Aman’s Insane ~$115K Per Person Global Private Jet Experience

Aman’s Insane ~$115K Per Person Global Private Jet Experience

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Over the past few years we’ve seen some luxury travel providers introduce over-the-top vacations using (shared) private jets. I guess it’s only the logical next step in the luxury travel market. We’ve seen this concept come to life in a couple of different ways.

Four Seasons 757 Private Jet Experience

Four Seasons offers 757 trips around the world, that stop at various Four Seasons properties. The plane has 52 fully flat business class seats. Overall I think the concept is great, given that Four Seasons actually has hotels to fly people to, and many of them are remote, so it’s convenient to be able to fly direct between these airports, when you’d often otherwise have to connect, deal with long layovers, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbL_IYACw7k

Crystal 777 Air Cruises

Then you have Crystal, which used to primarily be a cruise line, but they’ve been expanding into other luxury travel markets as well. One of those is that they’ve specially configured a 777 to offer “air cruises.” The 777 is impressive, especially given that it has a dining room and bar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8852Stl3yE

However, since day one I’ve thought the concept is a total flop:

  • The 777 has 88 seats, so that’s a lot of seats to fill
  • Crystal doesn’t actually have hotels, so it’s not like they’re flying people between their global properties, and that there’s a real brand to be loyal to here
  • The 777 is too big to land at many airports, so they’re limited in terms of the types of itineraries they can do

It’s my understanding that the concept hasn’t worked out at all as they’ve expected. They’ve been chartering the plane to sports teams, and their first “air cruise” includes a trip to Fiji and Bora Bora, with stays at Marriotts, InterContinentals, and Conrads. While those are fine hotels, they don’t really match the category you’d expect when chartering a 777.

Crystal’s CEO recently “stepped down,” and it’s my understanding that it may be related to what a bad investment this has been for Crystal. I don’t know what they were thinking. I’m curious to see what happens with this plane long term.

Aman’s Global Private Jet Experience

The Four Seasons concept sounds to me like it could work, while the Crystal concept doesn’t. But even the Four Seasons concept doesn’t sound that exclusive — you’re sharing a “private” jet with 50+ other people, and that’s not something I’d want to pay $100K+ for (not that I’m in a position to spend that much on a trip anyway).

I just learned about a round the world private jet tour that actually has me foaming at the mouth. If money were no object, I’d spend my entire life in Aman Resorts. Aman is my absolute favorite hotel chain, and they have boutique properties in all kinds of remote destinations. The Aman experience is simply incredible.

I just got an email about Aman’s “global private jet tour,” which looks insane. For example, they have a tour from April 15 through May 6, 2017, that will travel to Aman properties in Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Bhutan, India, Greece, Montenegro, and Italy. Here’s the very brief explanation of the journey:

Drift from cherry blossoms in Tokyo to sailing Phuket’s Andaman Sea; trek the Himalayas and glide down Venice’s Grand Canal – all in a single, one-of-a-kind adventure. Taking in nine countries over 22 days, Aman’s round-the-world private jet expedition in 2018 will uncover the outstanding natural beauty and rich cultures of Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Bhutan, India, Greece, Montenegro and Italy. Travelling on a fully customised private jet, as one of no more than 16 passengers, you will have access to a private bedroom and ensuite shower while in the air, and a personal car and guide when on touch-down.

There will be at most 16 guests, who will be accommodated on an Airbus A319 in a private configuration. Then for the flights to & from Bhutan, passengers will fly on Gulfstreams, given airport limitations.

Here’s the flight itinerary for the journey:

Here’s a picture of the A319 they’ll be using:

If you want to read about the trip, there’s a 70 page brochure about it that can be found here.

The cost? A cool $114,888 per person, based on traveling as a couple.

If I had a hundred million dollars, I’d book this in a heartbeat. For what it’s worth, the pricing of this is roughly comparable to Four Seasons’ private jet experience, in which case I’d totally spring for Aman over Four Seasons.

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  1. Gourmet Gal Guest

    Actually prefer FS for privacy onboard the jet. Having taken 2 of these trips around the world with FS I can attest that the service is awesome, tour choices are fabulous with many being private or very small groups and the jet allows for a convivial atmosphere when you want it but you can have privacy if you want it. The Aman jet looks too small and seems to force being social when you may...

    Actually prefer FS for privacy onboard the jet. Having taken 2 of these trips around the world with FS I can attest that the service is awesome, tour choices are fabulous with many being private or very small groups and the jet allows for a convivial atmosphere when you want it but you can have privacy if you want it. The Aman jet looks too small and seems to force being social when you may just want peace and quiet. The groups look too small as well. Makes it hard to avoid the more obnoxious people. There will be obnoxious people on these trips, believe me! The logistics with FS makes for efficient processing through airports and transiting to the hotels and tours so the size of the group is moot.

  2. Michael Schaible Guest

    Just wondering why Aman promotes this as "around the world" trip. Sorry, their marketing in-charge has obviously missed a part of geographic lessons: 9 destinations on only 2 continents, no date-line crossing, no equator crossing and so on. Looks like an overcharged promotion tour of their properties in Asia and Europe. Nothing else.

    If I book all components individually and fly commercial First Class I would possibly save USD 50K or more for the same trip.

