The French company Zephalto has decided to lead in the category of space travel, offering an exceptional experience of flying to the ‘edge of space’. For deep-pocketed travelers, they have prepared not just a flight in the Celeste capsule attached to a stratospheric balloon but also a top-notch gastronomic experience.
After Celeste ascends to an altitude of 25 kilometers, it will hover above Earth for a full three hours. To keep passengers entertained while viewing the planet from such heights, they will be served French wines and dishes prepared by Michelin-starred chefs.
Testing the Aircraft
Zephalto, founded in 2016, has started selling reservations priced at €10,000, with the entire journey costing a total of €120,000. The first passengers are expected to take off at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025, and all reservations for those dates are sold out, while those for 2025 and beyond are still available.
Celeste can accommodate six passengers and two pilots, and its interior was designed by French designer Joseph Dirand. According to HypeBeast, Zephalto is currently working closely with the French space agency, CNES, to ensure that the helium-filled balloon receives all necessary certifications from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency as well as commercial aircraft. So far, they have tested the aircraft three times, and it is planned that for its first commercial flight, the capsule will take off from France.
