i+D - March/April 2018 - 36

Off the Charts - By Jesse Bratter

Luxury and safety
meet in custom aircraft
from AirJet Designs.

Uplifting Interiors

(Image: AirJet Designs)

One might think size, safety, and functionality needs
could make for fewer possibilities of customization on the
private jets that glide overhead, but designers would argue
the very fact we can fly at all proves the sky is the limit.
The square footage might shrink from 20,000 square feet
to 2,000 or even 200, but that opens the door to creative
design solutions.
Take AirJet Designs, for example, with offices in Miami,
Hong Kong, Toulouse, France, and Montreal. They, too,
must consider weight (think stone veneers versus natural
stone) and safety (sudden events like cabin depressurization
or cabin fire, turbulence, and emergency landings-so no
crystal chandeliers or sharp edges), and they must affix
every piece of furniture to the aircraft frame.
Still, even with all the challenges they face, luxury is
the name of the game. "Our challenge is to take safety
regulations and requirements into consideration and be
compliant with them, but, at the same time, go through
a design process that will result in an interior that will,
as much as possible, make passengers forget that they are
in an airplane," says Jean-Pierre Alfano, AirJet's founder
and creative director. "We can integrate bars, wine cellars,
showers, saunas, smart mirrors, gym equipment, and
even electric fireplaces. On one of our projects, we were
asked to incorporate an aquarium on board an [Airbus
A320 aircraft]. We designed the interior around it
and the fish tank became the central part of the circulation
layout, located above the wing area to minimize weight
and balance impact.
"Recently, I've noticed an increased demand for traditional
materials and techniques, such as straw marquetry,
mother-of-pearl, and white lacquer with decorative wood or
metal inlays," he continues. "For flooring, we use wool
or silk carpets, and even wood or stone flooring panels of
a different nature and design."
Bombardier Business Aircraft, with offices around the
world, knows a thing or two (or 7,000) about customization
as well. Its new Global 7000 business jet, which can be
configured for up to 19 passengers, considers every need
a traveler might have. That's why the company designed
four distinct living spaces: a well-appointed kitchen, a sixseat dining and conference area, a high-tech entertainment
lounge, and a stateroom for overnight flights-all equipped
with a lightning-fast Wi-Fi system called Ka-band. "At
every step of this experience, we want to bring beauty and

functionality so that our customers can feel that they are being taken care of. This is
where good design can really make a difference," says Tim Fagan, Bombardier's manager
of industrial design, who views the Global 7000 business jet as an extension of the
owners' home and office. "Each aircraft is personalized to the individual customer and can
be tailored with a near infinite selection of floor plans and furnishing designs." Expansive
windows next to every seat and centered on every table allow for unparalleled sightlines
and maximum natural light.
"The owner's intent is what really drives the layout at a very basic level," Fagan explains,
"so, at the first meeting with our clients during aircraft specification, the most important
thing is to listen and understand how the aircraft will fit into their life: Where and when
do they most frequently travel, who is most typically on board, what is the mix of personal
versus business travel? With this understanding, we can then work with our owners in
more specific choices of cabin layouts that will best meet these functional requirements,
followed by the owner's personal taste on fabrics, colors, and finish materials"-the latter
of which are handmade by skilled craftspeople working in close conjunction with the
designers and engineers.
Perhaps White says it best. Though designing luxury transportation like yachts and private
jets comes with a host of regulations and restrictions, looking to air and sea might just
be where to find the most forward-thinking inspiration. "We have to conform to very strict
guidelines on weight, durability, safety, and extreme environments," he notes. "At the
same time, we are pushing materials to the limit. The most creative yacht interiors are
inventing the finishes and effects that are at the forefront of research and development
and will translate in time to residential, hotel, and restaurant interiors."

JESSE BRAT TER
is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist based
in South Florida. She contributes to Modern Luxury,
1stdibs, and Meredith publications, including Beautiful
Kitchens & Baths, Mediterranean Homes & Lifestyles,
and Country French. Formerly, she was an editor for
Luxe Interiors + Design and Florida Design Magazine.

i+D - March/April 2018

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