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Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Diamonds, Dior and the great outdoors — where the super-rich spend summer
It's mid-afternoon and the revolving wooden door into the orchid-scented lobby spins relentlessly. A young bellboy in the Giorgio Armani livery of Badrutt's Palace Hotel staggers in, laden with Dior shopping bags, followed by two giggling women in hijabs. A Brazilian woman with a Celine baseball cap pulled down over her eyes — who may not be a supermodel but certainly resembles one — begs her toddlers, dressed in sailor suits evoking the 'before' scenes from The Sound of Music, not to climb on their pile of LV monogram Louis Vuitton luggage. A thirtysomething man with teeth like glaciers and the textbook Eurotrash uniform of chinos, loafers and no socks interrogates the patient concierge about which hiking trail has the most Instagram-worthy views. In Victorian times, Switzerland was a renowned summer destination where aristocracy inhaled pure air and admired lightly snow-frosted peaks. But in 1864 the local hotelier Johannes Badrutt bet some English tourists they'd love the region even more in winter; if not he'd reimburse them. Thirty-two years later his son, Caspar, opened Badrutt's, since when the hotel and the Swiss Alps in general have been the winter hotspot for the jet set — JFK, John Lennon, Alfred Hitchcock (you can stay in the suite where he is said to have been inspired to make The Birds) all wintered here. • Discover our full guide to Switzerland With characteristic Swiss discretion the hotel won't disclose the identities of any present-day guests, but Hugh Grant, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell — not to mention assorted royals, including the King — have been spotted on the pistes here. In summer, natürlich, everyone would traditionally decamp to St Tropez, Mykonos and the Costa Smeralda. Yet in recent years, with resorts such as these becoming increasingly sweltering (and their beaches more and more packed), the glitterati are shunning their familiar summer getaways and instead choosing to embrace the trend for 'coolcations' in the Alps. Last year Switzerland Tourism reported a 3.9 per cent increase in international tourism on 2023 levels. This summer numbers are forecast to rise another 2 per cent, with even sharper rises in non-European visitors, including an 11 per cent spike from the US. When I arrive in St Moritz — where the travel adviser Virtuoso reported a 153 per cent year-on-year increase in summer bookings in 2024 — it's 33C in London and 46C in Spain and forest fires are raging in Turkey. More and more friends are returning from Greek villas forswearing the high-summer Med for ever after having to stay indoors between 10am and 5pm to avoid the rays. Yet here in the Alps it's a pleasant 24C. The mountain sun bounces off glacial particles in Lake St Moritz, making the sapphire water sparkle like Elizabeth Taylor's bejewelled décolleté (another former Badrutt's regular). On the terrace of Le Relais restaurant (the hotel has five others), I'm immediately served the first of what will be many glasses of fizz ('In St Moritz champagne is like water,' one local tells me). Below, I spot four Indian children running on the jade lawns, pursued by their bodyguard. Their parents lounge, Aperols in hand, against the massage jets of the heated water in the 200 sq m outdoor pool. Finishing touches are being put to brand-new padel courts. The recent transformation of Badrutt's garden into a playground for adults and children is a response to demand for a resort hotel at altitude, with all the upsides of the Med but none of the stickiness. At 1,856m (6,089ft) above sea level, you can sleep with your windows open and — although the heat from the sun is deceptively powerful — sit outside at midday. 'When I first came here in 2008 the summer season was super-slow — it was just European visitors, maybe the odd American,' Richard Leuenberger, the hotel's managing director, says in Le Grand Hall. The restaurant is all antler-bedecked wood panelling and even what is thought to be a Raphael Madonna, though you'd barely notice it, distracted by views of the snow-frosted Engadin mountains. 'But in the past three years the summer has become super-international — they're coming from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, from Brazil, from India, a lot from both US coasts, who are often 'doing' Europe and want to relax.' Leuenberger has also noted a shift in how guests — especially the younger generation of crypto bros — spend summer. 'Previously people just wanted to sit on the terrace — the Middle East clientele in particular really love it when it rains,' he says. 