INSIDE ACCESS: Five Reasons to Beg, Borrow or Steal to Fly this SIX-STAR Modern Flying Palace
I don’t know about you, but modern air travel has become less exciting with each passing year. Over the last several decades, air travel has definitely lost much of its former glamour! It’s no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. But, one company has decided to bring extravagance back to air travel. And, they’re jetting above and beyond a five-star experience.
Video Highlights of “A Night in the Sky with Crystal Skye.”
I’m talking about Crystal Skye from Crystal AirCruises, the flight division of the river and ocean cruise brand known for extraordinary luxury and impeccable service. Skye is a recent addition to Crystal's boutique charter air fleet and has taken the helm as the line’s flagship aircraft. Skye is a custom-outfitted Boeing 777 designed with the finest attention to detail that not only speaks to luxury air travel but takes it next level.
From the time you board this flying palace, they treat you like royalty. Before you even set foot on board, the dedicated and talented crew already know who you are and your preferences while flying. Crystal Skye takes the time to research each passenger to ensure their onboard experience is exceptional.
MingLE in the cocktail and Dining lounge
EVERY PLUSH SEAT DESIGNED FOR COMFORT THROUGHOUT THE LUXURIOUS PASSENGER CABIN OFFERS MAXIMUM SPACE FOR EACH OF IT’S 88 GUESTS
JoeY Santos Jr. –
Celebrity Chef & Life-Stylist
Recently a close friend—celebrity chef and life stylist Joey Santos Jr.—who has a long list of A-list clientele, including Brad Pitt, and is a contributing writer for Eden Magazine, co-hosted a night in the SKYE alongside Crystal Skye's Executive Chef, Francois Van Zyl. Five Star Travel Guru got inside access as a guest to this extravagant event, not to mention an up-close look at the extraordinary Crystal Skye experience.
Executive Chef Francois Van Zyl
Francois Van Zyl, Crystal Skye Executive Chef
Skye was developed two years ago as a brainchild of Crystal AirCruises Vice President and Managing Director, Richard Ziskind. Ziskind proudly toured us around this new flying palace in the sky, which he helped to design from nose to tail.
CRYSTAL skye at LAX ready and waiting for us to board
vp managing director richard ziskinD
“We took all the best traits of each of our cruise product experiences and blended them into Crystal Skye,” Ziskind explained. “It’s critical that every detail of the flight experience, from stepping onboard to deplaning, is absolutely over-the-top exceptional for each and every passenger.” A promise that this airline truly delivers on! The seats are Bentley-esque. The wines are impeccable. The food is sublime. The amenities are abundant. The staff-to-guest ratio is high.
There are too many reasons to list why I immediately fell in love with the ultra-luxury Skye. But, at the very least, these are my top five-star reasons you'll want to beg, borrow, or steal to fly on this six-star modern aircraft.
Celebrity Chef JoeY Santos Jr. & Skye Executive Chef Francois Van Zyl in final preparations for “A Night in the Skye.”
the forward LUXURIOUS FULL SERVICE cocktail and dining lounge
1) NEXT LEVEL IN LUXURY SERVICE - It all starts long before you step onboard the aircraft with ultra-six star personalized treatment. Although only a few hours, I felt welcomed into an extravagant dinner party in a luxurious venue. Whether you enjoy the bougie lounge setting designed to mix, mingle, and relax during flight, or kick back in your plush, fully-reclinable seat to enjoy your personalized multimedia experience, exceptional amenities, or indulge in cuisine the will have the most knowledgeable foodie blushing, you are guaranteed to feel ultra-pampered and fabulous!
"From the time you board is to feel as though you're enjoying a magnificent cocktail party in the sky. Skye manages to bring back a sense of glamour of flying first class that's been lost for years now on commercial airlines, but with Crystal, it’s been reimagined with a fresh modern twist,” says Chef Santos.
Culinary mastery designed for six star meal service in flight
2) CULINARY MASTERY - From the galley in the back of the aircraft, Chef Francois Van Zyl‘s curated menus that include food displays and full meal service are nothing short of indulging at a fine Michelin Star restaurant.
