Aircraft Interior Design
Customize the interior of your aircraft according to your specific tastes and requirements with support from Essex Aviation.
The Importance of Quality Aircraft Interior Design
It goes without saying that the look, feel and functionality of your aircraft’s interior has a direct impact on
your overall flying experience, which is why it’s so important that it be designed according to your exact
needs and specifications. With support from the qualified consultants at Essex Aviation,
you can make your aircraft interior design vision a reality.
How Intended Utilization Impacts Aircraft Interior Design
Your aircraft’s interior amenities should be informed by your intended utilization.
Here are a few illustrative examples:
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Owners of larger cabin aircraft who frequently fly long distances might consider modifications that provide a sleeping area so that they can arrive at their destination rested and refreshed.
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Owners who use their aircraft for business purposes might choose a floor plan to maximize and accommodate group or individual workspace seating throughout the cabin.
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Owners who frequently fly with family and friends might value seating offering a larger dining space and group seating that utilizes multiple divans.
Popular Aircraft Interior Design Options
Some of the most popular aircraft interior design features include:
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Advanced in-flight entertainment system options which can include built- in HDR displays, surround sound systems and live-streaming network connectivity
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“Office in the sky capabilities,” including satellite, Wi-Fi and cellular systems
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State-of-the-art cabin management systems with mobile device controls
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Lavatory and kitchen upgrades
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Custom cabin configurations that vary between open space or to maximize passenger capacity
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Custom cabinetry
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Custom-built berthing and sleeping quarters
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Custom hardware and plating
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Detailing
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Luxe fixtures and finishes, including hand-stitched leather seating, hardwood flooring, accent lighting and more
Looking to Upgrade Your Pre-Owned Aircraft? Take a Look
at Our Refurbishment Services
Key Aircraft Interior Design Considerations
When developing a design plan for any project, an aircraft interior designer will consider the following:
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Travel Requirements
This information will help determine what a designer will recommend and emphasize within their design; beginning with the best floor plan to allow integrating personal preferences, accommodations and ambiance to maximize the clients experience in both style and usefulness.
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Aesthetic Preferences
The client’s preferred style informs everything from the general ambience of their aircraft interior to the specific materials and finishes the designer includes in their design plan.
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Operational Restrictions
It’s the designer’s responsibility to help their client understand any trade-offs that need to be made in order to achieve their vision — for example, reducing open space for higher density seating, or closet storage space in exchange for galley counter space among other options.
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Safety Regulations
Within every aircraft model there are standard certification elements such as emergency egress and passenger safety designs. A qualified aircraft designer will be well informed of these matters and ensure any proposed design concepts will respect these limitations. Secondly, there will be other certifications required of all the soft materials used as well as, in some cases, electrical and plumbing engineering.
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Airworthiness Requirements
Once customized materials and engineering is approved and certified, the remaining process is to ensure the intended weight and functionality of the design conforms to the aircraft’s operating requirements.
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Spatial Constraints
Even the largest aircraft interior offers limited space, but an experienced designer can devise creative solutions to maximize cabin and storage space.
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Budget
A private aircraft interior designer must allocate their client’s budget effectively and, where possible, identify cost-saving solutions without compromising their client’s vision.
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Timeline
A designer must keep their client’s timeline in mind when choosing a contractor and sourcing materials from different vendors.
Aircraft Interior Design Trends
Some of the leading trends in the world of aircraft interior design include:
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Soft, but modern designs that use wood, leather and traditional shapes
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The use of sustainable materials, including carbon fiber, recyclable fabrics and vegan “leather”
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Clean and contemporary designs featuring high-quality materials
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Modern and minimalist designs featuring neutral tones, LED lighting and silver plating
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App-based cabin management systems and state-of-the-art sound systems
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Designs that extend to every available surface, including ceilings, bulkheads and more
Our Testimonials
Our Clients Say It Best
“Essex Aviation facilitated an end-of-lease process for a large aircraft and assisted us with structuring a subsequent lease extension. The transactions had several challenging issues that required expert counseling and negotiation. The Essex team is friendly, prompt, easy to work with, and most importantly, simply the best at what they do. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”
Joe Stone, CFO
Sartini Enterprises, Inc.
“Lee, Tom and the team at Essex have worked with us over the years on a variety of fixed wing, rotor and other special projects, performing to superior standards throughout. We initially went through an industry downselect to compete them against their peers and they surfaced as the best fit for us. We continue to be very happy with the relationship.”
Mike D.
Northeast Based Family Office
“Knowledgeable. Informed. Competent. Thorough. Practical. Candid. Professional. Responsive. Efficient.”
Tony R., CFO
Northeast Based Family Office
“Essex Aviation’s guidance and data analysis was crucial to our successful first CJ3 lease and later our CJ4 purchase. The expertise of Essex allowed us to understand more fully our flight metrics, history, costs and how to match our future aviation needs with available options in a way that would not have been possible on our own.”
Alexandra Glazier, President and CEO
New England Donor Services
“Lee and Tom are the dynamic duo you've been looking for. Their collective skills provide exacting coverage on every detail needed when considering an airplane purchase or refurbishment. I worked with them on a lengthy process, from identification of plane, purchase, full refurbishment, staff assignments thru delivery. I was never once disappointed. Perfect personalities for even the pickiest of clients!”
Heidi M.
“We had a very positive experience with Essex. We found them to be competent, professional and objective. They dedicated a significant amount of time to providing an extremely insightful evaluation of our aircraft division. The report detailed strengths and weaknesses in our operation, together with constructive recommendations . They interacted very well with the staff and were able to elicit accurate and honest information.”
Michael M.
Northeast based Family Office
“Throughout my career as a family office executive, Essex Aviation has been my go to aviation expert. Lee and Tom have guided me through the most complex aircraft acquisition while being able to meet difficult client deadlines. The Essex team has provided key analysis ranging from the mundane, such as the interpretation of the placement of a placard on an aircraft to negotiations relating to an engine care program. Lee and Tom are key partners in all aspects of family office aviation matters.”
John Castrucci, Family Office Executive & Founder
Global Family Office Advisors
“I engaged Essex Aviation to prepare an analysis of large cabin aircraft that best met my needs. Their process was comprehensive and thorough. After an exhaustive search of available aircraft, they represented me on the acquisition, negotiation and importation of a long range aircraft and then oversaw a comprehensive customization of the entire plane. Throughout the process, Essex was a knowledgeable, trustworthy and detail oriented partner.”
Daniel R.
See How Essex Aviation Helped One Client Reimagine Their Aircraft’s Interior
Gain an insider perspective of the aircraft interior design process by reading about this refurbishment project Essex completed in partnership with the experts at Duncan Aviation.