'But now people want to get out there. They play tennis, they hike, they ride, they ebike — some doing the hard, steep trails but others just going around the lake for an hour, enjoying being in nature. They sail, windsurf, kitesurf and paddleboard, they go whitewater rafting …' • More great hotels in Switzerland To the paranoid one-percenters, the huge plus point of St Moritz is that all this can be done in absolute safety. 'People can walk around the lake in their diamonds and not worry,' one staff member tells me. I'd long been deterred from visiting St Moritz, not only because my non-designer wardrobe would mark me out as someone Elizabeth Hurley might describe as 'civilian', but also by the three-and-a-half-hour train journey from Zurich airport, involving at least two changes. But since the final leg is on the clean and uncrowded Bernina Express, which runs on part of a Unesco world heritage railway, this enhances the trip — there are views of crags, glaciers, gorges and mint-fresh streams more dramatic than an episode of Succession. It also doesn't hurt that from St Moritz station hotel guests enjoy a transfer in a Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, a present to Badrutt's Palace from Queen Elizabeth II (she never stayed there, but her eldest son has been a regular). Still, that's not enough enticement for most of the hotel's guests, 80 per cent of whom arrive at nearby Samedan airport, the only non-Schengen international airport in the Alps accommodating private aircraft. 'Big planes from Sao Paulo can travel here in ten hours,' Leuenberger says. 'You can drive straight to the plane [for the return leg]. In terms of convenience it's very, very different to other airports.' He points to an Afghan hound with a party from Los Angeles that is stretched like a rug across the chequerboard floor. 'We'll often get six dogs on a plane with 30 people.' • Most beautiful places in Switzerland Guests also frequently bring along their cars. 'Middle Eastern visitors will fly in their Bentleys and Ferraris,' a hotel driver tells me. They rarely use them during their stay — rather, the attraction appears to be the garage, which offers a complimentary valet service, allowing them to return home with their supercar spotless. Another lure is the shopping. Across the street from the hotel's lobby is its luxury mall (the highest above sea level in the world), featuring Prada, Hermès, LV and Dior. It is connected to the hotel via an underground passageway. 'I love the tunnel, it's so discreet,' a Korean-American man tells me in the lift. 'If you want, say, a selection of clothes from Celine brought to your suite at midnight, we can do that,' Leuenberger says. 'And often brands like Cartier have pieces you can only buy here. So even when your girlfriend has everything you can still buy her something.' A Badrutt's Palace holiday habit is passed down. Generations of European aristos have tasted their first caviar and lobster in its restaurants (even Chesa Veglia, the hotel pizzeria, in a converted cow barn, offers optional truffle shavings on everything). The old guard are profoundly attached to the Wes Anderson-like vibe of the 156-room main hotel, complaining if there is the merest of tweaks to the pattern of the bone china teacups, according to Leuenberger. Last year the hotel opened its 25-room Serlas Wing, aimed at a younger crowd, with wallpaper, headboards and curtains by Loro Piana and design by Antonio Citterio (their families own local chalets). 'Grandparents stay in the main wing; their grandchildren are here [in Serlas] — everyone's happy,' a staff member tells me. • Best spots to visit in Switzerland The extravagance of Badrutt's Palace may sound vulgar, but what sets it apart from most other White Lotus-style establishments (though, frankly, the hotels featured in the popular TV series seem downmarket in comparison) is its joie de vivre. Many of the staff have worked here for decades and other visitors are utterly relaxed by this cocoon of opulence. The tiny Renaissance Bar is packed with bankers and entrepreneurs, laughing uproariously while waving their Cuban cigars (in this canton smoking is permitted indoors with the correct ventilation). The head barman, Matteo Oddo, remembers everybody's name and cocktail order — mine is a St Moritzino, comprising vodka, Cointreau, orgeat syrup and champagne and a mere £32, compared with the £446 stardust bellini, which includes gold powder and Dom Pérignon 2008. 'Officially we close at midnight,' Oddo tells me, winking. 'That maybe happens four times a year.' In winter guests usually move on from Renaissance to the basement nightclub. Daytimes are frequently spent raving too, to big-name DJs at Paradiso, the hotel's club a cable car ride up the mountain. 