The launch of Odyssey Airlines has been in the works for 10 years. The carrier is looking to commence services with premium direct business class flights from London City Airport to other major cities across the globe. The firm will rely on the Airbus A220 for this mission.

A decade in the making

The carrier was founded in September 2010 and its planned destinations involve easy to access city center airports across North America and the Middle East. Locations discussed include New York and Toronto.

After placing an order for the A220 in the summer of 2013, Odyssey CEO Adam D. Scott, shared that his company has a unique strategy that will offer a high-quality service with a concentration on new destinations that can't presently be flown to from London City Airport.

Odyssey recognizes the A220-100's optimization for use at physically restrictive airports such as London City while having the ability to perform on longer distances routes. The company highlights that the single-aisle aircraft offers the lowest operating cost in its class. Moreover, there are considerable fuel burn benefits and notable sustainability factors.

It's not only external advantages that Odyssey is looking to focus on. There are exciting plans for the cabin. The airline's units will be configured with just 40 seats, which convert into fully lie-flat units.

SWISS A220-100
Following the last tender, SWISS somehow received funding by Slovenia even though it was not flying to the country at the time. Photo: Getty Images

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A clear focus

Overall, the company is looking to provide an unmatched experience for business travelers with its innovative setup. In fact, the company's formation occurred specifically with time-conscious passengers in mind.

"Steeped in airline experience, the Odyssey team includes executives from other full-service and premium-only airlines. Odyssey will deliver convenient city centre departures, stress-free on ground experiences, non-stop routes, and exceptional service from door to door," Odyssey shared on its website.

"Utilising an innovative seat configuration, Odyssey will operate the more fuel-efficient and greener Airbus A220-100 jet aircraft. The experience will be more akin to that of a private jet, including an all-new interior configuration, windows that are 40% larger than other aircraft, the longest fully flat beds in the commercial market, and many other features that we can’t wait to tell you about!"

Odyssey A220
Odyssey has raised millions of dollars over the years through crowdfunding initiatives. Photo: Odyssey Airlines

A new climate

The launch of the airline's operations has been pushed back several times since 2016. Altogether, following the industry shakeup amid the health crisis, it will be interesting to see if Odyssey's approach has changed.

While there have been concerns about the prospects of business travel, airlines solely focused on this segment could continue to progress in this field amid demand for more private offerings. Nonetheless, the A220 has been touted as the perfect solution when it comes to aircraft in the new era. 

What are your thoughts about Odyssey's plans? Would you fly with the carrier when it introduces flights from London City Airport? Let us know what you think of the airline's plans in the comment section.