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  4. See inside the world's largest private jet, a Boeing 747 typically used by governments and the world's top elite

See inside the world's largest private jet, a Boeing 747 typically used by governments and the world's top elite

While owning any private jet is an indicator of wealth, the 747-8i BBJ is an unmistakable status symbol typically reserved for use by the world's governments and a handful of the highest level of the elite.

See inside the world's largest private jet, a Boeing 747 typically used by governments and the world's top elite
LifeThelife1 min read
A Boeing 747-8i.Stephen Brashear/Stringer via Getty Images
  • Cabinet Alberto Pinto is the design firm behind the interior of one of the world's largest private jets.
  • Owned by a Middle Eastern businessman, this Boeing 747-8i is one of just a few of its kind in existence.

The 747-8i Boeing Business Jet is the world's largest private plane currently in active operation.

The dual-level jumbo jet takes private flying to the next level as a flying palace capable of traversing time zones in the absolute pinnacle of luxury air travel.

Based on Boeing's 747 passenger aircraft, the BBJ product line consists of VIP-configured variants of existing commercial planes including the 737, 787, and 777X.

Famed French interior design firm Cabinet Alberto Pinto was tasked with creating the interior of one BBJ 747-8i, which was purchased for private use by a Middle Eastern businessman.

Take a look inside the flying mansion — the largest aircraft project ever taken on by the firm.

While owning any private jet is an indicator of wealth, the 747-8i BBJ is an unmistakable status symbol typically reserved for use by the world's governments and a handful of the highest level of the elite.

While owning any private jet is an indicator of wealth, the 747-8i BBJ is an unmistakable status symbol typically reserved for use by the world
Eric Salard

The aircraft has seen success in the Middle East with countries including Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, and the UAE using the 747-8i for executive transport for their respective heads of state.

The aircraft has seen success in the Middle East with countries including Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, and the UAE using the 747-8i for executive transport for their respective heads of state.
Brendan Swalovski/AFP/Getty Images

However, one 747-8i struggled to find a home and was subsequently scrapped at Arizona's aircraft graveyard in 2022.

However, one 747-8i struggled to find a home and was subsequently scrapped at Arizona
The 747-8i, which couldn't sell even though it only had 30 hours of flight time and its $95 list price was a fifth of the cost of a new 747-8i BBJ at the time.      dreamcatcher-68/Flickr

The Boeing 747-8 was initially planned to be a private aircraft by a Saudi prince, but it sat dormant in Switzerland for 10 years after the prince's unexpected death in 2011.

The Boeing 747-8 was initially planned to be a private aircraft by a Saudi prince, but it sat dormant in Switzerland for 10 years after the prince
An Qatar Amiri Flight Boeing 747-8 BBJ (not the prince's).      Jetlinerimages/Getty Images

Royals and heads of state are not the only ones lucky enough to use an -8i BBJ, with one rich Middle Eastern businessman asking Cabinet Alberto Pinto to create a lavish interior for his mammoth private jet.

Royals and heads of state are not the only ones lucky enough to use an -8i BBJ, with one rich Middle Eastern businessman asking Cabinet Alberto Pinto to create a lavish interior for his mammoth private jet.
The 747-8i plane stretches over 250 feet from nose to tail and has two levels, with a passenger capacity for over 400 in an airline configuration.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Source: Boeing

And, the plane is the height of luxury — it's hard to tell that you're onboard an airliner and not inside a palatial estate.

And, the plane is the height of luxury — it
On board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The aircraft's interior is divided into ornate suites, staterooms, lounges, dining rooms, passenger seating areas, and bathrooms, a home away from home for a wealthy road warrior.

The aircraft
On board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The master bedroom is found in the nose of the aircraft, located directly under the cockpit. Situated at the very front of the fuselage, the nose is the most private section of the aircraft and quietest since it's away from the engines.

The master bedroom is found in the nose of the aircraft, located directly under the cockpit. Situated at the very front of the fuselage, the nose is the most private section of the aircraft and quietest since it
Inside the master bedroom of a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The bedroom features a normal-size bed with the sidewalls lined with counter space with drawers for storage underneath.

The bedroom features a normal-size bed with the sidewalls lined with counter space with drawers for storage underneath.
Inside the master bedroom of a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The nose of the aircraft is often reserved for the first-class cabin with seats 1A and 1B being the most sought after. On this 747, those seats take the form of a two-person loveseat.

The nose of the aircraft is often reserved for the first-class cabin with seats 1A and 1B being the most sought after. On this 747, those seats take the form of a two-person loveseat.
Inside the master bedroom of a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The suite features minor touches such as personal reading lamps, bedside tables, and walled cupholders for when turbulence hits. Lights throughout the aircraft can also be controlled by small touchscreens embedded in various surfaces.

The suite features minor touches such as personal reading lamps, bedside tables, and walled cupholders for when turbulence hits. Lights throughout the aircraft can also be controlled by small touchscreens embedded in various surfaces.
Inside the master bedroom of a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The master bathroom features a walk-in shower as well as a single vanity complete with a full mirror and sink.

The master bathroom features a walk-in shower as well as a single vanity complete with a full mirror and sink.
A bathroom on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Ideal for long-haul flights, the shower allows the aircraft's owner to fly across the world and still be able to head straight from the plane to meetings. Very few commercial aircraft feature a shower, with the amenity being a key marketing point for Boeing and Airbus' private jets.

