A round-the-world by private jet starts from €80,000 per person
A round-the-world by private jet — with hotels of the calibre of Aman, Four Seasons and Belmond at every stop, a dedicated aircraft (not shared with strangers), a cabin fitted with suite and shower (Boeing 777 ACJ or a modified Airbus 320neo BBJ, Global 7500 or G700 in the smaller versions), permanent crew, private chef on board, on-board doctor and exclusive experiences at each destination — starts from €80,000 per person in "programme" formats with specialist operators (TCS World Travel, Abercrombie & Kent, National Geographic Expeditions). The bespoke option, with your own dedicated jet, can range from €150,000 to €250,000 per person or more, depending on route, duration and chosen aircraft.
This article separates the two products that are often confused ("jet programme" vs "bespoke round-the-world"), breaks down what makes up the price in each case, and explains when each one makes sense.
The two products called "round-the-world by private jet"
Product 1 · Shared jet programme
This is what TCS World Travel, Abercrombie & Kent Private Jet Journeys, Four Seasons Private Jet Experience, National Geographic Expeditions Private Jet and Aman Private Aviation offer. The aircraft is a Boeing 757 or 767 reconfigured with 48-88 business-class seats (not first), serving a community of 40-80 passengers who share the programme, a preset route and their travelling companions. Advantage: a more contained price (€80,000-140,000 per person) and the logistics taken care of. Disadvantage: strict schedules, no personalisation, and you travel with strangers.
Product 2 · Bespoke dedicated jet
This is what we operate at Luxury Atelier through specialist private-aviation operators with global reach. The aircraft is yours for the entire trip: Global 7500, G700, Falcon 8X, ACJ TwoTwenty, BBJ 737-8, ACJ 320neo or even a modified BBJ 747 in the most exclusive configurations. Advantage: 100% bespoke itinerary, your own pace, your own catering (chef on board), your own passengers, private cabins with suite and shower on the larger aircraft. Disadvantage: 3-5x the price of a programme.
Types of private jet and their price range
Ultra-long-range executive jets (up to 8-12 passengers)
- Bombardier Global 7500 — range 14,260 km, 4 separate zones, private bedroom. Approximate charter: USD 15,000-20,000 per flight hour.
- Gulfstream G700 — 5 zones including a grand suite with queen bed. Charter: USD 16,000-22,000 per hour.
- Gulfstream G650ER — the HNWI standard, 8-14 passengers. Charter: USD 12,000-16,000 per hour.
- Dassault Falcon 8X — USD 12,000-15,000 per hour, very quiet.
Converted airliners (VIP airliners, up to 19 passengers)
- Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty — the converted A220, 18 VIP passengers, range 10,500 km. Charter: USD 22,000-28,000 per hour.
- Boeing BBJ MAX 8 — 25-30 VIP passengers, 6,700 km. Ideal for a dedicated round-the-world. Charter: USD 25,000-32,000 per hour.
- Airbus ACJ320neo — 25 passengers, 8,700 km. Charter: USD 28,000-35,000 per hour.
- Boeing BBJ 787 — up to 45 passengers, 17,000 km non-stop. Premium aircraft for a round-the-world. Charter: USD 45,000-60,000 per hour.
Flight-hour estimate on a round-the-world
A standard round-the-world involves between 60 and 85 flight hours across 12-16 legs. On an ACJ TwoTwenty, that means USD 1.3-2 million on aircraft alone across 20 nights. On a Global 7500 with 4 passengers, approximately USD 0.9-1.5 million.
The most established jet-programme operators
TCS World Travel
The historic operator (founded in 1990). Operates a Boeing 757 with 48 private business-class seats. Typical programmes: "Wonders of the World" (24 days, 9-10 destinations, from USD 145,000 per person). Expert guides at each destination, hotels from Aman, Belmond and Four Seasons.
Abercrombie & Kent Private Jet Journeys
The other big reference. Operates an Airbus A319CJ with 48-52 business-class seats. "Around the World: A Journey by Private Jet" route, 24-26 days, from USD 145,000-165,000 per person. Includes Frette bedlinen, private chef on board and an on-board doctor.
Four Seasons Private Jet Experience
The most aspirational operator. A Boeing 757 ExecuJet fitted with 48 fully reclining suites. "Global Wonders" route from USD 175,000-215,000 per person over 21 days, staying at Four Seasons hotels at each stop.
National Geographic Expeditions Private Jet
A more cultural-nature approach, with expedition leaders from the magazine. Boeing 757 with 75 seats. Themed routes ("Around the World", "Ends of the Earth"). From USD 105,000-135,000 per person.
Aman Private Aviation
A programme launched in 2024 in partnership with Comlux, aimed at Aman guests who want to visit multiple properties. Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty in a 16-passenger configuration. Price on request (approximately USD 300,000 per person for shorter itineraries).
