Bombardier Experience Magazine 28

EXPERIENCE Bombardier Business Aircraft Magazine Issue 28 2017

Global Aircraft: An Exceptionally Smooth Ride Seychelles Reborn Chanel Paraffection Made in Marrakech Secret Mexico Biggin Hill Base

B® CHANEL S. de R.L. ©CHANEL, Inc. CHANEL ®

SOUS LE SIGNE DU LION EARRINGS IN WHITE GOLD AND DIAMONDS NECKLACE IN YELLOW GOLD, DIAMONDS AND CULTURED PEARLS

CHANEL.COM

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. All artist’s or architectural renderings, sketches, graphic materials and photos depicted or otherwise described herein are proposed and conceptual only, and are based upon preliminary development plans, which are subject to change. This is not an offering in any state in which registration is required but in which registration requirements have not yet been met. This advertisement is not an offering. It is a solicitation of interest in the advertised property. No offering of the advertised units can be made and no deposits can be accepted, or reservations, binding or non-binding, can be made in New York until an offering plan is filed with the New York State Department of Law.

Introducing Palazzo Del Sol. 43 new waterfront condominium residences on celebrated Fisher Island. A haven of privacy and exclusivity, minutes from South Beach and the cultural attractions of Miami, with superbly curated building amenities and 6-star white-glove services for the entire family.

Designer Model Residences by Antrobus + Ramirez, Artefacto and Henge Available for Viewing Now Open for Immediate Occupancy Priced from $ 6.5 million to $ 35 million. info@palazzodelsol.com | +1 305 535 6071 palazzodelsol.com 7000 Fisher Island Drive Fisher Island, Florida 33109

A World Apar t BEACH | MARINA | TENNIS | GOLF | RESTAURANTS & BEACH CLUB SPA & FITNESS CENTER | BOUTIQUE HOTEL | DAY SCHOOL COUNTRY MARKET | FERRY SERVICE TO & FROM THE MAINLAND

Jalan Kayu Aya, Seminyak Beach Bali 80361 - Indonesia T +62-361730622 F +62-361730623

info@lhm-hotels.com www.LHM-hotels.com

CAPTIONS HEAD (Above, left to right) Captions body tiisquid modisque nullabo repedis verum renditia id qui asit eatusanto omnis uteseque natemr

CAPTIONS HEAD (Above, left to right) Captions Body tiisquid modisque nullabo repedis verum renditia id qui asit eatusanto omnis uteseque natem r

Featured Aircraft

20 GLOBAL DOMINANCE Combining comfort and connectivity in newly crafted cabins, a smooth ride aboard a Global 5000 or Global 6000 aircraft is set to be the most productive part of your day.

BY BRETT SCHAENFIELD

Profile

26 Fortune Favors the Bold For Mohammed Al-Ajlan, owning a Global 5000 aircraft means keeping pace with his ever-expanding business.

BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

Craftsmanship

28 To Chanel, With Love The fashion house doesn’t just create beautiful garments – it invests in the crafts that make haute couture possible.

Must Have

11 Goods Fresh inspiration in style, technology, dining and beauty.

16 Hotels Our favorite stays from around the globe.

18 Cities Where to stay, dine and live it up in Monaco.

BY LEAH VAN LOON

Travel

36 A Sense of Marrakech The Moroccan city is back on the map, thanks to designer gardens, modern artisans and riads fit for royalty.

In Every Issue

9 Insight

10 Contributors 50 Wingspan

BY PATRICIA GAJO

36 8

Experience

42 The Promised Island A private resort in the Seychelles is redefining responsible tourism while making guests’ every wish come true.

BY NATASHA MEKHAIL

54

Bombardier Worldwide

55

Smooth Rides

56 News

insight

W

hen I think smooth, I think luxury – the clean lines of a sculpture, the texture of a nice glass of wine, the beauty of a weathered pebble on the beach. When it comes to Bombardier business jets, a smooth ride is the luxury of flying in a calm, relaxing environment that allows you to be at your best no matter where you go.

Our uniquely engineered wing design is the result of decades of innovation and expertise, fueled by a passion for delivering the uncompromising smooth ride for which our Learjet, Challenger and Global jets are known. You have come to expect an exceptional experience from Bombardier, and we work tirelessly to provide it.

Nowhere is our passion for an exceptional experience and a smooth ride more evident than in the Global 5000 and 6000 business jets and, soon to be delivered, the segment-defining Global 7000 aircraft. In this 28th edition of Experience, we will take you on a tour of the interior of the Global 5000 and Global 6000 aircraft, highlighting every design detail in the meticulously crafted cabin.

Mohammed Al-Ajlan uses his Global 5000 as a business tool. As a leading manufacturer of textile, apparels and accessories in the Middle East, Ajlan & Bros. Group have expanded their presence in China in order to fulfill the needs of the

international markets they serve. Smooth is a key quality to the fabrics Al-Ajlan produces and he expects the same of his aircraft. With a range of 5,200 nautical miles (9,630 kilometers), Al-Ajlan’s aircraft allows him to travel to his factories in China, use his time in the air just as he would at his office, and always arrive refreshed after a productive flight.

A smooth ride is also about simplicity. From takeoff to touchdown and beyond, we are committed to simplifying and enhancing your experience with us. We are expanding our footprint worldwide and are proud to open a new facility in Biggin Hill in order to provide our customers flying through the London area with greater flexibility and industryleading support.

From the markets of Marrakech to a Noah’s Ark of natural wonders in the Seychelles, I hope this issue of Experience will inspire you to discover the world, and meet its people and their cultures as you can only do aboard a Bombardier business jet.

Peter Likoray

Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Bombardier Business Aircraft

You have come to expect an exceptional experience, and we work tirelessly to provide it.

Experience magazine is accessible online at issuu.com or at bombardierexperiencemagazine.com

contacts Montreal (Headquarters) 400 Côte-Vertu Road West Dorval, Quebec, Canada H4S 1Y9 — Aircraft Sales T 1 514 855 8221 bombardier.com

Africa and the Middle East Aircraft Sales T 971 4601 6350 Asia-Pacific Aircraft Sales T 852 2827 6464

Canada Aircraft Sales T 1 514 855 8221

India Aircraft Sales T 91 996 706 6247

China Aircraft Sales T 86 10 8517 2268

Latin and South America Aircraft Sales T 1 514 855 8221

Russia, CIS & Eastern Europe Aircraft Sales T 44 1252 526 605 United States Aircraft Sales T 1 514 855 8221

Western Europe Aircraft Sales T 44 1252 526 605 Pre Owned Aircraft T 1 514 855 8221

• Bombardier, Learjet, Learjet 40 XR, Learjet 45 XR, Learjet 60 XR, Learjet 70, Learjet 75, Challenger, Challenger 300,

Director, Communications & Public Affairs Mark Masluch Manager, Coummunications & Public Relations Anna Cristofaro Advisor, Communications, Sustainability & Community Affairs Dominique Cristall

Challenger 350, Challenger 605, Challenger 650, Challenger 850, Global, Global 5000, Global Express XRS, Global 6000, Global 7000, Global 8000 and Bombardier Vision are trademarks of Bombardier inc. or its subsidiaries.

• All performance data are preliminary estimates.

• The Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft are in the development phase. All data and specifications are estimates, subject to changes in family strategy, branding, capacity and performance during the development, manufacture and certification process.

• Under certain operating conditions.

Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement Number 40064924 • ISSN 1925-4105

Experience

9

CONTRIBUTORS

Katie Sehl

Strategic Maneuvers (page 50)

ISSUE 28 experiencemagazine@bookmarkcontent.com

For this issue of Experience, Paris-based writer Katie Sehl uncovered phantom fighter jets while researching the history of London Biggin Hill Airport. The former deputy editor of award-winning airline industry magazine APEX Experience, Sehl has also contributed to Air Canada’s enRoute magazine and the Huffington Post. Her next trip? To the Netherlands, to interview aerospace engineers and designers in training. After that, her itinerary includes Japan, Hungary, Italy and Greece.

Editorial Editor-in-Chief Elio Iannacci Managing Editor Eve Thomas Digital Editor Renée Morrison Editorial Assistant Kelly Stock Copy Editor Jonathan Furze Fact Checker Jeffrey Malecki

Guillaume Brière

Art Group Design Director Guillaume Brière

Experience, Issue 28

Bookmark Content design director Guillaume Brière brings his artist’s eye to every issue of Experience magazine, from sending photographers around the world to planning fashion shoots in aircraft hangars. Throughout his career the Toronto transplant has overseen the art direction of ELLE Québec, Fairmont magazine and Mercedes-Benz magazine, and in his (rare) spare time, he hand-paints illustrations inspired by Old Hollywood and haute couture.

Art Director Annick Desormeaux Graphic Designer Marie-Eve Dubois Production Production Director Joelle Irvine Production Manager Jennifer Fagan

Oriana Fenwick

Fortune Favors the Bold (page 26)

German-born, Zimbabwe-raised illustrator Oriana Fenwick is inspired by the challenge of capturing a person’s character within her work (including Sheikh Mohammed Al-Ajlan for this issue of Experience). Now based in Frankfurt, she counts Wallpaper, Dwell and Acquired Taste magazine among her clients, and says her favorite thing about air travel is “the breaching of space and time, and the illusion of feeling like you’re not moving at all.” Her next flight will bring her back to Zimbabwe to visit Mana Pools National Park.

bookmarkcontent.com 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1020 Toronto, ON, Canada M4W 1A8 T 1 416 350 2425 F 1 416 350 2440 500 Saint-Jacques Street, Suite 1510, Montreal, QC, Canada H2Y 1S1 T 1 514 844 2001 F 1 514 844 6001

10

Experience

CEO, Bookmark Raymond Girard Executive Vice President, Content Marketing and New Business Nino Di Cara Vice President, Content and Creative Strategy Ilana Weitzman Head of Client Services Alexandra Leclerc Senior Account Manager, Luxury and Lifestyle Brands Elana Crotin

Advertising & Media Sales Vice President, Media Laura Maurice laura.maurice@bookmarkcontent.com National Sales Manager Tracy Miller tracy.miller@ bookmarkcontent.com Sales Manager, Quebec and Eastern Canada Dominique Beauchamp dominique.beauchamp@ bookmarkcontent.com

Contributors Carol Besler, Ian Billinghurst, Patrick Botter, Violaine Charest-Sigouin, Oriana Fenwick, Candice Fridman, Patricia Gajo, Judee Ganten, Clémence Godfroy, Ellen Himelfarb, Michael Johnson, Natasha Mekhail, Katie Moore, Brett Schaenfield, Katie Sehl, Leah Van Loon © Copyright 2017 by Bookmark Content and Communications, a Spafax Group Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Experience magazine is published twice per year by Bookmark Content and Communications, a Spafax Group Company. Points of view expressed do not necessarily represent those of Bombardier Business Aircraft. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all advertising matter. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return or safety of unsolicited art, photographs or manuscripts. Printed in Canada.

Printed on FSC® Certified and 100% Chlorine Free paper (ECF)

Senior National Account Manager, Western Canada Barb Welsh barbwelsh@shaw.ca

Advertising Production

South America Bookmark Medios y Publicidad Ltda.

Deborah Mogelberg deborah.mogelberg@ bookmarkcontent.com

Production and Circulation Coordinator Stephen Geraghty stephen.geraghty@ bookmarkcontent.com

Sales Director, Europe and Asia, Nexus Media Sharifa Carreon sharifa.carreon@ nexusmediaasia.com

Ad Production Manager Mary Shaw mary.shaw@bookmarkcontent.com

Ad Production Coordinator Joanna Forbes joanna.forbes@ bookmarkcontent.com

must have goods • cities • HOTELS • DESIGN • CARS

Design

Desk Deco

Photo: Adrien Dirand

puiforcat.com —

Parisian silversmith Puiforcat (est. 1820) is legendary for its art deco pieces, and the Bureau d’Architecte collection is no exception. Designed by architect Joseph Dirand (son of lauded interiors photographer Jacques Dirand), who’s known for minimalism with a twist and has outfitted shops for Rick Owens and Balmain, the line includes opulent takes on everyday office items: letter openers, tape dispensers, paper trays – all sure to add a certain je ne sais quoi to any corner office. –ET

Experience

11

MUST HAVE: GOODS

Tech

PEACE IN A POD plumewifi.com —

Even the most carefully decorated home has been humbled by an ugly internet router – not to mention a weak Wi-Fi signal. Plume solves both problems with a series of stylish-yet-subtle geometric pods, available in Champagne, Silver and Onyx. Plug a pod in every room you want Wi-Fi, connect one to your modem, and they’ll provide uniform coverage through multiple 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The cloud-based system even adjusts traffic patterns for maximum efficiency, meaning the home office and movie night can coexist in peace. –ET

Style

Dior Devotees

12

Experience

Timepieces

Skeleton Crew

uboatwatch.com bellross.com rogerdubuis.com — Transparency is key for this season’s timepieces – namely, the skeleton watch, whose “openworked” inner beauty is put on display for the wearer (and nearby admirers). Standouts include the self-winding Chimera Skeleton from U-Boat, whose ultraresistant Grade 5 titanium borrows from aerospace engineering; Bell & Ross’s BR-X1 Tourbillon Sapphire (pictured), whose case is crafted from transparent sapphire crystal; and the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Pirelli, which complements its skeleton case with a strap made from Pirelli’s famed tires. All in all, a revealing bunch. –BS

PHOTOS: LAZIZ HAMANI (DIOR DRESS); DIOR (BOOK)

assouline.com — What do you get the couturier who has everything? To mark the 70th anniversary of Christian Dior, Assouline and Dior are releasing a series of seven books devoted to the designers who shaped the legendary fashion house. The first focuses on Dior himself, with text

by Olivier Saillard, curator of the Palais Galliera museum in Paris, and subsequent volumes – to be published through 2018 – examine the influences of creative directors including Raf Simons, Yves Saint Laurent and Maria Grazia Chiuri. –ET

Wine

Seal of Approval

Travel

Alpine Outpost

palace.ch — While it’s difficult to imagine ever wanting to check out of Gstaad Palace, for those who desire a more rustic type of luxury, Walig Hut awaits. Built in 1786 and originally used by farmers, the hotel’s secluded chalet is located almost 6,000 feet above Gsteig and includes breathtaking views of Gstaad and Saanenland. Guests can stay overnight or

simply enjoy a three-course dinner – the perfect end to an invigorating hike (or chauffeured ride, if you prefer). –RM

everledger.io — Fighting fine wine fraud is no small feat. An estimated 20 percent of activity in the industry comes from counterfeit wine, a problem technology firm Everledger intends to combat with the Chai Wine Vault system.

Bottles are authenticated with expert Maureen Downey’s Chai Method, where 90-plus data points are collected and stored, along with owner records and high-resolution photos. The result: Whether on auction or in a cellar, the bottle’s digital identity travels with it.

Everledger’s other venture verifies the provenance of diamonds – so it’s safe to say they know how to treat precious goods. –RM

Beauty

Between the Sheets

mimi-luzon.com • nannettedegaspe.com • lancerskincare.com — Sheet masks are sweeping the beauty world, but now the Korean beauty staples are going haute, with premium ingredients and high-tech design – ideal for no-mess, in-flight beauty routines. –KS Mimi Luzon Pure 24k Gold Mask

03

01

02

24K Gold Mask

Face Masque

Plump Sheet Mask

Made famous by many a

Billed as “wearable tech,” the

Developed in Dr. Harold

supermodel’s Instagram selfie,

waterless mask is embedded

Lancer’s Beverly Hills

this mask includes a base of

with trademarked Japanese

dermatology clinic, the

peptides covered by real gold

techstile, allowing for

award-winning mask tightens

leaf – to treat redness and add

micro-penetration of

and lifts using hydrating plant

an instant glow.

active ingredients.

stem-cell compounds.

Mimi Luzon Pure

Nannette de Gaspé

Lancer Lift and

Experience

13

MUST HAVE: GOODS

Tech

New Brew

teforia.com — When Allen Han visited a third-wave coffee shop in Seattle, he noticed a major gap in the baristas’ knowledge: They were lost when it came to brewing tea. Using his impressive tech skills (he designed the Xbox 360 and

Kindle Fire) and inspired by his Taiwanese upbringing, Han created Teforia, a machine that brews the perfect cup of tea by identifying its type and ideal temperature and duration. It can be used with the company’s tea line, or with a user’s own collection – including rare fermented varieties – which are analysed using Teforia’s app. –KS

Cigars

Haute Humidor

imperiali-geneve.com — Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar – and sometimes it’s a striking mix of art and technology. Swiss Imperiali Genève produces only 12 of its Emperador chests every year, each containing 24 Grand Cru cigars wrapped in gold leaf and aged for 48 months. The chests, developed over two years by 100 craftspeople, are code-protected and fitted with a self-regulating system that maintains optimal humidity and temperature. Other features include a Swiss-made timepiece, cigar cutter, table lighter and a motionactivated ashtray. –KS

14

Experience

Dining

Sugar Rush

halfmoon.com — A meal at Jamaica’s Sugar Mill is sweet from start to finish. The restaurant is located on an old sugar cane plantation dating back to 1676, adjacent to the Half Moon resort, a favorite with British royals. Diners can enjoy modern takes on Jamaican staples (think jerk chicken rolls with chayote slaw) care of award-winning chef Christopher Golding. And the stone water mill, once used in rum production, isn’t just there for atmosphere. It’s a nod to the impressive bar menu, which includes 50-year-old Appleton Estate – the oldest aged rum in the world. –VCS

NEW PA T E N T *

Stops time.

Activates youth.

Anti-wrinkle

Healthy glow

* Patent pending n° PCT/FR2016/052294.

Anti-pollution

MUST HAVE: HOTELS

HIDDEN MEXICO The legacy of late tycoon-turned-ecologist Sir James Goldsmith includes two secluded Mexican estates, each shaped by its unique relationship with the land.

BY E V E T H OMAS

Colima

HACIENDA DE SAN ANTONIO

haciendadesanantonio.com — Built by a German expat in 1890 as part of a coffee plantation, this colonial-style hotel stands at the foothill of Volcán de Fuego in the sleepy state of Colima. The imposing peak is usually treated as more of a photo op than a danger, and it’s this rare highland location which has shaped much of the property. Find a pristine aqueduct still bubbling as you approach the arched entry, and a jewel-box of a chapel just steps away (it was built to honor Saint Anthony after the property was spared from an eruption in 1913).

STAY Purchased by Goldsmith in the 1970s, it was his daughter, and current owner, Alix Marcaccini who spent over a decade curating the property’s incomparable

16

Experience

interior decor. Every nook is accented with pitch-perfect collections of sculptures and crafts, many of them from the region – ornate candelabras, talavera pottery, handwoven rugs commissioned from a single family in Oaxaca – all set against lush greenery and walls such a subtle, striking shade of pink they could have their own Instagram account. Outside, manicured gardens and a Miami Deco-style pool add a charming note of refinement against a backdrop of nature’s undeniable power.

INE Most hotels boasting farm-to-table dining trust D guests will take them at their word. The Hacienda wants visitors to discover for themselves where around 90 percent of the restaurant ingredients are sourced: the organic farm and ranch, El Jabalí. Not only can you watch the shade-grown coffee being dried and roasted in small batches, you can peek in on the cheese makers (and sample away: There are 12 kinds, including Brie and burrata) and sip some mango grappa right from the barrel.

DO Get fitted for a cowboy hat, head to the stables next to owner Marcaccini’s home (keep an eye out for her white stallion there – and a black one at Cuixmala), then saddle up for a guided ride of the ranch, including a lope through a sunlit, century-old bamboo forest. Hop off for a romantic lakeside picnic. Your server will slip away after making sure you’ve got everything you need, including a well-stocked cooler, and you can arrange to get picked up after an afternoon of swimming and sunning.

DON’T MISS The ranch doesn’t only produce food. They also turn organic plants and flowers into essential oils, including lemongrass and lavender, which are then used in the hotel’s custom soaps (guests can even request a specific fragrance for amenities and laundry).

Jalisco

Cuixmala

cuixmala.com — A luxury estate’s value lies not only in what is there, but what is carefully omitted. Completed for Goldsmith in 1989 under the direction of French designer Robert Couturier, this 25,000-acre property (within the ChamelaCuixmala Biosphere Reserve) contains miles of lagoons, mangroves, a working organic farm and a healthy stretch of picturesque-yet-undeveloped beach. This prime spot along the Costalegre is used only for horseback rides, bonfires and the property’s turtle release program – guests can take part and eggs are retrieved daily by eagle-eyed, patrolling staff. Cuixmala’s mission also extends beyond the environment to the people who live there: The property houses a primary school for gifted local children as well as those of the hotel staff, with teachers coming in from around the world (including friends of Marcaccini) to give lessons in English, Spanish and French.

Stay Cuixmala’s proximity to the United States, especially California, makes it a favorite for models and actors (Goldsmith’s frequent guests also included heads of state and royalty). The seclusion and security help, too. Due to the enormity of the property, after strict checkpoints at the top of the main road, guests are encouraged to let loose and explore on their own in a way that’s near-impossible at bustling resorts and remote safari lodges. Interior design is built around crisp white walls and furniture, accented by art and antiques

collected during Marcaccini’s international travels, from Moroccan tiles to African statues to Indian latticework windows. Guests can choose from a tiny village of casitas and remote bungalows, or opt for La Loma, Goldsmith’s Moorish-domed palace, reportedly modeled on the Hagia Sophia. Bronze statues of rhinos, gorillas and jaguars pepper the property, and you can spot the real (wild) thing – or at least zebras and antelope – from the clifftop terrace.

DinE While the bungalows and houses have on-site private chefs and staff, guests can also opt to dine at the unpretentious Casa Gómez, where the menu changes daily based on what is in season on the property’s working farm, as well as brought in by local fishermen and from Hacienda de San Antonio. Huitlacoche soup and coriander-studded fish tacos are always a sure bet, and the simple organic arugula salad is the best you’ll ever taste.

Do Like the Hacienda, Cuixmala can be explored on horseback, but while the former involves a lope across shaded farmland, Cuixmala is a wilder ride around coconut plantations, crocodile-filled lagoons and sprawling fields that are home to a herd of antelope and about 40 zebras. A pair of the feisty striped creatures was gifted to Goldsmith and the herd now looks perfectly at home in its Serengeti-like environment, numbers strengthened by a dedicated breeding program. A casual stroll or bicycle ride will also reward you with chattering raccoon-like tejones, snuffling wild pigs and flocks of migrating birds.

