Look Inside the World’s Largest, Most Luxurious Charter Jet — a $50,000-an-Hour 777
There are some products that, while otherwise prohibitively expensive — like Emirates' first class and Singapore's new suite — are possible to book with points. And then there are some that aren't.
Unfortunately most of us will never get to travel on Crystal Skye, the Boeing 777-200LR owned by Crystal Cruises (and operated by a company called Comlux Aruba NV). Unlike many private wide-body planes, it is possible for anyone to book a trip on this decked-out Boeing jet, however — you'll just need to shell out a considerable amount of money, or have some very deep-pocketed friends.
A flight on Crystal Skye will run you up to $50,000 per hour. Considering the plane can fly nonstop for some 19 hours — covering routes like Miami to Sydney — that hourly rate can bring your total up to a cool million dollars. For a single flight.
If you can afford that kind of luxury, there's no doubt you're in for a treat. Here's what you can expect onboard.
Bar and Mixologist
I've been on flights with a dedicated chef — Etihad offers this in first class and Turkish even has a chef working biz class — but a full-time in-flight mixologist is a luxury I hadn't come across before.
And Eimear isn't any ordinary crew member — she was recruited after a Crystal executive spotted her at a top bar in Vegas, and she's since become a favorite among Skye's guests.
She's also in charge of the aircraft's beverage program, which includes selecting all of the liquor and a very extensive collection of wine — there's storage for more than 200 bottles on board.
Dining Room
That bar is just one component of the plane's main living space.
The dining room offers four tables, each with six seats (and seat belts for each, so you don't have to leave when things get bumpy).
The onboard chef and other crew members can prepare a full multi-course service, with table cloths, fancy cutlery... the works. With no TSA to regulate items brought on board, you can even stock the plane with proper steak knives.
There are two plush sofas to hang out on, too. Doesn't sound like a bad idea after a heavy in-flight meal!
Of course you're welcome to just hang at your lie-flat seat, if you prefer...
Passenger Cabin
Crystal Skye offers 88 business-class seats, arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration.
These seats are actually fairly ordinary, and a common pick by international carriers — I flew a very similar version on Air India's 787, for example.
They're still quite comfortable, though, and recline to the full-flat position.
There isn't much privacy, but considering the entire plane is private, there's a good chance you'll already be acquainted with your seat mate.
Of course there's a decent chance you won't have anyone next to you at all — while some do manage to fill all 88 seats, many do not.
Each seat has a 24-inch touchscreen display with a separate touchscreen controller. The IFE can be loaded up with 100 movies, and offers live TV as well, including BBC, CNBC, CNN and a global sports network, in addition to a forward and downward exterior camera view.
Crystal opted to install overhead bins only over the window seats, leaving the center ceiling bare — that gives the cabin a spacious feel, similar to Qatar's A350-1000.
There are six lavatories to choose from — my favorite was just forward of the rear galley.
Several of the lavs are on the smaller side, but they're better equipped than what you'd find on most airliners.
One even has two windows!
Crew Rests
Each flight has at least two pilots, plus up to eight flight attendants, five more to prepare and deliver meals, the aforementioned chef and mixologist, two engineers, up to two ground staff and a manager from Crystal Cruises. So at a minimum you're looking at a staff of 22 or so, who work in shifts (and need a place to rest) on longer trips.
For most of the team, that place is the large rear crew rest, located above the last few rows of passenger seats. It's the largest crew rest I've seen on a plane, with a handful of full-size bunks.
There's seating for four above the forward cabin as well — this is where the pilots and engineers hang out during their rest periods.
The pilot bunks are similar to those in the rear — they're comfortable, but not especially spacious.
Bottom Line
Well, I'm sold on Crystal Skye. Just need to dig out that $1,000,000 I have stuffed away in the mattress and pack my bags for a 20-hour party to the other end of the world. In all seriousness, this is an absolutely beautiful plane — while even the low end of $38,000 per hour is cost-prohibitive for most, there's clearly a market for this type of aircraft. I'm going to have to stick with fancy-pants award flights for now, though.
For more on private jet travel, see:
- We Went Aboard Crystal Skye, the World's Largest Charter Jet
- This Incredible Private Dreamliner Is the Ultimate $300 Million Flying Home
- Step Aboard Emirates' Suites-Equipped Airbus A319 Private Jet
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees