Why settle for a pint-sized private jet when you can have one of the world's most advanced commercial jetliners parked in your hangar?
That's clearly the philosophy of one very well-heeled flyer who has bought a Boeing 787 as his (or her) private jet.
It's a bespoke version of the Dreamliner from the Boeing Business Jet unit, hence the official 'BBJ 787' moniker – and it's been individually styled from tip to tail to the modest tastes of its new owner.
So how did Boeing's most advanced commercial jet go from this...
... to this..?
“With this BBJ 787 we are launching corporate aviation into a new era of luxury, technology and style”, says Stephen Vella, CEO of Kestrel Aviation Management, which transformed the bare-bones Boeing 787 into a plush private jet.
Kestrel spruiks the bespoke Dreamliner as creating a new era in long-range corporate and 'VVIP' aircraft which can fly non-stop between any two points on the globe "with a nominal payload of 40 passengers plus a generous baggage allowance."
And if you're facing what could be a 17 hour flight, this is the plane to do it in.
Almost twice as long as the typical Boeing corporate jet, and with three times the floorspace, the Dreamliner's customised interior was styled by Paris-based Pierrejean Design Studios, which has previously worked with large corporate aircraft as well as luxury yachts.
Passengers board the plane and walk through a short hallway with a 'wave' concept...
... which opens into the main lounge.
This is set up for casual meetings, entertaining guests, dining or relaxing, with a mix of daybeds, divans, single seats and extending tables.
Pierrejean's design philosophy is a fusion of European modern and Asian traditional, with soft earth tones and harmonious textures in materials including hardwoods, marble, fabric and leathers as well as composites.
What you won't find are conventional control switches: everything from entertainment and lighting to flight attendant requests are driven through touch-screen tablets peppered throughout the cabin.
The bathrooms are pretty fancy, too.
A circular 'VIP lavatory' divides the main lounge and an aft cabin set aside "for guests, staff or traveling companions." This area includes 18 lie-flat seats plus 6 recliners.
Of course, you'd rather be at the other end of the Boeing 787, where the sound-proofed 'master suite' boasts a California king bed...
... while behind that, the bathroom boasts an oversized two-person shower and heated floors.
So how much would all this set you back?
The list price of a Boeing 787 begins at US$225 million (A$300 million). As for the bespoke fitout... if you have to ask, you can't afford it.
Also read: Designing your own Boeing 787 at the Dreamliner Gallery
More great private jet photo galleries
- Lufthansa's VIP Airbus A350 private jet has its own spa
- Airbus unveils A320neo 'Melody' private jet concept
- Tour Crystal Cruises' luxury Boeing 777 private jet
- Photos: Apple, Qantas designer Marc Newson's private Boeing jet
- Introducing the 'Emirates Executive' Airbus A319 private jet
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2014
Total posts 214
Now THIS fitout exudes elegant taste; and employs a colour pallette that won't fry your eyeballs.
To Marc Newson (and his recent hokey, nightmarish retro-modern orange + white BBJ fitout)... please take notes!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 475
Agree Jay,
Very impressive choice of colour. The ME3 should be taking notes also!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Mar 2014
Total posts 567
Restrained and timeless. Certaintly won't feel as old as the Marc Newson suite will in 3 years!
Qantas Platinum
04 Dec 2012
Total posts 48
Now that's a lesson in contemporary design!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jul 2013
Total posts 204
Just sent these pics to my interior designer! This is such an elegant, tasteful and timeless palette. How refereshing to not see a hint old gold or other sparkly effects. Could someone please send a note to the Head of Cabin Design at EK?
09 May 2015
Total posts 33
Clearly not ordered by an Arab shiek.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Feb 2015
Total posts 150
What's interesting is that whilst the front half of the cabin is absolutely flawless, the back half 'Guest' section has rather ordinary seats. They look almost the same as a standard business seat on an second rated airline (not even directly aisle access for window seats). That said, this person's friends probably all have their own private jets so doesn't matter to them anyway...
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1245
Don't you know, those seats at the back of the bus are for the help. ;)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2014
Total posts 214
I'd posit that the "cheap seats" are where the rest of the VVIP's entrourage are seated... security staff, personal assistants, nannies, travelling butlers, drivers, backup pilot, etc, and -- of course -- the mother in law.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2011
Total posts 361
Simply stunning!!
12 Jun 2014
Total posts 71
i am happy as long as the dunny has a view!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 503
Took a while to phathom the last photo of the bathroom could be on a plane.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Mar 2015
Total posts 7
I have ordered two but my credit card limit only allowed for one.
Times are tough:-)
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Feb 2016
Total posts 97
If you don't have a boarding card, how can you pass the immigration control? If you don't have a flight number, how can you fill the departure card? If you don't have an itinerary, how can you buy the duty-free stuff?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2014
Total posts 214
Private jets don't usually use commercial terminal immigration facilities, they use a different building, or another airfield altogether.
(For example, private jets land at the nearby Essendon Airport in Melbourne, rather than the Melbourne International Airport at Tullamarine.)
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Feb 2016
Total posts 97
B787 seems to be too big for Essendon.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2014
Total posts 214
Private jets are typically a lot lighter, and require far less runway distance to take off and land.
You can land private jets at Tulla, it's just the exception rather than the rule. Gov't jets take off from there.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Nov 2015
Total posts 20
Lolz, buying duty free stuff.
I'm thinking it's not a real big issue for those on-board.
Asides, their ain't nothing cheap about Duty-free in Australian airports these days.
Better off going to Dan Murphys, and Harbourtown if you want a better price.
As an example,...Price check Dom Perignon Vintages or Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Vintage at Duty-free then checkout landside purchase pricing.
Or for that matter Pandora jewellery...(obviously not at Dans though ;-)
Jus Sayin'
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 317
From previous work experience, I can guarantee a 787 is definitely too big to go into Essendon. I would say a 787 would most likely go to Avalon or Melbourne, depending on their requirements and parking availability. Crew on Private Jets arriving on international flights provide a General Declaration to Boarder Patrol with Crew/Pax info. In some airports there are dedicated terminals, while at some airports, Customs/Quarantine will attend the aircraft. Duty free facilities can be accommodated, as well as Tax Refunds... To be honest, if you're flying your own jet, the last thing you'll worry about is the duty free store. More likely you'll be more interested in the Tax refunds.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2014
Total posts 214
A private B787 could land at Essendon. Commercia?l no.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 317
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2014
Total posts 214
You're right; good call!
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Photos: Inside a Boeing 787 private VIP jet