  3. Mike Guest

    Must say I 100% agree with John.
    This hotel hopping thing, including the packing and unpacking, checking in and checking out is just the opposite of how I would want to spend my holiday.
    The other bit is having to see the same people on the same plane time and time again. Must get very old very quickly.

  4. Kobe Bryant Guest

    The A319 looks like an A318....

  5. John Guest

    I don't really understand the appeal of these trips and why you would book it Lucky. I spent five weeks with a family of five on three trips to Aman resorts last year. I went where I wanted to go, when I wanted to go, for as long as I wanted. It cost about $120k in total for the hotels, which leaves a lot of money for flights? For me, the idea of changing hotel every few days is completely contrary to why I spend that much money in the first place.

  6. A Guest

    There's no way that Paro Airport cannot handle an A319. Druk Air fly A319 out of Bhutan everyday.

  7. snic Guest

    HAHAHAHA! $115,000 and only 44 lb of luggage? Is one expected to take this trip and not buy any souvenirs?

  8. Kevin Guest

    Did you notice ...... not all meals are included!

  9. Jay Guest

    Edelweiss Air (SWISS' sister leisure airline) is doing an around the world tour for three weeks in a year's time - for a 6th of the price - if you'll put up with economy.

  10. askmrlee Guest

    For only $89K PP (if couple) or $97k if single you could go around the world on Nat Geo/WSJ's 19 day trip. Too bad the Thompson Airways 757 they use is a 75 seater with only 45 degree recline. But there at least there will be a physician accompanying the trip.

  11. Woodrow Guest

    National Geographic offers amazing trips as well and has a "private" 757.

  12. Kevin Guest

    These glam tours are nothing more than "if it's Tuesday, it must be Belgium!"

    1 full day in Shanghai
    1 full day in Cam Ranh
    1 full day in Phuket
    3 days in Paro
    1 full day in Jaipur

    I like to be pampered. I prefer longer visits when I travel.

    But yes, if I had that much disposable income, I would book it for the experience

  13. alex Guest

    Every other day is a travel day which in my eyes defeats the purpose of a leisurely resort vacation.

    Even if i had the budget I dont think i'd be up for this. Four Seasons seems a little more doable.

  14. Debit Guest

    Good thing is all tips are included. So people wouldn't have to crib about paying the $10, and putting their retirement funds in jeopardy.

  15. Dereck Guest

    44 pounds of luggage allowed plus 15 pounds of hand baggage?? WTH?

  16. Norm Guest

    Do this 2x and you still don't even get a Delta Diamond MQD waiver.

  17. raksiam Guest

    at least it's 3 weeks - so that's less than $40K per week.

    who gets dibs on the bedroom of that ACJ?

  18. Zach Guest

    There's another experience like this out there, too. Luxury travel company Abercrombie and Kent has a 757-200 and they're running a $135,000/pp around the world tour with the New York Times. 50 seats in a 2-2 arrangement on their plane I believe.

  19. Owen Guest

    Does not add up. A 319 had eight private bedrooms and eight private showers and plumbing installed so that it can take short hops around Asia and only one flight over four hours, none over eight hours (minimum for getting a night's sleep). Then the plane can sit on the ground for days at a time waiting.

    And then the pax are forced to suffer with lightning-fast no-relaxing flash visits to Aman resorts. Two night...

    Does not add up. A 319 had eight private bedrooms and eight private showers and plumbing installed so that it can take short hops around Asia and only one flight over four hours, none over eight hours (minimum for getting a night's sleep). Then the plane can sit on the ground for days at a time waiting.

    And then the pax are forced to suffer with lightning-fast no-relaxing flash visits to Aman resorts. Two night at each one. Do they understand how resorts work? You're supposed to have some time to enjoy them, not to check in and out as often as possible.

  20. TravelinWilly Guest

    I received the email for this as well, just hadn't gotten around to reading it, so thank you for the concise summary and links! :)

    It's a little out of my budget this year, so yeah, I'll be giving this one a pass this time 'round.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Gourmet Gal Guest

Actually prefer FS for privacy onboard the jet. Having taken 2 of these trips around the world with FS I can attest that the service is awesome, tour choices are fabulous with many being private or very small groups and the jet allows for a convivial atmosphere when you want it but you can have privacy if you want it. The Aman jet looks too small and seems to force being social when you may just want peace and quiet. The groups look too small as well. Makes it hard to avoid the more obnoxious people. There will be obnoxious people on these trips, believe me! The logistics with FS makes for efficient processing through airports and transiting to the hotels and tours so the size of the group is moot.

0
Michael Schaible Guest

Just wondering why Aman promotes this as "around the world" trip. Sorry, their marketing in-charge has obviously missed a part of geographic lessons: 9 destinations on only 2 continents, no date-line crossing, no equator crossing and so on. Looks like an overcharged promotion tour of their properties in Asia and Europe. Nothing else. If I book all components individually and fly commercial First Class I would possibly save USD 50K or more for the same trip.

0
Mike Guest

Must say I 100% agree with John. This hotel hopping thing, including the packing and unpacking, checking in and checking out is just the opposite of how I would want to spend my holiday. The other bit is having to see the same people on the same plane time and time again. Must get very old very quickly.

0
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