airplane

After designing such beauties as the stunning 3-series, M Coupe, 6-series and other models in the recent rollout of all-new BMWs, the DesignWorks design team took a little hiatus to work on the automobile's sky-faring cousin, the airplane.

Our sister site Gadling brings the news to us that DesignWorks unveiled some concept drawings at the Hamburg Aircraft Interiors Expo of the ultra-luxury 787 Business Jet, targeted toward, say, a rich 30-something Russian businessman "spends a significant amount of time traveling across the globe and needs an aircraft that function as a second home."

The plane is decked out with white leather lounge chairs and burgundy accent pillows, a full bar, artwork, luxury bedroom accommodations and glass areas on the floor so passengers can keep an eye on their rides in the garage below.

More photos available by clicking through to Gadling.

This Cashmere Travel Set is a great stocking stuffer for the frequent traveler. Made of 100% exquisitely soft cashmere, it includes an eye mask and slippers in a satin-lined zip . pouch that can also be used for small toiletries or other relaxing things. The slippers have suede soles to prevent slipping wile walking, which is particularly useful on a plane where there can be some turbulence. The set is available in four colors: chocolate (pictured), garnet, camel and eucalyptus. Best of all, it's only $80.

As is the case with just about everything else in the luxury market, including yachts and homes, private airplanes are getting bigger and more impressive all the time. Instead of sticking with little six-seaters, jumbo jets that are made to carry hundreds of passengers on long-haul flights are being made over to carry only a handful of people in total comfort. Many are owned by companies and used to ferry around important clients, but some are owned by individuals.

The smaller jets include planes like the Boeing 737 and 747, of which there are around 40 privately configured jets, but the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner is going to be one of the best planes money can buy. The Dreamliner will have only 35 seats, as opposed to about 300 as a commercial plane, and most of them will double as beds. The rest of the interior is up to the buyer. Dreamliners will start at about $150 million and will be released in 2008.

A passenger on a Cathay Pacific plane in Hong Kong, bound for Tokyo, delayed the flight for more than an hour because she refused to stow her Gucci handbag under her seat for takeoff. The flight attendants tried to convince the woman, who refused even after airport security guards were called in and threatened to arrest her for disrupting the flight. After a long argument, the woman finally agreed to disembark from the plane, Gucci bag in hand, to the applause of the other passengers, who were eager to get the plane off the ground. "'It's not my fault, it was them who were too stubborn,' she shouted as she was leaving."