Don’t Miss Caleta Blanca, the property’s private whitesand, swimmer-friendly beach, is about a 30-minute chauffeured drive away. Any doubts about the location are banished upon arrival at the hidden, sparkling cove.

Grab a margarita from the tiny bamboo bar, snack on chili-lime crudités, order from the full lunch menu (staff are unobtrusive, but appear out of nowhere at the slightest hint of hunger), take out a kayak or relax in the hammocks.

Experience

17

MUST HAVE: CITIES

ECO MONACO From organic eats to electric racecars, the principality is setting the new standard for glam-meets-green.

BY E L L E N H IM EL FARB

H

ome of the Grand Prix, refuge of the superyacht, Monaco is best known for its opulence. But with “green prince” Albert II at the helm, the tiny Mediterranean city-state is, quite literally, cleaning up its reputation. Over the past decade, Albert has ramped up air-quality control, introduced a free and plentiful network of electric car-charging stations and set Monaco on a course for carbon neutrality by 2050. Here are the chicest spots supporting the commendable initiative.

Stay

Green Rooms

WHEELS OF FORTUNE Soak up the sea views at Méridien Beach Plaza (top), or explore the city on electric bicycles offered by Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel (above and right).

18

Experience

— More than three quarters of Monaco’s hotel rooms have earned eco-certification from major environmental programs. At Green Key-certified MÉRIDIEN BEACH PLAZA , two outdoor pools look out onto a private beach sheltered by jetties, and the hotel makes a donation to Unicef on behalf of guests each time they decline housekeeping or order from L’Intempo’s regional menu.

The art deco MONTE-CARLO BEACH HOTEL recently earned the coveted Green Globe seal for its 100 percent organic menus and a fleet of chauffeured electric cars.

(Electric bicycles are also on offer for sightseeing.)

Do

Dine

—

— Perched elegantly over the Med, ELSA embodies today’s Monaco: refined, luxurious and virtuous.

It was the first all-organic restaurant in Europe to receive a Michelin star. Chef Paolo Sari established 15 gardens to provide fruits and vegetables for his restaurants and bakes his own bread twice a day. EQVITA , the vegan bistro launched by top tennis player (and Monaco resident) Novak Djokovic, is a boon for brunch with Jerusalem artichoke “quiche” and spinach-pineapple-almondmilk smoothies (made from Djokovic’s own recipe, and served in flutes). By the old port, the recently revamped

PHOTOS: MONACO GOVERNMENT TOURIST AND CONVENTION AUTHORITY (MUSEUM, MARKET); ACM JEAN MARC FOLLETE (FORMULA E)

Environmental Pursuits Built into the cliff edge near the royal palace, the OCEANOGRAPHIC MUSEUM (pictured) is Albert II’s pet project, full of awesome and endangered underwater creatures, plus a shark lagoon and rooftop tortoise garden.

Down at sea level is the new YACHT CLUB DE MONACO, designed by Foster + Partners in the image of a ship’s deck. Wrapped by a public promenade, the entire building is powered by renewable energy, with solar panels and seawater cooling systems. Further up the coast is pristine LARVOTTO BEACH, facing an undersea reserve of corals and pen shell clams. The city proves its eco-mettle this year on May 13, when the Monte Carlo circuit quiets to a hum for FORMULA E, the world’s premier electric-car race.

Healthy Bites

MARCHÉ DE LA CONDAMINE

(pictured above) buzzes all day with young professionals bagging fresh produce and sitting down at Chez Roger for Monegasque specialties like caramelized-onion pissaladière.

Experience

19

PHOTOS OFFICTAM VERCIIS ALIBEA (DOLUPTAS)

FEATURED AIRCRAFT

GLOBAL DOMINANCE Combining comfort and connectivity in newly crafted cabins, a smooth ride aboard a Global 5000 or Global 6000 aircraft is set to be the most productive part of your day.

BY BRETT SCHAENFIELD

P

PHOTOS OFFICTAM VERCIIS ALIBEA (DOLUPTAS)

erformance is about more than getting from point A to point B – it’s also a matter of speed, efficiency and comfort. Bombardier Business Aircraft created the Global 5000 and Global 6000 with this mix in mind, beginning with clean-sheet interior design. The inspiration for the updated look and innovative features of the Global 5000 and Global 6000? The Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft (currently in flight testing and set to enter service in 2018). Unifying the Global family was a key design theme, and the result is both modern and timeless – and noticeable as soon as you step onto the aircraft. The galley has been remade in the image of a Michelin-starred kitchen, with a logical layout and focus on clean lines. Elegant hardwood flooring (as well as optional stone tile in the forward and aft lavatories) continues the look and feel of fine interior design without compromise. In the cabin, side ledges’ crisp straight lines contrast with reimagined seats, contributing to the overall mission of a smooth ride. Each ergonomic seat is sculpted to the human body and enhanced with hand-stitched details inspired by high-end automotive design. The new interior is the culmination of a series of meticulously crafted enhancements, including a new cabin management system and Ka-band connectivity, the industry’s fastest high-speed internet.

The superior flying experience isn’t just for passengers, either – pilots and crew benefit, too. In the cockpit, the revolutionary Bombardier Vision flight deck combines outstanding ergonomics and aesthetics to provide pilots with an unprecedented level of comfort and control. Brushed metallic flight instrumentation and carbon fiber accents create a stylish environment, and with the most advanced avionics suite currently available in business aviation, pilot workload is significantly reduced, ensuring safer and more efficient missions. Crew also get their own dedicated, fully enclosed area, meaning they are there working for you, whenever you need them – just like Global aircraft.

FINISHING SCHOOL Customers can choose from a range of materials and finishes to reflect their personal style and taste. The new Global 5000 business jet palette (pictured left) combines medium-toned woods, soft grays and subtle chevron and tweed patterns.

Experience

21

featured aircraft

Peak Performance

Another highlight of the Global 5000 and Global 6000: their class-leading combination of speed, range and dependability. The Global 5000 has a maximum range of 5,200 nautical miles (9,630 kilometers), while the Global 6000 goes the extra distance with a maximum range of 6,000 nautical miles (11,112 kilometers). Combined with an impressive top speed of Mach 0.89, this means that your non-stop mission from New York to Moscow can be completed without missing a beat. With advanced wing design, powerful engines and oversized carbon brakes, both aircraft are steep-approach-certified for operating in and out of challenging airports like London City and Aspen. The bottom line: Challenging and short runways won’t keep you from arriving at your destination.

22

Experience

Interior View

CUSTOM CONTENT The customizable Global 6000 aircraft cabin features dark wood and crisp masculine touches like pinstriped wool and textured leather.

Boarding a Global 5000 or Global 6000 means settling in to the most comfortable and refreshing in-flight experience a business jet can offer. Superior soundproofing materials make for lowest-in-class noise levels. Low-altitude cabin pressurization and an advanced air management system can quickly regulate the cabin temperature, providing 100 percent fresh air at all times and leaving you feeling energized. Whether you’re conducting a business meeting or getting a peaceful night’s sleep, these aircraft have been carefully designed to be the smoothest part of your day. With a cabin that measures almost a foot (30 centimeters) wider than the nearest competitor, and with exceptionally wide seating and broad tables, the Global 5000 and Global 6000 also provide ample room for everyone aboard to move around freely – even with a full complement of 17 passengers and crew. A cleverly designed, high-capacity luggage compartment remains safely accessible throughout the flight, so you can get whatever you need, whenever you need it.

Business and leisure get equal attention with Ka-band technology, meaning that lightning-fast, reliable internet is always available for work or play. With access to the world’s fastest in-flight connectivity and multiple data package options, you and your fellow passengers can display documents, videoconference, live-stream or even play online games using the Global 5000 and Global 6000’s largest-in-class HD TV monitors. When it’s time to relax, devices such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles and tablets can all be connected in the large media bay.

Mobile devices using iOS and Android can also be paired with Bombardier’s highly intuitive Cabin Management System (CMS) in order to access work and entertainment content or to adjust cabin settings. Side ledges at each seat reveal cup holders and outlets that both charge and hold your personal devices, meaning a truly immersive entertainment experience or a productive business session is always at your fingertips.

Experience

23

featured aircraft

Smooth Ride:

the Definition of a Bombardier Business Aircraft Some value speed. Others prioritize range. But everyone wants a smooth ride – and it is finally possible, thanks to Bombardier’s design philosophy. By Judee Ganten

“W

hen a customer is assessing an aircraft, discussions often begin around speed and range,” explains Peter Likoray, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “Speed and range are obviously important, but they don’t need to come at the expense of a smooth ride. Ride quality should be an equally important factor. Any 10-hour flight will bring this into focus pretty quickly.”

Ride quality is sometimes referred to as the forgotten factor in purchasing decisions. Buyers often discover after the fact that a rough journey – even in the most beautifully appointed cabin – can seriously interfere with their comfort and productivity. At Bombardier, however, ride quality is considered an integral pillar of an aircraft’s total performance. In fact, the Bombardier design philosophy ranks an uncompromising smooth ride on equal footing with speed, range and field performance across the Learjet, Challenger and Global business jet platforms.

This holistic approach has paid off. In the judicious weighing of trade-offs inherent in the design process, Bombardier engineers have succeeded in giving the optimal weighting to ride comfort without compromising the other three industry pillars.

“By focusing on designing the total machine, we came up with a better idea,” says Likoray. “In fact, with only an infinitesimal trade-off in speed – a matter of a few minutes over the course of a long flight, we were able to design an aircraft that can handle turbulence much better and delivers huge gains in ride comfort and performance, particularly when faced with aviation’s version of speed-bumps.”

24

Experience

Wing geometry (or the size and shape of the wing) is ultimately what allows one aircraft to sail more smoothly through turbulence than another of comparable weight. Bombardier has designed its business jets with a smaller, more elongated wing, capable of doing the heavy lifting at the same time as offering a smaller surface area to be buffeted about by wind gusts.

Ride quality is determined by two lesser-known, yet all-important, metrics: wing loading and aspect ratio. Wing loading is the relationship between the weight of the aircraft and the size of its wing. Simply stated: the higher the wing loading factor, the smoother the ride. Another indicator of a smooth ride is wing flexibility, or aspect ratio. Aspect ratio is the relationship between the span or length of the wing and the chord or its width. Again: the higher the aspect ratio, the better.

“A smoother ride makes all the difference,” says Likoray. “You work better; you sleep better; you dine more comfortably; you can perform precision tasks more easily. We prioritize ride quality. That’s why Bombardier business jets deliver the smoothest ride of any business jet flying today.”

Nowhere is Bombardier’s smooth ride more apparent than in the video “Smooth Flight.” Check it out online to watch hand balancer and physical poet Erika Lemay perform an in-flight balancing act on a Global 6000 aircraft. businessaircraft.bombardier.com

profile

Fortune Favors the Bold

For Mohammed Al-Ajlan, owning a Global 5000 aircraft means keeping pace with his ever-expanding business.

