Yesterday I wrote about the unique plane that the Vancouver Canucks chartered for their flight to China. While charters are standard for sports teams, what made this special is the type of plane they were chartering. Rather than chartering a commercial airliner, they flew the Crystal 777-200LR. I first wrote about this plane a year…
Continue reading: A Look at Crystal’s First 777 “Air Cruise” Itinerary
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Isn't that short window to allow for 70 people to book a vacation that costs $18kpp? They must be heavily targeting the Chines Holidays. I believe Golden Week Festival happens around this time. Still....best of luck to them.
so if you price this out separately what does it cost? The flights aren't all that long so you don't even get to enjoy the 777 all that much
Do it lucky. Do it.
Spend some of that huge horde you have accumulated and give us a trip report.
I would be upset if I was at a standard Marriott. I'm staying at this property on points in late October which is great since its free and not part of an 18K package.
I'd understood from a ranking sales official in Crystal they've pretty much abandoned this model. Sales were weak, and the demand for charter is the better path for them to recoup their investment in the plane.
Oh my God, grab Ford and review this already. I've been holding back signing up for the air cruise because I'm not sure about the soft product 😉
Crystal's owner, Genting, has pretty much taken over the Skye. Originally they were going to have gambling tables onboard as Genting's core business is gambling/casinos. They are appealingly to the Chinese high roller market. The plane was owned by Genting and then transferred to Crystal as part of an attempt to expand their "all things Crystal" and "all exclusive" branding. They also had an ERJ that seems to have disappeared from the radar. Not sure where that bird went.
All of the air cruises that Crystal promoted have been cancelled due to soft sales. They had some nice itineraries but exhausting. No more than 3 nts at any place and it was more like a marathon. So now it's only charters.
I do not like the layout of the plane and dont like that a window seat occupant has to climb over the seat next to them. Then again, they are gearing this to couples so I guess that it's better to have the seats next to each other.
Originally they trained the Crystal vessels butlers to be FAs. No clue if they still are there.
The pricing is really steep based on the room categories and properties chosen. I guess the ease of access since nobody flies non stop from Macao to Tahiti is worth something.
Apparently all this expansion has not gone well for Crystal and the parent company has decided to let go of the CEO and replace her, very recently.
Kind of cool though to go travel "back in time" for almost an entire day when they travel from Fiji to Tahiti.
I think their stay in Bora Bora is way too short compared to Fiji.
My friend is Vice President of Sales at Crystal and we spoke about their new jet. It is my understanding from speaking with her that this is a charter-only experience. The plane only flies when it has been chartered and the customer decides on the entire itinerary. They will not have predetermined itineraries and seats available for purchase.
Does Bora Bora have a Motel 6 or a Super 8 where they could put everyone up? Free case of Olde English 800 thrown in to sweeten the deal.
How much cheaper would it be to skip the hotels and just sleep & eat on the plane?
So do you have your tickets yet, Lucky?
If they go charter only, maybe you can organize a flight for yourself and your more well to do readers.
Ditto @Scudder
Ditto @Crystal
Ditto @EthaninSf
Ditto @Pam
The original concept was a flop and resulted in the resignation of the Chm who will
no doubt resurface somewhere in the industry and make the same mistakes.
The 777 will become a toy for the owners at their whim.
Scary the window seat....and no showers.