The ultra-rich are spending over $100,000 on 'air cruises' that traverse the world by private jet take a look at the luxury planes
- Luxury brands like Four Seasons and Abercrombie & Kent sell around-the-world "air cruises."
- The companies use specially-modified private jets, typically featuring lie-flat seats and an onboard chef.
In March 1923, over 400 deep-pocket travelers arrived back in New York City after spending 130 days at sea onboard the world's first around-the-globe cruise.
One hundred years later, the ultra-wealthy are still voyaging around the world in style — but many have traded in the half-year boat ride for a three-week private jet tri.
Luxury brands including Abercrombie & Kent, Safrans du Monde, TCS World Travel, National Geographic, and Four Seasons all offer multi-day "air cruises" that fly to nearly every corner of the globe.
And, for the most part, these companies aren't using purpose-built private planes from manufacturers like Gulfstream and Bombardier — but rather large Boeing and Airbus jetliners complete with first class accommodations for every passenger.
These high-end experiences aren't cheap, though. Customers are spending six figures on the all-inclusive tours, which include flights, meals, excursions, and upscale hotels.
The niche market has been growing thanks to a post-pandemic rise in private aviation — and people are willing to pay up to avoid the hassles of commercial travel.
According to A&K, its September 2023 tour to Africa, which starts at $134,500, is completely sold out. Global tours operated by TCS and Four Seasons and scheduled to depart this fall are also waitlisted.
Granted, the specially-modified aircraft can only carry a few dozen people at one time, jacking up the price.
But, the exclusivity is part of the allure. Take a look at five of these private planes.
The Airbus A321neo is already fan-favorite plane for airlines, but it is particularly popular for air cruises.
Companies including Four Seasons and TCS use Airbus A321neos for their jet expeditions, favoring the twin-engine airliner for its low-cost operation and efficiency.
TCS introduced its A321neoLR in 2021, which it designed to be a "calming oasis" for passengers.
Features include leather-lined seats, wood-like floors, stone countertops, and mood lighting — all to "elicit feelings of tranquility and serenity."
According to TCS, the next-generation aircraft — which is the LR 0r "long-range" version — will emit 20% fewer emissions compared to the Boeing 757 private jet it's replacing.
The 52-seater plane is fit with lie-flat recliners, "extra-large" lavatories, and a self-serve minibar.
The premium seats do not have direct aisle access, however, meaning window-seat passengers will need to climb over the aisle when the seat is in bed mode.
This is a common problem on single-aisle planes with business class seating, and is present on most of these VIP jets — though most guests are likely traveling together, so it's not a deal breaker.
Onboard, travelers will be accompanied by 18 crew members, including a physician.
According to TCS, an "emergency room-trained physician" will be with guests during the entire trip, including in the air and on the ground.
Meanwhile, customers have access to WiFi, when available, and can pass the time video streaming on a provided tablet.
Tours typically start and end in Florida, but can cover several continents all in one trip.
The aircraft's smaller size coupled with its 4,000-mile range gives TCS a lot of route flexibility because it can travel to a larger variety of airports.
Similar to TCS, hotel giant Four Seasons operates a branded A321neo on world tours — its most glamorous costing over $200,000.
An April 2024 trip, which spans countries like the Seychelles in Africa and the Galapagos in Ecuador, starts at $215,000 per person, according to Four Seasons.
Onboard, travelers will find 48 recliners, each with lie-flat capabilities and over six feet of leg room.
Accompanying guests is a physician and a chef who can cook meals onboard using local ingredients collected at each destination along the trip.
The chef is someone guests can expect across most of these luxury tour operators.
Also available is a dedicated lounge space, as well as lavatories that double as changing rooms.
The lounge has high-top tables, snacks, and a staff member serving drinks — creating a perfect space for chatting or stretching your legs.
Another common twin-engine airliner used for around-the-world air cruises is the Boeing 757.