Line-item price for a 22-day round-the-world
Ranges per person in double occupancy, for the bespoke dedicated-jet format (Global 7500 or similar, 8 passengers, 15 destinations, 20 nights):
- Aircraft charter (85 flight hours × USD 15,000/h): USD 1,275,000 divided among 8 passengers → USD 160,000 per person
- Premium accommodation, 20 nights (Aman + Four Seasons + Belmond): €35,000-55,000 per person
- Private guides at each destination (15 destinations × €800-1,500 per day): €12,000-20,000 divided according to group composition
- Private airport-hotel-airport transfers: €8,000-12,000 per person
- Exclusive experiences (helicopter over Machu Picchu, private closures of temples, Michelin dinners): €15,000-30,000 per person
- Aviation fees and permits: €3,000-5,000 per person
- Ultra-luxury premium insurance: €2,000-3,500 per person
- On-board chef + provisioning: €3,000-6,000 per person
Indicative totals by profile
- Shared jet programme, 22 days: €80,000-165,000 per person
- Dedicated executive jet (Global 7500, 8 pax), 22 days: €155,000-220,000 per person
- Dedicated VIP airliner (BBJ, 12-16 pax), 25 days: €180,000-250,000 per person
- Exceptional round-the-world (BBJ 787, 30 days, Aman + Belmond + helicopter charter): €280,000-450,000 per person
Classic round-the-world routes
"Wonders of the World" (21-24 days · the 7 modern wonders)
The most popular route. Combines the 7 modern wonders: Chichén Itzá (Mexico), Christ the Redeemer (Brazil), Machu Picchu (Peru), the Colosseum (Italy), Petra (Jordan), Taj Mahal (India), the Great Wall (China). Angkor Wat is often added as a bonus. Aircraft: BBJ 757/A319 on programme; Global 7500 or BBJ 737 dedicated.
"Legendary Landscapes" (18-22 days · nature)
A landscape-led approach: Iguazu Falls, Antarctica (King George base), Easter Island, French Polynesia, Bora Bora, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Bali, the Serengeti, Victoria Falls, the Namib. Requires an aircraft with greater range (BBJ 787 or ACJ 340).
"Grand Cultures" (20-24 days · cultural)
Kyoto, Beijing, Angkor Wat, Jaipur, Petra, Marrakech, Machu Picchu, Cartagena. A deeply cultural combination staying at Aman and Four Seasons hotels at every stop.
"Silk Road Revisited" (16-20 days · Silk Road)
Istanbul, Samarkand, Bukhara, Kashgar, Xi'an, Kyoto. A very exclusive route given the accessibility of the destinations (Uzbekistan, western China).
Programme jet vs dedicated jet: when to choose each
Choose a jet programme (TCS, A&K, Four Seasons) if:
- It is your first round-the-world by private jet and you want the experience without the logistical headaches
- Your budget is capped at €150,000 per person
- You enjoy meeting like-minded travellers (fellow passengers tend to be CEOs, surgeons and entrepreneurs with a similar profile)
- You prefer a preset route validated by an operator with years of experience
- You don't mind depending on group schedules
Choose a bespoke dedicated jet if:
- It is your second round-the-world, or you want a unique route
- Your budget starts at €155,000 per person and goes upwards
- You want to control schedule, pace, catering and passengers
- You need unusual stops (remote islands, destinations with limited access)
- You are travelling as a closed group (extended family, business partners, celebrations)
Examples of round-the-world trips we have operated
Anonymised but real:
- Entrepreneur, 68 years old · silver anniversary · 4 people · Global 7500 · 22 days: Tuscany + Marrakech + Petra + Serengeti + Maldives + Bali + Kyoto + Machu Picchu + Cabo. Budget €165,000 per person.
- Extended family of 12 · patriarch's birthday celebration · BBJ 737 · 18 days: Iceland + Greenland + New York + Cabo San Lucas + Easter Island + Bora Bora + Fiji + Sydney. Budget €205,000 per person (13 full seats, 12 taken).
- Retired couple · Silk Road tour · Falcon 8X · 20 days: Istanbul + Samarkand + Bukhara + Kashgar + Xi'an + Kyoto + Vancouver + Aspen (winter extension). Budget €145,000 per person (2 passengers sharing the aircraft with a befriended couple).
Underestimated logistics
A round-the-world by private jet is not just about buying flight hours. There is an invisible logistical layer that is habitually underestimated:
- Overflight permits — every country you overfly requires a permit filed 30-60 days in advance (Russia, China, India and Saudi Arabia are especially strict)
- Handling at every airport — not every international airport allows private jets with a VIP service. It is coordinated with the local FBO (Fixed Base Operator)
- Fuel — the price of Jet A1 varies enormously by country (West Africa can be 4-5x the US price)
- Crew rest — FAR117 and EASA regulations cap active duty at 10-12 hours per pilot. A round-the-world therefore needs two crews rotating
- Private customs — some countries require the aircraft to land at a specific international airport even when there are options closer to the final destination
- Crew accommodation — pilots + cabin crew + chef + occasionally an engineer at every stop, in a suitable hotel (rarely the client's, so that they can rest)
How we do it
At Luxury Atelier by Presstour we have been operating bespoke round-the-world trips for 12 years. We work with specialist private-aviation operators for the aircraft charter, and with our local DMCs in each country for ground logistics. Our role is that of trip director: route design, aircraft negotiation, FBO coordination, hotel partnerships (Aman, Four Seasons, Belmond, Como, Rosewood), private guides at each destination and remote 24/7 support during the trip.
If your budget and timings allow a bespoke dedicated jet, it is an unmatched experience. If it is your first time and you are looking for less logistical complexity, we assess which programme (TCS, A&K, Four Seasons) best fits your profile and coordinate the booking.
Write to us with indicative dates and must-have cities. Within 5-10 business days we deliver a proposal with aircraft, route and firm budget. Also see our Beyond page in the private-jets category, the comparison Aman vs Six Senses vs Como to choose hotels at each stop, or how to choose a luxury travel agency to make sure whoever operates your round-the-world has genuine experience.
About the author
Pablo Melo Peña
Travel designer specialising in adventure journeys, ultra-luxury expeditions and epic routes across South America, New Zealand and the polar regions.
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