Himalaya Jet is a proposed UK-based premium long-haul airline aiming to launch operations with leased Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, targeting underserved point-to-point routes between Europe, South Asia, and eventually North America and Australia. Founded by British entrepreneur Dipendra Gurung, the airline is backed by the Gurung family, who also have investments in luxury hospitality and entertainment ventures, including co-ownership of the Miss World pageant.
The airline plans to lease two Boeing 787-8s for its first three years, with operations originally slated to begin in September 2023. Its long-term fleet goal is to expand to 18 aircraft by the end of year three, potentially including Airbus widebodies like the A330 and A350. Himalaya Jet has received support from Boeing, including a personalized tour of the Boeing headquarters in Seattle, where executives previewed aircraft configurations and discussed future plans.
Himalaya Jet’s business model centers on premium, nonstop long-haul flights connecting cities such as London, Paris, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kathmandu, with future expansion to New York, Washington, Toronto, Sydney, and Frankfurt. The airline aims to eliminate the inconvenience of transits and stopovers, offering direct flights that are estimated to be up to 30% cheaper than traditional carriers. It also plans to offer curated travel experiences, including bundled hotel and activity packages, and launch a loyalty program called Himalaya Miles.
While ambitious, the airline’s timeline and scope have raised skepticism in the industry due to the challenges of launching long-haul point-to-point service without an established network or alliance. Nonetheless, Himalaya Jet positions itself as a disruptor in the premium travel space, with a focus on connecting the Himalayan region to global markets.
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