A giant Airbus A380 plane in the colours of Global Airlines will lift off from Glasgow airport in Scotland, destination New York JFK. The founder, businessman James Asquith, has pledged to “take passengers back to the Golden Age of Travel, reinvigorating the onboard experience with elevated service”. But not everyone agrees that a newcomer flying a very large aircraft is what the world needs.

So what is the story behind Global – and what are its chances of success? I have bought a ticket for the inaugural departure.

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