New business class airline launches flights between the US and Bermuda - see what it's like on board (2023)

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On August 31, BermudaAir's first flight leaves the island early in the morning at 7:40 a.m. and arrives in Boston two hours later.

Flights to Westchester County depart on the same day, with the first flight departing at 15.55. Service to Fort Lauderdale will begin a few weeks later on September 22.

According to the schedule shared by Insider, all return flights will operate once a day on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Starting September 15, however, the number of flights to Westchester County will increase to twice a day.

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However, the launch - like all flights up to 25 October - will not take place as originally planned. Instead of all-business class, the aircraft will have 88 economy seats in a 2x2 layout.

BermudaAir explained in a press release that it does not plan to fully book the flight.

"Only 44 seats will be sold on each flight - all with window and aisle access and plenty of room for hand luggage - giving passengers comfort and space during the flight," the company said.

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A spokesperson told Insider that "unforeseen supply chain issues" led to the last-minute change, but the carrier plans to launch the unique "Aisle Class" on November 1.

BermudaAir said the introduction of this "phasing in" came after the carrier began "to experience reductions in air traffic for the autumn and winter".

It is believed that the revised layout will allow "service gaps to be filled now and service frequencies to be established before the full introduction of the walking class service in November."

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Despite the unexpected presence of coach seats on the first flight, the E175 aircraft will continue to deliver business benefits.

This includes free in-flight Wi-Fi, messaging, power and entertainment, at least one piece of checked baggage (depending on fare), under-seat storage and "an exceptional level of in-flight service".

According to the airline, the service will include "freshly prepared light meals and beverages" using ingredients sourced from local Bermuda partners.

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The configuration for the entire business class, which is called "revolutionary seating", will have a 1x1 layout, meaning everyone will have direct access to the aisle.

According to BermudaAir, the design maximizes privacy and space - just like JetBlue Airways didMint Suite i Airbus A321neos flyflies between the US and Europe.

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Scott told Insider that the operation's target market is both business travelers and tourists, as well as residents leaving and returning.

“Bermuda has strong business demand and a premium entertainment market that is particularly strong during the summer months,” he said.

"Obviously, we'd like it to be year-round, and Bermuda would be a paradise that's very, very close to New York and Boston."

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When it launches in late August, BermudaAir will compete directly with JetBlue in Boston and indirectly with JetBlue, American, Delta and United in the New York area.

While BermudaAir will fly from Westchester County, American, Delta and JetBlue offer direct flights to the island nation from nearby John Paul II International Airport. John F. Kennedy in New York.

United offers direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, the new airline will be the only non-stop operator between Fort Lauderdale and Bermuda starting September 22.

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Despite the competition, Scott told Insider that BermudaAir's business model has an advantage over existing carriers with their E175 aircraft.

In particular, he explained that it is difficult for major carriers such as American and Delta "that do not have aircraft adapted to this market and its specific requirements" to offer the frequency that is "requested on an hourly basis".

According to Google Flights, American, Delta and JetBlue fly narrow-body aircraft on their main routes to and from Bermuda.

"If we can have the right size aircraft, bring the right amount of available seats to market with the right product and offer our passengers the time savings that airports like Westchester provide, then we believe we have a winning formula." Scott told Insider.

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According to a company spokesperson, initial pricing will start at $199.

Google Flights shows that the cheapest nonstop flight from airports near New York to Bermuda on Aug. 31 on a major U.S. carrier is United's $228 basic economy fare — which doesn't include carry-on or checked bags.

BermudaAir, on the other hand, costs $299 from Westchester and includes baggage.

However, these low prices are likely to be short-lived. Customers can expect prices to skyrocket once the aisle is installed, and Scott told Insider before the cabin change that fares will start at $1,000 each.

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Although BermudaAir appears to have big ambitions, this is not Scott's first rodeo, as its CEO is also the mastermind behind another carrier, Odyssey Air.

The airline hopes to one day be able to fly the Airbus A220 in business class only to and from London City Airport in England, but after more than 10 years of operation, it still hasn't launched.

"Odyssianis a company that still exists and that we're still looking for,” Scott told Insider. "We have, let's say, a little break for a short-term transition to BermudaAir."

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Indeed, he told Insider that BermudaAir represents a "proof of concept," noting that the Odyssey may have entered the market prematurely because the A220 was not yet available when the airline was registered in 2010.

Scott told Insider that his team still believes in the business class only model, claiming that Bermuda is "a mini version of London City with a very similar demographic and a similar target audience".

"What we want to do is prove our theories, which is that if you can deliver a great experience at a frequency that will work for a mainstream audience, then there's no limit to us," he said.