I just got off BeOnd's A319: the seven things I take away from this experience
BeOnd is the only airline in the world to fly to the Maldives in a plane with only business class seats
BeOnd
MLE
Maldives
I got off a few hours ago from theAirbus A319 by BeOnd, the company that has been much talked about in recent months for the aura of grandeur with which it has surrounded itself and for being just the world's second all-Business airline along with France's La Compagnie, flying from Paris to Milan to New York (Newark).
In this article:
BeOnd colleague instead Zurich, Munich (which will become seasonal only in winter) and Riyadh with Malé, the capital of the Maldives. E from next July 3 will also fly to the archipelago from Milan Malpensa.
The best bonuses
Hot, here is what I took away from this experience that can certainly be called unique, as BeOnd has only one aircraft in its fleet (which will be joined by a larger Airbus A321 from the summer).
Privacy
If this is a priority of business class travel for you, and love the suites with the door, this cabin and this plane are not for you. It is true that 44 seats on an A319 are very few and that most people at the Maldives goes there in pairs, however, it is not permissible that between the pairs of seats (the rows are 2+2) was not even thought in movable divider.
Cabin
Aesthetically, one of the most beautiful in the world in terms of colors (ivory, orange, bronze) and materials (leather, leather, and more leather). When the cabin lights are all on, the effect of ivory is almost dazzling. It is so reminiscent of another super plane, the Four Seasons Private Jet.
Seat
Of privacy we have said, for the rest it is very comfortable during daylight hours, less so when lying down as a bed, partly because the leather upholstery inevitably makes it a bit stiff.
Food & Beverage
The food is excellent for variety of choice, beauty of dishes, quality of ingredients, taste and quantity. On beverage, the absence of the wine list somewhat debases everything, although flight attendants show you the bottles and then pour from your chosen one.
On-board entertainment
La sore note, very sore indeed. Not for the Ipad, which is a good size and has excellent video and audio output. How much for the content, which is very poor in terms of quantity (and more...).
Service
Professional, friendly, personalized. The few passengers on board (there were 14 of us from Zurich to Malé and 11 from Malé to Zurich) help, but the four attendants on each leg were Impeccable and always with a smile and a gesture of attention.
Stress
Zero. From check-in to fast track, from boarding (you are picked up in the lounge and escorted to the gate) to disembarking everything happens very quickly, never experienced with any other airline in any class of service.
It feels (really) like flying aboard your own private jet with a few friends.