'Everyone's in here clubbing; the slopes are empty,' says the manager, Benedict Schempf. In summer, though, the DJs are all in Ibiza. We walk to Paradiso, past meadows where cows are being released from lorries after their winter hibernation, bells clanging as they dash about the buttercup-strewn grass. Our lunch of Swiss cheeses, cured meats, fondue (off menu, after I decide to shun the lobster and chips option) and — obviously — champagne is only partially burnt off on the downward descent. 'Winter is so crazy. Most people prefer St Moritz in summer — it's more relaxed,' Schempf says. With its growing popularity among the beau monde, I doubt it will stay that way for Llewellyn Smith was a guest of Badrutt's Palace Hotel, which has B&B doubles from £1,020 ( Fly to Zurich and take a train to St Moritz ( This ultra-chic yet cosy, family-run, 51-room hotel stands below the Sassongher Mountain, east of Bolzano in northeast Italy. It has long been a jet-set favourite, with Tom Cruise and George Clooney having stayed here. With an emphasis on the region's vibrant Ladin culture, the hotel has five superb restaurants — one is Michelin-starred and features local produce in dishes such as gelato made from cows' milk expressed that morning and ravioli with nettles foraged in the surrounding meadows. There's an in-house guide for hikes, ebikes can be hired and the revamped spa offers massages with Alpine flower B&B doubles from £780 ( Fly to Bolzano In a pristine valley an hour and a half's drive from Munich, Schloss Elmau is the only hotel to have hosted two G7 summits, in 2015 and 2022. Built in 1916 by the theologian Dr Johannes Müller to offer 'a vacation from the ego', the hotel — now run by Müller's grandson — features a concert hall where world-class musicians regularly perform in return for their board and lodging. The hotel also has nine restaurants (two with Michelin stars), seven swimming pools and two spas. There's a network of hiking trails, ebiking, use of the hotel's fleet of electric BMWs to explore surrounding villages and a kids' club with IT and philosophy B&B doubles from £243 ( Fly to Munich Long one of the top Alpine aristo ski haunts, with princes and princesses from Sweden, Monaco, Spain and Jordan all regulars, Hotel Alberg is where Diana taught the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex their first snowploughs. The 50-room, family-run hotel is fully geared up for summer, with hiking, mountain biking, trail running and fly-fishing on offer. At the newly created Arlberg Club House nearby you can browse the latest Belgian and Japanese designer wear in the shop and enjoy one-percenter delights such as gnocchi with caviar and lobster bisque at the restaurant, before boogying the night away in its basement club, Margo's. Details B&B doubles from £485 ( Fly to Innsbruck My Arbor is the biggest tree hotel in Italy. Standing on 112ft stilts on the forested slopes of Mount Plose, overlooking the South Tyrol peaks and Eisack Valley, it is designed to appear as though it is growing out of the hillside. In summer it offers guided sunrise hikes, forest bathing and meditation sessions as part of its wellness programme. It has a two-storey spa with heated infinity pools, five saunas and steam rooms (although, be warned, swimsuits are actively discouraged, and the glossy European clientele embrace this with gusto). The 104 suites are lined with characterful wood and have deep soaking Half-board doubles from £212 ( Fly to Bolzano Perched 1,350m (4,430ft) above sea level in the Pindus Mountains in northern Greece, Metsovo is a popular winter ski destination for affluent Athenians. It is also attracting an increasing number of summer visitors, with holidaymakers keen to avoid the steamy islands in favour of the climate here, with temperatures topping out at 27C. Activites at the family-run Grand Forest Metsovo Resort include off-road tours around Valia Calda National Park, horse riding, canyoning, mountain biking, hiking and paddleboarding on Aoos Springs Lake. The hotel has 62 suites designed to blend into the mountain, three gourmet restaurants specialising in local cuisine, an infinity pool with heart-lurching views over the mountains and a spa that uses organic Greek B&B doubles from £240 ( Fly to Preveza
The Sun
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Molly Mae can't raise a smile as she jets off on holiday with Tommy after moaning ‘not doing one fun thing' in summer
