When the rich and the famous travel by air, they often pay to sit in the business/first class for the best comfort the jet can offer. Others pay less for the economy class. But some members of that upper class are now going for private jets to enjoy a higher level of privacy in the airplane.
It costs pretty much to travel in a private jet but the comfort is worth the cost, according to designers of these luxury aircraft.
An online travel news magazine, Daily Mail, says the super-rich splash about $90m on such luxury interiors. The exterior may look ordinary but the interior screams luxury with gold details. Casino suites, marble bathrooms and aquariums are some of the special features of modern private jets. “Our clients want us to dream, push the limits, and to be creative so that we can create for them a spectacular jet interior, says the Creative Director and Head of AirJet Designs, Jean-Pierre Alfano.
To customise a private jet
As in other luxury materials, people pay more to get their private jets customised. Alfano says the cost of a BBJ 1 aircraft is around $60m. The cost to fit out the interior will then be in the range of between $30m and $50m.
The Director of Engineering, Cumlux America, a luxury jet maker, Daron Dryer, says the innovation is driven by the passenger’s desire to have an on board experience similar to their life on the ground.
“Business jets have to incorporate new features and facilities in order to allow the passengers to keep their own way of living: Eating and cooking, body care, sport, entertainment, latest technology,” he says.
He estimates that narrow-bodied planes can cost between $25m and $35m to customise, while wide-bodied aircraft – such as 757s and A380s – can cost around $90m just for the interiors.
This possible explains the public outcry that greeted the report sometime last year about some religious leaders in Nigeria acquiring private jets.
Before then, a number of influential Nigerians including top business moguls such Alhaji Aliko Dangote, current and former governors had been listed among owners of the most expensive private jets in the country. some of them are Alhaji Dangote, (Bombardier Global Express); Chief Mike Adenuga, (Falcon 7X, Bombardier 604); Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State (Bombardier Global 6000); Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (Gulfstream V); Pastor Enoch Adeboye (Gulfstream V); Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, (Bombardier jet) and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (Bombardier Challenger 604).
Globally, a Saudi Arabian Prince, Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud, famous for his stable of private jets, arguably tops the list of people with the most expensive luxury jets with its modified Boeing 747, an Airbus 321 and an Airbus A380 – which normally seats 800 passengers but has been completely customised to his needs.
According to Daily Mail, Alwaleed’s A380 is said to have a marble-finished Turkish bath, a garage for his Rolls-Royce and even a dedicated prayer area, in which computer-generated mats move to point towards Mecca.
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s Boeing 767-300 can seat up to 350, but as a private jet it can include exceptional high spec VIP luxury interiors, with options such as 30-seat dining room; boardroom, master bedrooms, luxury bathrooms with showers; and spacious living room, says the Chief Executive Officer, PrivateFly, Adam Twidell.
Donald Trump’s $95m Boeing 757 is luxury personifed, complete with a double bed, spacious lounge with sofas, gold accents and even a marble bathroom.
Brabus Private Aviation says on its website, “Our customers decide on many variables, for example how many passengers will be flying on board frequently. Subsequently, this leads to the amount of seats available, which is the basis for the allocation of the entire space in the cabin.”
According to Alfano, there are new developments to make flying on a private jet even more comfortable for wealthy clients. Some of them are new technologies being introduced such as good sound insulation to reduce noise, especially in the sleeping area; clients want a fully equipped aircraft galley that will allow flight attendants to cook gourmet meals. Additionally, galley areas are receiving more design attention so that they are as beautiful to look at as they are functional.
Showers in private jets have become a must-have item for aircraft that are of sufficient size. Having a shower on your aircraft is a great convenience for busy executives. Also, features usually seen in high-end hotels such as heated bathroom floors are becoming more popular.
Alfano says, “The design is extremely important to clients now; they want to go beyond the overused beige or grey colour schemes typically used in business aircraft. They want to travel in stylish surroundings. They want the feeling of spaciousness, therefore, they are opting for a more open cabin design; they do not want a cramp feeling aircraft. They want a beautifully designed cabin that suits their taste and design preferences. Many clients use their aircraft for doing business, so the jet needs to reflect who they are and the image they wish to project to the world. Our clients use their private jets to increase productivity but also to entertain.
“In private aircraft, a lot of attention is given to the design of the aircraft seats. We carefully consider the style, trim and materials. Also, in our chair design process we always involve the owners and we create a prototype before the end product is finished to ensure it is tailor-made to the liking and contours of the owner.”
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