Crystal Cruises launched its first 27-day AirCruise in 2017 at a reported $159,000 per person, but the air program is no longer running. The line’s parent company went insolvent in 2022, and when the Crystal brand returned to sea in 2023 under new owners, it came back as a ship-only business.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it was | A multi-country private-jet trip by Crystal AirCruises, launched August 2017 |
| Price (2017) | $159,000 for one person, as reported at launch |
| Aircraft | Boeing 777-200LR with 88 first-class lie-flat seats, a lounge and a bar |
| Length and stops | 27 days, 10 international destinations (2017 itinerary) |
| Dinner highlight | A dinner atop the Great Wall of China |
| Status in 2026 | Air program not part of the relaunched cruise line |
What was the Crystal AirCruise?
Crystal AirCruises started flying in August 2017 with Crystal Skye, a converted Boeing 777 with 88 first-class, flat-bed seats, a lounge and dining room, and a full bar. The company billed its first 27-day round-the-world trip as “The Peninsula Grand Inaugural Crystal AirCruise”.
The trip visited 10 international destinations in 27 days, in conjunction with Peninsula Hotels. It ran from New York to Paris, with cocktail receptions at each stop and a dinner atop the Great Wall of China. The price reported at the time was $159,000 for one person.
What did the holiday 2017 trip include?
Crystal also announced a holiday AirCruise departing Los Angeles on December 22, 2017. It listed stays of two or three nights in Bora Bora, Queenstown/Christchurch, Sydney, Jaipur and Abu Dhabi.
“The holiday season and Crystal AirCruises share the common spirit of dreaming big and fulfilling wishes, making this particular itinerary an ideal adventure for an extraordinary holiday next year, or as the grandest gift under the tree this year,” says Crystal chairman, CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez.
“Holiday voyages aboard our ocean ships have always been a special occasion for travelers seeking adventure along with the traditions of the season.”
“A Crystal AirCruise takes holiday travel to a new level, with the opportunity to celebrate the season while discovering several new destinations aboard a luxury private jet, with the added gift of exclusive Christmas and New Year festivities that only Crystal can offer.”
What happened to Crystal AirCruises?
Crystal suspended operations of its ships in January 2022 after the insolvency of its parent, Genting Hong Kong. A private-jet news report that month said the Boeing 777 could be put up for sale. In June 2022 A&K Travel Group bought the Crystal brand and two ocean ships, and the cruise line recommenced operations in 2023. The aviation brands were not part of that relaunch, so we cannot point you to a current booking for an AirCruise.
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FAQ
How much did the Crystal AirCruise cost?
The 27-day AirCruise was reported at $159,000 for one person when it launched in 2017.
How long was the Crystal AirCruise?
27 days, visiting 10 international destinations.
What plane did Crystal AirCruises use?
Crystal Skye, a Boeing 777 with 88 first-class lie-flat seats, a lounge and a bar.
Can I book a Crystal AirCruise today?
We found no current AirCruise offering. The cruise line returned in 2023 under new ownership as a ship-only operation.
What happened to Crystal Cruises in 2022?
It suspended operations in January 2022 after its parent’s insolvency, and its brand and two ships were bought by A&K Travel Group that June.
Would you take a trip like this? Tell us in the comments below.
Last updated: October 2026.
