Preferred Hotels & Resorts Launches Once-In-A-Lifetime Private Jet Experience, Legendary Journeys, Visiting The World’s Most Extraordinary Destinations

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, is proud to unveil its first ever private jet experience, Legendary Journeys – The Ultimate Private Jet Experience by Preferred Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Bucketlist Xperiences. This bespoke journey is designed for discerning travelers seeking unparalleled access to the globe’s most extraordinary destinations, all while traveling aboard a luxuriously appointed private jet, inclusive of elevated perks from the brand’s I Prefer Hotel Rewards loyalty program.

“Our mission has always been to connect travelers with the world’s most remarkable independent hotels and destinations in ways that are both unforgettable and transformative,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “Aligned with our recently released Luxury Travel Report 2025, which found that 61% of affluent travelers see once-in-a-lifetime moments as the ultimate luxury and 75% seek experiences curated by those ‘in the know,’ the Legendary Journeys experience delivers rare adventures with personalized service, crafted to feel effortless, memorable, and truly legacy-defining.”

Jordan Kaplan, President of Bucketlist Xperiences continues “We are incredibly excited to partner with Preferred Hotels & Resorts and its esteemed Legend Collection to bring Legendary Journeys to life. Together, we’re curating an experience that transcends traditional travel, seamlessly blending once-in-a-lifetime private jet Xperiences with the unmatched excellence of independent luxury hospitality in the world’s most extraordinary destinations.”

Set to take place from October 6 – 23, 2026, the 17-night itinerary will whisk guests across Singapore, India, Rwanda, Kenya, Greece, Morocco, and London. Highlights include once-in-a-lifetime curated moments that reflect the transformative power of travel - gorilla trekking in the lush forests of Rwanda, a royal celebration in Jaipur, sunset sailing off Santorini, private wildlife encounters in Kenya, and dining beneath the stars in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains - to name a few. Travelers will stay at exceptional properties, including four members of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious Legend Collection.

The journey begins aboard a custom, private VIP airliner, reimagined for the pinnacle of luxury travel. Guests will enjoy lie-flat leather seating, gourmet meals prepared by a private chef, and curated wines and spirits. Enhancements such as seamless transfers, private VIP airport access, luggage concierge, personalized gifts and amenities, and a dedicated 17-member service team to ensure every detail is flawlessly managed. Adding to the experience, a professional photographer and videographer will capture the journey’s most unforgettable moments.

Curated Itinerary Highlights Include:

Singapore, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection member (Two nights): The journey begins at one of Singapore’s most elegant hotels, a jewel on Marina Bay that seamlessly blends sleek modern design with heritage charm. Highlights include sunset cocktails on the rooftop with panoramic views of the skyline, and an exclusive welcome celebration on the iconic waterfront.

Jaipur, India, , Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection member (Three nights): Next, guests are transported to the royal heart of Rajasthan for a stay in Jaipur’s palatial splendor. Days unfold with VIP excursions to the Taj Mahal, the Amber Fort, and the City Palace, while evenings bring a private wildlife reserve visit, offering intimate insight into jaguar conservation. The experience culminates with a grand Royal Wedding Celebration, an unforgettable immersion into the pageantry, color, and culture of India.

Kigali, Rwanda, The Movenpick Kigali (Partner property) (Two nights): In Rwanda’s vibrant capital, guests are welcomed with a private reception hosted by President Kagame before taking to the skies on a helicopter flight over the Virunga Mountains. The adventure continues with a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, complemented by exclusive sessions with conservation leaders from the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project. An inspiring encounter with the founders of Ignite Power showcases how sustainable solar innovation is transforming Sub-Saharan Africa.

Kenya, andBeyond Suyian Lodge or Angama Mara (Partner properties) (Three nights): The journey continues with stays in luxury safari tents in either Laikipia or the Maasai Mara with endless savannah views. Iconic moments include witnessing the Great Migration, thrilling Big Five game drives, and a sunrise hot-air balloon safari with a Champagne breakfast in the bush. Evenings conclude with unforgettable dinners beneath the stars.

Santorini, Greece, Andronis Luxury Suites, Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection member (Three Nights): High above the Aegean on Oia’s cliffside, guests enjoy a relaxing and exclusive stay in suites with private plunge pools and breathtaking caldera views. Experiences include a sunset sailing journey aboard a private luxury yacht, intimate tastings of rare Assyrtiko vintages, and a secret dining affair in a historic mansion where local musicians serenade.