By Michael Johnson ILLUSTRATION by Oriana Fenwick

D

escending from a swell of clouds spread out over Hangzhou Bay, a Bombardier Global 5000 business jet nears its destination. On board, Mohammed AlAjlan takes in the distant Pudong skyline from his spacious passenger seat. From this altitude the city looks dormant, but Al-Ajlan knows better. He knows that Shanghai never sleeps. “I spend roughly 130 days a year in transit,” he says, “and I think Shanghai is the most frequent. I’ve been coming here for almost 20 years.”

As the Deputy Chairman of Ajlan & Bros. Group, Mohammed Al-Ajlan has seen his company grow from a budding menswear manufacturer in the Persian Gulf to a multinational apparel, textile and packaging powerhouse. In the last two decades, the company has undertaken an ambitious global expansion, reaching into the United States, Europe and Asia through real estate and technology. Having made significant inroads in China, including factories as well as research and development plants on the Central Coast, it comes as no surprise that Mohammed Al-Ajlan is rarely in one place for long.

Natural Fit

Ajlan & Bros. Group announced their arrival in China in 2000 with the unveiling of Suzhou Deylon Textile, the company’s first international shemagh manufacturing outlet. (Shemaghs are the cloth head coverings, often red and white, worn by most Saudi Arabian men.)

To facilitate operations between Riyadh and Shanghai, they chartered Global and Challenger business jets, but as the relationship with China bloomed and development increased, so too did their travel needs.

Once Al-Ajlan was appointed Deputy Chairman of the SaudiChinese Business Council, the company decided to invest in something they could call their own, something that would provide

26

Experience

Late last year, the Al-Ajlan family cracked the top five of Forbes’ richest Arab families – an inspiring feat considering it all started with a humble storefront in Riyadh some 40 years ago. a sound and sophisticated long-haul commute. In the Global 5000 jet, they found a natural fit: a luxurious, fuel-efficient and spacious long-range business jet that was going to safely and comfortably fly them nonstop to the furthest reaches of their business. The Global 5000 aircraft’s blend of performance and design suits the Ajlan & Bros. brand – for them, quantity never comes at the expense of quality. On the one hand, they’re ambitious, enterprising and proud of their many trademarks, from Progeh to Renaih to Pioneer, a popular underwear line that has taken Asia by storm. “We also deal with worldrenowned fashion and lifestyle brands,” adds Al-Ajlan. “Ferrari, Maserati, Versace… just to name a few.”

On the other hand, the company is as fiercely dedicated to quality compliance as it is luxury wares. “When you buy a bespoke shemagh or ghuttra from us, or one of our ready-made garments, you’re buying a product from the first Saudi menswear brand to obtain its ISO 9001 certification for international quality standards,” explains Al-Ajlan.

“This obviously benefits our business but it means more than that. We are representing our culture.”

The pride that comes with recognition doesn’t stop there: The company has earned a range of reputed certifications, including a British Allergy Certificate for Drosh, their 100-percent natural cotton line; a Swiss Environmental Certificate for their commitment to eco-friendly products; and the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, which recognizes a multinational’s non-hazardous and sustainable operations.

In fact, in 2009, Ajlan & Bros. made history when two of their Chinese textile subsidiaries, Suzhou Deylon and Shangdong Lawrance, became the first Asian garment manufacturers to be issued the OekoTex Standard 100plus label for their products.

Time to Travel

Al-Ajlan and his colleagues are also determined to carry the business far into the future. In 2013, Ajlan & Bros. partnered with Oracle, an e-commerce platform that supports both productivity and online endeavor through brand awareness, customer engagement and data warehousing. Al-Ajlan sees the Oracle partnership as “a quantum leap” in their ability to sustain growth targets and improve efficiency, and it was actually as the company made the transition toward a fully integrated IT system that he discovered the immense value of the Global 5000 jet’s industry-leading Kaband technology. “The space and connectivity we have on board allow us to keep communicating and conducting meetings online,” he says. “It buys us a lot of time to keep going about our day, which is essential for us.”

Time is a precious commodity for the Ajlan & Bros. Group, and their Global 5000 jet is playing a key role in helping them mine for it.

It spares the company from the ordeal and restraint of commercial flights, and with its steep approach certification, the Global 5000 aircraft can operate out of more remote airports.

“If we flew commercial, we wouldn’t be able to fly direct to Wujiang, where the Suzhou Deylon affiliate is based, and that means more time and more fuss,” Al-Ajlan points out. “Our number one priority is reaching our destination as soon as possible and as comfortably as possible.”

Late last year, the Al-Ajlan family cracked the top five of Forbes’ list of the richest Arab families. It’s an inspiring feat, considering it all started with a humble storefront in Riyadh some 40 years ago.

Today, as the company continues to expand – including plans to add a Global 7000 jet to their fleet – the Ajlan & Bros. Group is showing no signs of slowing down. Mohammed Al-Ajlan wouldn’t have it any other way: “This world moves fast around you,” he says. “We’re in the business of keeping pace.”

Cabin Q&A

Mohammed Al-Ajlan —

What is your favorite airport? I’d have to say Dubai.

It’s stunning, well-designed and efficient. It might be the busiest airport but there’s a sense of organization that makes everything run smoothly.

Who are your role models? My brother (and Ajlan & Bros. Chairman) taught me everything I know about business. He showed me how to be patient and professional, how to build trust with partners and customers, and the value of hard work.

Is there a business tip you’d like to share? Build on experience and personalize your endeavors.

Each customer, each market has different needs, so you should be ready to adapt and respond.

Do you have a personal motto? I’m especially motivated by perseverance. We have a saying in Arabic that loosely translates to “Success is on the side of the dashing.” You might know it better as “Fortune favors the bold.”

Experience

27

PHOTO: ATELIER LESAGE © CHANEL 2016

Craftsmanship

Photo: Stephane Gallois © CHANEL 2016

bright lights (Opposite) A Maison Lesage toolkit is as beautiful as the embroidery it is used to create; (this page) Chanel’s iconic accessories showcase the expertise of Paraffection ateliers.

To Chanel, With Love

The historic fashion house isn’t just in the habit of creating beautiful garments. Through Paraffection, it is investing in the crafts that make haute couture possible.

By Leah Van Loon

Experience

29

Craftsmanship

T

30

Experience

making a scene (This page, left to right) Musician and Chanel ambassador Pharrell Williams models a look at the Métiers d’Art show at the Hôtel Ritz Paris; the duo behind French-Cuban musical group Ibeyi pose backstage; supermodel Cara Delevingne models a dress featuring the finest work of the Paraffection ateliers; (opposite) archives and embroidery frames at Maison Lesage.

Photos: © CHANEL 2016

he who’s who of Fashion Week’s front row are sipping on Belle Époque champagne in the Hôtel Ritz Paris.

But they aren’t gathered in the glass-ceilinged atrium for drinks – I am here with them eagerly awaiting the beginning of the Chanel Métiers d’Art show. Scheduled every December since 2002, it falls outside the usual fashion calendar, yet has become one of the most exclusive and sought-after invitations of the year.

It’s hard to imagine a better setting for the show than the recently renovated hotel, Coco Chanel’s home for over 30 years. From my lush banquette, I picture the diminutive designer passing through the opulent hall and ascending the iconic winding staircase each night, on the way to her suite. With the Métiers d’Art show, Karl Lagerfeld not only pays tribute to the history of the brand, but highlights the craftspeople who make Chanel, and its six yearly shows, possible: namely, the ateliers acquired by the fashion house’s subsidiary, Paraffection, since its founding in 1997.

Translating loosely as “for the love of,” Paraffection has been the savior of some of France’s most beloved fashion heritage, from buttons by Desrues to gloves from Causse to shoes handcrafted by Massaro, the label responsible for Chanel’s iconic two-tone pumps.

Geography is no limit, either. In 2012, Chanel rescued the Scottish cashmere factory, Barrie, saving not only hundreds of jobs but the skills specific to those workers.

While Chanel makes a financial investment in each atelier (there are currently 11), the intention is not to direct them or merge them, but to preserve and advise. Remarkably, the workshops are in turn encouraged to work with rival couture houses. Dominique Barbiery, the director of Paraffection, affirms that the desire is to “bring [the ateliers] together out of affection, not only for Chanel’s benefit but simply to maintain and develop expertise that is vital for French fashion.” Paraffection isn’t merely a way to safeguard the quality of Chanel garments: It’s an effort to secure the expertise of these métiers for future generations – and the art of couture as a whole.

PhotoS: atelier lesage Š CHANEL 2016

Photos TKTKTKTKTKTK

While Chanel makes a financial investment in each atelier, the intention is not to direct or merge them, but to preserve and advise.

Experience

31

Craftsmanship

mind over matter Chanel head designer and creative director Karl Lagerfeld; a close-up view of delicate beadwork embroidery from Paraffection atelier Maison Lesage.

A week before the Métiers d’Art show I find myself outside a modern, three-story building in the unassuming Parisian suburb of Pantin.

I’m here because of an exclusive invitation to tour two side-by-side ateliers, Maison Lesage and Lemarié. Upon my arrival at Maison Lesage, I am greeted with a bisou by a charming guide who talks me through the embroidery label’s history back to its founding in 1858.

We begin with the most impressive part of any visit to Lesage: the archives housed on the main floor. The walls are lined with carefully labeled black boxes, an estimated 70,000 samples in all. Some of the pieces go back to the early 20th century, when it operated under the name Michonet, and the designers listed on the labels reveal the close relationships the house of Lesage developed with the earliest couturiers in Paris, from Madeleine Vionnet to Valentino.

After bringing a selection of boxes to a central table, my attention is directed to the details of the workmanship in each of the samples inside, showing me how they might fit as a fragment of a bodice or a yoke. Sensing my hesitation, my guide encourages me to do more than look, reminding me that this is an archive, not a museum. Its raison d’être is not just preservation, but to serve as a resource for designers who intend to work with the company, to interact with the history of the house and become inspired. Still, I know it is a rare luxury to measure the weight of the antique silk, to feel the softness of the thread for oneself.

Masterpiece after masterpiece is revealed: On a bias cut of pale aqua silk embellished with “waves” of beaded foam, he shows me how the gradual change in the tone of the beadwork is not a change in the color of the beads, but is a slow transition in the thread, getting darker as it moves through the waves. Then we see a piece entirely covered in an abstract pattern of bugle beads – reminiscent of “The Snail,” one of the gouaches découpées works of Henri Matisse.

32

Experience

Once I’m done marveling, I am led upstairs through a brightly lit room where designers work on patterns, and then another where the designs are chalked onto fabric with perforated stencils. Finally, we enter a humming, brightly lit room where 20 brodeuses are stationed behind oversized embroidery frames. Fabric is stretched taut between the pieces of the frame, supporting the weight of each intricate embellishment.

An elegant woman in her 50s is creating a pattern of gold thread on a length of black silk, darting her crochet hook through the textile in a display of mastery and skill. She is not simply laying the metallic thread down, but attaching pearls and rhinestones on the underside of the piece, which will be the outside when it is sewn into the finished garment. The embellishments are added in almost blind from under the frame – by feel, in a method known as Luneville or “tambour embroidery.”

I am surprised to see two younger women working together on a single piece (much of the workforce is young, several of them graduates of the label’s embroidery school, founded in 1992). My guide explains that while many artisans work alone, some intricate elements involve two workers: The head of the atelier identifies craftspeople with similar work styles who can be paired up on select projects to work in tandem.

