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Premium leisure carrier beOnd has formally begun the process of securing an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) awarded beOnd a national charter carrier tender that, once licensed, will allow the airline to operate bespoke domestic and international flights. As part of its Saudi expansion, beOnd plans to base aircraft in the Kingdom and gradually scale operations, with a goal of deploying up to 20 aircraft by 2030.
If you’re not familiar with beOnd, the airline is based in Male, Maldives (airline code B4, headquartered in Dubai), and positions itself as the world’s first “premium leisure” carrier, offering a private-jet-inspired experience on scheduled flights. Its fleet of Airbus A319 and A321 aircraft is configured entirely with lie-flat seats, with no economy cabin onboard.
beOnd Airlines cabin
The airline recently marked its two-year service anniversary. It launched the first direct flights between Milan (MXP) and Red Sea International Airport (RSI), establishing a European gateway to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea mega projects. The MXP–RSI route operates 2x weekly and return fares start at €1,709, inclusive of taxes. The airline’s growing network now spans Zurich, Munich, Milan, Riyadh, Dubai, the Red Sea, and Malé, with beOnd operating fifth-freedom flights between Zurich, Munich, and Dubai, as well as between Milan and the Red Sea.
beOnd Airlines Routes – 2025 (via FlightConnections)
The Saudi announcement follows a long-term expansion plan that envisions a 56-aircraft fleet by 2030, supported by bases in the Maldives, Gulf countries, the U.S., and India. Their aggressive growth plans are built around six new aircraft planned for 2026, followed by 10 to 12 new aircraft per year thereafter. Planned service from the Maldives, as shared by airlines, includes:
|
Europe* |
Asia* |
India* |
Middle East* |
|
1. Paris
2. Vienna 3. Düsseldorf 4. Rome 5. Warsaw |
1. Bangkok
2. Seoul 3. Beijing 4. Shanghai 5. Guangzhou |
1. Mumbai
2. Delhi 3. Bangalore 4. Hyderabad |
1. Kuwait
2. Bahrain 3. Jeddah 4. Abu Dhabi
|
*Certain planned services are subject to receipt of government approvals.
beOnd intends to begin the next phase of its U.S. expansion in October 2026, aligning with its previously announced objective of securing a Part 121 AOC, the certification required for scheduled commercial operations in the United States. In a recent press conference, the airline confirmed that the US operations will focus on domestic routes first, with transcontinental routes, including Hawaii.
If all goes to plan, travellers in Saudi Arabia and across beOnd’s expanding network will soon have even more options for premium leisure travel, delivered through a model that sits somewhere between private-charter exclusivity and scheduled service consistency. GHA DISCOVERY members enjoy 15% off all flights across the network, valid until 31 December 2026. The airline currently does not partner with other airlines or loyalty programs, so folks eyeing travel on beOnd will have to rely on flexible currencies to unlock the premium experience with points.
