AIR vs CHAKRA: Dutch Pedigree or Unrivalled Guest Capacity?
When considering an 80-metre-plus charter yacht, clients are often faced with a choice that defines the very nature of their week on board. The comparison between AIR and CHAKRA is a perfect illustration of this dilemma, representing two fundamentally different philosophies in the large yacht sector. On one hand, you have AIR: a paragon of Dutch excellence from Feadship. Launched in 2011, she is a statement of contemporary, design-led luxury for the traditional complement of 12 guests, commanding a charter fee from €925,000 in the Western Mediterranean. On the other, there is CHAKRA: a vessel of remarkable scale and capacity. While her origins trace back to 1998, a comprehensive 2017 refit has created a unique platform capable of legally hosting 24 guests. At a starting price of €495,000 in the Arabian Gulf, she presents a proposition focused on grand hospitality. The decision is not merely about choosing a yacht, but about defining the charter's core purpose: refined intimacy or celebratory scale.
Your choice hinges on priority. AIR offers an uncompromising, contemporary Feadship experience for the connoisseur, prioritising design purity and service intimacy for 12 guests. CHAKRA, conversely, delivers exceptional value and unparalleled capacity for large families or milestone celebrations where the guest list is the primary concern. It is a clear choice between the ultimate in refined exclusivity and the pinnacle of grand-scale hospitality.
Charterers who value pedigree, contemporary design, and an intimate, high-service experience for a traditional guest complement of 12 in the Mediterranean.
Large groups, multi-generational families, or event charters prioritising guest capacity and value over a newer build, best suited for cruising the Arabian Gulf.
Specs side by side
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| Length | 81 m | 86 mlarger | 5 m |
| Beam | 11.6 m | 12 mlarger | 0.4 m |
| Launched | 2011larger | 1998 | 13 |
| Guests | 12 | 24larger | 12 |
| Cabins | 7 | 21larger | 14 |
| Crew | 21 | 30larger | 9 |
| Cruise speed | 15 ktslarger | 12 kts | 3 kts |
| Top speed | 17 ktslarger | 14 kts | 3 kts |
| Cruising range | — | 3,200 nm | — nm |
| Charter type | Motor Yacht | Motor Yacht | — |
| Builder | Feadship | Davenport | — |
| Cruising region | West Mediterranean | Arabian Gulf | — |
| Weekly from (EUR) | €925,000 | €495,000 | 430,000 |
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Design & Pedigree
This is a tale of two distinct origins. AIR is a thoroughbred, born in 2011 from the world-renowned Feadship yard with a sophisticated interior by Remi Tessier. Her architecture is a holistic vision of modern superyachting, emphasising clean lines, light, and seamless integration of space. She represents the pinnacle of sought-after Dutch build quality and design. CHAKRA’s story is one of ambitious transformation. Launched in 1998 and extensively refit in 2017, she was converted to her current superyacht form. Her design is dictated by the remarkable objective of accommodating 24 guests, resulting in a voluminous, imposing profile across five decks. While AIR is a study in purpose-built elegance, CHAKRA is a monument to functional scale, trading the nuances of a pedigree build for an almost unique capacity in the charter market. One is about heritage and artistry; the other is about presence and possibility.
On Board Experience
The onboard lifestyle aboard these yachts is fundamentally different. AIR, with her Remi Tessier interior, offers a curated, sophisticated atmosphere. Social spaces are likely to be minimalist yet exceptionally luxurious, with a focus on high-end finishes and a seamless connection to the sea. The experience is one of a private, floating piece of modern art, with spaces like her large sundeck and beach club designed for an intimate group to enjoy in style. CHAKRA, by contrast, is a floating private resort. The experience is defined by scale and versatility. Her expansive decks are built to handle a crowd, with multiple lounges, bars, and dining areas to prevent any sense of crowding, even with 24 guests. Features like a dedicated beauty salon and massage rooms cater to the needs of a large group. Where AIR offers chic, integrated socialising, CHAKRA provides a vast and varied platform for entertainment, relaxation, and large-scale events.
