Most of us view air travel solely in terms of destination, but some of the world’s most luxurious travel companies are now aiming to change our perceptions. Look up in there, in the sky! Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
Well, yeah, it’s a plane. But — it’s an air cruise plane.
The Four Seasons
“Champagne and caviar became our inspiration.” Those are the words of Dana Kalczak, Vice President of Design at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The Four Seasons brand is taking its already elevated reputation to the skies, with a branded private plane.
Every element of this private jet journey reflects the luxury of the Four Seasons brand, from the company’s signature aesthetic and style, to its legendary service. “In our hotels, spaces are conceived as settings for great experiences [and] the same is true for the Four Seasons Private Jet.” A full-tour air journey comes with a $132,000 price tag.
Each leg of the journey comes complete with its own executive chef, sous chef, guest services manager, and an in-flight concierge to cater to up to 52 privileged passengers. The 24-day world tour will include stays at Four Seasons hotels and resorts with decadent dining and a fully tailored itinerary of spa treatments, excursions and tee times, all organised by an onboard concierge.
Inside this Boeing 757, plush wool carpets surround Italian leather lie-flat seats, and stylish restrooms. Guests can bury themselves beneath Mongolian cashmere blankets, sip Dom Perignon, and enjoy entertainment through the global in-flight Wi-Fi. This is no commuter flight, it’s a five-star hotel on wings.
Crystal Air
After 25 years of providing premium travel options, Crystal is now vastly expanding their fleet in a truly 21st century way. Announced in July 2015 – the year futurologists deem the revolutionary beginning of human technological advancement – Crystal’s new 60-seater, twin-aisle Boeing 787 Dreamliner has become the first around-the-world ‘air cruise’.
In fully-reclined business class style, guests aboard Crystal Luxury Air will be treated to a 28-day itinerary and whisked off to 10 to 12 exotic, remote and highly sought-after locales.
For $100,000, the most discerning travellers can enjoy fine cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs, accommodations at some of the world’s finest hotels and resorts, and world-class cultural entertainment.
Future Travel
Straddling the line between cruise liner and spaceship, the Aircruise is a silent, pollution free hydrogen airship that could spell the future of luxury travel. The brainchild of design and innovation company Seymourpowell— known for innovative design ideas — the towering, kite-shaped concept is designed to ferry 100 passengers in leisurely and luxurious fashion. Standing 30 metres (84ft) taller than One Canada Square in Canary Wharf, the hydrogen megaship would offer penthouse suites, champagne bars and dizzying glass ooring peering into the bright, blue yonder.
To say this a story ‘full of hot air’ probably isn’t the most appropriate phrasing, but a clever PR stunt it is. The practicality of hydrogen airships is not so farfetched, and it seems progressive to nurture concepts that promote environmentally-friendly travel. In today’s space-constrained, resource-hungry airline travel, moving at cruise-pace, in a pollution free and luxurious sky hotel like Aircruise is a welcome contrast.
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