What do you do if you have a couple million dollars burning a hole in your wallet? You customize the interior of your private jet, of course. When owning a private jet has lost its shine and you need something to add to the opulence, you can trust Tag Aircraft Interiors and Versace to bring back your swagger. The two companies, which at first glance appear to be mutually exclusive, have joined forces to allow the super-rich the luxury of one-of-a-kind cabin interiors. The design team will even listen to customer input, but there is no guarantee that “suggestions” will be implemented.

Not everyone needs to customize their private jet to suit their taste for luxury. Some people are quite content simply to fly first class, as long as their every whim is catered for and all their comforts are assured. Airlines such as Etihad have taken notice of the needs of the super-rich and have taken first-class flights to stratospheric levels. Even Etihad’s economy class is designed to make travelers feel more like valued customers and less like cattle destined for slaughter.

diamonds and pearls

Etihad Airline offers three flight ‘zones’, whose names evoke comfort and elegance: Coral (economy), Pearl (business) and Diamond (premium). Characteristics of corals include:

• Ergonomically designed seats with “cradle recline” function keep your spine in a natural position.
• Adjustable headrests and integrated footrests.
• Three-course dining options (which are inspired by the particular destination).
• Seat-mounted power outlets compatible with most major plug types so you can recharge your phone, laptop or game console.

And that’s just economics. In Diamond Class, travelers enjoy the “revolutionary” Diamond Seat, which swivels 180 degrees, contains a 23′ personal LCD video screen, has a six-way headrest with built-in massage function, and can be converted into a luxurious 6 seat 1 inch foot flat bed. The area even has a cloakroom and a mini-bar. The seats in the Pearl zone also convert to flat beds or “business beds” as they are called.

Pearl and Diamond travelers also benefit from the services of a Food and Beverage Manager (there is one on each flight), who helps them find dishes that suit their moods and wines that suit their dishes.

Luxury BMW Style at Luxo-Jets

When Brazilian company Embraer, known for its innovative design, and BMW, which is synonymous with luxury motoring, teamed up, first-class travelers knew they were in for a treat. Embraer provided the jets and BMW’s DesignworksUSA studio provided the interiors, which have BMW styling stamped throughout. The lines are straight and clean and there is a lot of black and white; it has been described as Teutonic and high-tech. There is a full kitchen as well as a full bathroom and the seats convert to flat beds.

According to a BMW press release, the goal was to set a new standard for first-class luxury. The design team called it “Intelligent Luxury” and it consists of “a space in which to relax and spend free time”. This results in a lounge-like atmosphere with an emphasis on windows, lighting, and room to spread out comfortably.

Sleep soundly with Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has quietly upped its game to create “super first class” for wealthy travelers. Its line of double-decker Airbus A380 aircraft now features fully enclosed private suites designed by Jean-Jacques Coste, best known for his range of luxury yachts. There are 12 of these private suites per plane, each with a leather seat and a separate queen bed with Givenchy-designed duvets and cushions. The two intermediate suites can be transformed into double accommodation for couples.

Super First Class travelers will not only enjoy 23-inch flat-screen televisions (with 100 movies, 180 TV shows and 700 CDs), but also rest easy knowing that the Airbus is “greener, cleaner, more silent”. and smarter” than other planes.

concepts for the future

What does the future of luxury air travel look like? According to Tino Schaedler and Michael J Brown, it comes in the form of a “lifestyle zeppelin”. The concept ship, which they have called the Strato Cruiser Airship, is a huge carbon fiber zeppelin with an advanced propulsion system and photovoltaic cells to make travel safer, faster and cleaner.

The cruise is intended to combine the experiences of a luxury cruise ship with the space travel ideas of Richard Branson. Features include a gourmet restaurant, spa, pool deck, resident DJ, library, bungee jumping platform, rock-climbing wall, and private mini-offices, as well as private suites. Its target audience is the contemporary traveler who would love to go on a cruise but can’t take time off from work. “It will transform an ordinary and exhausting trip into a positive experience.”

All of which goes to show that when money isn’t an issue, air travel is a piece of cake.