The interior designs of VIP business jets often look more like residential penthouses, at least in the eyes of many aviation designers. While opulent cabins in the world’s largest business jets sounds like it will be a given, the designers are combining the most sophisticated technologies with contemporary themes aimed at promoting emotional and physical wellness, facilitating business communications, and allowing the latest residential design concepts to take flight.
While all the major airframers offer customizable interiors, some business-jet buyers are looking for a bespoke approach that offers royals, heads of state, or CEOs an experience that inspires during travel. These could reflect cultural influences of the Middle East, where many of the largest business jets reside, or eclectic tastes of individual owners who want to make their own inimitable fashion statement.
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Here are six of our favorite new bespoke interior designs, both concepts and real cabins.
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CelestialSTAR | BBJ 777-9
With nearly 3,689 square feet of cabin space and currently the widest cabin among in the bizliner world, the BBJ-777-9 offers a broad canvas for a custom aircraft design fitting for royal families or heads of state. Luftansa Technik’s VVIP bespoke design concept, called CelestialSTAR, marries the perks of palace living with some of the most advanced technologies.
With a bevy of high-end comforts, the aircraft’s private suite features a bedroom, bathroom, and multifunctional “work and balance” area. Inside the bedroom is a sophisticated projection technology that can create an immersive experience by turning the walls into a cinema for entertainment, or to showcase 180 degrees of photography or fine art. The ensuite is designed with the largest rain and massage shower ever conceived for a private jet.
The second half of the cabin was designed for high-ranking ministers or state guests who reside in six Deluxe Suites, and first-class compartments. There are also 32 business-class seats in an Executive Area, followed by the rear of the cabin that includes an Entourage Area in a premium economy cabin.
Jet Aviation Design | Airbus A330-300
With a take on a famous rock formation in Madagascar, Tsingy de Bermarah, this interior lounge concept from Jet Aviation Design for an Airbus A330-300 combines a modern-classic aesthetic, ultra-modern furniture with seating and lighting to create a vibe more reminiscent of a private residence than a business jet.
Three-dimensional textures form a cave-like “snug” in the sidewall, finished in soft grays and beiges that recede into deep copper and earth tones. The abstract, angular shapes of the wall contrast with curves in the cut-out and furniture, together creating a kind of sculptured and organic space.
Shapes, patterns, and colors are accentuated by a tiled floor inlaid with carpet. Back-lit panels, cut-outs, and modern lamps help create the atmosphere. “This carefully orchestrated interplay of natural forms and contemporary styling brings the design together in a cohesive journey through the cabin, a story of nature set against the technology and innovation of the aircraft itself,” says Lauren Steventon, director of Global Marketing Communications for Jet Aviation Design.
Haven | B787-8
It might look like a flying palace, but this bespoke concept for the B787-8 by San Antonio–based Natalie Rodriguez Luxury Design, marries opulence, marble, high-gloss walnut, gold accents with contemporary furniture, all with an eye toward health, wellness, and sustainability.
Highlights in the lounge include a Carrara-marble veneered column with walnut accents and an imitation/digital fireplace. HD television monitors separate two well-appointed seating groups for both privacy and functionality. The television monitors are discreetly hidden behind custom art pieces that recess into the column when the monitors are in use. Bi-fold doors separate the dining space and an ornate galley for privacy, or they can recess into sidewall pockets for a more open layout.
The Master Suite includes a VIP Bedroom combining contemporary and classic sophistication in a spacious area with a king-sized bed with tufted headboard, a chandelier-inspired flush-mounted fixture specially designed for jet travel, and an elegant two-seat divan for two facing a second imitation fireplace and monitor. A private wellness room includes a treadmill and studio cycle, while the master lavatory showcases a variety of appointments including a full rain shower.
Sky Blue | B787 and BBJ Lounge
Paris-based PierreJean Vision Design & Architecture says that its bespoke custom business jet designs, like Sky Blue, incorporate a steady and rapid evolution of technology including sensitive lighting, entertainment systems for images or movies integrated into full-height partitions, electrical window shades, and even incorporating smart fabrics (able to respond to changes in their environment, including shape memory alloys). Sky Blue, one of its concepts for the B787, utilizes space for openness and comfort. Neutral color tones, a dark walnut entertainment partition, flanked by executive leather seating and two-day beds highlight the main lounge.
Pinto Agency | ACJ320neo
Garnering a Robb Report Best of the Best award for its innovative use of space, this Pinto Agency design for the Airbus ACJ320neo was commissioned by Acropolis Aviation, a U.K.-based firm for the air charter market. The project took nearly 13 months to complete by Basle Switzerland-based AAC Aerospace.
The design maximizes space of up to 19 passengers and sleeps 17, including a private primary bedroom that leads to an ensuite bathroom that’s believed to be one of the largest showers ever installed in an Airbus single-aisle aircraft. The wood high-gloss veneer is paired with beige leather for the seating and contrasting brown tones that work throughout the aircraft. The lack of overhead bins creates space that also allowed the designers to focus on LED mood lighting to create both atmosphere and function for its passengers.
Winch Designs | Bombardier 6000
The recent interior overhaul of a dated Bombardier Global 6000 is an excellent example of how a design firm like London-based Winch Design can completely refit the interior by using the original configuration.
Taking nearly one year to complete, this extensive makeover was commissioned by Ireland-based AllianceJet to be used for charter. For starters, the 2014 satin-wood veneer, gold fittings, and upholstery were completely stripped out of the jet. All its components were then sent to F-List in Austria to be remade. While the new cabin maintained the same layout and dimensions as the original aircraft, the majority of the interior was upgraded. The jet’s cabinetry was wrapped in what Winch describes as a foil imitation that creates the authentic look of real wood but saves cost and weight.
“The aft lounge bulkhead includes a burlwood marquetry design, while the forward and middle bulkheads incorporate 3-D-slatted screens of light-colored wood and mirrors to enhance the sense of space,” says Lucy Bodenham, senior marketing manager for Winch Design. The rose-gold metal plating seen throughout the interior was retained from the original aircraft.
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