Boeing Business Jets’ Craig Logan discusses the Sky Voyager BBJ concept, which resulted from the company’s collaboration with Embraer Design Operations.
This interior concept brings together the vision of two major OEMs – Embraer Design Operations (EDO) and Boeing Business Jets. The latter contracted EDO to apply its talents to a BBJ, with the brief being to create a functional design incorporating technological advances, inspired by Earth and the sky. The project took two and a half years.
“The Sky Voyager concept is a sterling example of what can be produced when two major OEMs come together to reinvent the future,” says Craig Logan, BBJ regional marketing director.
Many elements of Embraer Executive Jets’ patented interior ‘DNA’ have been incorporated. These include the company’s geometric dimensioning and tolerancing approach; the aircraft providing information at a glance, only when needed; material ‘triads’ where veneer, leather and metal are placed together; and features to optimise maintainability.
“For instance, critical components and systems that may need quick replacement are assembled with a face-side-removable philosophy, eliminating the need to disassemble large assemblies,” says Logan. “In addition, the floating gap strategy allows for these assemblies to make adjustments as the cabin adapts to fuselage changes in flight and on the ground.”
Also on the practical side, the crew rest areas are trimmed with perforated panelling, intended to function as an acoustic suppressor for a peaceful sleeping area.
Other areas on board include the main salon, featuring newly designed VVIP chairs and divans; and a dining area where the seats have drop-down armrests to allow for simple transitioning. The multipurpose room, midway into the cabin, provides a working space or secondary state room. This room is separated from the hallway with a ‘window wall’ that lets in natural light from the exterior windows across the hallway, or transitions for privacy when required.
Towards the rear of the aircraft is a master bedroom and lavatory. “Encompassing the starry night headliner, the slatted ceiling feature, the plush carpet and the topographical stone as the headboard, the VVIP receives the entire flying experience within the privacy of their own zone,” comments Logan.
Key features of the cabin include:
Slatted veneer
A recurring feature is the use of exposed slatted veneer surfaces, inspired by the 1917 Red Barn, Boeing’s first headquarters. One application is in the headliner.
Stone slabs
Cuts of real stone, referencing the Earth, are used for the stateroom’s headboard, as well as in the mid-cabin shower and as a bulkhead feature in the main lounge.
Natural inspiration
A key feature is the starry sky headliner, where lights are embedded in black Alcantara. Natural materials feature prominently, including in the flooring choices, where marble and wood are used along with carpet. Further reflecting the ‘Earth meets sky’ theme, cool tones of navy, white and black contrast with warm copper, amber and beige.
This feature was first published in the September/October 2023 edition of Business Jet Interiors International.
