A floating restaurant offers Michelin-star meals as part of an 'edge of space' experience - but for an eye-watering price.
An unattainable fantasy has just been brought to fruition offering a view of a lifetime.
Vincent Farret d’Astiès, a former air traffic controller, has announced his new space tourism venture 'Zephalto', which is set to offer a floating restaurant experience unlike any other.
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It will be in the form of a pressurised capsule which will be attached to a stratospheric balloon - known as Celeste.
The capsule can house up to six passengers with two pilots to a maximum altitude of 25 km (about 15.5 miles) in just 90 mins, and at a speed of four meters per second.
The restaurant will pause at the curvature of the Earth, granting travellers a breathtaking panoramic view of the blue planet as they indulge in a luxurious French meal.
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The floating experience will last for three hours, which will provide ample time to savour a multi-course meal and indulge in multiple glasses of exquisite French wine.
The French company is currently offering pre-reservation tickets priced at £8,726 (10,000 euros), with the total cost of the trip amounting to £104,722 (120,000 euros).
Farret d’Astiès told CNN Travel about the luxurious Celeste’s food and beverage options, stating: “The view and overall journey remains the central focus of the offering, allowing guests to appreciate and take in the beauty of their surroundings.”
The initial flights, scheduled from late 2024 to mid-2025, have already been fully booked, and pre-reservation slots for trips from mid-2025 onwards are currently available for purchase.
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According to Farret, the ambience within Celeste resembles that of air travel, but with even more astonishing vibes and a lavish atmosphere, while Zephalto assures that the designs, showcasing 'French savoir-faire', will be unveiled soon.
As confirmed by Zephalto, these capsules will not hit sub-orbital space, but they will fly higher than any commercial plane.
This offers an opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of Earth and the stars, all while experiencing the stable gravitational environment and the absence of weightlessness.
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However, the interiors of the pressurised capsule being crafted by French designer Joseph Dirand.
Zephalto had been working closely with partners CNES and Airbus who are said to be heavily involved in the project.
They have also affirmed that the balloon is powered by helium, and will need to meet the same European Aviation Safety Agency certifications as those required for commercial aircraft.
The company also emphasise the importance of allowing chefs to showcase their creativity by offering a personalised guest experience that is elevated and refined in nature.
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Zephalto reports successful completion of three piloted partial test flights and has another full journey scheduled later this year, with flights welcoming individuals of all ages without any required prior training.
Although Celeste is initially planned to launch from France, Zephalto aspires to expand globally in the near future.
Rashi Agarwal