What is a private jet journey, and is it worth it?
By Aspen Travel Advisors · Last verified · Counts drawn live from the Virtuoso-sourced atlas
A private jet journey is an escorted trip around the world or a region on a chartered, reconfigured aircraft with roughly 40 to 80 guests, lie-flat seats, a dedicated crew and expert lecturers. It removes every airport queue and connection. For 2027, departures cost from about $125,000 per person with National Geographic, $170,000–$190,000 for Abercrombie & Kent's round-the-world trips and $167,000–$235,000 with Four Seasons. They suit travelers who want many far-apart places in two to four weeks.
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You'll hear back within 24 hours.The idea is simple: the best places on earth are rarely next to each other, and commercial flying between them is what wears a trip down. On a private jet journey the aircraft is yours for the whole trip. You arrive at a private terminal, board the same plane with the same crew each time, and step out in the next country while your luggage goes ahead to the hotel. On the ground, the stays are at the best hotels in each place, with a small team of guides and, on most trips, a physician traveling with the group.
A few operators run most of these trips. TCS World Travel is the longest-established and operates the Four Seasons Private Jet, and Abercrombie & Kent, Remote Lands and National Geographic run their own departures. Our atlas holds 95 jet itineraries; the typical trip runs about two to three weeks, and 29 of them last three weeks or more.
2026–27 prices and routes, operator by operator
| Operator | Aircraft and group | Departure | 2027 dates | Days | From, per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Geographic | Boeing 757, up to 75 guests | Around the World by Private Jet | 1–26 January; 30 March–24 April | 26 | $124,995 |
| Abercrombie & Kent | Boeing 757, 50 lie-flat seats | Wild Wonders: Around the World by Private Jet | 4–25 February | 22 | $169,500 |
| Abercrombie & Kent | Boeing 757, 50 lie-flat seats | Epic Islands and Landscapes: Around the World by Private Jet | 1–26 May | 26 | $189,500 |
| Abercrombie & Kent | Boeing 757, 50 lie-flat seats | Hidden Horizons, escorted by founder Geoffrey Kent | 14 October–8 November | 26 | About $300,000 |
| Four Seasons (operated by TCS World Travel) | Airbus A321neo-LR, 48 guests | Asia Unveiled | 11–26 February | 16 | $167,000 |
| Four Seasons (operated by TCS World Travel) | Airbus A321neo-LR, 48 guests | International Intrigue | 3–23 March | 21 | $230,000 |
| Four Seasons (operated by TCS World Travel) | Airbus A321neo-LR, 48 guests | New World Icons | 26 March–14 April | 20 | $219,000 |
| Four Seasons (operated by TCS World Travel) | Airbus A321neo-LR, 48 guests | Timeless Encounters | 15 April–6 May | 22 | $235,000 |
Per day, that is roughly $4,800 with National Geographic, $7,300 to $7,700 with Abercrombie & Kent and $10,000 to $11,000 with Four Seasons. The spread buys fewer guests per aircraft, the hotels on the ground (Four Seasons stays in its own properties wherever it has one) and, with National Geographic, an expert team built around its photographers and scientists rather than around the hotels. Regional journeys, such as Abercrombie & Kent's India or Italy by private jet and Remote Lands' Asian routes, run 10 to 14 days, with prices to match.
What is included, and what is not
| Usually included | Usually not included |
|---|---|
| All flights on the private jet | Flights to the starting city and home from the last |
| The best hotel in each stop, often in suites | Some premium spa treatments and personal extras |
| Nearly all meals, drinks and excursions | Travel insurance |
| Tour director, guides, lecturers and a physician | Gratuities, on some operators |
| Luggage handled from start to finish |
Because nearly everything is included, the price looks higher than it is when set against building the same trip privately. It is still a large sum, and it is worth comparing it honestly with a private itinerary on commercial business class, which suits some travelers better.
Who it suits, and who it does not
- Suits: travelers with limited time who want six or eight countries in one trip without a single connection.
- Suits: couples and solo travelers who enjoy a well-traveled group and good lecturers.
- Suits less: anyone who wants long, slow stays in one place, since most stops are two or three nights.
- Suits less: families with young children, as these trips are designed for adults and the pace is full.
Frequently asked
How big is the group?
Usually around 40 to 80 guests, depending on the aircraft. On the ground the group often splits into smaller parties for excursions, and there is always a choice of activities at each stop.
What does it cost?
For 2027, departures start at about $125,000 per person with National Geographic and $170,000 with Abercrombie & Kent, and run $167,000 to $235,000 with Four Seasons, with a supplement for solo travelers. The price includes almost everything, so the fair comparison is with a fully private itinerary of the same length and standard.
How far ahead should I book?
A year or more for the most popular routes, since each departure has a small number of seats and the same guests often return.