It is a small way to speed up a necessarily careful process. That single piece of black silk will take hundreds of hours to complete.

Photos: © CHANEL 2016

String Theory

Birds of a Feather

Next door to Maison Lesage, at Lemarié, the set-up is similar despite the different métier. Here, artisans craft intricate, ornamental feather work as well as the signature camellias frequently gracing Chanel’s iconic tweed jackets.

In the showroom, samples cover an entire wall: Powder-pink feathers have been greased to give the appearance of wetness. A massive black swan holds a banner of blood-red velvet in its beak, set against a background of sheer, Swiss-dot fabric. From a distance, a sample from a past Valentino collection looks to contain an intricate pattern of embroidery on sheer black silk – what is, in fact, the tips of hundreds of feathers cut and glued into intricate arrangements. The artwork is not only impressive, it is exceedingly rare. They are some of the last plumiers in a country that used to have hundreds of them.

My guide opens an enormous drawer lined with camellias made of every fabric under the sun, before walking me through their life cycle: The blossoms begin as bolts of fabric, soaked and stiffened so they can be cut into flower and petal shapes using a hand-operated hydraulic press. One worker shapes the individual petals, placing them in a metal form above an open flame and using the heat to soften the stiffener in the fabric so the petal can be formed.

01

02

My guide encourages me to do more than look, reminding me that this is an archive, not a museum.

It is clear that what might look like a simple flower veils a complicated process, one that’s been perfected over decades. It is not the only hidden asset at Lemarié. As we watch an assembly line of four women creating a feather fringe, it is revealed to me that there are tons of feathers housed in the basement of the building. My guide also explains that, because of strict regulations on endangered

03

04

Anatomy of a Dress

Photos: © CHANEL 2016

— A look at how feathers become

01

02

03

04

fashion at Lemarié, the last atelier

The feathers begin

The tips of the feathers are snipped off

An atelier artisan

The finished look,

of its kind in Paris and one of the

as individual

with care and then attached to the

carefully examines

a collaboration

most historic brands operating

plumes, which are

ends of a longer feather in the same

the construction

between ateliers, is

with support from Chanel

manipulated in

color. Embroidery panels, featuring

after attaching the

presented at the

subsidiary Paraffection.

order to make

beaded and sequined flowers, are

plumage to the

Chanel Métiers d’Art

a fringe for

sewn into the shape required for the

embroidered body

show at the Hôtel

the garment.

feathery fringe to be attached.

of the skirt.

Ritz Paris.

Experience

33

Craftsmanship

Photo: Olivier Saillant © CHANEL 2016

At the Chanel Métiers d’Art show, seeing the finished version of sketches or samples from the Paraffection ateliers feels like glimpsing a friend across the room.

species, they must often create new feathers to mimic their antique stock rather than use it. Not that the artisans are limited to ideas plucked from nature – with their expertise and designers’ imaginations the sky is the limit.

As we move through the various departments of the atelier, the garments grow closer to completion. In the couture workshop, an expansive room full of tables and bust forms, I see dresses and jackets starting to take shape, alongside a wall of sketches. Karl Lagerfeld is a proficient and prolific illustrator (he says he was “born with a pencil in my hand”) and each image feels like an anchor, a reassurance that in the end, all of this will come together.

Back at the Ritz, once the first model approaches on our salle à manger runway, it’s clear this grand vision has been realized. The intricate beadwork and exquisite feathers are so close, I now find I have to resist the urge to reach out and touch them. Seeing the finished version of sketches or samples feels like glimpsing a friend across the room. I spot Cara Delevingne in a piece I watched being embroidered at Maison Lesage; Lily-Rose Depp in a feathered gown from Lemarié. It’s more than a simple runway show, too. Tuxedoed dancers have been planted in the audience, jumping out into the aisle to dance a quick samba or provide a twirling dip to a model passing between the tables.

Lagerfeld once claimed the secret to his career was that he would “take the roots and make different trees.” Even in this historic location, with the collaboration of long-established ateliers, the Métiers d’Art show is firmly grounded in the now. It’s clear the brightest futures grow from rich legacies, and that Paraffection isn’t simply a nostalgic exercise – but Chanel’s lock on the future of couture.

34

Experience

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD

Breitling reinvents the connected watch firmly geared towards performance. Every inch an instrument of the future, the Exospace B55 multifunction electronic chronograph pushes the boundaries of comfort, ergonomics and efficiency. The titanium case of this compendium of innovations houses an exclusive SuperQuartzTM caliber chronometercertified by the COSC and featuring a range of original functions tailormade for pilots and men of action. Welcome to the world of precision, feats and high-tech sophistication. Welcome to the vanguard of instruments for professionals.

travel: marrakech

A Sense of Marrakech

The Moroccan city is back on the map, thanks to designer gardens, modern artisans and riads fit for royalty – all combining to create a feast for the five senses.

By Patricia Gajo

M

oroccan architecture evokes a collection of striking images: elaborate fountains, lush gardens, latticework and patterned tiles. But one theme is key, and not always obvious to the first-time visitor: the concept of “veiled architecture,” in which little of the interior is revealed to the outside.

I’ve flown into Marrakech from Paris (my first visit in three years) not only to explore the newly renovated Royal Mansour hotel, but to get a sense of the changing city, which last year hosted the UN’s Climate Change Conference, as well as an evolving country. Through Vision 2020, King Mohammed VI announced plans to attract 20 million visitors to Morocco (with initiatives including eco-tourism, coastal region development and doubling the number of accommodations, country-wide).

As I make my way through the light-filled terminal of Menara Airport, a strategically stunning patchwork of arabesque designs and solar panels, I wonder: With all this innovation and development, will I still find the tastes, smells, sounds of the Morocco I know and love?

Cruising down Avenue de la Menara, I am immediately reassured by the sight of the iconic Koutoubia minaret, waving us into the medina like an old friend. To enter the Royal Mansour, the driver rounds a corner along the sunburnt ochre ramparts, transitioning in a flash from public grounds to private sanctuary. Inside the property, we roll past a chorus line of palm trees, then through an elegant horseshoe arc.

While opened relatively recently, in 2010, the Royal Mansour’s design (another of the King’s tourism projects) is faithful to traditional riad principles, where palaces revolve around a central courtyard. Here, Morocco’s finest craftsmen have come together in a controlled kaleidoscope of lattice stucco, hand-carved wood panels, rich folds of toile curtains and zellige floors. The space is crisscrossed by a shallow canal, studded with twinkling star-shaped lanterns that

36

Experience

appear to have fallen from the skies. As evening sets in, we make our way to our private riad, and I have to stop myself from peeking into every corner and photographing every detail, knowing there will be plenty to look at and delight over when I wake up.

Garden Party

If the Moroccan city is on everyone’s lips of late, it will soon be on every fashion socialite’s radar, as the Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation prepares for parallel openings of two museums this fall, in Paris and in Marrakech. While the former will be a recreation of Saint Laurent’s mythic couture atelier, the latter is set to showcase the Tangier-born designer’s North African roots.

Saint Laurent’s love for Marrakech is legendary, and intimately tied to the Majorelle Garden that he and partner Bergé rescued in 1980 from hotel development and remade as their private home.

When the designer died in 2008 at the age of 71, the site was chosen as his final resting place. Ornamented by exotic plants and an elegant Berber museum, it’s clear why the historic property – electrified by Majorelle’s trademark blazing blue – is among the most valued attractions in the Red City.

Marrakech takes gardens seriously, tending to historic ones, such as the ancient Agdal and Menara gardens (both World Heritage Sites), reviving neglected patches and inspiring future green oases.

Le Jardin Secret recently reopened to the public, promising to transport visitors back to the 17th century Saadian dynasty with pointed arches and intricate water channels (ancient symbols of power in a desert climate). I jump from the past to the future at Jardin Anima, in the Ourika Valley, a former rose farm framed by the majestic snowcapped Atlas Mountains. It is the work of Austrian artist André Heller (also the visionary behind Al Noor Island in the UAE and Austria’s Swarovski Crystal Worlds amusement park) and its greenery serves as a living canvas for a menagerie of eclectic,

The Royal Mansour is faithful to traditional riad principles, where palaces revolve around a central courtyard.

travel: marrakech

Souk Couture

The best way to get to know Marrakech remains one of the oldest: shopping. My first stop is Jemaa el Fna, the open-air madness teeming with snake charmers and trained monkeys, fruit stands piled high with pyramids of oranges ready to be freshly pressed. The souks are bursting with goods from every region of the country: colorful handpainted ceramics from Safi, leather babouches (round-toe are Berber, pointy-toe are Arabic), handwoven carpets, wooden spoons, kaftans, teapots, spices, clocks.

After, we are driven to Gueliz, a suburb that, while bustling, is a striking contrast to the medina – fewer tourists, more elbow room, and a well-regarded collection of galleries (notably, the Duret, David Bloch and Matisse galleries), as well as the MACMA (Musée d’art et de culture de Marrakech), which opened in 2016.

At this quieter pace, I make two priceless discoveries: The Yahya showroom is a must for anyone ever enchanted by Morocco’s ubiquitous metal lattice lamps. Born in London to an English-German mother and Moroccan father, Yahya Rouach is often revered as a “sculptor of light” and his pieces are highly collectible. Eschewing lasers and other shortcuts, he etches and saws all of his lanterns, vases and candleholders by hand with the tiniest of jewelry hammers and saws. His client list features a string of royalty – as well as the Royal Mansour.

Photo: robert harding/Alamy (majorelle garden)

Miami-Beach-hued sculptures, including a massive African-inspired mask that refreshes passersby with a mist emitted via its mouth.

It is one thing to visit a garden, quite another to live in one.

Back at the Royal Mansour, palms, fountains and fragrant jasmine surround the hotel’s 53 riads, each a private three-story villa complete with fireplace and rooftop plunge pool. The property recently launched an expanded outdoor space masterminded by Spanish landscape architect Luis Vallejo, celebrated for his work in Spain and the Middle East, including his curation of Madrid’s Royal Botanical Gardens.

Acres of palm groves and grids of olive trees are inspired by 12th century imperial designs and hide a swimming pool that doubles as reflective pond for the seven flat-roofed Berber-style pavilions, in which the interiors feature the look of tabut, or old-style rammedearth walls.

By the pool, a new restaurant, Le Jardin, is overseen by threeMichelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno (of Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris and Le 1947 in Courchevel). While the feel is relatively casual, nothing is left to chance, down to the auditory landscape: Parisian musician and tastemaker Béatrice Ardisson curated soundtracks for every time of day, and at lunch we’re serenaded by acoustic covers of David Bowie and a bossa nova version of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.”

38

Experience

Acres of palm groves and grids of olive trees are inspired by 12th century imperial designs.

DREAM WEAVER (Opposite) An iconic blue fountain at the Majorelle Garden; (this page, clockwise) the Royal Mansour’s spa, lobby and restaurant reflect traditional design; minimalist classics at La Grande Table Marocaine.

40

Experience

Photos: LOOK Die Bildagentur der Fotografen GmbH/Alamy (LAMPS); Nicholas Pitt/Alamy (stone carver); Marija Mandic/Stocksy (spice stand)

holding pattern (From top) Traditional crafts on display in Gueliz include metal lattice lamps and stone tile carvings; (opposite) at a souk spice stand, brilliant colors rival intoxicating aromas.

