On June 8, 2023, Red Way officially launched their first ever flight. The Red Way Inaugural flight flew from Lincoln to Orlando. Red Way acts as a sales agent on behalf of Global X Air Tours, LLC as the public charter operator and Global Crossing Airlines, Inc. as the direct air carrier. Red Way is based out of Lincoln, Nebraska and has currently announced they will be going to seven destinations. Orlando, Las Vegas, Dallas, Austin, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and Atlanta.
Red Way will be greeting passengers in Lincoln at the brand-new terminal that cost over 50 million dollars to build.
The Lincoln Airport terminal was ready for a celebration on arrival for the passengers, with balloon sculptures, a selfie station, and plenty of giveaway freebies, ranging from hand sanitizer, socks, and nail files. Free breakfast bags were also given out for the inaugural.
The airport was on hand for the celebration with local media, local officials, and the CEO of Red Way Airlines Nick Wangler. While there was no speech at the gate before the flight, the Executive Director of Lincoln Airport, as well as Leirion Gaylor Baird the mayor of Lincoln joined the passengers onboard the inaugural flight to Orlando.
Before the inaugural flight Wangler said “It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been working on this project for about 3 years now.” For the Red Way inaugural, Global Crossing brought in one of their A320s which consisted of a two-cabin configuration, consisting of a business class like product and an economy product.
In speaking with Rachel Barth, Director of Communications and Engagement of Lincoln Airport she expressed the excitement of bringing an A320 aircraft to Lincoln and said “If we can get this plane to Lincoln people are going to love it.” That was the case on the inaugural flight as the aircraft was beautiful and many passengers were overheard talking about how impressed they were with the aircraft and Red Way as a product.
Flying onboard the inaugural flight allowed us to review both the first-class cabin as well as the economy cabin. To celebrate the inaugural flight, the flight attendants passed out champagne or mimosas and upon landing in Orlando the aircraft was met with a water cannon salute.
When the passengers deplaned, Orlando mayor, Buddy Dyer met up with the Lincoln mayor in the jet bridge. Outside of the gate Orlando airport set up their own celebration with cookies, beverages, and coffee for the arriving passengers. A small press conference with the executive directors of each airport, the mayors and board members of Lincoln Airport spoke on the importance of this milestone. Mayor Buddy Dyer presented Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird with a pride Orlando shirt in celebration of Pride month.
At the conclusion of the press conference, the airport authority alongside the mayor and crew of the flight hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting to cap off the celebration of Red Way’s inaugural flight.
