Beyond First Class: 5 Wildly Luxe Ways to Travel in 2026
Photo Credit: Belmond
For our travelers who have long since moved past upgrades and priority boarding, luxury is defined by access, intention, and experiences few will ever replicate. In 2026, the most compelling journeys are not about how you get there, but about where others simply cannot.
Personally vetted by Huffman Travel Advisors, these five wildly luxe ways to travel are designed for clients who thought they had already seen it all and are ready for what comes next.
Echo Camp, a luxury accommodation operated by White Desert. Photo Credit: White Desert.
Antarctica by Private Jet with White Desert
The last great frontier, explored in uncompromising comfort.
Antarctica remains one of the most elusive destinations on Earth, and with White Desert, it becomes accessible in a way that feels both pioneering and exquisitely refined. Guests fly by private jet from Cape Town directly to the Antarctic ice, bypassing the traditional sea crossing and dramatically reducing travel time while preserving comfort from start to finish.
On the ground, White Desert’s luxury camps redefine what is possible at the end of the world. Heated, design-forward pods provide a cocoon of warmth and quiet, complete with ensuite facilities, thoughtful interiors, and attentive service that feels almost surreal against the vast polar landscape. Days are spent exploring ice tunnels, visiting emperor penguin colonies, or standing at the Geographic South Pole, each moment guided by world-class polar experts.
What truly distinguishes this experience is its intimacy and intention. Departures are limited, sustainability is woven into every detail, and every guest becomes part of an expedition few will ever experience. For those seeking a journey that redefines both adventure and luxury, this is rare indeed.
Chef Jean Imbert, Belmond Venice Simplon Orient Express. Photo Credit: Belmond
Sleeper Trains with Private Chefs
Slow travel, perfected with culinary artistry.
The romance of rail is having a renaissance, and in 2026, it is more indulgent than ever. On the world’s most exclusive sleeper trains, select suites now come with private chefs who travel alongside guests, crafting menus inspired by the regions rolling past your window.
Imagine falling asleep as vineyards blur into twilight, then waking to a perfectly timed breakfast as mountains come into view. Days are unhurried, elegant, and deeply sensory. This is slow travel elevated to an art form, where the journey itself becomes the destination, and every meal is part of the story.
Photo Credit: The Four Seasons
Around the World on the Four Seasons Private Jet
Effortless global travel, choreographed to perfection.
For travelers who want the world without the friction, the Four Seasons Private Jet continues to set the gold standard. These carefully curated journeys circle the globe with seamless precision, combining iconic destinations with rare access and exceptional care.
Guests move from continent to continent, staying exclusively at Four Seasons properties while enjoying behind-the-scenes experiences not available to the public. Onboard, the jet feels more like a private club in the sky, with elevated dining, attentive service, and space to truly relax. It is global travel distilled into its most graceful form.
Photo Credit: Aqua Expeditions
Aqua Expeditions in West Papua and the Asmat Region
Ultra-remote exploration with museum-worthy depth.
For those drawn to the edges of the map, Aqua Expeditions in Indonesia’s West Papua and Asmat regions offers something truly extraordinary. These rare journeys venture deep into one of the most culturally rich and biologically diverse areas on Earth, guided by experts in anthropology, wildlife, and history.
Days might include encounters with indigenous communities, river excursions through untouched rainforest, and wildlife sightings that feel almost surreal. Evenings return guests to a sleek, contemporary vessel where refined dining, thoughtful design, and personalized service soften the wildness just beyond the deck. It is exploration without hardship, and luxury with meaning.
Photo Credit: Clément Delacre
Formula 1, Reimagined
The pinnacle of sport meets the pinnacle of access.
Formula 1 has evolved into one of the world’s most glamorous travel experiences, and 2026 promises even more exclusivity. For travelers and fans who crave adrenaline paired with elegance, private paddock access, hosted race weekends, and insider experiences bring the sport to life in unforgettable ways.
From Monaco’s harbor to Singapore’s illuminated streets, these weekends are orchestrated with precision. Think private yacht viewings, Michelin-starred dining, and access to teams and drivers that most only dream about. It is not just attending a race, it is entering the inner circle of one of the world’s most electrifying spectacles.
For travelers who believe luxury should still inspire awe, these journeys offer something rare. They are immersive, beautifully executed, and designed for those ready to go beyond first class and into experiences that redefine what travel can be.
When you are ready to explore what 2026 could look like for you, your Huffman Travel advisor is here to design a journey as exceptional as the destination itself.