When VIP Completions president Ben Shirazi picks up the phone, he’s in good spirits. “It’s been a minute,” he said with a laugh. “But everything is great, thank God.”
His packed schedule isn’t surprising. Demand for private jet completions is booming, fueled by a younger, tech-savvy class of owners who want their aircraft to reflect their modern lifestyles and tastes.
Veta Traxler, director of completions at West Star Aviation, sees this generational shift as a defining trend reshaping the industry from the ground up.
“There are definitely younger and younger owners coming into the market,” Traxler confirmed. “Mostly from the tech business sector—people selling companies and becoming wealthy much sooner than before.”
This rapid wealth accumulation has compressed what used to be a gradual progression of aircraft ownership. Instead of starting with small jets and moving up to larger ones, many of these new owners jump straight into large, complex airframes.
Shirazi sees the same pattern. “It’s more and more private entrepreneurs and families than corporations now,” he explained. “It’s always been our niche, but it’s even more pronounced.”
This shift means completions companies are increasingly catering to individuals who view their aircraft as personalized extensions of their lifestyle rather than purely business tools.
The change in ownership demographics brings new preferences and priorities. For one, the younger generation demands connectivity and entertainment options that mirror their digital lives. “Almost every client now wants Starlink,” Shirazi said, referring to the satellite internet service made famous by entrepreneur Elon Musk. “Even if they have the last best version, they want this newer option—it’s much faster and more usable.”
The pressure is on competitors like Gogo and Viasat to match Starlink’s performance. “They’re trying to undercut Starlink on price,” Shirazi noted, “but end of the day, it’s going to cost about the same—and it won’t be as fast.”
VIP Completions has already retrofitted a range of legacy airframes with Starlink capability, with more installations in the pipeline.
Traxler echoes this enthusiasm for Starlink. “People want reliable, fast internet,” she says. “They’re already streaming Netflix, Amazon, and other platforms on board. It’s not about just watching movies anymore—it’s about staying connected like they would at home or on their yacht.”
AMAC Aerospace recently boasted working on five Boeing 747s at one time at its Switzerland headquarters in Basel, a project that included Starlink upgrades on a few of them.
This shift toward streaming and digital content has rendered many traditional onboard systems obsolete. “All those antiquated DVD libraries and conference room setups are usually removed during a full completion,” Shirazi explained. “We layer in Apple TV with a media server or streaming capability. As Starlink gets more popular, the onboard entertainment experience becomes seamless and customized.”
At the systems level, integration has become a dominant theme. Cabin management systems (CMS) are now expected to tie everything together—lighting, entertainment, climate, and communications—all controlled via intuitive interfaces on smartphones and tablets. These interfaces often mimic those found in smart homes, further reducing the learning curve for tech-savvy owners and their guests.
Traxler pointed out that this means the focus has shifted away from large screens and shared viewing experiences toward individual, high-quality audio and connectivity. “People aren’t watching the same thing anymore,” she said. “They’re on their tablets, headphones in. But music is still a shared experience, so audio systems and speakers have become a top priority.”
Indeed, the in-flight sound system has emerged as a key feature, replacing bulky screens and antiquated entertainment racks. Owners want crisp, immersive audio that complements their digital devices and streaming subscriptions. “The sound system is usually at the top of the list after Starlink,” Traxler confirmed.
Beyond technology, the design language of completions is also evolving to match new tastes. Shirazi described the new look as akin to an “Apple Store vibe”—bright, airy interiors with natural materials and clean, matte finishes. “We’re seeing more matte-finished woods, natural stone sinks, and bright color palettes that make the cabins feel open and inviting.”
A recent VIP Completions project, a Falcon 7X designed in collaboration with the architectural firm ARRCC, exemplifies this trend. “It was one of the most beautiful aircraft we’ve delivered,” Shirazi said. “Very modern, with an amazing LED ceiling panel we’d never done before.” The client, who had worked with ARRCC on their ultra-luxury South Florida home, wanted that same seamless design experience extended to their aircraft.
For West Star, such moves come with caveats. “In the past, we worked with RH—formerly Restoration Hardware—on an aircraft,” Traxler said. “A lot of the materials and design choices were pulled from their catalog. But with FAA certifications, there’s only so much flexibility. You can’t really deviate from engineered seat designs, for example.”
Traxler noted that natural materials and textures are in vogue, but she noted a subtle departure from previous trends. “You see a move away from stark whites, blacks, and grays toward warmer earth tones—beiges, warmer grays, patina metals, and cork accents,” she said. For example, in one recent Global 5000 project, West Star incorporated cork bulkheads and tabletops, lending a tactile, organic feel to the cabin.
Both completions experts observe a move away from the rigid, squared-off architectural forms and ultra-minimalist interiors popular in the past decade. “Curved forms are trending for 2025,” Traxler explained. “You’re seeing quilted patterns evolve into more fluid, curved shapes rather than sharp diamonds. Textured walls and layered materials are popular, adding depth and movement.”
This layering and complexity is a marked shift from the minimalistic ethos that dominated in recent years. Instead of sleek surfaces and clean lines alone, designers are incorporating patterns, tactile materials, and warm tones to create inviting, lived-in spaces that still feel contemporary.
So, are those 1990s-style wood-grain countertops gone for good, never to be heard from again?
Traxler laughed. “I’d never say never. Trends come back around eventually—the ’90s are back in fashion, after all—but for now, wood grain countertops are rare. You’re more likely to see stone or synthetic wood flooring, which combines durability with a modern look.”
She pointed to warm neutrals and earthy tones overtaking the once-dominant black, white, and gray interiors. “The dark, cool palettes are out. It’s more about warmer grays, beiges—colors that mimic what you’d find in nature.”
This advisory role a completions firm takes—part design guide, part project manager, part educator—is now central to the completions process. For first-time aircraft owners in particular, the sheer number of decisions required can be overwhelming. From layout configuration to material selection, from connectivity options to certification requirements, each choice has long-term implications for usability, safety, and resale value.
To navigate this, completion teams have become deeply consultative. Many now offer 3D renderings and even virtual walkthroughs to help clients visualize every element before physical work begins. This digital-first approach not only accelerates decision-making but also allows for early refinements that can save significant time and cost later in the process.
AMAC Aerospace has met this rise in demand by growing its facilities, including expanding its engineering building in Basel, upgrading its design studio, and acquiring next-generation firms like Kreative Engineering Services.
At the heart of this is the ability to understand the customer's needs, expectations, and lifestyle, AMAC Aerospace said. This includes working with customers to strike the right mood with the color palette and fabric choices. The Kreative Engineering Services acquisition will help it provide an expanded level of customization, the company added.
“Many of these younger clients are new to aviation, so part of our role is guiding them through regulations, materials, and design possibilities while respecting safety standards,” West Star's Traxler said.
Though sustainability isn’t yet a top demand across the board, it’s becoming more common to see recycled or eco-conscious materials woven into cabin designs, particularly in carpets, upholstery, and surface laminates. This shift is less about overt eco-branding and more about aligning with broader lifestyle values among younger owners.
Many completions firms are proactively sourcing sustainable materials and offering them as part of their standard library, even when clients don’t ask for them directly.
However, both Shirazi and Traxler acknowledge that the conversation around sustainability hasn’t radically changed client demands yet. Shirazi noted, “Clients are conscious about sustainability, but they’re not insisting on leather alternatives or green-certified fabrics. They’re opting for minimalist designs and trusting vendors to follow best practices.”
Shirazi shared that one of the most exciting projects this year is a Gulfstream G550 with several firsts for VIP Completions, including a starlight-style ceiling and ultra-leather window panels in two tones. “Normally, you want window panels to disappear, but here we’re accenting them. It sounds counterintuitive, but it actually brightens the space and makes it unique.”
He also recalled their most challenging project—a highly customized Boeing 767 for a celebrity client. “It’s the most extensive completion we’ve ever tackled,” Shirazi said, though he won’t name the client. “There were really detailed upgrades and finishes. It’s a different level of complexity.”
Traxler’s team is wrapping up a Global 5000 with a gray camouflage exterior and mint green accents, paired with interiors that showcase curved forms, natural textures, and layered materials. “It’s a new-age look,” she says. “We’re incorporating matte wood finishes, cork bulkheads, and more warm, earthy tones.”
Both leaders agree that the industry is in the midst of a significant transformation, driven by generational change, technological leaps, and evolving aesthetics.
This move toward personalization, comfort, and understated richness reflects a broader evolution in business aviation’s clientele. “It’s not just these big corporations buying jets anymore,” said Shirazi. “It’s people in their 30s and 40s.”
And with that generational shift comes new assumptions. Shirazi summarized the current mindset: “Why should my airplane not have the same comforts I have on my yacht or in my house?”
It’s a question that’s increasingly driving the industry and reshaping everything from the placement of leather seams to adding Apple TVs. As designers, completions centers, and owners push the limits of what a private aircraft can feel like, one thing is clear: the sky is no longer the limit. It’s the new living room.
The private aviation landscape is undergoing a quiet but powerful revolution, one driven not just by wealth, but by mindset. For a new generation of owners, the aircraft is more than a means of transport. It’s an extension of self, a canvas for personal expression, and a space that must deliver on the promise of comfort, technology, and individuality at 40,000 feet.
What once may have been a straightforward process—pick a configuration, choose a finish, install the essentials—has transformed into a deeply collaborative endeavor. Aircraft completions are now about storytelling: about reflecting a client’s life, values, and vision in every seam, switch, and silhouette. Owners are no longer content with off-the-shelf options. They expect the same degree of customization, control, and design excellence that they demand in their homes, yachts, and digital ecosystems.
“The younger owners aren’t just buying an airplane—they’re buying an experience that aligns with their lifestyle,” Shirazi said. “They want the same comforts they have at home, just in the air.”
This expectation is driving innovation across the board. Technology is being integrated more seamlessly, with cabin systems evolving to meet the standards of modern smart living. Materials are sourced with greater care, balancing durability, regulatory compliance, and aesthetic appeal. Layouts are reconsidered to accommodate personal rituals—whether that’s meditating at altitude, conducting business in motion, or watching a film in total immersion while crossing the Atlantic.
And with each project, completions teams are not only crafting interiors but also shaping experiences. They’re balancing the visionary with the practical, the artistic with the engineered. They are stewards of both style and safety, creating flying environments that feel at once intuitive and extraordinary.
In that sense, the aircraft cabin is no longer a static, utilitarian space. For those leading the completions industry, the goal isn’t just to deliver an airplane, it’s to deliver a seamless extension of the owner’s life, values, and imagination.
But perhaps the biggest shift is already here: a complete reimagining of what aircraft interiors can be—and who they’re for.
“It’s not just the CEO anymore,” Shirazi said. “It’s the 35-year-old founder. The couple who travel between homes. Whoever wants their plane to feel like a sanctuary.”
In the evolving world of business aviation, the journey has become just as meaningful as the destination. For a new generation of jet-setters, that journey begins the moment the cabin door closes and their world, perfectly tailored, lifts off.