.
His video quickly racked up over half a million views and struck a chord online, with many viewers echoing his disappointment. The narrative emerging was that Global Airlines had ambition but wasn’t ready for prime time.
Similarly, Noel Phillips wished Global Airlines well; however, in his review, he expressed concerns about the carrier.
“I genuinely want them to succeed,” Phillips said as he landed at JFK. “But after today, it’s clear there’s a long runway ahead before they’re truly ready for takeoff.”
But not all reviews were negative.
Six days later, on a Global flight from Manchester (MAN) to JFK, travel vlogger James Warren-Oliver offered a more hopeful perspective.
“This wasn’t just another flight,” he said. “This was the start of a dream years in the making. James [Asquith] didn’t just launch an airline; he launched an idea—a belief that flying could be more joyful, more meaningful. In a world of airline conformity, he asked, ‘Why can’t it succeed?’”
And Simon Calder, travel correspondent for The Independent, went even further, calling the inaugural flight “easily the most comfortable and fun transatlantic trip I have had.” He wrote, “This wasn’t a return to the ‘golden age of travel’—it was far better than that.”
Still, the online negativity—fair or not—clearly struck a nerve with Asquith. The buzz from influencers with large audiences quickly shaped public perception. Asquith later commented that “negativity drowns out all the good stuff online,” hinting at the frustration of watching his vision get overshadowed by early missteps.
MythBusting the Noise: Global Airlines’ Response
In the wake of criticism and online speculation, James Asquith didn’t stay silent. He took to social media with a post that felt equal parts celebration and clapback.
“There’s been a lot of noise since the first passenger flights,” he wrote, thanking supporters while calling out what he described as “huge speculation repeated as fact.”
Though he acknowledged the buzz Global had stirred up, Asquith urged followers to take a breath before jumping to conclusions.
“Don’t believe everything you see, hear, and read,” he warned. “Check information before amplifying fiction.” He added that while the attention is welcome—“there is only one thing worse than being talked about—not being talked about”—he’d rather the conversation be based on facts, not rumors.
To push back against misinformation, Global announced plans for a “MythBusters” series aimed at offering more transparency.
“We always have a good laugh at Global HQ when the latest missive gets posted,” Asquith joked.
But he made it clear that the focus remains on doing the actual work: “We’d rather channel our energy into delivering on our goals.”
He then addressed some of the biggest rumors head-on:
- ACMI rumors: “We’re not planning to change any strategy to become an ACMI operator—ACMI has always been part of our discussions with Hi Fly, but nothing has changed about our direction of travel.”
- Funding speculation: “We’re in talks with various organizations… Take anything you read with a pinch of salt, especially if there’s no official quote from Global.”
- Passenger numbers: The low load was intentional, allowing Global to “succeed on all fronts” in testing its premium offerings.
In short, Global isn’t backing down from the criticism. But it wants the record set straight.
The First Flight Fumble: Critics, Context, and Course Correction
Asquith owns the rough start: “Our first flight was a bit of a challenge… We were hopeful, but it just didn’t quite happen.”
But he also offers important context. For a startup, launching a transatlantic flight on a reactivated Airbus A380 is no small feat. The aircraft needed extensive maintenance, a major cabin overhaul, regulatory clearance, and a fully coordinated crew—all under the public eye.
“We apologize to any of our passengers who didn’t have the best time,” he says, but notes, “Many did have an amazing time, and the feedback was incredible.”
Thankfully, the missteps didn’t become a trend. Flights two, three, and four showed what Asquith calls a “1,000,000% improvement,” with reviewers praising the upgrades and smoother operations.
“It’s a shame that some of those who shouted loudest on the first flight did not join us on the second,” he adds, thanking those who documented the progress. Global plans to share more positive passenger stories online to “balance things out a little.”
And for the skeptics? Asquith has a simple invitation: “The only way to really get to know us is to buy a ticket… and then decide once and for all.”
While online reviews exposed real issues, Global’s quick response suggests they’re listening, learning, and making changes fast.
Global Airlines’ Road Ahead is Far from Certain
There’s no sugarcoating it—Global Airlines has a steep climb ahead. The transatlantic market is brutally competitive, dominated by lean, fuel-efficient twinjets like the Boeing 787. By contrast, the A380 is a high-stakes bet: big, expensive to operate, and built for volume. With no new commercial flights scheduled beyond Glasgow and Manchester, doubts are growing about whether Global can scale—or sustain—its operations.
Online reviews, especially after the first flight, cast shadows on the airline’s readiness. And without regular service to build momentum, the hype risks fading.
Yet, there’s something familiar about Global’s story. It reminds us of past dreamers like Freddie Laker and Richard Branson—entrepreneurs who went up against the odds with vision, swagger, and a refusal to play by the old rules.
Backed by investors and targeting premium travelers, Global isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. There’s a clear effort to tap into a niche: travelers who value comfort, nostalgia, and the once-unrivaled magic of the A380.
Behind the scenes, discussions with financiers and maintenance partners are ongoing, hinting that something more may be taking shape—even if details remain under wraps.
Suppose Global can continue refining its product by filling more seats and delivering a consistently elevated experience. In that case, the A380’s enduring appeal, with its space, silence, and sense of grandeur, might just win over a loyal audience (so long as fuel prices remain reasonable).
Will Global Airlines’ Superjumbo-Sized Gamble Pay Off?
Global Airlines is a startup with sky-high dreams and real challenges. Their A380 debut was a milestone, but scathing passenger experiences exposed a chaotic first flight that fell short of the hype. It is, after all, a massive undertaking to launch a new airline, especially one flying the world’s largest passenger jet.
Still, improved feedback from later flights and Global’s commitment to making the experience better for its customers show they’re listening and ready to tackle their shortcomings.
Asquith’s open invitation to “come and experience it for yourself” is a challenge for curious travelers to give Global a chance.
But when will that chance be? Will there be another chance? At the time of writing, we simply don’t know yet.
Will Global become a scheduled airline or remain a niche player? Time will tell. For now, they’re writing a story worth watching.
We wish them the best.
For those of us who live and breathe aviation, startups like this are part of what keeps the industry thrilling. However, bold (and, some might argue, crazy) bets like Global’s keep the skies worth watching, even if the takeoff’s a bit bumpy.
