Up and Away Travel

Name

Up and Away Travel

Legal name

Up And Away Travel

Website

https://upandaway.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Travel Agency Services

NAICS

Travel Agencies (56151), Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Travel Agencies (THAKAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adventure & Expedition Travel Agencies (THAKAFAB), Sports & Active Travel Agencies (e.g., ski, golf, dive) (THAKAFAJ)

Keywords

• Luxury travel agency
• Bespoke travel planning
• Luxury river cruises
• Luxury safari tours
• Premium airline booking

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Travel Agency Commissions: Up and Away Travel acts as a luxury travel agency earning commissions from bookings made with travel suppliers including cruise lines, hotels, resorts, tour operators, airlines, and safari lodges. They offer curated access to the world's most luxurious properties, tours, and cruises with preferred relations with premium airlines. Booking and Payment terms state deposits required at booking, final payments due 60-90 days before departure.
2. Luxury Travel Planning and Consulting: Bespoke travel planning and concierge services for discerning travelers. Services include personalized travel planning since 1984, business-class flight arrangements, VIP airport transfers, exclusive pre-cruise hotel stays, and 24/7 concierge service for hassle-free experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Up and Away Travel is a luxury travel agency that plans and books bespoke, high-end travel experiences for discerning travelers. Its core offerings include luxury river cruises, luxury safaris, curated luxury tours, premium business and first-class flights (with private jet charter options), luxury hotel and resort bookings, hidden-gem destination experiences, and fully independent tours (FIT). The agency earns revenue primarily through commissions from travel suppliers and by providing white-glove concierge travel planning services.

Product overview

Up and Away Travel is a luxury travel agency offering a unified portfolio of bespoke travel experiences since 1984. The core offerings include Luxury River Cruises (encompassing Danube, Rhine, Mekong, and Douro River sub-products), Luxury Safaris, Luxury Tours, Premium Airline Flights (including private jet charters), and Fully Independent Tours (FIT). The company also specializes in Luxury Hotels & Resorts bookings and Hidden Gem Luxury Destinations. These products are interconnected: river cruises serve as anchor experiences often paired with business-class flights and pre/post cruise hotel stays; FIT tours provide independent travelers the same luxury accommodations and VIP access but with flexible self-guided itineraries; safaris and destination tours are complemented by premium flight services. The company positions itself as a full-service luxury travel agency providing white-glove service, expert guidance, and personalized planning across all offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Luxury River Cruises Bespoke luxury river cruise experiences covering Danube, Rhine, Mekong, and Douro rivers, with private guided tours, Michelin-starred cuisine, and exclusive excursions for high-net-worth travelers.
• Danube River Cruise Luxury river cruise through Central Europe visiting Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Regensburg, Salzburg, and Budapest with private palace evenings, gala dinners, and exclusive tours.
• Rhine River Cruise Luxury river cruise through Germany's Rhine Valley featuring fairytale castles, vineyard-cloaked hills, all-suite accommodations, and personal butler service.
• Mekong River Cruise Luxury river cruise through Cambodia and Vietnam exploring mystical temples of Angkor Wat, floating villages, and Southeast Asian culture with onboard spa and cooking classes.
• Douro River Cruise Luxury river cruise through Portugal's Douro Valley featuring terraced vineyards, wine estate visits, and authentic Portuguese cultural experiences.
• Luxury Hotels & Resorts Stays at the world's most exclusive luxury hotels and resorts, with access to finest accommodations worldwide from Paris to Bali.
• Luxury Safaris Bespoke luxury safari experiences across African wildlife destinations including Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Okavango Delta, Kruger, and Rwanda gorilla trekking.
• Luxury Tours Curated luxury tours to world's most sought-after destinations including Bali, Barcelona, Casablanca, Edinburgh, Venice, and other premium locations.
• Hidden Gem Luxury Destinations Exclusive access to underrated luxury travel spots including Bora Bora, Maldives, Swiss Alps, Positano, and other hidden treasures with private guides and VIP cultural experiences.
• Premium Airline Flights Business class and first-class flight booking services with premium carriers including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific, plus private jet charter options.
• Fully Independent Tours (FIT) Customized independent travel experiences allowing travelers to explore on their own terms with flexible itineraries, private guides, and VIP support across destinations like Kyoto, Amalfi Coast, Cape Town, and New York City.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24/7 concierge support available outside normal business hours as demonstrated by customer testimonials
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, premium and minor.

