Summary
- New startup BermudAir receives its first aircraft, an Embraer E175, as it prepares to launch flights between Bermuda and the East Coast US.
- BermudAir plans to offer all-business class flights with 30 seats, providing a premium service and larger-than-average space onboard. The airline will introduce the Aisle Class in November.
- The airline will initially fly to New York's Westchester Airport, Boston International, and Fort Lauderdale International.
BermudAir, the new startup to launch flights as Bermuda’s flag carrier, has received its first aircraft, an Embraer E175, that arrived on the island at L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) earlier this week.
Receiving the first aircraft
Last month, it was reported that the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) granted BermudAir its Air Operating Certificate (AOC). The startup is set to be based in the North Atlantic country and plans to operate as “a boutique airline providing short, all-business class flights between Bermuda and the East Coast US.”
On August 19, BermudAir’s first aircraft, an Embraer E175 registration VQ-BLU, arrived on the island, as reported by Bernews. According to a spokesperson for the company, this first aircraft arrived in Bermuda for preparatory flights that authorities will review as part of the ongoing local regulatory process. The spokesperson added,
“It will be here for a few days, flying in and out of the island, then return to Canada for completion of remaining operational launch preparations. This is another key milestone towards BermudAir’s launch.”
The startup’s E175 will have 88 standard seats. Nonetheless, the carrier will only sell 44 seats for each flight, so all passengers can enjoy both window and aisle access and plenty of space for carry-on bags, it said in a statement. BermudAir plans to offer a premium service to travelers, who will enjoy a larger-than-average space onboard.
On November 1 the company will receive a "highly customized and game-changing seating suites," which will allow BermudAir to introduce the Aisle Class, a seating concept that eliminates the aisle vs. window seat dilemma.
Following the introduction of this class, BermudAir's E175s will be configured with just 30 seats to feature unmatched privacy and ample workspace, with only two seats in each row, it explained in a statement.
Where will BermudAir fly to?
On Thursday, BermudAir announced the launching sale of the three inaugural destinations it will fly to from its hub at L.F. Wade International.
BermudAir will fly to New York’s Westchester Airport (HPN), Boston International (BOS), and Fort Lauderdale International (FLL). The services to New York and Boston will begin on August 31, while the service to Fort Lauderdale will begin on September 22. According to data from Cirium, BermudAir plans to operate seven weekly flights to Boston, 12 to Westchester, and six to Fort Lauderdale.
Competition for BermudAir
BermudAir will only face direct competition in one of the routes announced. JetBlue flies daily between Boston and Bermuda, employing a 140-seat Airbus A220-300 (versus the 30-seat E175 from the startup).
Nonetheless, more US carriers serve Bermuda from the East Coast. According to data from Cirium, there are 56 weekly flights to the Caribbean island, operated by American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
American Airlines operates daily flights to BDA from Charlotte, New York John F. Kennedy, and Philadelphia. It employs its Airbus A319 fleet, with 128 seats.
JetBlue flies from Boston (as previously stated) and also has daily Airbus A320 flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports.
Delta Air Lines employs its A319 fleet to fly three and four times a week from Atlanta and New York John F. Kennedy, respectively. Finally, United Airlines flies daily from Newark to Bermuda, employing its Boeing 737-800 fleet.
Are you excited about BermudAir? Do you plan to be onboard of any of its flights? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Bernews.