I also step into Abderrazzak Benchaâbane’s boutique, Les parfums du soleil, to sniff out the famous Soir de Marrakech eau de toilette, inducted in 2013 into the prestigious fragrance library at the Osmothèque of Versailles. The gardener-turned-perfumer Benchaâbane calls the scent a meeting of “the flora of Marrakech gardens” (top and middle notes of orange blossom, lime and jasmine), as well as “souks’ scents” (base notes of amber, vanilla, patchouli, musk and sandalwood). The attendant urges me to pick out a favorite and I settle on Bleu 4 Saisons, a soapy, citrusy scent spiked with Moroccan cinnamon. To my surprise and delight, it turns out to be based on the first scent Benchaâbane created, at Yves Saint Laurent’s urging, while he was restoring the Majorelle Garden.

My indulgent afternoon wraps up on a smaller, personal scale, back at the Royal Mansour spa, where I finally surrender myself to every sensual delight the property has on offer. While a visit to the hammam is one most Moroccans regularly grant themselves, here, every aspect of the ritual is heightened. The spa itself is a lace-like forest of metal screens reaching into the atrium above, four alcoves embracing an ivory-rose fountain, each guaranteeing an even deeper level of privacy.

An attendant navigates me through dark and narrow passageways to a dressing room carved out of chocolate marble, then to my private hammam, where heat is transmitted not in a cloud of fog but directly through the smooth marble walls and bed – an update on a timeless tradition. Next, an invigorating black soap body scrub comes care of an experienced spa attendant with a traditional kessa mitt. Then, a mix of warm water, honey, orange blossoms. It’s hard to remember every step of the process, every sensory detail. Only that it leaves me feeling renewed, and reassured that Marrakech’s sweetest pleasures will never fade away.

travel: marrakech

Morocco on the Menu —

Three choice addresses for authentic Moroccan cuisine.

Tobsil An address so hidden, a restaurant employee is dedicated to helping you navigate the medina to find it. Inside, the French-owned riad boasts a dimly lit, covered courtyard and serves a set-menu feast of pretty little salad plates, chicken tagine and vegetable couscous. The fireplace, live music, candelabras and rose petals all get points for romance.

Al Fassia An all-female kitchen and serving staff attracts locals and tourists to this casual, family-friendly spot in Gueliz. The Ă la carte menu tempts with all the classics, such as roasted lamb shoulder with almonds, kebabs and orange slices with cinnamon.

La Maison Arabe Flex your cooking chops with a Moroccan

Photos Offictam verciis alibea (doluptas)

cuisine workshop taught in a high-tech classroom by an authentic dada (traditional Moroccan chef). Located near La Maison Arabe riad in the medina, the lavish landscaped site also features a nearby outdoor wood oven where you can watch how tanourt (flat bread) is baked, as well as a handsome private garden and pool where you can relax after your self-made feast.

THE PROMISED ISLAND

A sumptuous private-island resort in the Seychelles is redefining responsible tourism while making guests’ every wish come true.

BY NATASHA MEKHAIL

TRAVEL: SEYCHELLES

“W

FAR-OFF PLACE Spread out over 500 secluded acres, North Island is ideal for guests’ last-minute wishes and whims (like romantic picnics on the beach).

hen you’re driving, watch out for Patrick and Brutus,” says tall, bright-eyed Lavinia as we glide silently in an electric golf cart along the palm-lined path to my villa. “They’re about 200 years old and sometimes fall asleep on the road.”

It’s the first of many surreal conversations I’m sure to have on North Island. Lavinia is my personal host, and the fellows she’s referring to are giant tortoises, two of the 100 or so that inhabit this private Indian Ocean islet.

The tales of North Island begin even before my morning boat transfer, during my overnight on nearby Mahé, the largest of the 115 islands off the coast of East Africa that make up the Republic of Seychelles. “There’s pirate treasure buried there,” the porter tells me, lowering his Creole-accented voice to confide that locals both fear and revere North Island, as most have seen but never stepped foot on it.

There is reason for their curiosity. Over a mere 20 years, they have watched the island’s hilly terrain physically transform from the razed monoculture of a coconut plantation into a dense tropical forest – just as they have heard whispers of the international celebrities, politicians and business leaders surreptitiously whisked in and out. I’m told North Island’s restoration into an ultra-luxe, all-inclusive eco-resort has been called a modern-day Noah’s ark – and I fully expect that its reality exists somewhere between the bewitching and the divine.

Experience

43

TRAVEL: SEYCHELLES

L

avinia drops me at the stilted boardwalk leading to the villa, where I’m greeted by my attendant Eliya, a smooth-faced Zimbabwean in a crisp white tunic and sea-foam-green trousers. My eyes trace the lines of the building behind him, an undulating, organic structure, all thatched-reed roof, rounded windows and tree-branch beams, as though Ewoks and Hobbits joined forces to build a five-star retreat.

I hardly know where to head first as he ushers me through a carved wooden door to the open sprawl of the villa’s many living spaces. I bounce from section to section like a child in a playground, exploring first the wing containing the bedroom and spa-like open-air bathroom, before dashing up the connecting boardwalk to the study that doubles as a cinema. Back outside, I dip my foot in the plunge pool beside its driftwood-framed cabana and gaze out at the ocean just beyond the garden. Then Eliya shows me into the “pantry,” a small stone building containing a fully stocked bar alongside shelves of snacks displayed in glass jars.

He lays down the ground rules: There are none. Meals are served when and where I want them, in the villa or central Piazza restaurant, on the beach or up one of the island’s three peaks. I laugh and then realize he’s being serious. After listening to the full gamut of options, I decide to dine on West Beach, which Eliya says is “popular for watching the sunset.”

Each villa is equipped with a “North Island buggy” and a set of Schwinn cruiser bikes, the only forms of wheeled transport on the island, so I hop in my golf cart and set off for the beachfront bar, made loungy with lanterns, bean bags and wooden recliners sunken into the sand. Scanning the scene, I see that North Island’s version of “popular” is relative. A group is enjoying sundowners further up the beach, and a couple in hiking gear emerges from a break in the tree line. They disappear into the bar and reappear a few minutes later in bathrobes with a bottle of champagne. With only 11 villas on the 500-acre island, the chance of running into a crowd is slim.

44

Experience

A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN (This page and opposite) Interior design draws inspiration from the natural surroundings, including lush gardens, sandy beaches and the nearby Indian Ocean (each villa has direct access to all of the above, as well as plunge pools and outdoor showers).

With only 11 villas on the 500-acre island, the chance of running into a crowd is slim.

Experience

45

nature nurture A former coconut plantation, the resort’s natural habitats are being restored thanks to programs protecting coral reefs and endemic species.

46

Experience

“C

hoice” is a key word on North Island and there is plenty of it, each one an indulgence.

First, one must decide between outdoor showers: There’s a rain option or one that releases a pounding flow through a wooden half pipe. Then, breakfast: I turn down a selection of egg dishes in favor of local fruit, house granola and the chef’s special vegan coconutmilk yogurt. Afterward, it’s time to consult with the host on the day’s activities. Diving is a favorite, as outings with a private skipper and dive master are included, as are all levels of PADI training. Deep sea fishing and island hopping by boat are also on the menu, as are surfing and stand-up paddle boarding. The massage therapists are trained in Thai, Balinese and reflexology, and I could visit them in the clifftop spa or simply relax by the villa pool and have one come to me. There are also options to take a guided island hike or attend an evening talk on the island’s restoration.

“Sign me up for both,” I say to Lavinia over the mobile I’ve been issued to reach staff. When I disconnect, Eliya proffers a slate of picnic lunch items and a chalk for ticking my selections.

“Any questions?” he asks, stoic in every way but for the warm smile that spreads so easily across his face.

“Yes,” I say, gesturing my coffee cup toward a rocky outcrop on the southern tip of the beach. “What is that cross on the point?”

“It was used by ships in the time of the coconut plantation. Are you interested in it?” he asks, eyes twinkling.

When I nod, he says he’ll arrange for me to learn more.

It’s early morning so I can still squeeze in a hike before the African sun reaches full strength. Near the trailhead, I meet C.J., one half of the South African couple that runs the conservation program. He and Tarryn are the current “Noah and Naamah” in the island’s story, and as we pat

the neck of a friendly tortoise named Timmy (“They love a tickle!”) he begins to tell it: From the 1700s, shipwrecks off the coast brought invasive plants and animals to the previously hermetic (and hence fragile) island ecosystem. Rats reached land and multiplied, feeding on the eggs of the native tortoises and the thousands of seabirds who had previously considered the island a secure nesting ground.

North Island became a coconut plantation in the early 1800s, producing copra, a highly valued vegetable oil at the time. Settlers brought cows and pigs to farm, and owls and cats as rat chasers, clearing the indigenous forest to plant palms in the fertile soil (made so by centuries of fallen avian guano). But this unnatural landscape ran its course. Without the anchor of a native root system, the hillsides eroded; invasive plants stripped the earth of its nutrients. Then the bottom fell out of the copra industry, supplanted by cheaper and easier-to-produce oil crops like canola. In the 1970s, North Island was abandoned.

“Look at those roots,” says C.J. as he pulls a short leafy shrub from the trailside and holds it up. “They’re as long as the plant itself and suck up all the water, choking out other species.”

From our vantage point atop a granite peak, C.J. can easily spot a fallen coconut that has already sprouted a new invasive tree, as well as a Casuarina, planted by settlers as a windbreak, whose fallen needles lower the soil’s pH. With my untrained eyes, though, all I see are the successes. When the island was purchased in part by luxury tour operator Wilderness Safaris in 1997, it was considered one of the most disturbed regions in the Seychelles.

Its conservationists set out at once to restore the native forest using plants grown from seedlings in the island’s nursery. They rid the island of invasive mammals, most notably rodents, and they reintegrated endemic bird species, including the endangered Seychelles magpierobin and the white-eye.

Standing under a tree, C.J. spots one of the sparrowlike birds and makes a clicking sound, prompting the inquisitive creature with the telltale white-rimmed eyes to hop to a lower branch for a closer look. The North Island team has increased the white-eye population from 25 to 105 since 2007. Especially impressive considering there are only 500 to 600 of them in the world.

Our hike ends on West Beach, where C.J. points out a sand mound, outlined with a perimeter of wood stakes and topped by a coconut marker with a date carved into its husk. It’s a sea turtle nest mapped as part of a North Island research project.

“In 30 years, the surviving hatchlings will come back to the beach where they were born,” he says, and suddenly I understand something more about North Island’s altruistic formula: The future can exist here because of the pleasures of the present.

Right now, though, those pleasures include finding the buggy, parked at the trail’s end, stocked with fresh fruit skewers, ice water and chilled towels.

TRAVEL: SEYCHELLES

What to Pack —

Since 1979, Andrew Harper has been traveling undercover to write reviews of the world’s top hotels and resorts for his project, The Hideaway Report. Over time, those recommendations evolved into Harper’s eponymous boutique travel agency – a preferred partner of North Island and Wilderness Safaris in North America. We spoke to Harper about five essentials to pack when southern Africa is your destination.

01 Everyone remembers to take a camera but forgets that the truly essential piece of equipment is a pair of good binoculars. I suggest you opt for Swarovski’s EL 8.5×42.

