Onboard bedrooms and luxury low-pressure cabins — inside the private jets at Dubai Airshow

Category: (Self-Study) Business

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Private jets, commercial aircraft, and military planes were among more than two hundred aircraft showcased at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The event brought together manufacturers, operators, and industry leaders, with a focus on new aircraft design and the push toward more sustainable aviation.

One of the toured planes was a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) operated by Royal Jet. The BBJ is based on the Boeing 737 Max airframe, but unlike commercial versions, it’s fitted with a custom interior designed for long-haul private travel. Inside, the aircraft includes a lounge area, a dining and meeting space, and a private bedroom with an en-suite shower.

Royal Jet pilot Ahmed Suhoul said, “This aircraft can accommodate nineteen guests. It is divided into three different areas: a VIP Majlis sitting room-style area in the front, a dining room or conference room towards the middle, and a full-size bedroom towards the back with a bathroom and a shower.”

While a regular airliner typically maintains a cabin altitude of around 6-8,000 feet, Boeing Business Jets keep the cabin at a lower equivalent altitude. The aim is to make long flights less tiring.

“The BBJ has its unique system where it lowers the cabin pressurization. So, it is not like what is in FlyDubai or any other airline who operates a 737. The cabin altitude on the BBJs are way much less than the normal airliners. Therefore, it reduces the fatigue and jet lag for the passengers so the passengers can fly through the night, sleep on board, arrive at their destination, ready for their next meeting in a few hours.”

A Royal Jet staff said a major appeal of private aviation is the ability to shorten the time spent in terminals. Protocol manager Khalid Al Sebeyi said, “Commercial goes normally through security, immigration, but for us, we finish all of these stake matters faster and then because the VIP does not feel that he is in an airport or somewhere, you know. He feels that it is a seamless journey and there are less touch points.”

The Dubai Airshow 2025 concluded on November 21.

This article and video were provided by The Associated Press.

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[Planes on display at the Dubai Airshow]

[Displayed planes at the Dubai Airshow]

[Visitors disembarking the Royal Jet plane]

[Conference room in the luxury plane]

[Leather conference seats]

[Visitors inside the luxury plane]

[Plane’s ceiling and conference seats]

[Visitor speaking with pilot in the Royal Jet plane]

Ahmed Suhoul (interview): “This aircraft can accommodate nineteen guests. It is divided into three different areas, a VIP Majlis (sitting room) style area in the front, a dining room/conference room towards the middle and a full-size bedroom towards the back with a bathroom and a shower.”

[Painting displayed on wall in the VIP Majlis area]

Ahmed Suhoul (interview): “The BBJ (737 MAX Boeing plane) has its unique system where it lowers the cabin pressurisation. So, it’s not like what’s in FlyDubai or any other airline who operates a 737 (Boeing plane). The cabin altitude on the BBJs are way much less than the normal airliners. Therefore, it reduces the fatigue and jet lag for the passengers so the passengers can fly through the night, sleep on board, arrive at their destination, ready for their next meeting in a few hours.”

[Bedroom in the plane]

[Khalid Al Sebeyi talking to a visitor inside the plane]

Khalid Al Sebeyi (interview): “Commercial goes normally through security, immigration, but for us we finish all of these stake matters faster and then because the VIP doesn’t feel that he is in an airport or somewhere, you know. He feels that it’s a seamless journey and there are less touch points.”

[Visitors sitting inside the Royal Jet plane]

[Exterior of Action Aviation aircraft on display]

[Interiors of Action Aviation aircraft]

[Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) truck at airshow with private jets lined up behind]

[Sign in Arabic and English reading “Sustainable Aviation Fuel”]

[Airport bus powered by H2]

[Sign on bus reading ”Network of H2Power”]

[Hydrogen-powered vehicles]

[An electric tow tractor]

[Paul Griffiths talking to airport employees inside the airshow venue]

Paul Griffiths (interview): “The thing is the supply chain for sustainable solutions is getting very well established and we’re partnering with a lot of companies that have got some very good innovations in that space. As you say the big thing we need to address is the sustainable aviation fuel initiative and we’re trying to lead that by introducing new mechanisms to stimulate demand and production. And to stimulate airlines to be accessing a level playing field so there’s no competitive disadvantage for having a more sustainable future for aviation.”

[Emirates cabin crew lined up for photoshoot in front of Emirates airlines aircraft]

[Visitors at the Dubai Airshow]

[Person filming Emarat fuel company receiving an award]

[Emarat sign]

Salem bin Suloom (interview): “As for sustainable fuel, the government is working on implementing it at all Dubai airports, with the expected implementation date being 2030. Therefore, all companies, including Emojet (aviation fuel brand of Emarat), will be suppliers of sustainable fuel by that time.”

[Man cleaning a plane]

[Visitors at the airshow]

This script was provided by The Associated Press.