Travel for the rich and famous: it's all about private flying cars and submarines

While we wait for flying taxis to hit our skies, some are taking matters into their own hands and buying their own flying cars. No longer the stuff of sci-fi movies, they’re real vehicles that transition between driving and flying. Google co-founder Larry Page has funded multiple flying car startups while LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman is a significant investor in Joby Aviation, a leading electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi company. Among the more well-known companies building flying cars are PAL-V, AeroMobil, and Klein Vision’s AirCar, which recently completed a successful intercity flight. According to Morgan Stanley, the flying car market is projected to reach $9 trillion (Dh33 trillion) by 2050.

Many manufacturers are developing flying cars for national governments and cities, while others have one eye on wealthy individuals looking to beat traffic jams, and arrive in style. One such firm is Alef Aeronautics, which will let you pre-order its flying car for $150 (Dh550), while $1,500 (Dh5,509) will get you in the priority queue for the $300,000 (Dh1.1 million) car. An Alef spokesman told KT LUXE that it currently has 3,400 entries for its Model A. “Alef is currently producing flying cars for exhibition and research and development purposes only, but is planning first customer deliveries soon. We’re currently focused on safety and optimal functionality.” It says its typical customers tend to live in rural areas, and their primary motivation is to significantly reduce daily commute time.

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The UAE is on track to launch commercial air taxi services within the next year. In July, Joby conducted the first fully-piloted test flights in Dubai, including vertical takeoff, cruise, and landing, while Abu Dhabi Aviation and Archer have completed initial vertical flight tests at Al Bateen Airport. While regulations are being put in place for commercial services, laws for private use may not be far behind.

Land and air

Alef says its flying car is designed to comply with all existing laws and regulations without requiring changes — automotive regulations on the ground and aviation regulations for its specific class of aircraft in the air. “In the future, as scale increases, we expect regulations to be created specifically for this new class of transportation. Owning the first flying car in history is the greatest luxury at this point,” the spokesman added. On the ground, flying cars operate like a normal car or electric vehicle (EV). In the air, the ‘driver’ would require the same training as an operator of any other ultralight aircraft would. As for the vehicle’s operating costs, they are similar to those of owning an EV.

Dutch aviation company Pal-V’s flagship model is the Liberty, which, it says, is a “user-friendly, personal aircraft for daily medium- and long-distance commutes”. Users can drive to one of the world’s 40,000+ airstrips, convert the vehicle in a matter of minutes, and fly to wherever they want to go. PAL-V has two different versions — the Liberty Sport (from $400,000/Dh1.4 million) and the limited-edition Pioneer, expected to cost around $600,000 (Dh2.2million). It promotes its flying car as a practical solution to beating traffic jams for short trips and breaks. “Going for a business trip, a romantic dinner, or a weekend getaway? With the PAL-V Liberty, you decide when and where to go,” its website states. Among the airstrips it lists are a number in the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Jebel Ali, Dubai and Al Ain. Both a driver’s license and an autogyro pilot’s license are required to operate the vehicle.

“We will guide you to become a proficient, confident aviator. Our instructors are the best in the business and are there to make the learning experience fun and unforgettable,” it says. “We will ensure you are a safe pilot who is able to fly the PAL-V all over the world to any place you desire, making it your reliable tool for every adventure.”

Submarines

The market for private submarines is still relatively niche, with a handful of elite builders leading the way. Notable names include Triton Submersibles and Perry Submarines, and often include options for entertainment systems, climate control, and underwater lighting, transforming a dive into an experience.

“All our clients have already been diving or snorkeling in the best spots around the world,” says Charles Kohnen, co-founder and chairman at SEAmagine, a manufacturer of small private submarines. “They’re looking for something beyond that with access to places very few have seen, but to do it in a way that’s safe, comfortable, and completely different from anything they’ve done before.”

Owners normally fall into two categories: either they are keenly interested in shipwrecks or they are all about seeing sea life at different depths. Plus, they tend to already own a yacht to keep the submarine on. “When we find shipwrecks, those owners sometimes complain that there are too many fish in the way to see the shipwreck while the other group thinks that shipwrecks are a form of litter.”

One unusual request was a “his and hers” configuration with two oversized lounge seats for a more private experience. The two different interiors could be interchanged by the crew depending on who was going for the dive. Private submersibles are now focusing on comfort, space, and serenity, while offering an incredible panoramic view of the underwater world. “We put a lot of emphasis on personal space. Our design features a large transparent viewing sphere where guests sit, while the pilot is seated in the rear centre section. That layout gives everyone more room to relax and enjoy the experience.”

Some even have a Bose sound system inside, so guests can enjoy music during the dive. “We’ve also rethought the boarding process. Unlike the typical awkward climb into a sub, ours has a beautiful teak top deck with handrails and a proper staircase that leads guests down into their seats — no gymnastics required. It’s all about creating a serene, elegant journey from start to finish,” adds Kohnen.

For SEAmagine, its instructors go on-site to train the pilot and support crew that will operate the sub. The training will typically take three-four weeks and involves a week of theory classes and two-three weeks of practical dives. As for costs, submersibles vary in price from $3 million to $8 million (Dh11 million to Dh29.3 million), depending on the number of passengers and maximum depth rating.

Dutch company U-Boat Worx manufactures the NEMO, the world’s only serially produced private submersible. “Thanks to its compact footprint and low weight, it’s ideally suited for private use, whether it’s on a superyacht, a support vessel, or even from shore-based operations,” says Roy Heijdra, marketing manager for U-Boat Worx.

Its customer base is diverse, but they all share a passion for the ocean and underwater exploration. “Private individuals often use their submersibles for leisure diving — to explore coral reefs, shipwrecks, or marine wildlife with family and friends in complete comfort and safety.”

It has taken things even further and built a luxury 42-metre submarine called Nautilus, which offers the best of both worlds — luxury yacht cruising and deep sea exploration. With state-of-the-art technology, it features a saloon, bar, master cabin, observation lounge, staterooms, and even a small gym. The final price of the Nautilus is to be determined, as each one is built to order.