Plans have been laid out for the launch of a brand-new carrier in Thailand under the hilarious name of Really Cool Airlines.
Presumably, “Gr8 Seats” and “Super Duper Airways” were already taken, but we digress. This is actually a real venture by a credible former airline CEO.
After stepping down as the head of Thailand’s budget carrier Nok Air in 2018, Patee Sarasin headed up a travel agency called Really Really Cool. He now hopes to bless the aviation world with his unique brand.
The startup hopes to acquire four Airbus A350s by the end of the year with which to use from its Bangkok base, targeting destinations within Asia, Australia and Europe. The airline intends to announce its route network in the coming months. If all goes well, it hopes to be off the ground before December.
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Really Cool Airlines promises an “extraordinary experience for passengers” where “the norm of standard cabin configurations and cargo management is shattered, replaced with a premium experience that’s beyond your wildest dreams,” according to its backers.
The airline offered a glimpse of its plans at a recent press conference, including its slogan, “We fly the future.”
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One concern that came up is how the airline is being funded, with its press release claiming the business will be managed by “crypto-native citizens from our Really Cool Air GameFi.”
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Despite the crypto market still seeming something of the Wild West given the lack of regulation, the airline claims the carrier is fully embracing it, stating that Really Cool Airlines will be the first-ever “GameFi” carrier, allowing customers to play blockchain games where they can buy, sell or trade in-game items. How this will look on a long-haul flight or how it will help fund the business itself remains to be seen.
The other obvious question is: Just how cool will it be on board?
Will Fonz be the captain? Will attendants wear scorpion-blazoned jackets similar to Ryan Gosling’s in “Drive?” What obscure French electronic band will presumably be pumped through the cabins? Time will tell.
For now, Sarasin is going all-out to reassure future customers that this will be a highly professional venture.
“We are thrilled to introduce Really Cool Airlines and look forward to providing travelers with an exceptional flying experience,” he said. “Our team of experts has worked tirelessly to create a new standard for the aviation industry, and we’re excited to unveil in the coming months what we have in store.”
Having already masterminded a travel company that managed to create partnerships with luxury destinations in the Maldives and elsewhere, Sarasin is certainly experienced in the travel market. His team is also working closely with the Tourism Authority of Thailand as the country aims to increase visitor numbers through air travel. This year, the government will strive for 30 million arrivals.
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“[Really Cool Airlines’] commitment to providing a unique flying experience will not only enhance the travel experience for passengers but also contribute to the growth of Thailand’s resurgent travel and hospitality industries,” Chadchart Sittipunt, governor of Bangkok, said of the launch. “We are excited to see what the future holds for Really Cool Airlines and look forward to their inaugural flight.”
Despite the online buzz surrounding the announcements, there are still lots of questions to be answered. As much as we’d love to see an airline with such a confident name take to the skies, it remains to be seen how it will actually come to fruition. The airline will need to have a solid proposition to compete with other airlines and break new ground where other Thai airlines have struggled with long-haul travel.
With Sarasin’s prior experience, he may be well placed to succeed given the opportunities as an extension of the already established travel agency, Really Really Cool.
For now, we’ll wait with bated breath.