Ideal for long-haul flights, the shower allows the aircraft
A shower on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

According to designer Yves Pickardt in an interview with Altitudes Magazine, the idea was to give the aircraft a "soft modern style."

According to designer Yves Pickardt in an interview with Altitudes Magazine, the idea was to give the aircraft a "soft modern style."
On board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Pickardt was given "carte blanche" by the owner, who wasn't interested in gaudy materials and preferred a simple style more like a family home.

Pickardt was given "carte blanche" by the owner, who wasn
On board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

"[The owner] wasn't looking for anything outrageously luxurious, with gold and diamonds," said Pickardt in the interview. "On the contrary, he called for some simplicity, which in the end is indeed the true luxury."

"[The owner] wasn
On board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The entire process from design to implementation took four years to complete, with the aircraft being serviced at AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland. Pickardt reports that the project was completed on time and under budget.

The entire process from design to implementation took four years to complete, with the aircraft being serviced at AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland. Pickardt reports that the project was completed on time and under budget.
A bathroom on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Moving back in the aircraft, another guest bedroom can be found on the jumbo jet with no shortage of space thanks to its long and wide fuselage designed for airlines to carry as many passengers as possible.

Moving back in the aircraft, another guest bedroom can be found on the jumbo jet with no shortage of space thanks to its long and wide fuselage designed for airlines to carry as many passengers as possible.
A guest room on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Even the smaller bedrooms have their own perfectly appointed bathrooms with full vanities.

Even the smaller bedrooms have their own perfectly appointed bathrooms with full vanities.
A bathroom on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The main foyer of the aircraft divides the master bedroom from the rest of the aircraft and is home to the staircase leading to the upper deck.

The main foyer of the aircraft divides the master bedroom from the rest of the aircraft and is home to the staircase leading to the upper deck.
The main foyer on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Inside the 747's iconic hump on this BBJ is a living room complete with bookshelves and a high-definition flat screen television. Behind the space is a children's play area and crew quarters, with the -8i featuring the largest upper deck of any 747.

Inside the 747
The upstairs living room on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Directly ahead of the lounging space is the business end of the 747, the cockpit.

Directly ahead of the lounging space is the business end of the 747, the cockpit.
The cockpit of a Boeing 747-8i.      Fasttailwind / Shutterstock.com

Back downstairs, couches also line the sidewalls of the aircraft offering additional seating capacity for extra passengers whether it be support staff, security details, etc.

Back downstairs, couches also line the sidewalls of the aircraft offering additional seating capacity for extra passengers whether it be support staff, security details, etc.
A couch lining the sidewall on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Private office spaces and dining areas complemented by recliner leather chairs and entertainment systems can be found in pockets throughout the cavernous aircraft.

Private office spaces and dining areas complemented by recliner leather chairs and entertainment systems can be found in pockets throughout the cavernous aircraft.
A private office space on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The centerpiece of the jet is the salon on the main floor with three couches, a coffee table, and vaulted ceilings.

The centerpiece of the jet is the salon on the main floor with three couches, a coffee table, and vaulted ceilings.
Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The space is ideal for hosting meetings, working, having after-dinner drinks or just relaxing on a long-haul flight.

The space is ideal for hosting meetings, working, having after-dinner drinks or just relaxing on a long-haul flight.
The main salon on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Opposite the seating area is a circular table ideal for dining or even a game of high-stakes poker.

Opposite the seating area is a circular table ideal for dining or even a game of high-stakes poker.
A table area on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Each leather seat is also adjustable via electronic switches embedded in the armrests of each chair.

Each leather seat is also adjustable via electronic switches embedded in the armrests of each chair.
A table area on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

The aircraft even has a smaller seating section for additional passengers or staff complete with tables and large in-flight entertainment systems. According to Pinto, the owner has a large family that flies extensively.

The aircraft even has a smaller seating section for additional passengers or staff complete with tables and large in-flight entertainment systems. According to Pinto, the owner has a large family that flies extensively.
A passenger seating area on board a Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Cabinet Alberto Pinto

With a range of around 7,700 nautical miles, the BBJ 747-8i can cover long distances with ease and service city pairs including New York-Hong Kong, Cape Town-Chicago, and Los Angeles-Melbourne.

With a range of around 7,700 nautical miles, the BBJ 747-8i can cover long distances with ease and service city pairs including New York-Hong Kong, Cape Town-Chicago, and Los Angeles-Melbourne.
A Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      genx cheq / Shutterstock.com

Source: Boeing

The towering aircraft, with all of its features, is the clear flagship of the aircraft portfolio of Cabinet Alberto Pinto, under the direction of Linda Pinto.

The towering aircraft, with all of its features, is the clear flagship of the aircraft portfolio of Cabinet Alberto Pinto, under the direction of Linda Pinto.
A Boeing Business Jet 747-8i.      Oleksandr Naumenko / Shutterstock.com

As for the Boeing Business Jet, the 747-8i will continue to keep the title of the world's largest business jet until the first Airbus A380 is converted into an Airbus Corporate Jet.

As for the Boeing Business Jet, the 747-8i will continue to keep the title of the world
An Airbus A380 aircraft.      REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol
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