Private jets have always been seen as the ultimate in luxury and provide exclusive travel in comfort and style. Some of the special features of private jets enhance the passengers’ experience, offering much more than a first-class cabin could. Of course, flying by private jet comes at a cost, but those who can afford it, rarely return to commercial flights. Let’s take a look in further detail at some of those exclusive features.
Photo: Bombardier
A Bedroom and an ensuite bathroom
Most private jets have multiple living spaces, therefore it is possible to turn the rear of the aircraft into a private bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. These offer the utmost comfort on long-haul flights and the passenger can sleep or rest in their own private space. Usually, there is a large washroom in the rear of the cabin, sometimes with a full-sized shower. There is also a vanity unit and closet with plush towels.
In the rear living area, there is a three-seat divan that can be made into a full-size bed. A pocket door can be closed for privacy purposes. This area also has two leather seats and a fold-out table if needed. Of course, there will be high-quality cotton bedding, cashmere blankets, a sleepsuit, slippers, and luxury amenities, just like a five-star hotel. The baggage compartment is also in the same area and can be accessed during the flight when needed.
- Ensuite bathroom with a vanity unit, closet and shower
- Full-sized bed with high-quality bedding
- Luxury sleepwear and amenities
- Privacy door for private space
Photo: Gulfstream
Larger windows on private jets
There is a trend in private jets currently featuring larger windows, mostly to make the cabin feel more light and airy. This use of natural light also helps to decrease the effects of jet lag and fatigue. Gulfstream has always been known for its signature large oval windows which also give passengers panoramic views outside. Many aircraft manufacturers have followed suit creating larger windows in their private jets. Windows can be tinted or dimmed or just shaded by a window blind as needed.
Photo: Bombardier
The dining and conference area
Most private jets have a very similar configuration in basic terms, of having a main conference table surrounded by four club seats and usually another six to eight single seats facing each other and a divan (depending on the type and individual configuration). This design allows for the conference area to be used for business meetings or for dining equally.
Most of the newer large business jets also offer a table extension, so that a larger table can be used, that fits across the width of the cabin, enabling it to seat between six and eight people, instead of the traditional four. These living areas are often designed to be multifunctional spaces suiting both business travelers who need to hold meetings or work or those relaxing and dining on a sumptuous meal.
Photo: Gulfstream
The galley features
The galley provides space for the flight attendant to prepare meals and drinks for their passengers. This form of kitchen is hidden away behind elegant wooden doors and panels so that you wouldn’t know there was a working kitchen behind it. There are chiller drawers or sometimes small refrigerators for keeping food and drinks cool. A convection oven and microwave are in the galley, ready to heat up meals.
A small sink and faucet allow the flight attendant to clean dishes and there are pull-out tables to plate up meals. There is a coffee maker as standard. Glass panels have storage behind them, especially for glassware. Drawers hold silverware, linens, and flatware. The flight attendant prepares a tailored menu with fresh food and plated to five-star standards for the passengers.
- Convection oven and microwave
- Chiller drawers or fridge
- Coffee maker
- Personally tailored menus
- Prime silverware and glassware.
Photo: Bombardier
Crew facilities
On larger private jets, such as the Gulfstream G650 and the Bombardier Global 7500, there is a small crew rest area for the flight attendant or for a pilot to rest. The seat can be reclined into a flat bed and there is a small amount of storage space. The area can be curtained off or has a pocket door. There is also a closet for crew use and a small enclosed lavatory with a vanity unit and a sink. There is a spare jump seat for the flight attendant or another pilot that can be folded out in the cockpit.
Photo: Dassault Aviation
Seat design
Although seat design has pretty much stayed the same and traditionally the seats have a plush leather finish, manufacturers have also found vegan, recyclable, and eco-friendly alternatives, due to demand. Seat design has also moved forward with the apartment-style curved seating as seen on the Dassault Falcon 10X.
Bombardier also introduced their Nuage zero-gravity seats on the latest Global 7500 and 8000 which are completely ergonomic and offer the most comfort. Gulfstream uses handcrafted leather seats in their designs. Some aircraft seats on private jets also have a heated massage facility.
Photo: Bombardier
Technology in the cabin
Most new private jets have advanced entertainment systems with high-definition flat-screen TVs and immersive surround sound. Some also have individual monitors, if preferred. There is often fast Wi-Fi for streaming or working and two satellite phones for communication. A printer/fax machine can often be found in the credenza as standard. External cameras are sometimes a feature, to watch the world outside.
Some aircraft even have gaming systems and virtual reality technology onboard. The airshow system can be seen on large monitors in the cabin so that passengers can follow their journey. Larger aircraft types often have a dedicated entertainment area that can create a home cinema experience and it can be used as a private space by closing the pocket door.
Technology and wellness
After the pandemic, wellness onboard the aircraft became an issue that manufacturers wanted to address. This wellness technology onboard includes mood lighting and circadian rhythm lighting, which can be operated by a touch-screen cabin management system, which can also control the temperature, sound, and window blinds. There are 100% fresh air filter systems too, for the cleanest air possible.
The aircraft cabin has become quieter than ever before and could be described as ‘whisper quiet’. Enhanced acoustic materials and soundproofing block the noise from the engines. The cabin altitude has been lowered in most new private jets, which makes the cabin more comfortable and reduces fatigue for passengers and crew. The standard cabin altitude is around 8,000 feet whereas newer business jets can have a cabin altitude as low as 3,000 feet.
- Circadian lighting
- Fresh air system
- ‘Whisper quiet’ cabin
- Lower cabin altitude
A customizable cabin
Customizable cabins are very much on trend at the moment and jets like the Bombardier Global 7500, the Dassault Falcon 10X, and the Gulfstream G700 can be customized to the owners every last detail. Whether it will be used as a business corporate jet transporting executives or for a famous public figure splashing their cash, the interior can be as unique as you choose. For some owners, the aircraft is an extension of the home and may be designed in a similar fashion.
Photo: Gulfstream
In the cockpit
Of course, any pilot will tell you that they have the best office in the world. There is more emphasis now on comfortable ergonomic seats and more space in the cockpit. Bombardier has described their latest Global cockpit as a ‘Pilot’s Paradise’. The latest avionics suites include large displays with intelligent safety features, intuitive flight controls, touchscreen and cursor controls, and head-up displays.
There are upgraded, enhanced, synthetic, and combined vision systems that improve safety and situational awareness. The newer avionics suites minimize pilot workload and improve decision-making and efficiency. Some aircraft have inflight real-time troubleshooting systems that help diagnose any technical issues with the aircraft. Other upgrades include the predictive landing performance system and the runway overrun awareness and alerting system.
In conclusion
There are many unique features on private jets that contribute even further to luxury and comfort as well as safety. They offer a unique experience that stands way above the commercial first-class cabin. In fact, one could say that today’s new first-class cabins have been influenced by the private jet experience, in that many airlines now have private suites, with touches adapted from the world of private jets.
For those who can afford private jet travel, the airport experience and time-saving factors cannot be beat. Of course, who would say no to a comfortable massaging seat, cashmere, and cotton bedding in a private bedroom, and a tailored fine dining menu on the finest quality dishes and glassware?
The private jet experience is a very unique one and very personalized to every fine detail. Technology in the cabin helps not only with safety but also contributes to wellness. These aspects will continue to grow as private jets evolve and display more luxurious and personalized features.
