A lot of concept and thought goes into the creation of private jets unique enough for the wealthy, who pride themselves in something different to the rest.

So when Jay Beever, vice president of interior design for Embraer Executive Jets, conceptualised the interior of the Brazlian aircraft maker’s largest private jet, his vision was to transport the passengers to another era.

Always pushing the envelope on aircraft interior design, Beever approached famed experiential interior designer Eddie Sotto, according to Robb Report.

Beever turned Sotto loose, and the result is the Manhattan Airship, a design concept with a starting price of about $80 million (R1 billion):

With a cabin that’s 84 feet long and 6 feet 7 inches tall, the Lineage is a good choice for an over-the-top design.

In a typical configuration, the aircraft has five passenger zones, which can include a master bedroom with a queen-size bed and shower.

Beever wanted Sotto to create an interior with so many interesting details and cultural references that passengers would be reluctant to leave the cabin when they arrived at their destination.

“This won’t feel like a charter trip,” he says. “I want it to feel more like a cocktail lounge with an intimate dining area.”

And the Manhattan Airship has both:

But what do we care?

Well, here’s the thing: when speaking to Robb Report, Sotto noted that all the fabrics, materials, and elements of his design are FAA approved – including the mohair:

Few aircraft interior designers use it, but it seemed the best choice for the Manhattan Airship because it was a staple fabric of the era his design references…

The entryway leads to the Cloud Club, a lounge area inspired by the rooftop club inside the spire of Manhattan’s Chrysler Building. It includes a bar with retractable bar stools, vintage-inspired sconces, and a mohair-and-lambskin divan under a city-loft-style window.

Beyond the salon is the Crystal Room, where six passengers can dine at a table with decorative inlays. The table, the mohair-covered seats, and the light fixtures, which appear to be crystal, are nods to the Normandie’s dining room.

As the world’s leading mohair producer, it’s pretty cool to know that a South African product is appreciated for the luxurious – and durable – fibre it is.

Our local and sustainable products are popping up around the world, and it’s great to see people creating products out of these natural fibres. This is exactly what local advocates, Mohair South Africa, want you to support.

Going above and beyond the usual, interior designers are championing the use of local mohair fibres to create the perfect look, even for a private jet.

Flying in style looks like a good time.

[source:robbreport]