Mega aftermarket services provider Lufthansa Technik (LHT; Booth H72) unveiled at EBACE the initial segment of a VIP cabin concept for the Boeing BBJ 777-9, a design that, in a nod to an anticipated major market for the forthcoming widebody, incorporates a modern twist on traditional elements of Middle Eastern culture.
"We are thrilled to unveil first insights into this new VIP cabin design," said Jan Grube, Sales Director in VIP & Special Mission Aircraft Services. "Our team’s mission was to create a cabin that is both functional and beautiful, while also meeting the unique needs of our VIP clients in [the Middle Eastern] region. We are confident that this cabin design will set a new standard for VIP aviation, and we look forward to bringing it to market."
The design prioritizes versatility and multifunctionality, and maximizes space and comfort, while showcasing an array of new features. Those include an expandable private bedroom at the front of the aircraft and a unique light and window shade concept throughout the cabin created to give passengers the feeling of being in their personal living rooms.
A spacious office and reception area divides the aircraft’s private section from the areas to the rear. The cabin also hosts a large majlis, or social meeting room, with a design that seamlessly flows throughout the entire cabin. Meanwhile, the aft cabin has been designed to transport entourage delegations, as are typically needed for official state missions.
Though it’s not the first cabin concept proposed by completion specialists for the BBJ 777-9, it’s the first to be developed using native aircraft data as provided by Boeing, made possible through sister company Lufthansa Airlines, which has purchase orders for freighter variants of the updated 777. The Boeing data ensures the feasibility of the design, as the dimensions and space shown are 100 percent accurate, according to LHT.
LHT plans to gradually present more areas of the concept throughout the year.