• Premium Airlines (Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUp and Away Travel has preferred relations with world-class airlines including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific. These partnerships provide clients with spacious suites, lie-flat beds, priority check-in, gourmet in-flight dining, and access to exclusive airport lounges. The company offers business class flights to complement upscale tours and cruises.
• Luxury Cruise LinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with handpicked luxury cruise lines offering personalized service, spacious suites with panoramic views, and onboard amenities rivaling five-star hotels. Includes exclusive Danube, Rhine, Mekong, and Douro river cruise options.
• Luxury Hotels and ResortscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess to the finest luxury hotels and resorts worldwide, from Paris to Bali. The company has established relationships with boutique properties that blend luxury with heritage, providing VIP access and exclusive experiences for discerning travelers.
• Destination Management Companies (DMCs)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with top-tier DMCs worldwide to deliver unforgettable journeys for high-net-worth clientele. DMCs provide local expertise, ground operations, and on-site coordination for luxury travel experiences.
• Safari LodgesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with luxury safari lodges across Africa including Maasai Mara (Kenya), Serengeti (Tanzania), Okavango Delta (Botswana), Kruger National Park (South Africa), and Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park).
• Luxury Tour OperatorsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with finest luxury tour operators, DMCs, and experience providers worldwide. Includes collaborations with luxury yacht companies and private jet services for bespoke itineraries.
• Private Jet ServicespremiumStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor the most discerning clients, Up and Away arranges private jet charters with bespoke itineraries and full concierge service, providing the ultimate luxury travel experience.
• Boutique Hotels and Eco-Luxury RetreatsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelcoming boutique hoteliers and eco-luxury retreat providers to partner with the agency, offering exposure through high-touch travel planning and targeted digital visibility.
• Cultural CuratorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with unique cultural curators to provide authentic, immersive cultural experiences unavailable to standard tourists.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Virtuoso: Network of luxury travel agencies and preferred-supplier relationships, of which Up and Away would be a comparable independent member. Relevant comparator on preferred-supplier inventory and luxury positioning, though it is a network rather than a competing agency.

Direct peers

• Protravel International: Long-established US luxury travel agency serving HNW clients with bespoke itineraries, supplier preferred relationships, and multi-city offices. One of the most direct comparables to Up and Away's model, scale, and target customer.
• Abercrombie & Kent: Luxury tour operator offering curated global itineraries including safaris, river cruises, and private guided tours. Comparable in product mix (bespoke FIT, premium accommodations, DMC leverage) and HNW positioning.
• Tauck: Family-owned premium tour operator with a significant river cruise division (Danube, Rhine) and guided tours. Directly comparable on river cruise product (the core sub-products of Up and Away) and upscale positioning.
• Crystal Cruises: Luxury ocean and river cruise line offering the suite-class, butler-serviced product central to Up and Away's cruise portfolio. Comparable as both a partner supplier and direct luxury cruise alternative for HNW travelers.
• Kensington Tours: Bespoke luxury tour operator specializing in private guided travel with strong DMC partnerships worldwide. Closely overlaps with Up and Away's FIT and luxury tours offering for affluent travelers.

Emerging players

• Micato Safaris: Family-run luxury safari specialist covering the same African geographies (Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Okavango Delta, Kruger) that Up and Away offers. Comparable on the safari sub-product specifically.

Broad incumbents

• Travel Leaders Group: Large US travel agency network with luxury-focused advisor tiers. Overlapping high-touch travel agency services and supplier commission-based revenue model, though not exclusively luxury.
• American Express Travel (Centurion): Amex's premium Centurion travel desk serves HNW cardmembers with full-service bespoke itinerary planning. Broader incumbent with a luxury-only concierge offering comparable to Up and Away's white-glove service.

Regional players

• Viking Cruises: Major premium river cruise operator dominating the Danube and Rhine. Up and Away's 4-river cruise portfolio is largely built on Viking and similar operators; relevant as both a supplier partner and downstream competitor for direct bookings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/upandawaytvl
• Instagraminstagram.com/upandawaynyc
• Pinterestpinterest.com/upandawaynyc
• Facebookfacebook.com/travel.upandaway
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/up-and-away-travel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Up and Away Travel