Marrakech, Morocco, Mandarin Oriental (Partner property) (Three nights): Guests will venture into Marrakech’s lively medina for a local shopping experience, explore Berber villages for tea with local families, and unwind with traditional hammam rituals. Days of mountain adventure unfold with unforgettable evenings of dining under desert skies, accompanied by live Gnawa musicians.

London, United Kingdom: The Londoner, Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection member (One night): The journey concludes in the heart of Leicester Square at The Londoner, the world’s first “super boutique” hotel. After check-in, guests will toast their adventure with Champagne on the rooftop terrace overlooking the city and experience the spa, before embarking on an exclusive tour of the city’s iconic landmarks. Seats are limited to just 29 couples (single occupancy available upon request) for this inaugural journey. Pricing begins at US $133,500 per person (based on double occupancy). Full inclusion details are available via the link below.

Participants in this exclusive experience will receive I Prefer Hotel Rewards Titanium Status, along with 1 million I Prefer Hotel Rewards points, equivalent to more than 10 complimentary hotel nights at over 650 I Prefer Hotel Rewards participating properties worldwide.

For more information or to secure your experience, visit bucketlistxperiences.com/trip/phr/legendary-journeys. To book, contact Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ VIP Desk at (U.S.) 888-688-6106 and worldwide: +1 708-416-8404.

Five Myths About Private Jets (Hint: They're Not Just For Movie Stars)

(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto))

If you’ve ever spotted a private jet in flight or on the tarmac, you’ve probably wondered which celebrity it belonged to. The fact is that many jets are chartered, not privately owned by a fat cat or pop star, and they’re mostly used for business, not lavish vacations. It’s a world shrouded in mystery, so here are five myths about private jets.

1. You need to be as rich as Donald Trump to fly in a private jet.

“Yes, it helps if you want to own a Boeing 757 in executive configuration like his, but that is not a reality for 99.9% of the population,” says Mark H. Lefever, president and chief operating officer of Avjet, a broker and adviser.

The answer is “no” if you want to charter.

A round-trip flight in a private jet can cost as little at $6,000, says Kevin O’Leary, president of Jet Advisors, which offers advice on private aviation options. “The typical charter costs for a light jet are $3,000 per hour with a two-hour per day minimum,” O’Leary says.  “This would allow a passenger to fly from New York to Washington, D.C., and back in the same day for about $6,000. A round-trip flight between New York City and Naples, Fla., would likely cost around $30,000.  So if you fill the seven seats typically found in a light jet, that is $4,300 per person. These prices are still higher than the first-class airline tickets but you don’t need to be ‘the Donald’ to afford them.”

Before you reach for your credit card, there are even cheaper deals to be found according to Doug Gollan, editor-in-chief of  DG Amazing Experiences, a newsletter for private jet owners and passengers. Gollan points to JetSuite Suite Deals, which are posted daily and start at around $500.

“Last week for $536 you could have flown the next day from Tyler, Texas, to Dallas,” he says “They post the specials for the next day on their Facebook page.” The company recently began offering private jet flights to Cuba, with one-way prices for up to six passengers for $11,152 from Key West (JetSuite says that it’s the responsibility of each passenger to secure their own permission to travel to Cuba, which is allowed by the U.S. government only under specific approved categories).

“You can also reach out to the multitude of charter brokers who don’t typically own planes but source aircraft that are available for charter, and then get five friends and divide the costs,” Gollan says. “Under these circumstances you might be able to do a Los Angeles to Aspen trip for around $2,500 a head. “

Still interested in owning your own jet? O’Leary says that “the purchase cost can be a little as $500,000 with annual operating costs at an additional $500,000 or more.  The major concern is with unexpected repairs. A major engine repair or scheduled overhaul on just one engine could easily cost $300,000."

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2. If bad weather forces commercial flights to delay or cancel, then private jets have to do so as well. 

Lefever says that this isn’t true. Private jets have the ability to land at many more airports than commercial aircraft and to change flight plans very quickly.

“Private jets have the option of waiting it out or choosing an alternate airport,” he says. “The best example is LAX-SFO, a common flight that has delays due to weather in the Bay Area.”

A private jet, he says, “can file a new flight plan and go to Oakland, which isn’t much farther to downtown San Francisco than the SFO airport,” with minimal delays.