MOLLY-Mae Hague couldn't raise a smile as she headed off on a Jet2 holiday with Tommy Fury and their daughter. The pair confirmed their reunion earlier this year - after previously announcing their split last August. 5 But Molly-Mae had a stoic expression as she, Tommy and daughter Bambi flew off on holiday. In recent months, she has jetted off to Dubai, Budapest and St. Moritz The former Love Island star previously moaned about"not doing one fun thing" this summer. Speaking to fans in a vlog, the 26-year-old said: "I said to a friend the other day, that I'm going to make it to the end of summer having not done one fun thing." Talking to her sister, she said: "Zoe, I haven't socialised once. "I'm going to get to the end of this summer having not done one social fun thing. "I haven't a life. That's not good is it? "Summer will end and I've not done one fun social thing." Soon after, Molly-Mae's followers clapped back at the star for taking her luxurious life for granted. One person said: 'Why is she always complaining about something? If it's not her, it's her sister. Molly-Mae sobs as she admits Bambi's 'terrible twos' are breaking her & says 'I don't care who tells me I'm out of touch with reality' "How insufferable must it be living with them.' Another added: "So dramatic.' While a third commented: 'Get a grip.' Someone else rolled their eyes and wrote: 'Molly you are painful…' The influencer later sobbed on camera while addressing the backlash in her vlog. Molly-Mae said: "I'm trying so so hard to stay positive and have a really nice day but I feel like I need to keep my camera running all day so you can see… every single thing is a huge problem. '[I] can't even get like socks and shoes on'. Molly-Mae Hague - Five Ways She Spends Her Wealth MOLLY-MAE Hague has raked in a whopping £48K a week. Yet what five things has the mum of one spent out on? A stunning home: Molly-Mae is the proud owner of her stunning Molly Maison home, a £ mansion in Cheshire. Hot wheels: Molly-Mae oozes cool mum vibes as she travels around town in her £193K Mercedes G Wagon - with her man Tommy also having a matching motor. Bottega beauty: Molly-Mae stumped up £6K for the stylish designer accessory back in January. Jetting off: Last year, the influencer splashed out on a private jet for her best mate Tayla-Blue's birthday Price escape: In 2024, she also used a private jet to fly to Ibiza for a solo wellness trip at a £120k-a-week resort. She added: 'I don't care who tells me I am out of touch with reality or all this stuff that's going on on TikTok at the minute, I don't care I'm not going to not talk about it.' Things seemed to get too much for the mother and she soon broke down in tears. She sobbed: 'We're at a little local farm near us and Zoe and Bambi have gone in, just to leave me to calm down for a minute.' The millionaire, who lives in a huge £3.5million mansion, desperately hid her eyes with a pair of sunglasses and shook her head as she added: 'I'm sorry, I'm so embarrassed.' 5
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lucid Air Goes 747 Miles on a Charge, Sets New Guinness World Record for EV Range
A new record for electric vehicle range on a single battery charge has been set, and it wasn't Tesla that secured the crown. Instead, California-based luxury startup Lucid now holds a Guinness World Record Holder for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge, and the distance is genuinely impressive. Lucid managed to push its Air Grand Touring sedan to a distance of 747 miles in July, traveling between St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Munich, Germany. Previously, the record was set at 649 miles in June 2025 by a Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ between two Japanese cities. This new record by Lucid is especially impressive considering the route between St. Moritz and Munich includes mountain passes, secondary roads, and highway driving. "This range record represents a significant milestone – it's yet another clear demonstration of the technological edge that defines Lucid," Eric Bach, senior vice president of product and chief engineer at Lucid, said in a statement. "Our Lucid products combine world-class vehicle efficiency with the most advanced drive units, ultra-high voltage architecture, and battery management technology available today." Now, the standard Lucid Air Grand Touring sports an EPA range of 516 miles, meaning this Guinness World Record was accomplished with unusual tactics of some sort. Lucid turned to Umit Sabanci, a London-based entrepreneur with the Guinness title of most countries visited on a single charge in a production battery electric vehicle, for consultation on how to stretch its luxury liner's capabilities. Sabanci's experience with traversing nine countries on a single charge in a Lucid Air Grand Touring seems to have brought driving insights and efficiency tactics, but it remains unclear if the Lucid Air Grand Touring used was tweaked in any way for this latest trip. "When I completed the nine-country journey in 2024, it was just the beginning," said Sabanci. "This new achievement takes that journey even further. I'm proud to be part of a movement that proves electric mobility isn't just the future; it's already redefining what's possible today." Driving 749 miles without stopping generally takes at least 12 hours, a feat that we're physiologically impressed by to say the least. That distance does give you a wide range of city-to-city connections in the continental U.S. A single charge and some judicious use of the right pedal could ferry you between New York City and a Waffle House in Columbia, South Carolina in an Air Grand Touring. Similarly, it's just about the driving distance between San Diego and California's border with Oregon. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Times
