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Lufthansa Technik AG, in collaboration with Boeing Business Jets, unveiled the CelestialSTAR VVIP cabin concept for the BBJ 777-9 in time for the Dubai Airshow. The spacious interior features a uniquely tailored design combining traditional Middle Eastern influences with a modern flair.
The CelestialSTAR utilized Lufthansa Technik's design team to emphasize contemporary design and the more typical Middle Eastern geometric design patterns, as well as the vast expansiveness of the sky. The flagship feature of the cabin is the cocoon-like private bed and bathroom, which can become a self-contained retreat to offer passengers an optimal level of privacy. VVIP passengers can enjoy the largest rain and massage shower ever designed for a private jet, followed by a relaxing night of sleep in a king-size bed.
The projection technology has been adapted from Lufthansa Technik's EXPLORER concept, creating a near-immersive wellness and entertainment world for passengers through a variety of custom digital content, ranging from a cinema screen to 180-degree impressions of the travel destination or art. The cocoon-like cabin can be closed off for seclusion or opened up to provide more daylight and access to the exercise or dressing rooms on the side.
The Workandamp;Balance area is adjoined with the cocoon, making full use of the cabin width. There are two flexibly rotating and sliding seats allowing guests to gather around the VVIP desk for audiences or they can turn their seats around and move to the side divans to talk with additional guests. There is a swivel mechanism to allow the surface area of the tables in front of the divans to expand. Numerous trapezoidal wall niches can be exhibited around the room or can be closed with an invisible mechanism, allowing them to disappear seamlessly into the wall structure.
"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," said Alexis Fecteau, Managing Director of Marketing at Boeing Business Jets. "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."
Next to the private suite sits the Celestial Lounge where passengers can enter the jet-like lobby. There is an integrated bar for refreshments and seating arrangements to welcome guests on board or prepare them for a meeting in the Workandamp;Balance area. Intermediate doors can shield the passengers from the outer functional doors of the cabin to create an all-around feeling of luxury and space. When the corridors are open the lounge merges into the adjoining Conferenceandamp;Dining area. This space can function as a majlis, which is a traditional Middle Eastern gathering or sitting room. The room is multifunctional, fit with 11 individual seats that can be rotated from a dining or conference position at the large center table to the surrounding divans for more casual conversation. The room features state-of-the-art communication and conference technology like monitors that can be retracted into the table.
The large window shades are equipped with electrochromic dimming, fully integrated into the design of the CelestialSTAR. They have a three-dimensional structure and use indirect lighting, adding to the functionality of the side walls and enhancing the special feel both day and night. The CelestialSTAR primarily targets customers from royal families in the Middle East who fly around the world with large delegations. The second half of the cabin has generous accommodations for staff or other personnel. There are six Deluxe Suites with modern first-class compartments that have been adapted to the VVIP cabin design. For any additional passengers, there are 32 additional seats in the Executive Area, corresponding to premium business class seating. At the rear sits the premium economy cabin, known as the Entourage Area.
The CelestialSTAR cabin design is the first to be derived directly from the BBJ 777-9 design data from BBJ. This ensures the technical feasibility of the design from the beginning. Lufthansa Technik showed off the details of the CelestialSTAR, including a film and virtual tour, at the Dubai Airshow, held in the UAE from Nov. 13-17.
"The BBJ 777-9 is the largest aircraft type newly available on the market and thus simply predestined for its role as successor to the BBJ 747 as the most popular aircraft for heads of state, many of which are among our loyal customers for decades," said Hassan Gasim, Sales Director Middle East VIP andamp; Special Aircraft Services at Lufthansa Technik." 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."