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Now and then, social media throws a curveball – a forgotten entity suddenly reappears, cheerfully sharing snapshots from above. Take Skymark Airlines, for example. I figured they’d vanished following financial trouble back in the 2010s, however, their Instagram showed otherwise; they’re still operating, diligently using hashtags.
I remember flying Skymark before they fully committed to being a budget airline; they aimed for something different. Their Airbus A330-300 offered an experience focused entirely on Premium Economy – quite a novelty at the time. Honestly, springing for this on a quick flight felt…much. Though, to be real, it pretty much was. The experience didn’t feel like elevated travel so much as asking yourself what the point even was. It was okay to sit in, yet absolutely not needed.
Skymark aimed for something tricky – cheap flights yet fancy seating, despite lacking the reputation to back it up. It didn’t work; by 2015, they went bankrupt, joining airlines like Air Berlin or Wow Air that briefly tried offering ‘sort of luxurious’ travel. However, that wasn’t quite the finish. The carrier revamped its strategy, swapping out larger planes for Boeing 737-800s to concentrate on very basic flights within the country. Now their Instagram boasts happy staff, vibrant aircraft – a seemingly solid, straightforward airline, though they’ve dropped any pretense of revolutionizing travel experiences
Lost in social media, I unexpectedly found myself hoping they’d succeed. Perhaps it reminded me of my own trip from Tokyo to Sapporo – that ridiculously comfortable flight on the A330 – or perhaps I simply respect an airline battling its way back from the brink. Honestly, Skymark 2.0 appears happy focusing on what it does best: quick trips, a straightforward service, an upbeat vibe. Which is totally okay.
Skymark surprised me. I previously dismissed them as just another failed attempt at something different, yet they’ve bounced back from tough times – seemingly fueled by clever social media. Fancy remembering when Skymark flew short-haul Premium Economy on widebody planes? Pour some tea and check out my old, admittedly frivolous, take on their A330-300 right over here.
Modhop Host & Founder Jake Redman brings years of global exploration and travel tips to the podcast and our videos at Modhop. Jake is also a Producer and Host for SiriusXM.
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