Newly established luxury airline Beond has showcased its first passenger plane at the Dubai Airshow.
The company's business model aims to offer an experience more similar to flying by private jet than premium or business-class travel on legacy airlines.
"You are part of an exclusive club on the aircraft," Tero Taskila, chief executive and chairman of Beond, told The National. "Our service means you don't have to board with 300 or 400 other people on the same flight."
The all-premium class airline showcased its first aircraft – an Airbus A319 – on Monday.
It comes as Beond this week prepares to launch its first flights from Riyadh, Zurich and Munich to the Maldivian capital, Male.
Future plans include flying from the Maldives to Dubai, Bangkok and Milan next year.
Elevating the flying experience
Mr Taskila says the airline's goal is to "get into people's emotions".
"One of the best compliments we've received at the Airshow is that the aircraft has exceeded expectations. When we were designing it [the plane], we wanted to make sure that it hit all the right points of sustainable luxury; how it makes people feel and how the interiors feel in people's hands."
He noted the majority of passengers have been booking the airline's most luxurious package, which includes baggage allowance, fast-track boarding, complimentary premium seating, lounge access and premium transfers. A one-way ticket from Munich to the Maldives starts at $2,331.
"That is a testament that our passengers' want to elevate their experiences," he said.
He describes typical Beond customers as people who travel to sports events, holidays, honeymoons, or those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"We had one passenger ask us if they could fly in their private jet to Munich to take our aircraft to the Maldives because they loved our product so much."
Luxury at the forefront
Mr Taskila describes Beond as a "timeless luxury that doesn't want or need to compete with airlines that have the biggest TV screens".
Its first aircraft seats only 44 passengers in a two-two layout, instead of the usual 156 passengers in an all-economy layout.
Beond also has collaborations with various resorts on the island, meaning passengers can take private seaplanes and speedboats direct from Velana International Airport straight to their holiday destination.
"That's luxury leisure travel. This is not for business travellers. Our customers are travelling as honeymooners, celebrating anniversaries, or families on vacation," he said.
Seats, configured in rows of two and which recline flat, are equipped with gadgets such as iPad Pros and wireless headsets, replacing traditional aircraft entertainment systems.
"The power of iPad Pros gives us an immersive experience all provided by Apple so it is what sets us apart from other airlines," Mr Taskila said.
"We are reinventing that experience. Everyone else gives you champagne and a chauffeur. We wanted to execute that better so our on-board experience feels more luxurious than other airlines."
The seats are designed by Italian manufacturer Optimares, which previously supplied similar interiors for a custom-designed Four Seasons A321 private jet. They share the same components with LaFerrari, a luxury sports car that was priced at about $1.5 million when it was released in 2013.
Several parts were manufactured by the Ferrari factory in Milan, which keeps the seats light and robust.
"Being able to say we have the lightest premium seats enables us to fly further but also keep our emissions low. That's very important to us," he said.
Ambitious targets
Mr Taskila acknowledged Beond's commitment to ensuring it meets the Maldives' strict climate-change goals in launching its fleet, which is designed to be as light on traditional aircraft fuel as possible.
"We are currently taking part in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) programmes, so we will have a larger percentage of sustainable fuel than any other airline by 2025, and 2030 is the next milestone. We are speaking to our destinations about when that fuel will be available and we are committing to make that happen by May next year."
The airline has also committed to being plastic-free with locally sourced catering supplies where possible to reduce its carbon footprint.
Beond aims to fly 32 aircraft from Male to 60 non-stop destinations within five years.
"Every new aircraft we will introduce will bring with it three or four new destinations," Mr Taskila said.
An Airbus A321 will be added to the airline's fleet next year to fly passengers from Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East to the Maldives.
The airline is also eyeing Al Maktoum International Airport as a potential hub in the future.
"We are seeing how the Dubai market is developing and whether there is space for us as a hub carrier. But for now, we are focusing on the Maldives and creating that link to Dubai, the Middle East and the rest of the world."
Thousands attended the first day of the Dubai Airshow at Al Maktoum International Airport on Monday, the largest yet, which will run until Friday, November 17.
The event has attracted more than 1,400 exhibitors from 148 countries, with more than 180 aircraft on display.
Crowds flock to Dubai Airshow 2023 – in pictures
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Tuesday (UAE kick-off times)
Leicester City v Brighton (9pm)
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United (11.15pm)
Wednesday
Manchester United v Sheffield United (9pm)
Newcastle United v Aston Villa (9pm)
Norwich City v Everton (9pm)
Wolves v Bournemouth (9pm)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (11.15pm)
Thursday
Burnley v Watford (9pm)
Southampton v Arsenal (9pm)
Chelsea v Manchester City (11.15pm)
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
Start-up hopes to end Japan's love affair with cash
Across most of Asia, people pay for taxi rides, restaurant meals and merchandise with smartphone-readable barcodes — except in Japan, where cash still rules. Now, as the country’s biggest web companies race to dominate the payments market, one Tokyo-based startup says it has a fighting chance to win with its QR app.
Origami had a head start when it introduced a QR-code payment service in late 2015 and has since signed up fast-food chain KFC, Tokyo’s largest cab company Nihon Kotsu and convenience store operator Lawson. The company raised $66 million in September to expand nationwide and plans to more than double its staff of about 100 employees, says founder Yoshiki Yasui.
Origami is betting that stores, which until now relied on direct mail and email newsletters, will pay for the ability to reach customers on their smartphones. For example, a hair salon using Origami’s payment app would be able to send a message to past customers with a coupon for their next haircut.
Quick Response codes, the dotted squares that can be read by smartphone cameras, were invented in the 1990s by a unit of Toyota Motor to track automotive parts. But when the Japanese pioneered digital payments almost two decades ago with contactless cards for train fares, they chose the so-called near-field communications technology. The high cost of rolling out NFC payments, convenient ATMs and a culture where lost wallets are often returned have all been cited as reasons why cash remains king in the archipelago. In China, however, QR codes dominate.
Cashless payments, which includes credit cards, accounted for just 20 per cent of total consumer spending in Japan during 2016, compared with 60 per cent in China and 89 per cent in South Korea, according to a report by the Bank of Japan.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Scorecard
Scotland 220
K Coetzer 95, J Siddique 3-49, R Mustafa 3-35
UAE 224-3 in 43,5 overs
C Suri 67, B Hameed 63 not out
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
INDIA SQUAD
Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami
more from Janine di Giovanni
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
TOP 5 DRIVERS 2019
1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 10 wins 387 points
2 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 4 wins, 314 points
3 Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 3 wins, 260 points
4 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2 wins, 249 points
5 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1 win, 230 points