USA TODAY

Private jets take off for business travelers

3. Private jets are not as safe as airlines.

“There are various ways to compare the stats, but more passenger fatalities have occurred on scheduled commercial flights than on both charter and private jets” in the last 15 years, says Lefever.

Comparisons of accident rates per hour operated show less of a discrepancy, but the reality is that both are extremely safe and safety is always the No. 1  concern for both, adds Lefever.

Gollan says that “I used to fly regularly on NetJets and my pilots were former 747-400 captains for United Airlines and chief pilots for Fortune 500 companies. Most of the major fleet operators that own and operate their aircraft have spotless records.  Most of the fleet on the charter market is used by the owner and chartered when he or she is not using it, so obviously owners want maintenance and pilots at a high standard.”

USA TODAY

Ask the Captain: Is a Gulfstream smoother than a big jet?

4. You might be flying private, but you still have to go through security and deal with the TSA. 

No, you can forget about security lines, taking off your shoes and emptying your pockets. You won’t find metal detectors or body scanners. O’Leary says that often “there is no TSA or pre-flight checks required. The pilots may check the ID of the lead passenger, otherwise you will be loaded and on your way within minutes of arrival at the airport.  At some private airports, you can actually pull your car up to the aircraft, unload and have valet (service for) your car so you could be in the air within minutes.”

5. Commercial airlines fly faster than private jets.

That silver blip sailing by your window on a transcontinental flight? Chances are it’s a private jet.

“The fastest passenger jets in the sky are private, depending on the model of jet flown, “says Lefever. “Private jets also fly above the commercial airlines and a lot of times the weather and turbulence that they incur.“

Some private jets have the ability to fly above the weather up to 51,000 feet and “a couple private jets fly near the speed of sound,” O’Leary says. “The flexibility to fly in and out of smaller airports that are often closer to the departure point and the destination airport makes the actual speed secondary to the private jet’s access to nearly 10 times as many airports in the United States. That makes the door-to-door speed significantly faster when traveling privately.”

By Everett Potter, Special for USA TODAY

Delta Soon To Offer Upgrades To Private Jets

(Photo: Delta Private Jets)

Delta Air Lines is about to up the ante on frequent-flier upgrades, though it will be offered only to a select few fliers.

The carrier is rolling out a new program that will give some of its elite frequent fliers the chance to buy an "upgrade" to switch from their commercial flight to a private jet flight. The offer for the upgrades will go to a small number of fliers, usually within 24 or 48 hours of their scheduled flight. The upgrades will run from $300 to $800.

The program, which could begin as early as this week, was first reported by Bloomberg News.

Delta says the effort will target "high-value customers" who have already achieved elite "Medallion" status with the carrier. When schedules allow, some of those customers now could receive an offer to forgo their regularly scheduled flight and instead take a seat on a private jet scheduled to fly the same route at around the same time.

IN-DEPTH: Delta is about to offer one of the coolest upgrades yet—to very few fliers(Bloomberg News)

Delta's Delta Private Jets subsidiary operates a fleet of 66 aircraft in a business that targets big-spending corporate and wealthy fliers. However planes in such an operation must frequently fly "empty leg" repositioning flights that have no paying passengers on board. The ability to shift elite frequent-fliers to such flights helps Delta promote a premium brand image. But it could also give the company a unique method to court corporate fliers – some of whom might have the means to at least occasionally consider paying for travel on Delta's private jet unit.

"The hope is that once someone flies private, and they don't have to go through TSA, and they have the experience, then they may determine that they want to fly private more often," Cyril Turner, Delta Private Jets' CEO, said to Bloomberg during a June interview.

Turner told Bloomberg the goal is "not necessarily to break even, but to at least get some type of income" from the otherwise empty flights.

Delta is ironing out some of the last details for the effort, but it could launch as soon as Wednesday (July 29).

Still, Delta's elite customers should keep their private-jet upgrade hopes in check. Delta says only a small number of private jet flights would be opened up for upgrades, especially at first, according to Bloomberg.

For those who do receive the option, upgrades will range from $300 to $800. They'll initially be focused on private jet flights operating to or from Delta's hubs in Atlanta, New York and Cincinnati. The Delta Private Jets unit is headquartered in Erlanger, Ky., near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

But Bloomberg warns "miles junkies, take note: There's no bonus in the upgrade, just the usual mileage accrual one would get taking the regular Delta flight."

Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

Private Jet Travel For The Simply Very Rich Takes Off With Two Startups

Two startups are betting that more of the very wealthy set want totravel like the megawealthy do: in private jets. The companies – JetSmarter and Beacon — are both announcing this week that they have raised money from investors. JetSmarter is already offering flights between New York and Miami as well as between San Francisco and Los Angeles and elsewhere. Beacon aims to start offering as many as 18 flights a day between New York and Boston starting in mid-September.

“Our overall goal is to make all air travel private,” predicts Sergey Petrossov, founder of JetSmarter. Not this year, of course. JetSmarter is announcing on July 23 that it raised $20 million from investors who include celebrities it wouldn’t name, members of the Saudi royal family. and family offices “including top c-level executives from companies such as Goldman Sachs and Twitter TWTR -1.3%.” Petrossov founded JetSmarter in 2012. He won’t say how many customers the company has; instead he says, “This year we intend to occupy 10,000 flights.” JetSmarter doesn’t own any jets; it pre-purchases a certain amount of inventory on jets that are commercially registered. For $9,000 a year –the minimum commitment — customers can fly as much as they want. Petrossov says the company has done next to no marketing and most of its customers so far have come via word of mouth.

"At the forefront of this new era in travel, we believe that JetSmarter’s proprietary services and offerings have, and will continue to revolutionize the industry,” Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family and an investor in JetSmarter, said in a statement from the company.

JetSmarter’s app for booking private jet travel.

Beacon will require a minimum 3-month commitment and a fee of $2,000 a month for unlimited flights between New York’s Westchester Airport and Boston Logan Airport. Members who join before August 1 will not have to pay an additional $1,000 initiation fee. The company announced on July 22 that it raised $7.5 million in Series A funding from Romulus Capital, MiVentures and Western Technologies Investment. Beacon cofounder Wade Eyerly, who cofounded a similar outfit called Surf Air in California in 2013, says Beacon has contracted with a group called Dynamic Aviation to operate the flights. That’s one big difference from Surf Air, which owns its own aircraft, says Eyerly.

Eyerly’s goal is to get people more quickly and comfortably between New York and Boston — in about an hour and a half from midtown Manhattan to downtown Boston, figuring a 40 minute drive up to Westchester Airport and a 40 minute flight time. That’s significantly shorter than the 3 1/2 hours it takes on the train and the 3 to 4 hours door to door it takes to fly commercially between New York and Boston, says Eyerly. “You’re buying back time,” he says. “We take the pain out of the chore you have to do.”

Beacon will offer flights on executive aircraft starting in September. (Photo courtesy of Beacon)

Eyerly predicts  –based in part on sign-ups so far — that his customer base will be age 35-65, 60% male, with an average income of $400,000 to $500,000 a year. “We know that they like cycling, wine and food,” he adds.

JetSmarter and Beacon join a number of other companies that have delved into private jet travel for the mass affluent, including Victor, Ubair and Jetsuite. For customers with plenty of funds and little time, the new services have a definite appeal.

It’s hard to imagine a future in which all air travel takes place on private jets. But it’s clearly a growing segment.

By @KerryDolan , www.forbes.com

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The Four Seasons Jet: A Luxury Hotel In The Sky

The Four Seasons is bringing its hotel experience to the air with a branded private airplane.

You can practically hear Robin Leach swoon over the 2016 Four Seasons Jet, recently unveiled  in all its champagne-and-caviar–inspired glory. As the luxury hotel brand forges into an increasingly crowded private jet marketplace, the Four Seasons hopes to distinguish itself with a full-tour experience for the $132,000 price tag.

It starts inside the Boeing 757, where travelers can recline in Italian leather lie-flat seats beneath Mongolian cashmere blankets, Bose headphones clamped firmly on the ears, and Dom Perignon at the ready. The jet's carpets are wool, the livery a high-gloss black. This is no commuter flight.

Courtesy Four Seasons

Each Four Seasons flight comes with its own executive chef, sous chef, guest services manager, and an in-flight concierge to cater to the 52 passengers onboard. The next journey in January 2016 will take these lucky jet-setters on a 24-day world tour, a Los Angeles–Kona–Bora Bora–Sydney–Bali–Chiang Mai–Mumbai–Prague–London itinerary that also includes stays at Four Seasons properties, meals and drinks, and private excursions. Now, if only our tax refund was a little bit bigger...

Courtesy Four Seasons

Contributed by Laura Dannen Redman

 , www.cntraveler.com

Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport