We were enthused to learn that a private manufacturer is actually putting skylights in its planes! This might sound crazy but the best part of air-travel has got to be the view. Whatever class you’re in, and no matter whether you’re flying in a private jet or not, the view is amazing. Having said that, most planes have tiny portholes masquerading as windows, wasting the potential of cruising above the clouds. Well, Brazilian jet builder Embraer’s got something to say about that.

The company has just come up with a new idea on how to furnish their $53 million Lineage 1000E private jets with large skylights and windows by teaming up with yacht designer Patrick Knowles. Embraer dubs this design the “Airship Kyoto”, and it’ll be the first time the concept has been really executed on a large jet that can leap up to 35,000 feet, with pressurized cabins of course.

The reference to Japan (Kyoto is not in Brazil, for the geographically challenged) comes from a hypothetical scenario a Japanese customer conceived for a jet: how would you accommodate a customer who wished to sit on the floor at one of those wooden short legged tables (or, in Japanese, chabudai) instead? Well, you’d bring the windows down to their level, and, just like the zen-architecture concepts of Tadao Ando that blends modern structures with natural light, you’d find a way to let the sun in – without depressurizing the whole cabin. This showcases Embraer’s willingness to tailor the entire form of the plane to their customer’s specific needs or culture.

“I’ve always believed that we should be able to execute the customer’s dreams and passions in an airplane” said Jay Beever, VP of interior design, as noted in an article by Wired. The team over at Embraer is ready to jump in with the concept the moment a wealthy enough customer requests it. They’re fully confident they can pull it off while living up to the strict safety requirements of the airline industry.

The Lineage was unveiled last year as a luxurious ultra-large executive jet, boasting spacious cabin zones and highly tailored interiors – including capacity for a master suite with a large bed and a walk-in shower. If they actually manage to pull off the natural view as well, they’re sure to set a good precedent in exclusive luxury. In other words, beat that all other makers of jets!

Images courtesy of Embraer