Days before the Dubai Airshow cuts the ribbon on its biennial event, Lufthansa Technik (LHT) and Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) have unveiled a stunning new VVIP cabin concept called CelestialSTAR for the BBJ 777-9 widebody.
The concept primarily targets customers from royal families in the Middle East, who usually fly around the world with large delegations.
Drawing inspiration from the Middle East’s cultural heritage but using a modern twist, the CelestialSTAR concept pays careful attention to light: overhead and recessed lights create a calming yet expansive atmosphere on board.
“With CelestialSTAR, Lufthansa Technik’s design team aims to emphasize both the contemporary purity and the typical Middle Eastern geometric design patterns as well as the vastness and openness of the sky,” explains the MRO giant as it reveals the first renderings of the project.
Thus, CelestialSTAR is “a reminiscence not only of the widest cabin among all newly available VVIP aircraft types, but also of the diversity in the Middle Eastern philosophy,” it continues.
The renderings of this 340 sq m interior on the nextgen BBJ 777-9 are delightful. A flagship feature of CelestialSTAR is the cocoon-like private bed and bathroom that envelopes its occupants in a comfortable embrace.
Next to the bedroom and bathroom is an area that Lufthansa Technik calls ‘Work&Balance’. Projection technology transforms the enclosed cocoon into an immersive world, where content options feel nearly infinite — indeed, limited only by one’s imagination.
But if less seclusion is desired, rotating and sliding lamellae can open the cocoon to the rest of the cabin, allowing more daylight into this VVIP area.
Adjacent to the private suite is the ‘Celestial Lounge’, through which passengers enter the aircraft like a lobby. When the corridors are open, this space merges almost seamlessly into the adjoining conference and dining area, says Lufthansa Technik.
“This not only functions as a majlis, the traditional Middle Eastern gathering and meeting room, but is also multifunctional.”
A generous entourage area, featuring modern business- and first class-styled hard product, is part of CelestialSTAR, given that royal families travel with large delegations.
Boeing certainly approves. Alexis Fecteau, managing director of marketing at Boeing Business Jets, says: “The thoughtful design of the BBJ 777-9 interior created by Lufthansa Technik illustrates the key features of our newest, largest and most capable BBJ on the market.
“The elegant interior elements maximize personal comfort for passengers onboard the BBJ 777-9, which is capable of flying over 22 hours and connecting any two cities in the world, non-stop.”
Hassan Gasim, Lufthansa Technik’s sales director Middle East VIP & Special Aircraft Services, adds: “Through our close cooperation with Boeing Business Jets and furthermore Lufthansa’s role as launch customer for the new type, we were able to build up extensive technical expertise at an early stage.
“Therefore, we are pleased to present our valued customers at the Dubai Airshow this once again groundbreaking interior that makes the most of the BBJ 777-9’s size.”
Lufthansa has placed an order for 20 777-9s for commercial airline operations, though first deliveries of the jet have been delayed until 2025. Its MRO sister stands ready to design interiors for the VVIP version.
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All images credited to Lufthansa Technik