Jet cards — VIP travel without the hassle of owning a plane
There are many pathways (or should we say runways?) to private jet travel, from full jet ownership to fractional ownership to one-off charters — indeed, the private aviation menu is as layered as a St Moritz brunch. But if you want luxury jet access without having to remortgage your villa in the Hamptons, then 'private jet card' memberships are a slick option to have up your sleeve. The deal with these cards is that you pay upfront for a block of flying hours (starting typically at about £75,000), and in return you get guaranteed aircraft access with 24-48 hours' notice. Who's snapping up jet cards? Frequent flyers who like their travel private, their bookings last-minute, and their budgets predictable — without the entanglements of jet ownership. Flexjet, a long-established force in the fractional jet ownership market (since 1995), and also one of the leading providers of jet cards, defines its jet card customers as 'UHNW [ultra-high net worth] individuals, families, and companies'. According to Andrew Collins, the CEO of Flexjet, 'a significant proportion have self-made wealth, distinguishing them as high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders in sectors such as finance, real estate and technology'. Collins explains that 'one key demographic shift we are seeing is clients getting younger, with a growing proportion now falling in the 45-54 age bracket. Our average age for a new client was 58 in 2024, four years younger than it was in 2019'. It's easy to see why jet card programmes are gaining traction when you consider the alternatives, some of which require a CFO, a legal team and a meditation app. For example, outright ownership of a jet is the ultimate status symbol — until you're managing hangar leases, crew contracts, juggling maintenance schedules plus the emotional burden of insuring a flying palazzo. It can cost tens of millions upfront and millions more per year in upkeep, and your jet will sit idle most of the time. It's a bit like buying a château in Bordeaux just because you like the house wine. Fractional ownership companies offer a 'lite' version of this. About £375,000 typically buys 50 hours a year — but with some companies you'll still pay monthly fees, compete for availability, and occasionally (with some programmes) share the ride, sometimes with someone else's labradoodle. Then there's jet charter, which gives you on-demand convenience, but the price can yo-yo, especially in and around the glitzier fashion shows and swanky sports fixtures (hourly charter jet rates can oscillate between £3,700 and £11,000 for even the smallest jets during the Monaco Grand Prix). These options all have their place for the right individual or corporate entity, but jet cards fill an important niche, with their blend of luxury, stable pricing (one of the main pulls) and availability at short notice. One call, or a few taps on an app (which most jet card outfits now provide) and your jet will soon be spooling up its engines on the tarmac while the galley is being topped up with Pierre Hermé macarons. But before you reach for your Meisterstück to sign up there are a few endearing quirks to watch out for. Some jet cards charge by estimated flight time, others from 'wheels up to wheels down', meaning any scenic detour or weather delay becomes your financial responsibility. Then there are 'repositioning fees' (aka ferry fees) — charges for when a private jet must fly empty to or from another airport to pick you up or after dropping you off. Some jet card providers absorb these, others trim them off your tab. And what about that upfront retainer? With some cards your deposit sits safely in an escrow account, but with others it's helping to fund the provider's day-to-day operations. Meanwhile, lower-tier cards can be rigid, with fewer route possibilities, less perks, and aircraft that may lack the wow factor promised in the brochure. Another aspect to look out for is that some card operators have their own dedicated fleet of aircraft (the best option for a consistent service experience), whereas others don't own a single plane and rely on a pool of spare capacity sourced from an array of jet charter operators. Verifying what the set-up is should be high on your checklist before you take the plunge. Finally (and this is something that many people forget to ask) check how much baggage