Crystal Cruises has made the leap from sea to air with the debut of Crystal Skye, an 88-seat Boeing 777 charter aircraft billed as one of the most luxurious in the skies.
Operating under the banner of Crystal AirCruises, the custom-fitted plane embarked on its first journey in October, taking a small group of guests on a trip from Hong Kong to Fiji and Tahiti. It will make its first call in Australia this summer on a charter timed with Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations before heading across the dateline so its guests can celebrate again in Hawaii.
Claimed to offer features “rarely found in even the most luxurious private jets”, the plane has the highest crew to passenger ratio of any twin-aisle aircraft and a non-stop range of more than 19 hours. Its Crystal Exclusive Class seats are designed for maximum personal space and ergonomic comfort, and convert to 180-degree lie-flat beds, while an expansive lounge with stand-up bar has been added to foster friendly camaraderie among guests.
Cuisine will be prepared by an executive chef in two state-of-the-art galleys, and will be paired with wines from the Crystal SkyeCellar.
“Our goal for this program was to create a luxurious interior showcasing the elegant brand Crystal has established with their cruise ships, yachts, and riverboats,” said Bret Neely, executive vice president of Greenpoint Technologies, which collaborated with Crystal to create the aircraft’s interior.
