Salva Mubarak Senior Features Writer

Raise a hand if you agree that settling on a place for a dinner date can be one of the most challenging decisions you have to make. Now put down that hand because French travel company Zephalto might have made things incredibly easy (for a hefty price, of course!)

The company, which is known for its low-carbon balloon flights, is set to launch a luxury ride that can take a few lucky people on an experience of a lifetime to dine in space!

Zephalto has announced that, by 2025, six guests can climb onboard Céleste, a pressurised capsule, which is carried by a “balloon the size of Sacré Coeur in Paris.”

The six guests will travel to their dining spot in the stratosphere from a spaceport in France. After getting acquainted with the process, the guests will proceed to ascent in the pod at 13 feet per second until they reach an altitude of 15.5 miles (about 25 km) above the Earth’s surface. The height has been specifically chosen as its most optimal point, according to Zephalto’s founder Vincent Farret d’Astiès.

“We choose [15.5 miles] high because it’s the altitude where you are in the darkness of space, with 98% of the atmosphere below you, so you can enjoy the curvature of the Earth in the blue line,” said Farret d’Astiès, “You’re in the darkness of space, but without the zero gravity experience.”

The entire journey will be completed in six hours, including a 90-minute ascent and three hours of floating in the air enjoying the breathtaking views of the planet from outer space.

The ride will include meals prepared by French chefs and guided wine tasting by the onboard sommelier. The interiors of the pod have been designed by renowned designer Joseph Dirand. You would also get Wi-Fi onboard so you can document the amazing experience easily. Aside from this, the company has also revealed that it would be possible to hold small events onboard soon, like weddings and other celebrations!

It must be clear by now that an experience like that wouldn’t really be easy on the pocket and you’d be right because it costs $132,000 (over INR 1 crore) per person, with a downpayment of $11,000 (INR 9 lakh) while booking the ticket.

Would you put this out-of-the-world experience on your wishlist?!