Plane sailing: Inside the ultra-luxe VistaJet Private World experience at the Monaco Yacht Show

Making its debut as the private aviation sponsor of the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show, private jet company VistaJet opened the doors to its Private World programme in September for us to discover how their exceptional journeys are shaping the future of private travel for the most discerning global travellers, at every altitude and latitude.

Boasting seamless luxury, precision and personalisation, VistaJet aims to provide the world’s most influential corporations and ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) alike with something truly remarkable. Through its Private World, the brand collaborates with a global network of carefully-curated partners to offer bespoke itineraries and rare access experiences – now including Monaco Yacht Show – giving members the opportunity to tap into a lifestyle that is truly exclusive, utterly immersive and absolutely unforgettable.

Catching sight of our VistaJet Bombardier Global 7500 private jet sitting on the tarmac of Farnborough Airport’s private terminal was a memorable moment. The stunning silver and red fuselage and beautifully sharp features of the jet gleamed in the autumn sunshine, cranking up the anticipation and excitement of the journey ahead.

After a quick chat with the captain and cabin hosts, we headed out of the private lounge to find ourselves floating up the steps and onto the largest and longest-range business jet currently in operation. The Global 7500 is capable of flying up to 17 hours non-stop with a top speed of Mach .95 – making her the fastest plane since Concorde. Precision-engineered wings provide an unbelievably smooth ride in the large and comfortable cabin, which boasts four separate living spaces, including a permanent stateroom, meaning that this incredible aircraft is perfectly suited for business or a family dynamic.Once onboard, the difference in size and scale to a commercial airliner is obvious, but the large and comfortable cabin is impossibly well fitted with amenities that wouldn’t be out of place in a five-star hotel. With the safety briefing in the bag, we taxied down the runway and almost immediately had liftoff. The acceleration power was unbelievable; we were airborne in what felt like mere seconds. It was an exhilarating experience but, even with that extreme power, our flight felt effortlessly smooth. Within minutes we are cruising above the clouds (around 10,000 feet higher than commercial airliners) and able to settle back into sky-high relaxation.

VistaJet understands that the level of wellbeing expected from top hospitality brands is just as crucial in the air, particularly for frequent flyers. Starting with good nutrition. In-house nutritionists have created an in-flight menu and work with members to refine meals tailored to their specific lifestyle goals and needs, and which are proven to help reduce jet lag and keep guests energised.

“With the rise in health-conscious dietary requests among members, we are excited to offer pre-flight consultations and specially curated menus that allow members to feel empowered and at home when flying with VistaJet,” says Matteo Atti, VistaJet’s global chief marketing officer.

For more self-care, an exclusive In-Flight Kit has been designed by Dr Barbara Sturm, the globally renowned aesthetics doctor, to provide guests with the ultimate skincare essentials for in-flight pampering, such as toner, eye patches, mask, serum, cream and lip balm. Curated items like cashmere eye masks, pyjamas and socks are also available for passenger comfort and – an aviation first – cabin crew are trained by Dr Sturm’s team to provide bespoke facials and treatments at 40,000ft.In November, VistaJet took rest and relaxation to an even higher level with the launch of its Sleep Programme. Designed for longer flights in response to VistaJet statistics that 58% of the brand’s flights cross multiple time zones and McKinsey research that says two-thirds of global executives are dissatisfied with how much they sleep (and 55% dissatisfied with their quality of sleep), the programme applies scientific principles of recovery, circadian alignment and cognitive performance to rest in-flight.

Developed in collaboration with longevity and health expert Peter Attia, the programme offers curated sleep menus’ to find ideal sleep windows for power naps and REM sleep. Temperature, lighting and sound are adjusted to encourage melatonin release pre-sleep; hypoallergenic bedding and temperature control is monitored to sustain sleep; and waking is aided through optimum lighting changes, hydration and nutrition to support alertness, focus and physical recovery. 

“Sleep is a critical component of health, performance, and longevity – yet it is often the first thing disrupted by travel,” says Peter. “By creating an environment where light, rest, and recovery are carefully shaped to support circadian alignment, traveling becomes a restorative experience instead of a disruptive one.”PRESTIGIOUS PARTNERSHIPS

In just 90 minutes we began our descent into Nice airport, catching a glimpse of Monaco’s Port Hercule – and the glittering yachts gathered there for the prestigious show – as we made our descent. The landing was as smooth as the take-off and, soon enough, we were seamlessly ushered into the private lounge where our luggage was delivered moments later.

Waiting to take us to Monaco was a fleet of Bentleys, VistaJet’s official transfer partner. This mirrors the same elite travel experience that VistaJet members receive, with complimentary transportation throughout the show.

After a chauffeured journey around the picturesque Cote d’Azur, we head to the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo, another of VistaJet’s luxury partners, for a private event attended by VistaJet ambassador and Spanish Formula 1 racing driver Carlos Sainz Jr. Members can access the grand dame hotel’s beautiful rooftop area as well as VIP events through the yacht show.

The next morning, we head for the show itself, eager to experience the yachting world’s latest and greatest assembly in Monaco’s Port Hercule. Once inside the port, the heat, hustle and bustle are mind boggling, making the tongue-in-cheek suggestion that one could cross the harbour by walking from deck to deck a little less unbelievable than it first appeared.After hours of being immersed in the show, we head for a gelato activation hosted by the Vistalet team – which seemed to be one of the most popular events at the show, with the frozen treat devoured by visiting attendees and exhibitors alike, as others conducted business in peaceful surroundings away from the chaos of the show itself.

Another of Vistalet’s elite Private World partners is Wajer Yachts, the Dutch family-owned shipyard that designs and builds luxurious, high-performance open day-boats and motor yachts, known for their blend of elegant design, performance, and comprehensive customer care. We chartered the exceptional Wajer 55 HT boat for a high-octane sunset thrash around the harbour that brought out the inner James Bond in every passenger.

The final destination for the evening – and showcasing another Private World partner – was Beefbar Monaco, known for its exceptional cuts of meat from around the world and lively, luxurious atmosphere. A reference for all meat lovers on the French Riviera since 2005, Beefbar offers a unique dining experience with great views of the Fontvieille Marina, and a truly exceptional dining experience.

As masters of their craft, VistaJet’s efforts to elevate the private aviation experience to unrivalled heights, from industry-leading cutting-edge aircraft, on-board services and – perhaps most importantly – acute levels of customer service and a finely curated list of partners to ensure that the journey remains the focus, far beyond the destination. In this, they are flying high in every sense.

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