Although older and less efficient than the A321neo, the 757 has been a workhorse for medium-haul travel, particularly across the Atlantic.
Carriers like Icelandair and United Airlines have flown the plane between the US and Europe for years, though both are replacing it with the A321neoXLR — the type's longest-ranged variant. As previously mentioned, TCS has already done the same for its air cruises.
National Geographic is probably the most recognizable brand operating the dual-engine plane, with most of its trips only costing five figures.
The company's cheapest trip treks through Central and South America and starts at $88,000, while its most expensive tour visits Europe, Africa, and Asia and starts at $108,000.
But, unlike competitors, the 75-seater jet features large recliners instead of lie-flat beds.
The seats still come with amenities like inflight power and an adjustable legrest, with the design more comparable to premium economy compared to business or first class.
Also onboard will be flight attendants, a chef, a doctor, an engineer, a dedicated luggage handler, and three pilots, according to National Geographic.
The VIP perks like the chef and luggage handler contribute to the cost of that six-figure price tag, though they appear to be the standard for luxury air cruise travel.
Also using the Boeing 757 on world trips is luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent.
Tours start at $135,000, though A&K's next scheduled trip in September is already sold out.
The company's plane features plush loungers in a 2×2 layout, each with a massage and lie-flat function.
A&K leases the plane, as well as its pilots and cabin crew, from Icelandair — a common practice among tour companies.
For example, Titan Airways operates the aircraft on behalf of both TCS and Four Seasons, though the latter says it trains its own flight attendants.
Guests can also expect premium onboard catering, an iPad loaded with entertainment, and noise-canceling headphones to match.
The seats themselves do not have inflight TVs attached, and passengers can expect a customized design instead of Icelandair branding.
While most companies use narrowbody jets for these VIP tours, French company Safrans du Monde uses an Airbus A340 quad-jet — meaning it sports four engines instead of two.
The Airbus A321 and the Boeing 757 are both single-aisle planes, while widebodies like the A340 are primarily used for long-haul international flying.
The Airbus plane is favorable for its range and capacity, though its fuel-hungry engines make it less efficient than next-generation narrowbodies like the A321.
Safran du Monde leases the aircraft from Maltese private charter airline AirX Charter, recognizable by its white and green livery.
The plane flew for SriLankan Airlines up until 2016, and was also used during the pandemic.
Onboard, there are 100 lie-flat seats in a 2×2×2 layout. Again, not all passengers will have direct-aisle access — but the layout means a majority will.
Safrans' Airbus A340 only has premium seats, but the aircraft is originally designed to accommodate up to 440 people in an all-economy layout.
In the back of the plane, guests will find a few rows of more private seats, as well as couches.
There is a lot of space for people to socialize and relax without having to be confined to their seats.
"We can have a real conversation sitting on the sofa, having a drink," Safrans du Monde CEO Guy Bigiaoui said in an April video tour of the jet.
Meanwhile, the expected premium meals, tray tables, linens, and power will be available.
Photos of the interior show high-end plating for gourmet meals and premium drinks, like Champagne and wine.
According to the company, guests can expect to travel between four and eight hours, though some flights can trek up to 13 hours.
The lie-flat beds are essential for these long-haul treks, especially since Safrans says it is targeting "super VIP" individuals, like heads of state, sports teams, and orchestras.
While not an around-the-world tour, one honorable mention flies a customized widebody to the remote continent of Antarctica.
People already spend thousands of dollars to sail to the seventh continent by boat, but the super-rich can shave off time — and avoid the nauseating Drake Passage — using planes.
Starting at $14,500, luxury tour operator White Desert will transfer people from South Africa to Antarctica on an A340 private jet complete with business and first class seats.
The A340 formerly flew for Emirates, but now treks five hours each way and lands on an icy runway in Antarctica.
The company's cheapest tours spends only three hours on the seventh continent, while the most expensive can last over a week and cost six figures.
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