BermudAir abandons business-class-only model, opting to include economy cabins in its fleet
Startup airline BermudAir has abandoned its plan to operate as a business-class-only airline, a move that comes just over a month after the carrier began operations. The carrier announced this week that it now plans to offer economy seating on all of its flights due to high demand.
BermudAir described the move as a "strategic shift" that would better allow it to respond to consumer demand and "evolving market dynamics."
"After nearly 170 successful flights, it's clear that there is strong demand for direct, short-haul and premium flights between Bermuda and the East Coast," Adam Scott, BermudAir's CEO and founder, said in a statement. "We've had overwhelmingly positive feedback from our guests about their experience onboard BermudAir, but guests also desire more options and flexibility. BermudAir is uniquely positioned to fill that need with our dual-class cabin."
BermudAir made its debut on Aug. 31, marketing itself as a business-class-only carrier with flights operating from New York's Westchester County Airport (HPN), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA).
The startup carrier leased a fleet of 88-seat Embraer E175s with a 2-2 configuration, initially only selling half of the cabin. This allowed passengers to have both the aisle and window seats.
BermudAir originally intended to reconfigure the cabins of the fleet to full business-class ones by Nov. 1. Now, BermudAir said passengers can expect to see the newly announced changes within the fleet at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Scott founded the startup with the intention of boosting business and leisure travel between the U.S. and the British island territory.
"Bermuda has the best parts of Canada, the U.S., and the U.K.," Scott said to TPG in August. "It's just a happy place for me."
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