Accommodation
The accommodation layout is the most significant point of divergence. AIR accommodates 12 guests in 7 cabins, a generous arrangement that prioritises personal space. This configuration typically includes a magnificent master suite, a full-beam VIP, and multiple luxurious guest suites, ensuring every guest enjoys an exceptional level of comfort and privacy. It is the classic, proven formula for ultra-luxury charter. CHAKRA shatters this formula by accommodating 24 guests in 21 cabins. This is her unique selling proposition and a rarity in the charter fleet. The layout is designed to provide private quarters for a very large party, including extended family, friends, and personal staff. While individual cabins may not match the sheer volume of AIR's suites, the ability to host such a large group in private en-suite cabins makes CHAKRA an almost unrivalled option for milestone celebrations or corporate events. The choice is between palatial suites for a few or private cabins for many.
Cruising Grounds & Range
Each yacht is positioned in a region that plays to its strengths. AIR, based in the Western Mediterranean, is perfectly suited for classic itineraries. Her brisk 15-knot cruising speed makes light work of passages between the Balearics, the Amalfi Coast, and the French Riviera, allowing charterers to experience multiple iconic destinations in a single week. Her performance and pedigree are a perfect match for the world's most competitive charter market. CHAKRA operates in the Arabian Gulf, a burgeoning destination that her character complements. Her more stately cruising speed of 12 knots is ideal for exploring the waters around Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the region's private islands, where itineraries are often more focused on destination anchoring than long-distance cruising. She serves as a magnificent, stable platform from which to entertain and explore this unique cruising ground. AIR is built for stylish passage-making, whereas CHAKRA is a destination in herself.
Crew, Service & Toys
Service style is dictated by numbers. Aboard AIR, 21 crew members attend to a maximum of 12 guests. This exceptional crew-to-guest ratio of almost 2:1 promises a level of service that is not just attentive but almost clairvoyant. The crew's focus is on delivering a deeply personalised, discreet, and flawless experience. CHAKRA’s 30 crew members serve up to 24 guests, a ratio of 1.25:1. This is still a very strong number, but the service dynamic shifts to that of a flawlessly run private hotel. The crew are experts in managing the complex logistics of a large group, ensuring seamless dining, activities, and service on a grand scale. While both yachts will have an impressive inventory of water toys, CHAKRA's programme is necessarily geared towards entertaining a crowd, likely featuring a greater quantity of equipment to ensure no one is left waiting. AIR’s toy deployment will be just as impressive but curated for a smaller, more intimate group.
Pricing & Value
The financial comparison is stark and speaks volumes about their respective offerings. AIR’s charter rate starts at €925,000 per week. For this, you secure a pedigree Feadship, a recent build date, a celebrated designer interior, and one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios on the market. The value is in the uncompromising quality and the prestige of the brand; you are paying a premium for a product at the very apex of the industry. CHAKRA, from €495,000 per week, presents a powerful value proposition of a different kind. At almost half the price, she accommodates double the guests. On a per-person basis for a full charter, CHAKRA costs approximately €20,625 per guest, whereas AIR costs €77,083. CHAKRA’s immense value lies not in her build year or design nameplate, but in her unique,SOLAS-compliant ability to deliver a large-yacht experience for 24 guests at a price point that is simply unbeatable for that capacity.
FAQ
- Which yacht is bigger, AIR or CHAKRA?
- CHAKRA is longer at 86 metres compared to AIR's 81 metres. CHAKRA also has a wider beam and significantly more interior volume to accommodate her larger guest capacity.
- Which is better for families?
- CHAKRA is exceptional for large, multi-generational families due to its 24-guest capacity in 21 cabins. AIR is perfect for smaller families seeking a more intimate and design-focused experience.
- Which has the better water toy programme?
- Both yachts have comprehensive toy collections, but CHAKRA's capacity to entertain 24 guests simultaneously may give her an edge in the sheer quantity and variety of equipment available.
- Which yacht is the better value for a charter week?
- CHAKRA offers outstanding value on a per-person basis, accommodating twice the guests for roughly half the price. AIR's value lies in its pedigree, design, and service level, commanding a premium for its quality.
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