BeOnd Airline Business Class Flight Review
This year, for our annual trip to the Maldives, we decided to try a new airline: beOnd – the world’s first premium leisure airline. With routes connecting cities like Zurich, Munich, Milan, Riyadh, and Dubai to the Maldives, we were eager to see if beOnd could elevate our vacation experience right from the moment we took to the skies.
We flew from Zurich to Malé and back with beOnd, and are excited to share our personal flight experience along with everything you need to know before flying with this premium all business class airline. Keep reading for all the details!
DISCLAIMER: WE WERE HOSTED ON THIS FLIGHT, WHICH DOES NOT INFLUENCE MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS AND REVIEW ABOUT THIS AIRLINE. ALL EXPRESSED OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.
Check-in & Lounge Access
Our trip from Zurich to the Maldives with beOnd started with the check-in at their dedicated check-in counters at Zurich airport. In under two minutes, we had our boarding passes. The process was smooth and professional, just like you’d expect from any business class service.
Thanks to fast-track access, security was also a breeze, and we quickly headed to one of the two Aspire Lounges beOnd partners with at Zurich airport. Unfortunately, due to a gate change, we were sent to the wrong lounge at the E gates (which in fact are the usual non-Schengen departure gates), forcing us to take the airport train and go through security twice, only to find out we should’ve been sent to the Aspire Lounge at the B gates all along, losing about 20 minutes each way.
The lounge itself was spacious with great views onto the incoming and leaving aircrafts and offered a self-serve buffet including a variety of snacks, hot dishes, drinks, and spirits, as well as free WiFi. The seating was comfortable, with options for privacy, but there were no restrooms in the lounge itself – unlike other lounges in Zurich.
In Malé, we had access to the regular Business Class lounge, Leeli Lounge, inside the terminal. It offered a lovely breakfast buffet reminiscent of a cozy hotel spread, ample seating options, and boarding announcements for each airline, making for a relaxing pre-flight experience.
Aircraft & Boarding
beOnd’s aircraft branding is an absolute standout. The dark grey and copper combination makes it one of the most stylish planes we’ve ever seen. Currently, beOnd operates two planes: a smaller Airbus A319 and a larger Airbus A321, though it’s primarily the A319 that’s in continuous service for now.
In Zurich, a friendly beOnd staff member escorted us from the lounge to the departure gate for boarding. Unfortunately, there was another delay (our original departure time had already been pushed back by three hours on the same day in the morning). After one hour of waiting at the gate, we were brought back to the Aspire Lounge at the E gates (this time by bus) until boarding finally started after a six-hour delay.
In Malé for our return flight, things went much smoother and with no major delays. It seems we simply encountered some unfortunate circumstances in Zurich – something that can happen at any airport with any airline.
The boarding experience itself was very quick. With only a handful of passengers each time, lines were nonexistent and we were on the plane and off to our seats in no time. We really enjoyed that.
Once seated, we were offered fresh smoothies (which we loved), hot towels, and salted nuts. However, on the leg from Malé to Dubai, the cabin crew overlooked serving pre-departure drinks to a few passengers, including us.
Business Class Seats & Cabin
The business class cabin is an absolute eye-catcher, with luxurious beige Italian leather seats featuring elegant stitching that pair beautifully with the black carpet, the dark grey seat shells and the copper accents of the amenities. The design of the interior is a visual standout in our opinion.
The smaller Airbus A319 has 44 lie-flat seats across 11 rows, while the larger A321 offers 68 seats across 17 rows. Both cabins are arranged in a 2-2 configuration. Each seat pair has a middle armrest with seat controls, a solid tray table that pivots 45 degrees for easy access, and charging options with an AC power outlet and an USB-C port.
The seats also feature a small cutout at the side for placing your feet. We wish there would have been a bit more storage space for personal items around the seats though.
Passengers who favor sitting in a window seat should keep in mind that they have no direct aisle-access and must climb over the resting or sleeping aisle passenger to get to the lavatories, which might be a minus if you’re not traveling as a couple.
While there is also no privacy screen between seats, this setup works quite well as most leisure travelers on beOnd’s flights to the Maldives are likely couples like us, friends, or families.
There are also 8 premium Ottoman seats with a larger Ottoman footrest. Since our flight wasn’t full, we could try them as well on the second leg to Malé and really loved the extra space.
Amenities
Onboard, beOnd offers a cozy touch with copper-colored plush pillows and soft blankets that invite relaxation. Comfortable slippers are provided for easy movement around the cabin, and if you are looking for extra sleeping comfort, a mattress topper and pillowcase are available upon request.
The amenity kits have a stylish black design and include essentials like face mist, pillow mist, ear plugs, Bottega Fiore body lotion, and hand sanitizer. However, our first flight lacked sleeping masks and toothbrushes, with only toothbrushes provided upon request.