02 That said, many neglect the 400-mm lens needed to get close-ups of wildlife.

My preference is the Canon EF Super Telephoto.

03 Even jet owners need to board a chopper or bush plane to reach remote areas, and both carry luggage restrictions. I like the soft flexibility of the Tumi Astor San Remo 5-pound Duffel.

04 Under the strong African sun, polarized sunglasses are a must, PHOTO: MIKE HILL/ALAMY (BIRD)

but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style.

Try the Ray-Ban Outdoorsman Craft Sunglasses.

05 Safari clothing should be light in color and breathable.

I always pack the lightweight,

When the island was purchased, conservationists set out at once to restore the native forest.

khaki Orvis Bush Shirt.

For reservations contact Andrew Harper Travel Office at T 1 800 375 4685 or reservations@andrewharper.com

Experience

47

night lights (From top) Dining al fresco by the Indian Ocean; a fisherman brings in an impressive catch.

48

Experience

I

n the afternoon, I go for a dive and spot, amongst the pink coral and schools of blue starfish, eagle rays and even a harmless nurse shark. A goal by 2020 is to have the reef declared a protected marine area, a highly unusual designation for a private island. Returning to the villa, I find a note on the slate that Eliya uses to leave messages. It reads: “What about a tropical bath?” Entering the bathroom, I find the sunken tub drawn with hot water and scented oils under a cloud of bubbles, the edges decorated with glowing tea lights, hibiscus flowers, palm fronds and fragrant frangipani. A bottle of champagne is chilling in a bucket beside a dish of chocolate truffles.

I can’t imagine topping this much-appreciated surprise, but another awaits me at sundown, when I’m directed to the craggy point marked by the cross to find a blanket and plush velvet cushions spread out over a flat piece of rock. While I recline, sipping a sundowner high above East Beach, two men arrive and light a fire in a natural depression at the tip of the point, illuminating the cross. Now I understand: This was the island’s first lighthouse.

Such delights continued throughout my stay. A torch-lit dinner after I mention how lovely the garden looks by moonlight. An afternoon with the executive chef exploring the orchard, after showing an interest in Creole cuisine. Each experience prompted not by a strict schedule or formal request, but a mere inquiry or wish spoken aloud.

Taking a stroll down the white sand after lunch, I run into a small flock of seabirds. The spindly legged creatures with knees that hinge the wrong way round are here to figuratively – and literally – test the waters. I divert course to avoid startling them, doubling back on the lonely trail of my footprints. Because while I may always be welcomed warmly on North Island, these guys are the real VIPs. And everyone very much wants to see them back.

Photo: AGF Srl/Alamy (sunset)

Each delight is prompted not by a formal request, but a mere inquiry or wish spoken aloud.

TRAVEL: SEYCHELLES

Safari Circuit —

For many travelers, North Island provides a last, relaxing stop after a safari tour. The resort’s partner operator Wilderness Safaris has more than 30 camps, but these environmentally and community-focused Botswana retreats are among our favorites.

DumaTau This camp’s idyllic setting, on the Linyanti River and in view of the Namibia border, is a crossing for elephants. In summer, you can see thousands of them congregating on the riverbank and even swimming across (yes, elephants can swim!), using their trunks as snorkels. The completely solar-powered camp is magical, particularly at night, when it’s lit up with dozens of lanterns and guests gather for pre-dinner cocktails on a circular jetty with a fire at its center. For something special, request a spin on the river barge for sundowners or a private dinner, then get up close and personal with the hippos.

Vumbura Plains Set on 148,000 acres in the Okavango Delta, this camp offers guests a hotel-like experience.

Rather than the tented-camp style, guests are housed in wooden villas, with outdoor decks and their own plunge pools. This camp is best for spotting large predators (leopards, lions, cheetahs) and its guides’ tracking expertise is exceptional. For options beyond Land Rover touring, choose a helicopter or hot air balloon to get the aerial perspective or take in the wildlife at water level in a gondola-style mokoro.

The concession is owned and operated by five

PHOTOS: DANA ALLEN (DUMATAU CAMP, VUMBURA PLAINS); ANDREW HOWARD (ABU CAMP)

nearby villages, and you’ll get to know – and love – the local staff.

Abu Camp The camp is named for one of its first residents, the tame bull elephant who starred in White Hunter Black Heart alongside Clint Eastwood.

The camp’s herd of seven ‘ellies’ is headed

by Cathy, who spent most of her life in a Toronto Zoo. You’ll fall head over heels for young Naledi, who will surely give you a playful poke of her trunk, as well as baby Pula, the newest addition to the herd. Guests can interact with, feed and even walk alongside the animals, providing a truly unique way of viewing other game, such as zebras and giraffes, who see only the elephants (not their human companions) and are therefore at ease.

Experience

49

wingspan

Strategic Maneuvers

Nicknamed “The Strongest Link” from its wartime days, London Biggin Hill Airport is the site of a tactical new addition to Bombardier’s global service network.

By Katie Sehl | photos by Ian Billinghurst

P

erched at one of the highest altitudes within London’s M25 ring road, the airport on Biggin Hill is so well positioned that its history-book significance has long been etched in the patchwork countryside. In 1940, when the clouds of World War II gathered above London, the airport was chosen as the strategic base for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the airmen Churchill praised as “The Few” for successfully staving off German invasion in the Battle of Britain.

Residents of the hillside town in the London Borough of Bromley grew up with a certain pride that comes with regularly spotting fighter jets overhead and knowing the distinctive rumble of their engines better than the mailman’s whistle. Today, Biggin Hill Airport’s café, The Lookout, serves toasted bacon sandwiches to locals, all in view of teacup-clattering takeoffs and landings. Tableside banter includes ghost stories of fallen RAF pilots or the sighting of a World War II-era fighter aircraft that’s said to haunt the area, especially during the night of January 19th.

The 100-year-old airport’s mark on the community is not lost on Michael Ainsworth, newly appointed General Manager of the Bombardier Business Aircraft Biggin Hill Service Center. “One of the things that never escapes us is that we’re within striking distance of aviation history,” he says. “I’ve seen the planespotters just outside the perimeter of the new facility, and it always brings a smile to my face.”

Old Meets New

World War II-era fighter aircraft still regularly take to the skies for special events, as do light aircraft from local clubs, but the Biggin Hill Airport’s proximity to London has also transformed the airfield into a central hub for charter operations and business aviation. The Gherkin looms on the airport’s horizon as a beacon of the nearby financial district, only about 12 miles (or a six-minute helicopter ride) away.

“London is the major business aviation destination of Europe,” says Walter Berchtold, Project Manager, Fort Lauderdale Service Center, and acting General Manager of Biggin Hill during its launch phase.

50

Experience

Redbrick barracks, an old RAF chapel and a heritage hangar provide the airport with a historic backdrop, but the buildings housing Bombardier’s new 32,991-square-foot (3,065-square-meter) hangar as well as a maintenance repair and overhaul facility are relatively new. When Berchtold arrived onsite last year, things were still in mint condition. “It was basically turn key, move in,” he says. The team set to work immediately, recruiting mechanics and engineers and setting up as soon as possible for early line maintenance approvals. The facility is now fully operational with tip-to-tail heavy maintenance activities up and running.

For operators, Biggin Hill is a one-stop shop. The hangar, large enough to accommodate four Bombardier Global jets, is open seven days a week for both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft. Avionics installation capability, ongoing expansion of part holdings and retrofit cover just about any service need. For customers, a terminal managed by fixed-base operator Signature Flight Support takes care of border control and security screenings, and tends to international traveler needs with private meeting centers, prayer rooms and shower facilities.

Settling into a skyward-looking community comes with its advantages. Talented engineers and mechanics haven’t been hard to come by locally, and plans between the airport, Bombardier Business Aircraft and London South East College to create an apprenticeship program promise to keep that tradition alive. “The airport has a rich aviation history, and we want to build on this,” says Andy Nureddin, Vice President, Customer Support and Training. Construction is also underway on a luxury hotel right next door to the service center. With business booming on all fronts, it’s no wonder London mayor Sadiq Khan described Bombardier’s decision to move in as “a significant coup for London.”

making history While Biggin Hill Airport is a century old, Bombardier’s service center (including a generous hangar) is a hub for modern aviation.

PHOTOS TKTKTKTK

Unlike other London airports, Biggin Hill has the capacity – and the land – for significant future growth.

wingspan

Expanded View

The growth isn’t expected to stop any time soon, either. “We see traffic in the London and UK region continuing to grow,” says Bombardier Business Aircraft’s Chris Davey, Director of Customer Support for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and the CIS region. Bombardier has an installed base of more than 600 business jets in Europe, where the latest market forecast anticipates a total delivery of 1,530 business jets for the whole industry by 2025.

One boon for Biggin Hill, according to Davey: Unlike Luton, Gatwick, Stansted and the other airports serving the London region, it has capacity and land for significant future growth. “We’re always looking to the future and the future is bright in Biggin Hill.”

During its wartime days, Biggin Hill picked up the nickname “The Strongest Link,” as its position allowed for both raids on Berlin and the safeguarding of Britain and France from Luftwaffe airstrikes. Its current position in Bombardier’s global service center arsenal may seem worlds away, but it is a crucial part of an increasingly borderless business world.

“We complement the network with a choice location like Biggin Hill,” explains Nureddin. As Bombardier’s only wholly owned European outpost, the service center serves as a gateway to the rest of the continent, the Middle East, Russia and Africa. Linked with five centers across North America and in Berlin, Singapore and Tianjin, virtually all high-density routes are now within reach. Or, as Ainsworth states wryly, it’s got at least three crucial advantages as a hub: “Location, location, location.”

52

Experience

Getting There —

London Biggin Hill Airport (BQH/EGKB) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2017 and is located just nine miles from London’s Canary Wharf.

Biggin Hill, Bromley TN16 3BH T 0 1959 578 500 bigginhillairport.com For unscheduled and AOG support at Bombardier’s Biggin Hill Service Center, contact the 24/7 Customer Response Center at T 1 866 538 1247 (North America) or T 1 514 855 2999 (international) For scheduled maintenance, contact your Regional Sales Manager.

P A S S I O N

F O R

E X C E L L E N C E

AN EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE, EVERY TIME Passion for excellence is our trademark. In everything we do, our goal is to meet and surpass your expectations. Our highly trained staff is always on hand to ensure your complete satisfaction, both on the ground and in the air. And our unrivalled facilities located at Dubai World Central guarantee your comfort and convenience every time you fly.

