Private jets come in all shapes and sizes. While smaller aircraft, such as those from Cessna,
Bombardier or Embraer, are more common, variants of commercial jets are also used. There has
not yet been a private A380, meaning the 747 is currently the largest in use for such a purpose.
But… What do these conversions look like, and who ends up using them?
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Boeing offers its full range of commercial aircraft for private use through its
Boeing Business Jet – or BBJ – program. According to the planemaker’s own data,
the 737 has been the most popular by far, with more than 190 aircraft ordered.
But the widebody 767, 777, 787, and 747 have all been repurposed for VIP use as well.
As with any private jet, layout and designs are customized. Boeing offers the aircraft empty,
and interiors are designed and installed by other companies.
The 747’s upper deck has been used as a feature by many commercial airlines. Bars and lounges
were common in the early days, with many later retrofitting this level with premium cabins.
In private use, this area can provide a useful separate space away from the main deck.
Government aircraft might use this for staff or secure facilities like communications.
In individual use, it might feature a private residential space for owners or VVIPs.
The 747-8 already has one of the highest ranges of any Boeing aircraft,
although the smaller 777-200LR exceeds it, as will the standard 777-8 when it enters service.
In a private configuration, with fewer fittings and carrying fewer passengers,
its already substantial range can be increased. Boeing quotes the private version of the 747-8
as having a range of 16,537 km (assuming a passenger capacity of 100). This is up from
14,320 km for the standard 747-8. At least two aircraft took this even further. The
VC-25A currently used for Air Force One has the ability to refuel in the air. However, this has
never been used in active service, and will not be a feature of the forthcoming VC-25B aircraft.
It is hard to determine exactly how many VIP configured, or private 747s there have been,
or are, in service. This sort of information is not published, and many of the earlier
747s that ended up in private use were purchased second-hand or managed through leasing companies.
As a guide, Boeing stated in 2007 (as reported in FlightGlobal) that 22 VIP-configured 747s
were in service. And at that time, it also had orders for four new 747-8 VIP aircraft.
According to Boeing data, there have now been 10 orders for a 747-8 BBJ.
All these orders were placed between 2006 and 2011.
The most common use of VIP or private configured 747 is for head of state travel,
or other government use. Boeing has seen strong success in this market,
with several countries using 747s from the 747-100/200 generation.
Countries that currently have used the 747 in their VIP or head of state fleets include the US,
Bahrain, Brunei, Korea, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE.
Several other countries use 747s jointly with state airlines. These can be converted to VIP
use as needed but are not dedicated aircraft. China and India have done this for many years
but have both now ordered dedicated aircraft – the 747-8 for China and the 777 for India.
Of course, the most well-known use of government use is the United States Air Force-operated 747s.
These are currently two heavily modified 747-200 aircraft (designated VC-25A),
and have been in service since 1990. They will soon be replaced by two new 747-8 aircraft.
In an effort to lower costs, these were aircraft originally ordered by Transaero.
The planes will be modified instead of being newly built.
Unlike many other countries, the interior details of Air Force One are well known and photographed.
However, much of the defense and technical modifications, of course, remain classified.
The main deck offers residence and office space for the President, followed by
office and meeting space for staff and a large conference room. Behind all this are separate
cabins for guests and the traveling media. To learn more about Air Force One and its history,
check out our video “Air Force One: The Story of the Flying White House.”
There have been only a few private owners of a 747. Even for large companies, it is simply too
big and would rarely justify the operating costs. For corporate use, smaller aircraft, taking much
smaller groups, are more practical. Private individuals likewise do not need the space,
but as the largest private jet, the 747 definitely makes an impression!
Not surprisingly, many private owners prefer to remain unnamed.
But few examples have been publicized. Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz
al Saud is a member of the Saudi royal family but privately owns and operates aircraft. He purchased
his 747 in 2003 for $485 million (for comparison, the US VC25A aircraft cost $325 million each).
It is lavishly furnished with luxurious carpets, plenty of gold trim decoration,
and even a large chandelier. There are decadent bedrooms and bathrooms,
a dining area for 14, extensive lounge areas, and to top it all off – a throne for the Prince.
The Prince planned to take his ambitions even further, with an order for a private A380 in 2007.
This was designed but never developed, and the aircraft transferred to airline use.
The three lift-connected decks (which included the cargo hold) would house... a car garage,
Turkish bath, relaxation room with ground views projected on the floor,
dining, and prayer rooms. And the upper deck would have five private en-suite apartments for guests.
Meanwhile… There have been reports of the completion of a private 747-8 order from
a Middle Eastern business. French firm Cabinet Alberto Pinto designed the interior. The extensive
refit took four years and was completed in 2015. It features a master bedroom in the aircraft’s
nose. There are several more private suites on the main deck, as well as office and lounge space.
However, unlike the Prince’s jet, the interiors here were designed with simplicity in mind.
The upper deck is used for a living room area, with bookshelves,
televisions, and a children’s play area. In an interview with Altitudes Magazine,
lead designer Pickardt explained the final result, saying...
“The owner gave us carte blanche. He wasn’t looking for anything outrageously luxurious,
with gold and diamonds. On the contrary he called for some simplicity, which in the end
is indeed the true luxury. One can easily recognize a strong French touch, a tribute
to French Art deco and to our most famous saddle makers. We used only noble materials,
all of the best quality available of course, such as wood, (African Wakapou and Sycamore), stone,
wool and silk fabrics, natural leathers.” Certainly proud of the design, he concludes with:
“Such a project is a dream come true that happens only once or twice in a designer’s lifetime. In a
way, this is a landmark in aviation history. Officials from the Boeing Company who visited
the aircraft said that it may be one of the most beautiful large aircraft ever made!”
The future for large private aircraft is interesting. There is a strong decline in the
popularity and use of large four-engine jets. And Boeing has confirmed the end of 747 production,
with the last two cargo 747-8s now ordered. But with increasing retirements from airline fleets,
there could be the potential for more secondhand developments.
The last 747-8 new build business jet order was in 2011, and there won’t be anymore now. Likewise,
the A380 is also now out of production, with no private versions ever delivered.
Twin-engine widebodies are now set to have their day.
According to Boeing data, 14 787s and six 777s have now been ordered as business jets. And Boeing
has released some exciting plans for a 777X BBJ. We have recently seen Germany take on two new
A350 aircraft as state aircraft (to replace its A340s). And India has introduced the
777 as its first dedicated VIP aircraft. The Mexican government opted to go with
the Boeing 787 for its new VIP transport. However, the current president believes
this is an unnecessary luxury, and has put it up for sale. As yet, it hasn’t found a buyer.
With more large aircraft retiring in 2020 and 2021, increasing second-hand availability could
also affect the market. This is likely to be more of a factor in the A380 market,
especially as its resale value has now dropped 50%.
Retiring 747-400 aircraft are already nearing the end of service and are unlikely to see further VIP
use. 747-8 aircraft are a possibility, but there are not many of them. We did see this
with the new order from the US Air Force for replacement Air Force One aircraft.
The 747 is a great aircraft, popular with airlines and private use – even if only limited.
What other private uses do you think it would be suited for? And do you think any
more will find a new life in second-hand use? Feel free to discuss in the comments.