AIR vs LA DATCHA: The Classicist and The Explorer
When selecting a superyacht for charter, the choice often reflects the charterer's ambition for the week ahead. In the case of AIR and LA DATCHA, we have two vessels that represent the pinnacle of their respective genres, presenting a fascinating dichotomy for our clients. On one hand, we have the 81-metre Feadship AIR, a paragon of Dutch shipbuilding and sophisticated Riviera style, built in 2011 and commanding the West Mediterranean with a crew of 21. She is the embodiment of classic, elegant yachting. On the other, the 77-metre LA DATCHA, a brand new expedition vessel from Damen launched in 2020. She is a rugged, go-anywhere platform built for adventure in challenging territories like Northern Europe. The comparison is not merely about length or price—€925,000 for AIR versus $750,000 for LA DATCHA—but about two fundamentally different philosophies of travel. One offers a floating six-star hotel for the world’s most glamorous coastline; the other, a luxurious base camp for exploring its most remote frontiers.
Your choice hinges on a single question: what is the purpose of your charter? For sun-drenched, classic Riviera elegance with an exceptional crew-to-guest ratio and Feadship pedigree, AIR is unmatched. However, for those seeking genuine adventure, polar exploration, and a platform built for discovery, LA DATCHA's modern, go-anywhere capability presents a more compelling and rugged proposition. One is a masterpiece of leisure, the other a vessel of exploration. The right choice is a matter of ambition, not quality.
Charterers who value timeless Feadship quality, a high crew-to-guest ratio, and a sophisticated Mediterranean itinerary focused on impeccable service and refined relaxation.
Adventurous clients prioritising unique, off-the-beaten-path destinations like Northern Europe. LA DATCHA is for those who want an expedition-capable vessel with a robust, modern build.
Specs side by side
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| Length | 81 mlarger | 77 m | 4 m |
| Beam | 11.6 m | 14 mlarger | 2.4 m |
| Launched | 2011 | 2020larger | 9 |
| Guests | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| Cabins | 7larger | 6 | 1 |
| Crew | 21larger | 18 | 3 |
| Cruise speed | 15 ktslarger | 12 kts | 3 kts |
| Top speed | 17 ktslarger | 14 kts | 3 kts |
| Cruising range | — | — | — nm |
| Charter type | Motor Yacht | Motor Yacht | — |
| Builder | Feadship | Damen | — |
| Cruising region | West Mediterranean | Caribbean | — |
| Weekly from (EUR) | €925,000 | €642,000 | 283,000 |
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Design & Pedigree
This is a tale of two philosophies in naval architecture. AIR, an 81-metre Feadship from 2011, represents the zenith of Dutch superyacht royalty. Her pedigree is unimpeachable, and the minimalist luxury of a Remi Tessier interior promises a chic, sophisticated sanctuary. Her lines are sleek and classic, designed for elegant passage through calm Mediterranean seas. By contrast, LA DATCHA is a 77-metre explorer yacht from Damen’s SeaXplorer line, launched in 2020. Her commercial-grade heritage is evident in her purposeful, powerful profile and an immense 14-metre beam, suggesting huge internal volume and stability in rough seas. Designed by Vasiliy Shprits, her aesthetic is one of function and capability. While AIR is a floating work of art, LA DATCHA is a masterpiece of engineering, built to conquer the elements. One whispers luxury; the other announces adventure.
On Board Experience
The on-board experience aboard each vessel is dictated by its design. AIR is configured for an indulgent, socially-focused charter. Her deck spaces are optimised for sunshine, with multiple areas for lounging, al fresco dining, and seamless service from her 21 crew. The atmosphere is one of relaxed glamour, where the journey between ports is as much a part of the pleasure as the destinations themselves. Life on board is an exercise in supreme comfort and socialising. LA DATCHA offers a different tempo. Her deck spaces are more functional, designed as observation platforms and for the deployment of serious exploration apparatus. The wider beam creates vast interior spaces that serve as a warm, luxurious refuge after a day of discovery in harsh climates. The focus is less on sunbathing and more on briefings, expedition planning, and enjoying the view from a protected, panoramic lounge. AIR is an outward-facing platform for enjoying the sun; LA DATCHA is an inward-facing sanctuary for enjoying the wilderness.
