BMW and Lufthansa Turn a Narrowbody Jet Into a Private VIP Estate in the Sky, Called The BOW

Passengers walk through the door of this modified jet and enter a space that feels more like a high-end residence than any airplane cabin they have known. BMW Designworks and Lufthansa Technik have collaborated to produce The BOW, a complete interior redesign for airplanes like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A321. The monotonous rows of seats have been removed, which is the last thing you’d expect to see in one of these beautiful stetted-outs. In their place, only 28 people are spread out across 14 luxurious private suites and places suited for those on their way to corporate boards, sports teams, or touring bands.

Being ushered in sets the tone right away; a modest reception area meets you with a bar and one or two sumptuous sofas, the type of place where a group of strangers may quickly begin chatting while the staff and luggage sort things out. The entire length of the cabin has been decked out in beautifully curved lines and swooshy patterns that provide a sense of flow without the usual tight hallways. Years of experience in the automotive industry clearly influenced the designers, who chose only the finest natural materials that just happen to soothe the nerves and hold up really well to long flights, and people, the lighting actually adjusts to the time of day, controls stay hidden until you actually need them, and the whole thing is so quiet and comfortable that no one feels the need to distract from it.



The lounge space is located in the center of the plane; whatever the group need may alter from minute to minute; one day it may be a conference room with large displays embedded in the walls, and the next the large table simply breaks apart to serve a meal or complete some work. Seats are readily moved around, and walls have fold-up partitions, allowing you to either keep the entire room open to converse with your friends or close it off for smaller gatherings. There is storage almost everywhere for musical instruments, sporting gear, or whatever else the passengers brought along, and everything appears to be meant to encourage both profound talks and relaxation without forcing people into a single style of functioning.


The back of the cabin is lined with 14 suites, each meticulously designed for one main traveler and a companion. Doors and other pretty handy panels allow you to have complete privacy if that’s what you want, or you can keep connected with your neighbour and the lounge beyond. Inside each suite, the seats change into a comfortable bed, and a dedicated storage compartment keeps your possessions neatly tucked away and secure. The suite’s soundproofing helps keep noise out, and there’s a personal climate control system to ensure the temperature is exactly right. Your guests may all adjust lighting, entertainment, smells, and other features by simply touching an embedded control. No one feels like an afterthought; the entire design is tailored to each and every one of them as if they are the only ones who matter.


Technology hums silently in the background, beginning with high-end speakers that provide crystal-clear audio with no outward traces of technology. Smart surfaces keep their screens and controls hidden until you tap with your finger to reveal them. The entire cabin management system is voice and touch controlled, allowing for quick and easy adjustments. A team of Lufthansa Technik engineers ensured that every single system met the most stringent aviation requirements possible, whereas BMW designers focused on how it would feel to the people within, resulting in an environment that feels lovely and relaxing rather than overly engineered and chilly.


There are even more customization possibilities available. Teams can request fewer suites so that they can open up the lounge, expand the bar, or add another element that is appropriate for the trip. Colors and finishes vary to suit individual preferences. The end result is a cabin that moves with your group rather than forcing them to bend around it. For anyone who often flies with friends or colleagues, the difference becomes apparent as soon as you sit down and realize that the journey is now adding to the experience rather than draining your energy.