Luxury Just Became More Luxurious

If you happen to have a wallet the size of an American State, you may be interested to see their latest BBJ that rolled out the factory recently. The Boeing BBJ uses a 737-700 frame with -800 wings to create an extra long range product that is more hotel than plane. With the interior put together by Jet Tech and designed by Infusion Design, this space age jet doesn’t look like a walnut-wood-and-80’s-brown-leather party, but more a modern and hip W Hotel in the sky.

With neat, clean details and slick minimalist finishing, this is definitely the age of the modern plane. I like the neutral palette and modernity of the interior. I’ve found that the old school ‘Walnut/Mahogony’ yacht style finishing in private jets very dated and claustrophobic due to the depth in the materials. These new lighter coloured and matt finishes help create a sense of space and tranquility that with appeal to both male and female audiences. Unveiled at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) in Shanghai, this really shows not only the design potential for the medium body private jets, but also the technological potential. This is the first BBJ to enter service with Honeywell’s Ovation Select digital system allowing the passengers to be just as productive onboard their airplane as they are in the office.

“Ovation Select offers the latest technological advancements to deliver seamless and easy connectivity – whether passengers are connected via their BlackBerry, using their laptops or iPads or conducting a video conference call,” said Tony Brancato, vice president for Business and General Aviation Aftermarket at Honeywell Aerospace. “The modular, lightweight and flexible cabin management system provides component command and control, high-quality, crystal-clear surround sound audio and vivid full high-definition (1080p) video which is stunning to watch on the 42-inch and 46-inch high definition monitors found in this BBJ.”

Whilst the plane can seat 19 in pure luxury, the seating can be converted into bedding, allowing room for 8 beds, including the large double at the back, complete with shower, which you may well need, considering a range of 5,600nm means you could be onboard this hotel of the air for up to 12 hours!

This design and layout is similar to the new Embraer Lineage 1000 aircraft that UK based private jet company Hangar 8 now charters which was revealed last year. Sadly, however, luxury at this level, for most of us… it’s going to be a dream not come true!