Thanks to a mention on HotelChatter, I heard about a travel experience that’s so amazing, it might just convince me to reconsider my policy about not accepting industry comps (wink wink): Four Seasons Hotels now has its own 757 jet, and they’re taking guests for rides around the world (or to see the artistic highlights of Europe) – with stays in Four Seasons properties along the way!
The double-occupancy price for one of the Four Seasons’ round-the-world adventures is $119,000 per person, but rises to $130,000 if you travel alone. Seems like a great reason to bring along a friend or loved one, doesn’t it?
The Four Seasons’ 757
The Four Seasons claims that theirs is the first hotel-branded jet, but it’s actually just the largest: for years, Indian chain The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has had its own branded jet, a Hawker XP 850, with room for six passengers.
Carried by the UK’s TAG Aviation, the Four Seasons’ jet is a specially-retrofitted 757 that features 52 leather, lie-flat business-class seats with in-flight entertainment systems and complimentary Wifi. There’s a flight crew of four Four Seasons staff onboard, including an in-flight concierge, and passengers receive full, first-class-style meal service.
Be aware that there might be some pauses in the luxury here and there. Some legs of the round-the-world trips (more on those in a minute) might include flights on smaller aircraft operated by local, approved airline carriers, in which case seating would be on economy with limited or no options to upgrade.
For a peek inside the plane’s all-black exterior and mostly ivory interior, check out this video released by the Four Seasons: 
The First Three Trips The actual tour operator for the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience is TCS and Starpoint Expeditions, which makes a habit of leading round-the-world adventures. This new Four Seasons venture will begin with three trips, which are all limited to 52 guests apiece (to fill each one of those lie-flat seats) and sound pretty amazing:

Around the World February 2015: The Four Seasons jet’s inaugural adventure starts in Los Angeles and ends in London, and in 24 days (February 9, March 4, 2015) will cover nine destinations, including Kona on the Big island of Hawaii, Bora Bora, Sydney (including a tour of the Sydney Opera House), Bali, Chiang Mai  in Thailand, Mumbai and the Taj Mahal in India, and Istanbul, Turkey (including a private tour of the Hagia Sophia). Cost: $119,000 per person based (double occupancy), $11,000 for a single supplement.
Backstage With the Arts April 2015: This journey explores the artistic and cultural highlights of six European cities – including Milan, Prague, Lisbon, Istanbul and St. Petersburg – in 16 days (April 20-May 5, 2015), this trip departs from and returns to Paris. Guests will take backstage tours of museums and theaters, and attend a private gala outside St. Petersburg’s Pavlosk Palace. Cost: $69,000 per person (double occupancy), $8,000 for single supplement.
Around the World August 2015: This 24-day trip (August 16-September 8, 2015) will include visits to Seattle, Tokyo, Beijing, the Maldives, the Serengeti, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Marrakech and New York. Hotel stays will include three of the newest Four Seasons in the world and the chain’s first safari lodge in the Serengeti. Cost: $119,000 per person based (double occupancy), $11,000 for a single supplement.
Included in the price for all trips are the hotels rooms, taxes, meals, tips, ground transportation, bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages, booze for selected meals an events (including on-board the jet). Not included in the price for all trips is airfare to and from departure/return points; any passport and visa fees; or personal expenses like laundry. Options for any available suite upgrades at Four Seasons properties along the way will be made available one month ahead of each trip.
The deposits for these trips can be paid for with credit card (Visa, MC, Amex or Discover), but the second and final payments must be paid with check or wire transfer. The deposits for all three trips are $2,500 per person, and if made with a credit card are refundable until you’ve signed their reservation form. Otherwise, refund fees range from $1,ooo-$15,ooo, depending on the time of cancellation.
Oh, and there’s good news if, like me, you’re not a big fan of group travel experiences: Private charters are available for $110,000 per day, and require a stay at a Four Seasons property. You know, in case you were wondering what to do with $110,000 for several days in a row…but hey, that’s just $2,100 per person or so, not bad for your own private getaway!
These Four Seasons Private Jet Experience trips are open for booking now, via this link.
Would you go one of these high-priced group vacations?  Or have you ever done anything even remotely like this? Please share your thoughts and stories in the comments – we’d love to hear from you!