For many families excited about a vacation this summer, their trip on a low-cost airline is likely to be crowded, inconvenient, and possibly delayed.
But those fortunate enough to be extremely wealthy can enjoy a very different experience from ultra-luxurious ‘air cruises’ costing up to £200,000 each.
High-end travel on so-called ‘air cruises’ that transport small groups around the world in private jets have become increasingly popular in the wake of the pandemic and are now offered by a variety of operators.
Those boarding the plane can look forward to comforts such as Italian leather recliners, Mongolian cashmere blankets and Dom Perignon champagne.
Trips on these exclusive planes – described as a “five-star hotel on wings” – also come with onboard global Wi-Fi and an army of top chefs serving up caviar.
Some operators run trips where guests can co-organize the itinerary with the company – such as a 15-day whiskey tour by private jet offered by Pelorus, for which prices start at £1.2million for six people, equating to £200,000 each. The tour visits Japan, the US, Scotland and Ireland and includes some of the world’s rarest drinks.
Among the trips found by MailOnline was a 23-day tour by Four Seasons that visited Asia, Africa and Europe for £155,000 per person on a double occupancy basis.
Those who board one of the luxury aircraft can look forward to Dom Perignon champagne
National Geographic Expeditions offers tours around the world on Boeing 757 private jets
Top chefs serve caviar on board the planes, with trips costing up to £200,000 each
The tour in September and October next year will fly travelers from Seattle to Kyoto, then Hoi An, the Maldives, Serengeti, Marrakesh, Budapest, Florence and Paris.
The company uses a custom-built Airbus A321LRneo operated by Titan Airways, which has just 48 handcrafted seats that all offer 2 meters of personal space and extend to lie completely flat, along with a plush ottoman.
Another option is a 17-day tour of South America with TCS World Travel in an Airbus A321 for £90,000 per person, taking travelers to Machu Picchu and Easter Island, as well as Argentina and Colombia.
The ultra-wealthy could also look at a 26-day tour hosted by Abercrombie and Kent that visits Fiji, Tasmania, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Zambia and Brazil for £131,000 per person – and is again limited to 48 guests.
Smithsonian Journeys also offers a 25-day round the world option on an Airbus A321 visiting South America, Oceania, Asia and Africa for £98,000 per person.
The jet is configured to accommodate 52 guests with all custom leather flatbed seats that recline completely flat.
Those on the tour can also visit Machu Picchu, with other destinations including Fiji, the Great Barrier Reef, Jordan and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Travel expert Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said demand from first-class leisure travelers for private jet flights in Europe is “relatively strong” compared to before the pandemic, even though the actual number of private jet flights is lower than this time last year.
He told MailOnline: ‘In fact, France, Italy and the UK are the most popular European markets for private flights so far this year.
“Many operators are now using sustainable jet fuel to make their flights more environmentally friendly, as well as adopting pilot techniques, such as Continuous Descent Approach, when they come ashore to use less fuel in the air.
“Flying a private jet is becoming an important part of many luxury travel itineraries, as some luxury trips are designed to use smaller airports that are unavailable to large, commercial airlines such as BA, American Airlines and others.”
He gave an example of the operator White Desert Antarctica, whose guests fly each summer season from Cape Town to a temporary blue-ice airstrip, Wolf’s Fang Runway, in Antarctica, paying around £70,000 for five days.
They can also opt for the one-day experience for £8,000 per person.
Mr. Charles continued, “Getting to the destination seamlessly and in style is part of the experience luxury travelers are willing to pay for.
Traveling on private jets that transport small groups around the world is becoming increasingly popular
A 26-day tour operated by Abercrombie and Kent for 48 guests costs £131,000 per person
Luxury bathrooms in an airplane for TCS World Travel, which has been organizing tours since 1991
“I don’t see demand disappearing in the future – the trend is now set for premium holidaymakers, as well as business travelers, to choose to fly private jets, especially as newer aircraft and more sustainable fuels come into use.
“These high-end travelers want the privacy and space to fly in style and arrive on schedule, especially at a time when delays are now ingrained when flying on scheduled, commercial airlines.”
Despite the high cost, demand for some tours can be so high that they are booked up to a year in advance, with industry insiders saying that customers are normally from the US and are over 50 years old.
Others pointed out that while the ‘air cruises’ are experiencing growth, the concept isn’t exactly new – as market leader TCS has been operating them since 1991, offering 11 trips in the coming year.
Machu Picchu is one of the destinations visited by the luxury ‘air cruise’ tours available
One company offers day trips for £8,000 per person to Antarctica (file photo)
Christine Gray, editor-in-chief of Luxury Travel Magazine, told MailOnline: ‘Private jet expeditions around the world have been around since about 1990, allowing wealthy travelers to cross multiple destinations and experiences off their bucket list in one trip.
‘You board a luxury plane with five-star service and fly directly to remote, exotic and iconic places in the world. The insider access makes you feel like dignitaries flying around the world.
‘Imagine having all these amazing experiences in a single trip with all the travel arrangements made for you, with no hassles. Sit back, relax and take it all in.”
Further experts said those who want to take the trips can expect “ultimate luxury” at a high price.
Nicky Kelvin, editor at The Points Guy, told MailOnline: ‘Extra travel is a trend that is definitely on the rise as holiday seekers now want to indulge to the max and believe that after a rough few years, they deserve to splash out.
The Abercrombie & Kent tour offers a safari trip to Yala National Park in Sri Lanka (file image)
Those who travel to Mauritius on one tour can witness the seven colored earths in Chamarel
‘Particularly private jet travel and holidays are on the rise; and while costing a pretty penny, guests can travel in groups to some of the world’s most famous destinations, accompanied by a staff that usually includes a tour manager and a private chef for the.’
He said travelers often spend a few days at each destination and choose from a list of excursions.
Mr Kelvin continued: ‘Those traveling by air can expect the ultimate in luxury. The Four Seasons Private Jet experience, in particular, has 48 recliners with 2 meters of personal space, plus an ottoman for extra legroom or for a fellow traveler joining you for a bit of company.
“On the planes, there is an onboard lounge for all kinds of activities, including intimate workshops, educational demonstrations or culinary surprises by the professionals of Four Seasons to pass the time.
‘The ratio of one in six crew members to passengers means no traveler wants to go without it. Even the bathroom is luxurious, with a full-length mirror and luxurious amenities.’