T: +971 (0)4 870 1800 | www.dc-aviation.ae | an Al-Futtaim joint venture Al Maktoum International Airport | DWC | Aviation District | Dubai U.A.E

Bombardier worldwide

Customer Response Center

Service Centers

Americas Dallas, TX Fort Lauderdale, FL Hartford, CT Tucson, AZ Wichita, KS

Asia Pacific Singapore

Tianjin, China* EUROPE

Berlin, Germany*

Biggin Hill, UK

Europe

Nice, France (2)

Line Maintenance Stations Europe

Cannes, France

Linz, Austria

Milan Linate, Italy

Nice, France

Olbia, Italy

Authorized Service Facilities

Customer Response Team Mobile Units americas

Atlanta, GA

Chicago, IL

Columbus, OH

Denver, CO Dulles, VA Houston, TX Miami, FL Orlando, FL San Jose, CA Seattle, WA Teterboro, NJ Van Nuys, CA (2) White Plains, NY Scottsdale, AZ

Regional Support Offices Americas

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Hartford, CT

Toluca, Mexico

Tucson, AZ

Asia Pacific Hong Kong, China Mumbai, India

Shanghai, China Singapore

Sydney, Australia Europe

Farnborough, UK

Moscow, Russia

Munich, Germany Middle East / Africa

Dubai, UAE

Johannesburg, South Africa

Contact our 24/7

Customer Response Center T 1 866 538 1247 (North America) T 1 514 855 2999 (international)

â—Š Authorized parts facility operated by Jet Aviation * Joint ventures

54

Experience

Americas

Montreal, QC

Training Facilities Americas

Dallas, TX

Montreal, QC

Morristown, NJ Europe

Amsterdam, Netherlands Burgess Hill, UK Middle East / Africa

Dubai, UAE

Parts and Component

Repair + Overhaul Facilities

Americas

Chicago, IL

Dallas, TX

Miami, FL

Wichita, KS

Asia Pacific

Hong Kong, China Singapore

Sydney, Australia

Tianjin, China Europe Belfast, UK

Frankfurt, Germany

Moscow, Russia â—Š Middle East / Africa

Dubai, UAE

Johannesburg, South Africa

SMOOTH RIDES

LEARJET 70

Passengers (standard configuration) 7

Features • Bombardier • Part

Vision flight deck

25 certification

Maximum range Top speed

Mach 0.81

•

Flat floor

Takeoff distance

•

Full passengers with full fuel

Maximum operating altitude Total baggage volume

LEARJET 75

• Bombardier

Vision flight deck

floor with double-club seating

• Lowest-in-class

•

CHALLENGER 350

direct

Mach 0.81

Takeoff distance

Full passengers with full fuel

Total baggage volume

• Full

Maximum range

floor direct

• Unrestricted

access to baggage

• Bombardier

Vision flight deck

• Lowest‑in‑class

direct

Mach 0.83

Maximum operating altitude Total baggage volume

• Unrestricted

Maximum range Top speed

Mach 0.85

Takeoff distance

operating costs • Widest-in-class

cabin

access to baggage

satellite internet

• Bombardier

Maximum operating altitude Total baggage volume

Vision flight deck

approach certified value proposition

Range at M 0.85 Top speed

Mach 0.89

Takeoff distance Maximum operating altitude Total baggage volume

GLOBAL 6000

satellite internet

• Bombardier •

Vision flight deck

Private suite with available shower

• Steep

approach certified

• Uncompromising

GLOBAL 7000

65 ft3

1.8 m3

2,040 nm

3,778 km

464 kts

860 km/h

4,440 ft

1,353 m

51,000 ft

15,545 m

65 ft3

1.8 m3

3,200 nm

5,926 km

477 kts

882 km/h

4,835 ft

1,474 m

45,000 ft

13,716 m

106 ft3

3 m3

4,000 nm

7,408 km

488 kts

893 km/h

5,640 ft

1,720 m

41,000 ft

12,497 m

115 ft3

3.3 m3

5,200 nm

9,630 km

510 kts

944 km/h

5,540 ft

1,689 m

51,000 ft

15,545 m

195 ft3

5.5 m3

Passengers (standard configuration) 13

Features • Ka-band

1,353 m 15,545 m

Passengers (standard configuration) 13

Features

• Ultimate

4,440 ft 51,000 ft

Passengers (standard configuration) 10

Features

• Steep

Top speed Takeoff distance

passengers with full fuel

• Ka-band

860 km/h

Passengers (standard configuration) 9

Features

operating costs

GLOBAL 5000

Top speed

Maximum operating altitude

• Lowest-in-class

CHALLENGER 650

Maximum range

operating costs

• Flat

3,815 km

464 kts

Passengers (standard configuration) 9

Features • Flat

2,060 nm

comfort and luxury

Range at M 0.85 Top speed

Mach 0.89

Takeoff distance Maximum operating altitude Total baggage volume

6,000 nm

11,112 km

510 kts

944 km/h

6,476 ft

1,974 m

51,000 ft

15,545 m

195 ft3

5.5 m3

Features •

Ka-band satellite internet

• Bombardier

Vision flight deck

with fly-by-wire • Cabin

suite with available shower

• Outstanding

Range at M 0.85 Top speed

with four full living spaces

• Master

Passengers (standard configuration) 17

speed, range and

Mach 0.925

Takeoff distance Maximum operating altitude Total baggage volume

7,400 nm

13,705 km

530 kts

982 km/h

5,950 ft

1,814 m

51,000 ft

15,545 m

195 ft3

5.5 m3

short-field performance

GLOBAL 8000

Passengers (standard configuration) 13

Features • Ka-band

satellite internet

• Bombardier

Vision flight deck

•

Top speed

Mach 0.925

Takeoff distance

with fly-by-wire • Farthest-reaching

Range at M 0.85

business jet

Unrestricted baggage access

Maximum operating altitude Total baggage volume

All specifications and data are approximate, may change without notice and subject to certain operating rules, assumptions and other conditions. All maximum range is based on long range speed. The Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft are in development phase. This document does not constitute an offer, commitment, representation, guarantee or warranty of any kind. Bombardier, Learjet, Challenger, Global, Learjet 70, Learjet 75, Challenger 350, Challenger 650, Global 5000, Global 6000, Global 7000, Global 8000 and Bombardier Vision are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

7,900 nm

14,631 km

530 kts

982 km/h

5,800 ft

1,768 m

51,000 ft

15,545 m

195 ft3

5.5 m3

Experience

55

NEWS

people • events • awards

December 6–8, 2016

Epicurean Delights Over 600 inf luential aviation industry players met at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai for the ninth annual Altitudes Epicurean Rendezvous, a Bombardier-sponsored event. To celebrate the first evening of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) show, guests were treated to gourmet delicacies at the hotel’s Beach Lounge. During the three-day convention, the biggest of its kind in the Middle East, Bombardier displayed some of its most advanced business jets: the Learjet 75, Global 5000 and Global 6000 aircraft. Over the next 10 years, Bombardier predicts its clients in the Middle East will fill 350 orders valued at approximately $12 billion.

dining in dubai Bombardier and Jumeirah Beach Hotel host VIPs for the first night of MEBAA.

February 13, 2017

Eye on India The leaders of India’s business aviation industry gathered earlier this year for a one-day conference and awards gala organized by the Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA). The organization provides coordination between India’s business aviation industry, and the country’s regulatory bodies and government.

Bombardier Business Aircraft was a gold sponsor of the event, which took place at The Leela Palace in Bangalore.

February 3, 2017

Steep Ascent

Time for takeoff BBA marks 2,500 takeoffs and landings at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport.

56

Experience

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Aspen-Pitkin County Airport is considered a challenge for large business jets due to its steep approach and high altitude (7,820 feet, or 2,384 meters). However, these tough conditions are no match for Bombardier’s Global aircraft, which has now surpassed 2,500 takeoffs and landings at the Colorado airport since 2000.

November 4, 2016 + March 2017

First Flights

Flown by Captain Ed Grabman, Bombardier Business Aircraft’s new Global 7000 aircraft (FTV1) successfully completed its maiden voyage from the company’s Toronto facility. During the 2 hour 27 minute voyage, all flight controls performed as anticipated, and the aircraft reached a test height of 20,000 feet (6,096 meters) and planned test speed of 240 NM (444 km/h). On March 29, 2017, the flight test crew further demonstrated FTV1’s performance capabilities by opening the aircraft’s flight test envelope to Mach 0.995. Not only is the Global 7000 aircraft the largest business jet to reach this speed, achieving it only five months after the start of the flight test program is an unprecedented milestone. The aircraft program’s second flight test vehicle (FTV2) completed its initial flight on March 6, 2017 and, on March 8, traveled to Wichita for flight testing after a smooth ride – further indication of the program’s solid maturity. The Global 7000 is scheduled to enter service in the second half of 2018.

STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE (Above) Bombardier Business Aircraft’s Global 7000 aircraft completes its maiden voyage; (below, left to right) Qiao Kai, Vice President, Minsheng Financial Leasing; Khader Mattar, Vice President, Sales, Middle East, Africa, and China, BBA; and Geoffery Cassidy, Managing Director, Zetta Jet, at NBAA 2016.

October 30, 2016 + April 2017

Eastern Route

Four Challenger 650 business jets are joining the fleet of Zetta Jet, the fast-growing, Singapore-based charter operator. The purchase agreement was signed at NBAA 2016 between Bombardier and China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. An aircraft leasing agreement was similarly inked between Zetta Jet and Minsheng, which is Asia’s largest business aircraft leasing company. Additionally, Zetta Jet took delivery of another Global 6000 business jet, announced in Shanghai at ABACE 2017. Zetta Jet will base the aircraft out of the company’s Los Angeles hub, where it operates as a private airline for bespoke luxury experiences. The new jets will cater to the increased demand for luxury travel services between North America and the South East Asia region.

December 2016–March 2017

Full Power Ahead Bombardier Business Aircraft conducted successful renewable-jet-fuel-powered flights of its Learjet, Challenger and Global demo aircraft out of Los Angeles International Airport. The Learjet 75 business jet flew from Los Angeles to Wichita, Kansas; the Challenger 350 aircraft flew from Los Angeles to Vancouver, British Columbia; the Challenger 650 business jet flew from Los Angeles to Montreal, Quebec; and the Global 6000 aircraft flew from Los Angeles to Hartford, Connecticut. All four flights demonstrate Bombardier Business Aircraft’s commitment to sustainability as an integral part of how it conducts its business.

SUSTAINABILITY WIN A Learjet 75 demo aircraft refuels with renewable jet fuel for a flight between Los Angeles and Wichita, Kansas.

Experience

57

news

standout PERFORMANCE (From left) Peter Likoray, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing, BBA; David Coleal, President, BBA; Steven Tyler; JeanChristophe Gallagher, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Experience, BBA.

58

Experience

November 1, 2016

Rock Star Launch —

On the eve of NBAA 2016, Bombardier hosted rock icon Steven Tyler for a private VIP concert. Performing with the Loving Mary Band at Orlando venue House of Blues, Tyler kicked off the convention with his trademark flair to a crowd of Bombardier aircraft owners and invitees. After the show, he mingled with guests at the annual industry event, where Bombardier showcased its class-leading business jet portfolio.

rolls-royce.com

Nobody does it like CorporateCare® Bringing you the most comprehensive and sought-after business jet engine maintenance program in the world, with industry leading service and expertise provided by the original manufacturer. Regardless of where you travel, CorporateCare will be there to support you. To help maximize your asset’s availability, value and liquidity, Rolls-Royce is proud to offer CorporateCare.

To find out more contact Steve Friedrich, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, at +1 (703) 834-1700, or email corporate.care@rolls-royce.com.

Trusted to deliver excellence.

incredible

Distance sweetest

best

sounding

feeling

lowest

spinning The PXG X Collection Drivers, Fairway Woods and Hybrids

Engineered with a patented insert, and special crown and weighting system that only we would use. The result is optimal launch, spin and distance coupled with incredible sound and feel.

Nobody makes golf clubs the way we do. Period.TM

PXG.COM/EXP

1.844.988.4352