Luxury airline beOnd teams up with New Pacific Airlines to launch US operations
November 13, 2025
Maldivian carrier beOnd, having just celebrated its second birthday, has secured a further $100 million in investment and announced a strategic tie-up with New Pacific Airlines in the US.
The agreement will see the luxury carrier spread its wings across the globe, with the launch of a new sister carrier, beOnd America.
beOnd’s expansion into new geographies
The airline’s CEO and Chairman, Tero Taskila, speaking at a travel and tourism conference in Riyadh, said that the deluxe airline had recently secured an additional investment of $100 million from undisclosed creditors through its latest funding round.
The investment will primarily be used to fund the airline through its next phase of expansion, said Taskila, which will see the company move from a single Maldivian Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to other AOCs based in the Middle East and the United States in 2026, followed by an Indian-based AOC in 2027.
It will also allow for the expansion of the carrier’s fleet from its current two aircraft to 56 aircraft over the coming years. Taskila said he put this planned expansion down to the continued rise in the worldwide demand for luxury travel.
New Pacific Airlines to launch beOnd America
In addition to the latest funding round, the airline has also revealed an intention to launch beOnd America in conjunction with US high-end charter airline, New Pacific Airlines (NPA).
The deal reached between the two airlines will see beOnd bring its luxury travel experience to the US market for the first time, riding on the back of NPA’s expertise in the US premium travel sector.
“Our mission has always been to make premium leisure travel feel effortless, thoughtful, and emotionally rewarding,” said Taskila. “New Pacific as a partner brings operational depth in the United States and strengthens our multi-jurisdictional structure.”
“Together, we can introduce more travellers to a premium leisure experience that focuses on comfort, calm, and care from the moment the journey begins.”
NPA started life in 2021 as Northern Pacific Airways but was later forced to change its name due to legal objections from the Northern Pacific Railroad Company.
After several early pivots in its operations strategy, the carrier now has three Boeing 757-200s based in Anchorage, which it uses primarily for premium class charter flights, including regular flights for professional sports teams across the US.
Regional airline Ravn Alaska, which ceased operations in August, also formed part of the NPA group of carriers with its four De Havilland Canada DHC-8 turboprops.
“New Pacific was founded to connect people and places that matter,” said Tom Hsieh, CEO of NPA. “This partnership allows us to elevate that mission by delivering something truly distinctive for American travellers – a boutique, luxury airline experience that blends comfort, design, and service excellence in a way not seen in US skies.”
Aircraft to feature the beOnd brand
Under the new framework, NPA intends to operate flights marketed under the beOnd brand, with the two airlines collaborating on customer experience, scheduling, and network development.
Pursuant to the agreement, NPA will operate eight aircraft with the beOnd brand and product. It has not been clarified whether the existing three 757s will be included in this number or whether the additional aircraft will be sourced elsewhere.
According to a beOnd statement, the route structure and timelines for beOnd America remain subject to regulatory approvals, although the airline will operate in full compliance with US Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration rules.
This will ensure “a safe and transparent path to market introduction,” said the airline.
“The new partnership will combine beOnd’s global luxury brand with NPA’s FAA-certified operational expertise in specialised sports and government charter operations, as well as US infrastructure,” added the beOnd statement.
“BeOnd America will serve as a bridge between the two companies, expanding access to exclusive destinations and redefining how premium leisure travel is delivered from the United States.”
What is beOnd?
BeOnd started life in 2021 and operated its first flight in November 2023. The airline began flying a single, luxuriously configured Airbus A319 (featuring just 44 seats) on routes from Malé Velana International Airport (MLE) to Milan, Munich, and Zurich in Europe, plus Riyadh and Dubai in the Middle East.
According to Planespotters.net, this aircraft is almost 22 years old. It was later joined by a single A321 configured to carry 68 passengers in similarly appointed luxury. This aircraft is almost 24 years old, having originally been delivered to now-defunct UK airline British Mediterranean in 2002.
Given that few aviation commentators gave beOnd much of a chance for survival when it began operations, the carrier has so far proved the critics wrong.
However, flying two ageing aircraft within a fairly limited range of destinations is one thing, whereas entering a new market with eight more aircraft in conjunction with an overseas carrier is something else entirely.
However, with beOnd’s expertise in luxury travel paired with NPA’s experience in the US premium travel market, it will be fascinating to watch how this relationship develops.
Featured image: beOnd
