BMW designs aeroplane interiors

BMW's American design subsidiary BMW DesignworksUSA has teamed up with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer to design cockpits for some of its luxury aircraft.
The design studio has been working on the cockpits of the Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 since 2004.

BMW was keen not to translate its road cars' interior design language into the aircraft; instead it wanted to "reassign and apply the overriding design principles [of its road cars] and knowledge of the effects of design", meaning its basic design principles remained, although actual designs weren't carried over from the road to the air.

"The cabins and cockpits were to reflect the very best in functionality, the most select design quality and facilitate optimal efficiency and use of space in the cockpit, passenger and baggage areas," said BMW in a statement.

Customers can choose from seven different interior colour schemes. So far, 100 of the BMW-designed jets have been built and another 600 are currently on order.