We did start this article by talking about our pièce of résistance: private jet casinos that don’t wait until you land. Currently, there are no official jets where you can – legally – gamble on board, but once upon a time there was a proposition that came very close.
Crystal Skye was a Boeing 777-200LR converted into the world’s largest private jet, launched by Crystal Cruises in 2017. Instead of squeezing in 300+ passengers, it offered just 86 fully reclining, first-class suites. This wasn’t a regular first-class flight, as it was designed as a flying palace for the ultra-rich, equipped with:
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A Michelin-standard dining room and a stand-up bar.
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24/7 butler service and a dedicated executive chef.
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A wine cellar stocked with vintage bottles.
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A lounge area that doubled as a social hub, perfect for a pre-casino cocktail or high-stakes conversations.
Crystal Skye was never fitted with slot machines or roulette tables in the air, as aviation law makes it extremely complicated, but it was marketed heavily around exclusive gambling trips. You could board this gigantic private jet in Hong Kong, being whisked away with 85 other VIPs in ultimate comfort, and land directly in Macau, Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, or Sun City.
The selling point was clear: skip the queues, forget about airport hassles, and turn the journey itself into part of the high-roller lifestyle. The plane became a flying extension of the casino floor, even if not in terms of games, but in sheer exclusivity, networking, and indulgence. However, the daily charter price was rather high-roller profile as well: US$500,000-600,000 per day!
There were no seats available to book – you had to charter the entire aircraft. A trip around the world would cost millions, even if only private groups of ultra-wealthy gamblers could sustain the business. Unfortunately, Crystal Cruises collapsed in 2022 after financial struggles, accelerated by the pandemic, and the Crystal Skye was grounded and later sold off. The dream of a dedicated “casino plane” died with it.
Even though Crystal Cruises is gone, our services can offer a similar experience at a far better price tag. That’ll leave you an excess bankroll at the table, while maintaining the same high standards across your next gambling trip.