Ultimate Luxury: Unveiling the Lavish Interiors of the World's Largest Twin-Engine Private Jet
Lufthansa Technik has crafted a lavish cabin for Boeing's 777X private jet, showcasing an opulent private bedroom with a king-size bed Experience unparalleled luxury in this cocoon-like sanctuary A delayed giant that surpasses all other private jets
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Envision the experience of boarding a plane and entering a private bedroom with a "cocoon-like" ambiance. This exclusive space is equipped with a king-size bed and a luxurious bathroom boasting the largest rain and massage shower ever constructed on an aircraft. The sleeping quarters seamlessly merge with the bathroom, creating a self-contained retreat that guarantees complete privacy.
Lufthansa Technik has developed a new cabin design for the upcoming BBJ 777-9, the private jet version of Boeing's new widebody aircraft, the 777X. Known as CelestialSTAR, this design capitalizes on the plane's spacious cabin, offering approximately 3,700 square feet of space. The BBJ 777-9 has the remarkable capability to remain airborne for 22 hours, enabling seamless travel between any two cities in the world without the need for stopovers. Boeing has stated that this luxury feature makes it an ideal choice for the select few who have the means to afford it. Lufthansa Technik, the engineering and maintenance division of Germany's national airline, has revealed that the CelestialSTAR design primarily caters to customers from royal families in the Middle East.
The interior of Boeing's new 777X reflects a blend of traditional patterns and influences drawn from the cultural heritage of the region. According to Hassan Gasim, a sales director at Lufthansa Technik, the design combines a Middle Eastern touch with a sleek and modern aesthetic. This fusion represents a harmonious balance between the old and new worlds, embracing the rich traditions of the past while maintaining a strong sense of confidence in the future.
The bedroom and bathroom area is equipped with rotating and sliding seats, allowing passengers to use them at large desks or move them towards the divans for conversations and meetings. "Trapezoidal wall niches" in the room can be used as displays or exhibits and then closed to blend into the wall structure.
Lufthansa's dining area serves as a traditional Middle Eastern gathering and meeting room called a "majlis." It offers 11 individual seats and features retractable monitors embedded in the table. The second half of the cabin consists of six deluxe suites for guests or a delegation, while the executive area has 32 additional seats, similar to business class seating. The back end of the fuselage includes an Entourage Area, resembling a premium economy cabin.
The dining area holds a table, 11 individual seats, and divans, pictured here in a rendering.
Lufthansa-Technik
Delayed giant
Anticipated for 2025, the 777X is the largest twin-engine jet in the world; however, it currently only exists on paper. Lufthansa, one of the first airlines expected to operate this aircraft, states that the concept is based on its actual specifications, making it a potential reality if a customer were to place an order. Lufthansa Technik has previously outfitted more than 150 Boeing BBJs of different models, yet due to confidentiality agreements, the work has never been publicly showcased. To address this, conceptual designs have been created to demonstrate the possibilities and serve as a foundation for further discussion.
A Boeing 777-X performing a flight demonstration at the Dubai Airshow.
Potential customers and curious attendees at the Dubai Airshow had the opportunity to explore aircraft designs through virtual reality. However, the actual delivery of these aircraft will take some time. Clemens Schrettl, a sales director at Lufthansa Technik, explains that assembling such aircraft is a time-consuming process, so customers can expect their first deliveries in 2027 or 2028.
Schrettl predicts that the demand for the business jet variant of the 777X will be significant in the GCC region, consisting of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. He mentions that there are currently over 30 747s operating as private jets in this area, and believes that the number for the 777X will surpass that. Additionally, the cost of equipping the CelestialSTAR cabin is estimated to range between $130 and $160 million, in addition to the aircraft's price of approximately $450 million.
More than private jets
According to Gary Crichlow, an aviation analyst at consulting firm AviationValues, the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) range was created in the late 1990s to manufacture specialized corporate jets based on the Boeing 737. He explains that Boeing subsequently expanded the BBJ variant to cover all its models, including widebodies. Crichlow points out that the BBJ line primarily targets ultra-high net worth individuals and heads of state.
Buyers and sale prices of Boeing Business Jets (BBJs) are kept confidential for privacy reasons. According to Crichlow, the completion price of a BBJ depends solely on the customer's imagination and budget. The interior fitout is not handled by Boeing; instead, the aircraft is delivered and then transported to specialized completion centers licensed to carry out the work.
To date, Boeing has manufactured more than 250 BBJs, with models available based on the 737 MAX, the 787, and the upcoming 777X. According to Syed Zaidi, a consultant at aviation analytics firm Cirium, the majority of the BBJ fleet consists of narrowbody aircraft.
The BBJ family, consisting of widebody aircraft, is highly constrained, according to Zaidi. Currently, there are approximately 20 of these aircraft in operation, with the majority serving national governments or fulfilling head of state functions.
In addition, private jets possess significant environmental drawbacks, emitting pollutants at a rate 10 times higher than that of commercial planes per passenger.
The Dubai Airshow showcased the impressive performance of the Boeing 777X, gaining much attention. Emirates airline, who had already committed to purchasing 105 777Xs before the event, expanded their order by adding 90 more, accumulating a grand total of 205. Furthermore, they also placed an order for 35 more 787s and 15 Airbus A350s, making it one of the significant deals at the airshow.