allowance is included — bear in mind that smaller jets have very limited stowage space. That said, jet card memberships are just the ticket for high-flyers who crave the perks of private aviation without too much palaver. They're also useful for helping jet-set rookies dip their toes into the world of private aviation without getting out of their depth. According to Flexjet's Collins, 'we see our jet card as the perfect introductory programme for those looking to experience Flexjet, before considering the longer-term commitment of fractional ownership, which is generally for five years or more'. Many of Flexjet's jet card holders do go on to become fractional owners, having experienced the Flexjet experience via its jet card programme, and as their flying needs and service expectations increase. Which provider might be right for you? It comes down to the intricacies of quality, service, convenience and of course budget. There are about 45 jet card companies worldwide. Here are four of those with the upper hand. Flexjet's European jet card is positioned as a stepping stone into private aviation. It's a highly refined product tailored for individuals who want seamless access to a top-tier fleet, consistent service and a taste of what Flexjet's fractional ownership model has to offer. At the heart of Flexjet's European jet card offering is the Embraer Praetor 600, an aircraft Flexjet knows intimately. 'Flexjet was the launch operator,' Collins says. 'It hits a sweet spot in terms of its performance, spacious cabin and category-leading range, which allows nonstop flights to New York or Dubai from northern Europe.' With space for up to nine passengers and a dedicated cabin server, the Praetor 600 is designed for transcontinental travel, with a range of 4,018 nautical miles and endurance of up to eight hours. Cruising at 466 knots (roughly 536mph) it can soar at altitudes up to 13,716m (about 45,000ft) where the air is usually less turbulent than the layer of airspace wherein mainstream airline traffic operates. It also comes with a generous 4.39 cubic metres of baggage capacity — oodles of space for your Louis Vuitton Pyramide Bistens. Flexjet's card provides 25 hours of prepaid flying time, with guaranteed availability within 48 hours — or 120 hours during 25 peak travel days, plus 10 blackout days, with fixed hourly pricing set at €14,900 (£12,550 approx). A huge plus is that cardholders benefit from access to Flexjet's own fleet, ensuring service standards remain consistently high, and the company's operation is underpinned by significant long-term investment. This year, it announced a $7 billion deal with Embraer, placing orders for 182 business jets with options for 30 more — an industry-shaping commitment that will help to keep its fleet among the most modern and efficient flying today. Sustainability is another priority. Flexjet partners with the aviation consultancy 4AIR to deliver meaningful environmental action, including 300 per cent carbon offsetting on every flight. This goes beyond CO₂ to account for contrails and other emissions. Clients can also choose to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and contribute to next-gen flight research. 'This jet card,' Collins says, 'is aimed at those who are looking for an exceptional service experience at the very top of private aviation with the simplicity of a jet card format.' Jettly's jet card programme offers clients flexible, transparent and cost-effective access to a global network of over 23,000 private aircraft, all with fixed hourly rates and no hidden fees. 'Our focus,' explains Justin Crabbe, the CEO of Jettly, 'is on delivering seamless, personalised private jet experiences without the complexities of ownership'. The company's 'pay-as-you-fly' card starts at $50,000 (about £37,000) for 25 hours, with no minimum usage requirement and no long-term commitment. The service draws high-net-worth individuals, business executives and corporations. But Crabbe observes that 'we're seeing emerging interest from younger, tech-savvy entrepreneurs and a growing number of leisure travellers looking for safe, flexible alternatives to commercial flights'. Jettly says it's investing heavily in technology to enhance the customer experience, including AI-powered flight booking, digital membership management, and the integration of blockchain and NFT technology. 'Our goal,' Crabbe says, 'is to simplify private aviation while providing more transparency and flexibility for our clients.' Still, sourcing aircraft from a global pool can raise concerns about consistency — something Crabbe is quick to address. 'We rigorously vet and partner with top-tier operators globally. Every aircraft meets our safety, maintenance and service standards,' he says. 