Crystal 777
4/12/2022 admin
Crystal Ball Reading. The Crystal Ball is a free clairvoyance experience that will help you to explore your future. It uses the crystal ball, a mystical object that has been a powerful force of the divinatory arts throughout history. Rather than chartering a commercial airliner, they flew the Crystal 777-200LR. I first wrote about this plane a year ago (to the day, actually), which seems like a bold move for a company that was previously primarily focused on cruising. The 777 has just 88 seats, and has a really cool looking dining area. 777 Crystal Finial (Each) Back To Collection: Iron Art: Bohemia Crystal Finials. Be the first to review this product. DESCRIPTION.Finials available to fit. Your Dreams Take Flight on Crystal AirCruises™ Introducing Crystal Skye. Unrivaled global exploration aboard our Boeing 777, available for private jet charter. Click below to explore in your preferred language. Sep 20, 2017 Crystal plans to use this plane to offer private jet tours around the world. The 777 seats just 88 passengers, though has a heck of a layout. The part of the cabin with standard seats doesn’t look that exceptional. Actually, it looks subpar for business class nowadays, as there’s not direct aisle access from every seat.
Over the next two years we will learn a lot about the important role than air connectivity plays in supporting the cruise industry thanks to the location of some of our events. However, we are now seeing cruise operators take to the air, replacing their ships with luxurious airliners as they diversify into new markets.
Exactly 25 years after Crystal Cruises set its course as a leader in luxury cruising with the launch of the first of three ships, the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line is charting a new, much more vast, route. In one of the most significant brand expansion in the history of luxury travel and hospitality, Crystal Cruises will not only introduce new ships to its fleet effectively establishing three brand new classes of cruising, but also induct two commercial airliners to launch Crystal Luxury Air in 2017.
As part of Crystal’s brand of Six-Star luxury, Crystal Luxury Air will set a new first in the luxury travel industry by offering extravagant around-the-world trips. Each approximately 28-day itinerary will visit 10-12 remote and/or sought-after locales, with accommodation at some of the world’s finest hotels and resorts; cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs inspired by the destination; and world-class cultural entertainment.
These were originally due to be flown using a single Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with the modern generation jet configured with just 52 fully reclining First Class seats rather than the around 220-seat arrangements of commercial airline operators.
Now, Crystal Cruises has confirmed that it will actually introduce a second airliner into its fleet for its 2017 launch with the purchase of a Boeing Business Jet 777-200LR. The twin-aisle 777-200LR BBJ will be redesigned to accommodate just 88 guests with flat-bed First Class seats; a lounge and bar; and will offer 14- and 28-day around-the-world and international itineraries, including coveted destinations to which major airlines do not offer non-stop service.
Crystal Skye Boeing 777
“Our mission is to make Crystal the core of what will become the world’s premier luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand collection, not only for the immediate future, but for years to come,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman, Crystal Cruises. “The acquisition of our second luxury aircraft is another profound step toward establishing our goal.”
In addition to doubling the initial air projections with the expanded aircraft fleet, Crystal Cruises has started working with the Registry of Aruba to secure its own independent Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) so it can control its own aircraft fleet and not rely on third party providers. This will also enable the company to provide the aircraft for charters when they are not committed to their flying programmes.
Crystal Luxury Air
“We continue to think bigger, aiming to create unparalleled luxury experiences and adventures for our loyal and new guests, who – like Crystal – continue to seek broader horizons and new perspectives on the world,” said Edie Rodriguez, President and Chief Executive Officer, Crystal Cruises.
“Following our expansion announcement, travellers and travel agents expressed a strong interest in all-inclusive luxury air travel with a wider range of itineraries. Based on this enthusiastic feedback, we are growing our fleet to meet the demand from our guests and travel partners in luxury air options,” she added.
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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!
Crystal 777-200lr
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:
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