Accommodation
Here, AIR presents a distinct advantage in flexibility. She accommodates 12 guests in seven suites, a rare and highly desirable configuration. This seventh cabin provides superb versatility for charter parties with supernumeraries, personal staff, or those requiring single-cabin arrangements. It underscores a design philosophy centred entirely on guest comfort and options. Paired with a Remi Tessier interior, these spaces are guaranteed to be serene and impeccably finished. LA DATCHA accommodates the same 12 guests but in a more conventional six-suite layout. While undoubtedly luxurious and benefiting from a 2020 build, the cabin arrangement is less flexible. The choice here is clear: for charter groups requiring maximum versatility in their sleeping arrangements, AIR’s seven-suite layout, supported by a higher crew-to-guest ratio of 21 to 12, is the superior option. For standard groups of six couples, both yachts provide exceptional comfort.
Cruising Grounds & Range
The yachts are purpose-built for their respective charter regions. AIR, with her 15-knot cruising speed, is perfectly suited to the West Mediterranean. She can comfortably manage glamorous passages between St. Tropez, Porto Cervo, and Capri, ensuring clients can see and be seen in all the right anchorages. Her design is for stylish coastal cruising in predictable, clement weather. LA DATCHA is a different beast entirely. Built for high-latitude exploration, her home in Northern Europe is a testament to her capabilities. Her more economical 12-knot cruising speed is indicative of a vessel designed for long-range endurance and self-sufficiency, not for short sprints between marinas. She is built to handle challenging sea states and remote destinations where support is non-existent. The choice is between a classic Riviera itinerary on AIR or a true voyage of discovery to the fjords and ice fields of the north aboard LA DATCHA.
Crew, Service & Toys
Service style is a key differentiator. AIR’s crew of 21 for 12 guests creates an extraordinary ratio of 1.75 crew per guest. This facilitates an exceptionally personal, anticipatory style of silver service, where every detail is managed with discreet perfection. Her toy collection will be geared towards Mediterranean fun: fast tenders for elegant shore excursions, jet skis, and inflatables. On LA DATCHA, the crew of 18 provides an excellent 1.5 crew-per-guest ratio, but the service style is more expedition-focused. The crew includes specialists trained for adventure activities and navigating remote regions. Her 'toy box' is an arsenal for exploration. While specifics are not provided, a Damen explorer is designed to carry heavy-duty tenders, submersibles, and equipment for activities like heli-skiing or polar diving. On AIR, the service is the experience; on LA DATCHA, the service enables the experience.
Pricing & Value
At a charter rate from €925,000 per week, AIR is positioned at the premium end of the market. This price is justified by her Feadship pedigree, the rarity of a seven-cabin layout, a very high crew-to-guest ratio, and her prime operating area in the Mediterranean. The value here is in the guarantee of an absolutely flawless, classic superyacht experience. LA DATCHA, from $750,000 per week, presents a different kind of value. While a direct currency conversion makes her significantly less expensive, the true value lies in her unique capability. For a 2020-built, ice-classed explorer yacht of this scale, the price is highly competitive. Clients are not just paying for a yacht; they are paying for access to experiences that are impossible on 99% of the charter fleet. Therefore, while AIR delivers superlative luxury per euro, LA DATCHA arguably delivers more adventure and exclusivity per dollar. The better value depends entirely on the client's definition of a return on their investment.
FAQ
- Which yacht is bigger, AIR or LA DATCHA?
- AIR is longer at 81 metres compared to LA DATCHA's 77 metres. However, LA DATCHA has a significantly wider beam at 14 metres, giving it greater interior volume.
- Which is better for families?
- AIR's seven-cabin layout offers more flexible accommodation, and its West Mediterranean cruising grounds are ideal for a classic family holiday with varied activities for all ages.
- Which has the better water toy programme?
- As a dedicated explorer yacht, LA DATCHA is designed to carry a more extensive and robust inventory of tenders and specialised equipment for serious adventure and exploration.
- Which yacht is the better value for a charter week?
- LA DATCHA's charter fee is lower and offers access to unique expedition capabilities. AIR commands a premium for its Feadship pedigree, larger crew, and classic Mediterranean luxury.
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