According to Chef Van Zyl, planning starts long before the flight with customized meals designed for every chartered group, along with food displays designed to wow your eyes along with your taste buds, creating the perfect foodie in-flight experience. He says: “Curated meals served at your seat elevates the in-air dining experience to a level never before seen, and custom themed presentations in the lounge are more reminiscent of a high-end restaurant than airline food”.
culinary displays in the cocktail and dining lounge
Chef vAn zyl in PASSENGER cabin DESIGNS THE MENU TO SUIT EACH AND EVERY GUEST
spaceous powder rooms
3) THE POWDER ROOM. One thing I hate about traveling on commercial airlines are the closets they call lavatories. Although it may not seem like a big deal, it's a big deal. But, the Skye lavatories will both awe and astonish you! Each one is designed beautifully with ornate, glamorous touches that give a luxurious powder room sense. There are even full-sized seat side windows that look outside, creating a bright open feeling. The inspiration behind the thoughtful bathrooms came from an article Ziskind read at breakfast one morning. “The author railed at a competitor about cramped public spaces, especially lavatories. I immediately called our leadership team and said we should put in two large lavatories in the aft even if it increases cost." And it’s true—these are the touches people remember and proof no expense was spared to deliver on ultra luxury in flight for passengers.
powder room STOCKED FOR COMFORT
88 Fully lay-flat seats in a 2 x 2 x 2 configuration complete with all of premium in flight amenities
4) THE SEAT. Each seat on the aircraft comes fully equipped with plush cushioning that reclines into a flatbed. Everything seems inspired by grand luxury from the Bentley-style stitching of the seats to the luxurious modern wood finished tray tables. The in-seat lighting and full amenities provide a peaceful, serene setting. At your fingertips, you have control of an endless menu of entertainment options, complete with state-of-the-art complimentary noise-canceling headphones. And when it's time for bed, a full amenity kit including comfy slippers and plush bedding are available and ready to go to ensure you get an amazing night’s rest back at your seat, which is converted and made up into your own fully lie-flat, ultra-comfortable sleeping enclave.
A Luxurious dining and cocktail Lounge fills the forward cabin with spacious table seating for 24 and two plush lounge sofas.
5) THE LOUNGE - The front compartment of the plane—dedicated to a cocktail and dining lounge—is absolutely breathtaking. Couches with plush pillows adorned in the vibrant Crystal Skye colors, table displays spilling over with delicious hors d'oeuvres and a fully-stocked bar with all of the champagne and premium libations you could wish for on a long flight. Whether you’re there for a hand-made cocktail or want to enjoy a full meal, this is the ultimate club in the sky to do it. And no need to worry about any turbulence, because all of the seats come equipped with surprisingly-comfortable seat belts. Just buckle up and try not to spill your martini. The super-attentive staff will take care of the rest.
WELCOME BUBBLY THROUGHOUT THE CABIN AND LOUNGE
Where you go is up to you. The breathtaking Skye can be chartered by corporations or sports teams, for large family functions, or anytime you need to take a sizeable group somewhere in style. Equipped with 88 seats and an 18 + hour flying radius, Skye is ideal for everything from executive retreats to holidays. And if your entourage doesn’t fill up a 777, no worries, Crystal AirCruises also has luxury Bombardier jets ready to take you and groups of any smaller size almost anywhere you want to go.
MAIN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH 88 LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS
To get a firsthand glimpse at our night on Crystal Skye including interviews with Celebrity Chef Joey Santos, Crystal Skye Executive Chef Francois Van Zyl, and Crystal AirCruises Vice President and Managing Director Richard Ziskind, be sure to watch our full-length YouTube video highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8-SQMCtTVU . When you link onto our YouTube Channel, you can watch even more exclusive 5 Star Travel Guru luxury travel content including a bonus tour with insider secrets into the décor and design of Crystal Skye with Richard Ziskind https://youtu.be/Or6cmDRbwn8 .
For more information on Crystal Cruises and Crystal AirCruises go to: crystalaircruises.com
For more curated luxury travel tips and content, visit us at: 5startravelguru.com
Where will you go next?
Film director & FIVE STAR TRAVEL GURU, Patrick raymond
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