- Luxury tour operator Safrans du Monde has revealed the Airbus A340 that will be used during its upcoming world tours.
- The private jet will charter groups of 100 in flat beds to places like Brazil, Israel and New Zealand.
- This all-inclusive itinerary offers gourmet dining on board and 5-star hotels during port calls.
French luxury travel company Safrans du Monde Deep Pocket Adventures offers a unique way to travel.
Source: Safran du Monde
With a charter plane, the company offers multi-day “trips” that take travelers around the world on an all-encompassing itinerary.
Source: Safran du Monde
Tours include private flights, five-star hotels during layovers, three meals a day, and excursions to every city.
Source: Safran du Monde
Currently, two excursions are posted on the company’s website: the 22-day Grand World Tour Classics, which visits locations in South America, Australia, Asia…
Source: Safran du Monde
… and the special edition of the 24-Day World Tour, which travels through Mexico, New Zealand, and Israel, among other countries.
Source: Safran du Monde
A Safrans du Monde spokesperson told Insider that bookings have been “booming” for two weeks now and the company is “confident that the aircraft will fill up in no time as every year.”
Prices range from $75,000 to $122,000 per person, with two fare options available – Club Safrans and Premier Safrans.
Source: Safran du Monde
Both include luxury hotels and meals, but Premier offers additional benefits, such as “first class” service on the A340, additional flights and “luxury” accommodation.
Source: Safran du Monde
Since everything is pre-planned, guests only need to show up—you don’t have to worry about where to stay, what to eat, or what to do.
Source: Safran du Monde
The most convenient part is the charter plane, which is leased from aircraft operators. For example, Safran du Monde hired Portuguese rental company Hi Fly in November 2016…
Source: Safran du Monde
… and Air Belgium in October 2019. Both operate the A340.
Source: BCO Aviation
Meanwhile, French airline La Compagnie showed off its 76-seat all-business Airbus A321neo in 2021, 2022, and most recently on its “Grand Tour of the Americas” flight, which kicked off on April 26, 2023.
Source: Safran du Mondeo is flying the world’s only commercial airline from Paris to the United States
Safran du Monde confirmed to Insider that for the next two flights, the aircraft will be leased to private Maltese airline AirX Charter. Take a look inside the A340-300 giant jet – aptly nicknamed, BIG.
Source: Planspotter and Airbus
The VIP A340 entered the AirX fleet in 2016 after flying for SriLankan Airlines for 13 years…
Source: Insider
… and used for other expensive assignments such as flying from London to Barbados during the pandemic for $10,000 per return ticket.
British charter airline sells 10,000 seats for flights from London to Barbados on an Airbus huge private jet that requires a COVID-19 test – see inside
According to Safrans du Monde, the plane is equipped with 100 business class seats in a 2 x 2 x 2 configuration – perfect for duos traveling together.
There is no economy section, though the plane is large enough to seat up to 440 people in a high-density passenger configuration.
Source: Airbus
The seat is soft and comfortable, but there is one drawback.
While most passengers will have direct access to the aisle, those close to the window will have to step over their neighbor when the bed is completely flat.
Of course, there’s about six-and-a-half feet of space between each set of seats, so there’s room to maneuver without disturbing a sleeping neighbor.
In addition to the flat beds, the ergonomic chairs come with the usual business class bells and whistles, including reading lights, linens…
… adjustable headrest and leg rest …
… large tables, cup holders, storage …
… universal socket and USB port …
… gourmet foods and alcoholic beverages, such as local wine …
…and a privacy separator.
Source: Insider
In addition, Safrans du Monde notes that passengers will have an “entertainment system” to use during the flight. A company spokesperson told Insider that it will be a tablet with noise-canceling headphones, not a seatback TV.
There is also a lounge area with two sofas in the back of the plane for socializing and sipping champagne.
“We can have a real conversation sitting on the sofa, having a drink,” Safrans du Monde CEO Guy Bigjoy said during a video tour of the plane in April.
Source: Safran du Monde
Day trips typically last four to eight hours, but the longest is the 13-hour flight from Paris to Mexico City on the Special Edition tour.
While there are pre-planned routes available to book, customers can also plan a flight where they want to go, First Officer Bernard, who pilots the A340, said during a video tour in April.
Source: Safran du Monde
In fact, Safrans du Monde can build custom itineraries from scratch thanks to its small team of travel specialists: “We can go anywhere in the world,” said Bernard.
Source: Safran du Monde
In the same video, Bejiaoui explains that the crew is used to working with “VIP” individuals, such as heads of state, sports teams and orchestras, so they are trained in a high level of customer service.
Source: Safran du Monde
“At the end of this flight, you will remember your seat and you will remember all the good times you had on this plane,” Bejiaoui said.
Source: Safran du Monde
Safrans du Monde isn’t the only tour operator flying wealthy travelers around the world on the A340.
Luxury travel company White Desert uses a chartered A340 to fly people from South Africa to remote Antarctica.
Watch the Airbus A340 Fly to Antarctica, Prices Start at $14,500
