How we deliver excellence: Behind the scenes with Bombardier designers
“Exceptional by design” is more than a tagline at Bombardier. It’s the philosophy that lies at the heart of everything we do.
When it comes to our industry-leading business jets, we are focused on getting the fundamentals right so our customers will enjoy unparalleled comfort and convenience. We’re committed to continuous innovation and a premium user experience. Finally, we’re all about the details – flawless execution and a flying experience second to none.
So, how does Bombardier design an exceptional cabin experience?
It begins with a concept. For example, Bombardier’s industrial design team focused on creating “home-like architecture with an understated elegance” in the award-winning Global 7500 aircraft.
“Our team creates an inspiration or mood board that gives us a general feel for the overall cabin design intent,” explained Adrian Goring, Senior Industrial Designer at Bombardier since 2011. “Think of that board like our North Star. It draws a picture of what we want our customers to experience once the aircraft is completed.”
From there, it’s time for internal design competitions. This is where Bombardier’s talented designers really shine, with the opportunity to innovate and create that premium user experience.
“It’s my favourite part of the design process,” said Goring. “This is where all your creative juices come alive.”
The best concepts are then visualized using computer-aided design (CAD). As the renderings progress with collaborative input from engineering, operations and suppliers, they come closer and closer to the final product.
Flexibility is baked into the design process. No two Bombardier customers are alike, so it’s important to design interiors that can be customized to individual tastes, right down to the smallest detail.
Bombardier’s industrial design team defines the architecture of an aircraft, while its interior designers guide customers through the process of turning their cabin into a unique reflection of their tastes and requirements.
Jennifer Scotti is a Mechanical Engineer who has been with Bombardier since 2005, currently overseeing the interior design teams for the Global and Challenger product lines.
“No matter which of our award-winning aircraft you ultimately decide on, the next step involves meeting your account management team, which includes a Bombardier interior designer,” explained Scotti. “Together with a customer account manager, your Bombardier designer will take you through every step of creating a custom interior, following your jet’s build cycle to ensure your vision is realized.”
The sky truly is the limit when designing a jet’s interior. With more than 10,000 material possibilities, the designer’s role is to make this process fun and exciting for the customer. An important first step is choosing a floor plan; once that’s done, customers always enjoy using Bombardier’s online configurator to instantly visualize different options.
“We have many other sources of inspiration as well – in some cases, a customer’s corporate branding may need to be taken into account, or their vision will be based on a home or yacht they’ve recently outfitted,” continued Scotti.
How the aircraft will be operated is another key factor influencing the design process. Charter operators need more durable, high-traffic fabrics and finishes than a single owner, for instance. In addition, there are other aircraft certification criteria that must be considered, including fabric weight, flammability, and even UV sensitivity.
Ultimately, Bombardier customers fly away in a jet that is exceptional in every way. From drawing board to delivery day, our team is relentless in the pursuit of flawless execution and superior craftsmanship.