No amenity kits were provided on the return flight, which we believe should be standard on every long-haul business class journey, regardless of whether it’s a day or night flight.
The two lavatories, one at the front and one at the back, have a regular cabin size and were always clean. Still, they would benefit from additional toiletries beyond just soap to enhance the overall onboard experience.
Meals & Drinks
beOnd really impressed us with their excellent and regionally inspired food offering, making each meal a culinary delight at 30,000 feet. Passengers can indulge in exquisite Piper Heidsieck champagne, alongside a curated selection of wines from Italy, France, and Chile, complemented by various cocktail options.
Each leg of the journey begins with a refreshing non-alcoholic welcome drink and a small bowl of mixed salted nuts, setting a pleasant tone for the flight.
On our flight from Zurich to Malé, we enjoyed a delicious dinner right after takeoff on the first leg (Zurich – Dubai) and a delightful breakfast on the second leg (Dubai – Malé) right before landing. For our return trip, we had lunch and dinner onboard.
Each three-course meal was beautifully presented on custom-made tableware, featuring understated luxury from William Edwards and silverware from Robert Welch.
Overall, the quality of breakfast, lunch, and dinner surpassed all our expectations, proving to be one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever enjoyed in business class. beOnd really takes in-flight dining to the next level!
Since beOnd only carries a limited number of each dish, implementing a pre-order option could even enhance the experience and allow guests to enjoy the dish on the menu they fancy the most.
Onboard Entertainment
beOnd takes a unique approach to in-flight entertainment by providing each passenger with their own Apple iPad Pro, secured in a personal holder that mimics a built-in system. This setup grants access to a movie library, TV series, documentaries, music, games, podcasts, and flight information, including maps and details about the Maldives.
The experience is enhanced by Beats wireless noise-cancelling headphones, which significantly outperform the standard offerings typically found in business class.
Unfortunately, there was no onboard WiFi for chatting or surfing the internet. While the lack of onboard Wi-Fi might be a letdown for some travelers, especially since a WiFi system is available onboard, we didn’t find it bothersome, even though it might have been a nice feature.
You might also be interested in: Best Resorts in the Maldives
Service
The service experience on beOnd flights changes with every cabin crew that joins you on the flight as the crew changes for each leg. While some attendants delivered outstanding service, others varied in their approach; some introduced themselves and addressed us with our names, while others did not (a small inconsistency that can easily be addressed with training).
Overall, every crew was professional, and the service was pleasant but left room for enhancement in terms of sociability and personalization in our opinion.
On the flight from Dubai to Malé, the cabin crew was exceptional. They introduced themselves, created a warm and inviting atmosphere, and ensured we had everything we needed at all times. The cabin manager, Ningi, provided outstanding service, making it one of the best experiences we’ve ever had in business class.
Fuel Stop
During the journey, a planned fuel stop took place at Dubai’s newest airport, Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International, and lasted about an hour. While the stop does disrupt your sleep due to the requirement to sit upright for landing and takeoff, passengers remain on board during refueling. This is a significant relief compared to switching planes in the middle of the night, which is common with indirect flights via the Middle Eastern hubs.
If beOnd eventually acquires longer-range jets, eliminating this fuel stop would be a game-changer for European travelers looking for a direct, seamless, and luxurious journey to the Maldives.
Tariffs & Rates
beOnd offers three distinct fare options: Delight, Bliss, and Opulence.
The Delight Experience includes 40kg checked baggage, 10kg cabin baggage, fast track, and premium seat selection for a fee, but no lounge access or chauffeur service.
The Bliss Experience offers the same baggage allowance and fast track, plus complimentary premium seat selection and lounge access, though it excludes premium transfer.
The Opulence Experience offers the full package including 60kg checked baggage, 15kg cabin baggage, fast track, complimentary premium seat selection, lounge access, and premium chauffeur service.
Final Thoughts: Is it worth it?
Since we first heard about beOnd’s concept and launch, we were excited to fly with them to the Maldives. We absolutely love their premium concept, especially since it’s connected to one of our favorite destinations.
The aircraft is stylish inside and out, which is a standout feature and perfectly matches their branding. Additionally, the in-flight dining experience was exceptional, ranking among the best business class offerings we’ve encountered.
We also appreciated the comfortable seats and the combination of Beats headphones and an iPad for onboard entertainment.
The pricing is highly competitive compared to standard business class fares more akin to premium economy rates on other airlines. With so few passengers, it felt more like a shared private jet experience.
While there are someareas for improvement, we understand they’re still early in their journey, and we’re confident they’ll enhance these aspects. We genuinely hope beOnd finds success in their niche.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the beOnd experience, which beautifully blends premium comfort, luxurious design, and exquisite fine dining. We can definitely recommend flying with them!
⮕ You may also enjoy reading: 10 Best Local Islands in the Maldives
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