- Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) convert commercial planes like the 737 and 777 into luxurious private offices for executives and heads of state.
- BBJs offer highly customisable interiors with premium amenities such as conference zones, full bedrooms, and advanced tech like noise reduction and high-speed Wi-Fi.
- Despite their opulence, BBJs are surprisingly cost-efficient to maintain and perfect for long, non-stop intercontinental flights.
Despite recent reverses — like the grounding of its 737 MAX 9 by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board or Emirates Ditch Outdated Boeing 777 Business Class — Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company, carries on with its mission to set new (hopefully higher…) standards for luxury air travel with its Boeing Business Jets (BBJ), airborne offices catering to top-level executives, corporations, and heads of state.
How The ‘Bizliners’ Came To Be
The BBJ concept came into the market during the late 1990s, when Boeing released a high-performance derivative for its then-new 737-700 aircraft. The fleet has since grown massively and offers models to cater to an incredibly wide range of customers. The BBJ 737 MAX, priced at 100 million USD, represents the entry point. The two most luxurious jets are the BBJ 777-8 and BBJ 777-9, which cost 442 million USD and 453 million USD, respectively.
The primary advantage of repurposing commercial planes for private use lies in their sheer size. BBJs carry triple the cabin volume of other major private aircraft makers: Bombardier, Dassault, or Gulfstream. This space allows accommodations in a way that one might find in a luxury home rather than in an aeroplane.
They are unmatchable flying experiences and by industry, these aircraft have been termed ‘bizliners’. As Will Dent, CMO for Elevate Aviation Group has said:
“BBJs are more than just a means of travel; they are bespoke sanctuaries in the skies.”
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Depending on the model and cabin configuration, BBJs feature between 200 and 350 square feet of cabin area. This huge space is divided into separate zones, each with a designated function.
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A Personalised Haven Of Comfort And Technology
The plane offers reclining seats comparable to a first-class experience, a screened-off crew rest area, lavatory, large closets, a fully equipped galley kitchen, and a buffet bar. There’s also a standup wet bar with a refrigerator, wine chiller, ice drawer, passenger seats with Hi-Lo tables and a dedicated conference area for meetings.
In addition to these amenities, passengers have entertainment areas, dining facilities, full offices, and sleeping quarters that can accommodate multiple guests, ensuring productivity and relaxation on long journeys.
The interior design possibilities are nearly endless. Out of the client’s selection, there are more than a hundred pre-designed cabin layouts or total personalisation. The materials used range from utilitarian to opulent, with premium leather and high-end textiles for the ultimate comfort. The ambient LED lighting system mirrors various times of day to help reduce jet lag on those long international flights.
BBJs are installed with modern technology for a better flying experience. High-speed Wi-Fi ensures that passengers remain connected, and certain models also boast noise reduction systems to provide tranquillity. The windows, which are 30% larger compared to similar business-jet models, are of the electrochromic type, which enables electronic dimming at the push of a button.
BBJ master suites are luxury embodied in the sky. It typically consists of a queen bed, nightstands, and ample storage with an ultrahigh-definition monitor mounted on a wall. The adjoined master bathroom features a standup shower with closets, and additional storage space.
The extended range is one of the major advantages that BBJs offer. Their capability to fly for more than 15 hours non-stop reduces the time taken for travel, especially on intercontinental journeys. Such facilities, along with other offerings, make BBJs quite well-suited for senior executives, corporations, and heads of state who require a fully functional office in the sky.
Surprisingly, for such lavishness, BBJs can be more economical to maintain than one might think. Since these aircraft do not fly as often as commercial planes, maintenance cost is reduced and increased security for their high-profile passengers.
Even though BBJs stand for the best in private aviation, they are still an infinitesimally small niche. As of 2023, Boeing has manufactured only 250 of these flying luxury offices. But for those fortunate enough to have the means, a BBJ provides an unparalleled combination of opulence, efficiency, and state-of-the-art functionality, all experienced at cruising altitude.
What This Means For Luxury Travellers
Private jets are getting cheaper and fast, plus you can easily nab a great value business class seat if you know where to look. However, what Boeing Business Jets offer that either a small private plane or a business class seat does not is the chance to transport a big group of people over a long distance with all the facilities and customisation you need to get work (or play) done properly.
While we doubt many heads of state will read this article, we imagine quite a few white-collar bigshots will. This could be the trick to taking your whole team on a much-needed getaway or, more likely, across the globe for that game-changing meeting or conference.