'Our dedicated concierge team works closely with clients and operators to tailor each flight to their preferences.' Unlike some rivals, Jettly promises 'no blackout dates', Crabbe confirms. 'We offer guaranteed availability with as little as ten hours' notice.' Sustainability is also on the radar. Jettly provides optional carbon offsetting and is 'exploring partnerships with sustainable aviation fuel providers'. Asked how he thought the private aviation market would evolve over the next 5-10 years, Crabbe says he anticipates continued growth, driven by evolving traveller expectations, technological advancements, and increased focus on sustainability. 'Blockchain and digital platforms will likely reshape ownership and access models, while sustainable aviation fuel and hybrid-electric aircraft will become more prevalent.' Backed by Berkshire Hathaway, NetJets runs one of the busiest private aviation operations in the world, with over half a million flights annually and a fleet that includes aircraft from Bombardier, Cessna and Embraer. Customers include over 40 of the Fortune 100 companies (over 50 professional golfers choose NetJets year after year). The company itself has a vast footprint, with a global team of over 9,000 employees with on-site support at its most popular global destinations. Cardholders get access to a 24/7 service team, and at many major hubs its 'NetJets Service Representatives' assist with arrivals and departures. The price of a NetJets Card begins at $200,000 to $300,000 (£148,000 to £221,000) (depending on which aircraft type you sign up for), with 'no hidden expenses and ferry fees'. Every NetJets Card (beginning with its offering that unlocks 290 days of annual access) is prepaid in 25-hour increments. Jet card 'owners' (NetJets' name for its card customers) have 24 months to use their flight hours. Inside the cabin, there's consistency across the fleet. The interiors lean towards a minimalist, functional style — pale leather seats, dark woods and neutral textiles. Materials are chosen for durability and sustainability, and the company was one of the first to pioneer a sustainability initiative in the private jet sector — 'Blue Skies', which has been running since 2008. All cardholders are automatically enrolled and contribute to carbon offset projects tied to the number of hours they fly. For those who value privacy, tail numbers (registration numbers visible just underneath the tail of every aircraft) are never publicly linked to clients, and boarding is typically via private lounges — so customers can rest assured they won't be tracked (and their whereabouts shared on social media) by celeb stalkers. Additionally, NetJets invests in numerous art, food and wine, music, yachting and premier sports events (including golf, equestrian sports, tennis and motorsports). And from complimentary upgrades to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, customers gain access to exclusive benefits through more than 50 premier partnerships with other luxury brands (the company's present and past collaborations include such brands as Mercedes-AMG, luxury yacht brokers Northrop & Johnson, and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts). Then there's VistaJet. VistaJet defies categorisation, but it is a heavyweight contender. It's a jet membership programme, yet it sidesteps the 'card' badge — and it's not a charter operator either. 'VistaJet is not a jet card offering. We have a solution for every private aviation client through our VistaJet and XO brands,' insists Thomas Flohr, the founder and chairman of Vista Global Holding. The Swiss billionaire set up the Vista brand in 2004 (a year after he bought his first Learjet) to offer 'more than transportation … a way of life, exquisitely tailored to those who fly not just often, but well'. The Vista group includes aircraft management, leasing and flight operations solutions, making it a one-stop shop for every kind of private aviation client. It owns its entire fleet of 270 aircraft, so every seat, surface and smile in the sky is under their Vista brand — no charter roulette here. The core proposition, VistaJet, focuses on guaranteed availability and a polished experience, with fine bed linen, cashmere blankets, and Christofle silverware and porcelain on board. Its 'cabin hosts' are trained by the British Butler Institute and MedAire (aviation specialists providing life-saving training, medical kits, and expert advice from aviation medical doctors and security experts). VistaJet's '50-hour-per-year Program Membership' offers a fixed hourly rate locked in for three years. So whether you're flying at Christmas, Easter, or during peak summer, the price stays blissfully the same. Hourly rates for different aircraft types vary. For example, the Challenger 350 (an eight-seater aircraft with 7 hours' flight endurance) starts at about $15,000 (£11,000) per hour, while Global 7500 options (with 14 seats and a 17-hour non-stop flight capability) are about $25,000 (£18,445) per hour. Every booking is supported by Vista's global team of 4,000, offering service 24/7 across all time zones. You can also switch between aircraft types, because some days you need an Embraer Phenom 300 (with 6 seats), while at other times you might be travelling with a larger entourage, so one of VistaJet's Embraer Lineage 1000E jets with 18 seats might be a better play. VistaJet's service is augmented by brand sibling XO, which is your on-demand option for private aviation via smartphone, a kind of skyborne 'Uber'. In short, VistaJet is white-glove precision, while XO is sleek spontaneity. At the heart of Vista is a fleet that isn't bound to any single location — what Flohr calls a 'floating fleet concept'. This ensures that, wherever you are in the world, a beautifully appointed aircraft is just 24 hours away. 'We guarantee an aircraft available to fly our Members anytime and anywhere,' Flohr adds, 'with the highest level of service, and a consistent experience on every flight.' Even pets and children receive VIP treatment. From the VistaPet service (which includes VistaPet Pochette — a travel bag on board every flight containing 'bio-organic animal treats, water-free shampoos, soothing wipes and toys to keep companions entertained throughout the flight') to 'Adventures in the Sky' experiences for younger flyers, every detail is considered. 'We want you to feel a sense of familiarity. It should feel easy, almost like home,' Flohr says. Sustainability, too, isn't an afterthought. Vista has contracted 4.2 million US gallons of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and offset over 2.2 million tonnes of CO₂ on behalf of clients. Still, Flohr insists, it's the blend of innovation and human touch that defines Vista. 'It's all designed to create a smooth, personal, and efficient experience.' From curated menus by the triple Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco to exclusive itineraries via Private World (Vista's collection of premium experiences, events and destinations delivered in partnership with an ecosystem of partners — an essential element of the Member experience), Vista offers far more than a seat in the sky. 'If our members are at Le Mans, we want to be there too,' Flohr says.
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Jakob Ingebrigtsen's dad convicted of assaulting his daughter but acquitted of abusing Olympic star
JAKOB INGEBRIGTSEN's father has been cleared of abusing the Olympic gold medallist, although he's been FOUND GUILTY of assaulting his daughter, Ingrid. Norwegian athletics star Ingebrigtsen accused his father and former trainer, Gjert, of years of physical and psychological violence throughout his childhood. 6 6 6 6 But a court has deemed there to be insufficient evidence to convict Gjert of the allegations made by his youngest son. The court did, however, find Gjert guilty of hitting his daughter Ingrid with a towel during a heated row about her going out with friends back in 2022. The court said there wasn't any serious indication of the fear Jakob alleged Gert instilled in a TV documentary following the family. It also deemed a recording of an argument between the pair at St Moritz training camp in 2019 as insufficient evidence to prove Jakob's claims. The verdict read: "Jakob shows no signs of fear or submission in relation to the defendant. "He stands his ground and retaliates against the defendant's verbal abuse. "Violence in close relationships can occur in secret and remain hidden from the outside world. "However, the explanations and recordings reviewed in the preceding paragraphs are difficult to reconcile with the prosecution's claim that the defendant subjected Jakob to continuous and repeated abuse throughout the period from 2008 to 2018. 6 6 "Even though Jakob and his brothers and spouses have given credible statements, the total weight of the statements and other evidence reviewed means that the court must conclude that there is reasonable doubt about the defendant's guilt." Gert was responsible for the successful training regimes of his sons, Jakob, Henrik and Filip. I was a reality TV star dubbed the 'cardio Kim Kardashian' - now I'm making my own way and targeting Olympic gold Henrik and Filip tasted European glory, while Jakob, who cut coaching ties with his old man in 2022, won 1500m and 5000m at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, respectively. In October 2023, the brothers bravely penned an article detailing alleged abuse from Gjert, who they accused of "using physical violence and threats as part of their upbringing." Gjert, who admitted he had a "traditional and patriarchal" parenting style, vehemently denied the allegations. His lawyer, John Christian Elden, said: "This case has no winners.
