LUXURY AIRCRAFT INTERIORS 73


were no options for customisation. It was during the 1960s that private aviation really began to come into its own, with the foundations being laid for a rapidly evolving industry marked by innovation, expansion and an increasingly refined flying experience for upmarket travellers. In 1962, the Lockheed JetStar became the


first dedicated private jet to enter service, but it was the Learjet 23, launched the following year by US entrepreneur William P. Lear, that captured the market for fast and efficient small business aircraft. Indeed, the Learjet’s futuristic design and offer of unparalleled speed and privacy proved irresistible to the rich and famous who used it to travel between glamorous engagements, international meetings and holiday retreats. Yet despite its


large, oval windows, the cabin interior was relatively cramped and its decor somewhat utilitarian. Influenced by its Swiss fighter jet origins, the Learjet emphasised speed and efficiency over luxury and sophistication. Nevertheless, a divan, drinks cabinet and card table provided basic comfort and entertainment. In 1967, the Gulfstream II set a new standard for luxury and convenience with its large cabin, leather upholstery, private telephone, air conditioning, television and multi-speaker sound system. As the desire for more lavish interiors


grew, many ultra-rich individuals began looking to buy even larger aircraft. In 1969, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner fitted out a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 jetliner, painting it black and essentially transforming it into a


flying Playboy Mansion, complete with living room, conference area, circular bed and, of course, a fully stocked bar and dance floor for partying at 30,000ft. Te aircraft became emblematic of Hefner’s hedonistic lifestyle, and it paved the way for even more high-flying opulence and luxury in the years to come. Open-plan layouts would become the standard in the 1970s, offering flexible spaces for work, leisure and dining. Lounges provided more room to move around and the inclusion of conference areas fitted out with desks allowed business users to work and hold important meetings in-flight. In 1973, a Boeing 720 passenger jet


designed to carry 138 passengers was bought by the US singer Bobby Sherman and his manager Ward Sylvester, who converted it into


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