Premium leisure airline beOnd is preparing for a significant global expansion after two years of steady operations. Currently serving six markets with a small Airbus fleet, the Maldives-based carrier will launch operations in both the United States and Saudi Arabia in 2026, more than doubling its aircraft count.
CEO Tero Taskila says high demand for premium leisure travel has created new opportunities: destinations across the U.S., Caribbean, and Middle East are now asking beOnd to connect their luxury tourism markets. Taskila believes the surge in premium demand is structural, not temporary, and that multi-AOC operations will allow the company to shift capacity based on market conditions.
Inflight Internet Coming in 2026
After initially positioning itself as a “disconnect and relax” airline with no onboard connectivity, beOnd is now reversing course. The company has selected a provider for inflight internet, with a public announcement expected in Q1 2026. Tablet-based IFE will remain, but content partnerships are being updated for each market.
Multi-AOC Strategy: One Brand, Many Airlines
beOnd is accelerating a multi-AOC model similar to LATAM, easyJet, and Ryanair. Three operating markets are planned:
Saudi Arabia – Charter Expansion
- Charter AOC approved by Saudi authorities
- Local investors will support the launch
- Target of 20 aircraft in the Kingdom by 2030
- Aiming for one million international leisure passengers annually, requiring ~50 daily flights
- Six new destinations planned from Red Sea International Airport in 2026
United States – Scheduled Operations
- Will operate under Part 121 with a U.S. partner
- Two A320s to be based in the U.S. for premium transcontinental service and potential Hawaii routes
- Each aircraft will feature a 56-seat all-premium layout
- More details expected in early 2026
India – Coming in 2027
- Plans for an India-based AOC in late 2027
- Taskila notes India’s rapid growth requires a cautious certification process
- Like Saudi Arabia, beOnd aims for its own AOC rather than partnering with an existing airline
Fleet Growth and Supply Chain Stability
beOnd expects stable aircraft availability and has secured 32 aircraft through 2028. Deliveries for U.S. and Saudi expansion will begin in Q2 2026, with more arriving in Q3 and Q4. Premium seats from Optimares are guaranteed under contract.
Taskila says beOnd’s growing global recognition—especially after MWC Doha—shows that even smaller nations can build impactful aviation brands, offering premium experiences that connect high-end leisure markets worldwide.
