From hangar innovations to the future of FBO interiors, here's what attending NBAA-BACE revealed about the opportunities ahead for aviation property design.
When most people think about the future of aviation, they picture airplanes, advanced technology, and innovations that make flying more efficient.
As an interior designer specializing in aviation properties, I see something else.
I see the hangars where airplanes are stored, the pilot lounges where crews recharge, the FBO lobbies where passengers begin their journeys, and the aviation residences where flying becomes part of everyday life.
Those spaces are part of the aviation experience, too.
After attending NBAA-BACE 2026 in Las Vegas, I came home with a renewed appreciation for how much innovation is happening throughout business aviation.
I also came home convinced of something I've believed for quite some time:
The future of aviation design isn't just about the airplane. It's about creating better experiences for the people who use aviation spaces on the ground.
And there's tremendous opportunity to do exactly that.
1. Aviation Interiors Have an Opportunity to Move Beyond the Expected
One of my biggest observations at NBAA-BACE wasn't about a new product or piece of technology.
It was about color.
Or, more specifically, the lack of it.
Throughout much of the general and business aviation environment, there's a familiar visual language: gray, white, black, polished surfaces, and minimal decoration.
These finishes can communicate sophistication, professionalism, and modernity. They also have their place in environments that need to feel clean and efficient.
However, when the same palette is repeated everywhere, spaces can begin to feel interchangeable.
And that's where I see an opportunity.
Aviation interiors can be professional without feeling cold. They can be luxurious without feeling unapproachable. They can be functional while still having personality.
Imagine an FBO lobby that welcomes passengers with rich textures, thoughtful lighting, comfortable furnishings, and a distinct sense of place.
Or a pilot lounge that feels more like a private retreat than a waiting room.
The goal isn't to introduce color simply for the sake of being different.
It's to create environments that feel intentional, memorable, and welcoming to the people who use them.
What this means for FBO operators
Interior design is an opportunity to reinforce your facility's identity and improve the experience you offer.
Thoughtful material selections, furniture layouts, lighting, and finishes can help create a space that feels consistent with the level of service your business provides.
And importantly, good design must still account for durability, maintenance, accessibility, and the realities of a busy aviation facility.
Beautiful and practical should never be competing priorities.
2. Pilot Lounges Deserve More Thoughtful Design
A pilot lounge is more than a collection of chairs and a television.
Depending on the facility, it may serve as a place to review flight information, catch up on work, enjoy a meal, rest between flights, or simply find a quiet moment.
Those are very different activities.
Yet many lounges are designed as though everyone using the space has the same needs.
I believe the future of pilot lounge design involves creating environments that offer more flexibility.
That might include:
Comfortable seating arrangements that accommodate both individuals and small groups.
Quiet areas for focused work or relaxation.
Convenient access to charging and technology.
Lighting suited to different activities.
Durable furnishings that don't sacrifice comfort or appearance.
Materials and colors that create a welcoming atmosphere.
Not every facility needs every feature.
The right solution depends on who uses the space, how long they typically stay, and the operational needs of the FBO.
The most successful pilot lounge isn't necessarily the one with the most amenities. It's the one that thoughtfully supports the people using it.
This is a principle we're applying to our own aviation interior design work at Aeroview Design Co., where we're developing distinct environments for an airport FBO renovation.
Each space has its own personality, but the underlying goal remains consistent: creating an experience that feels comfortable, functional, and thoughtfully designed.
3. Hangar Design Requires More Than a Beautiful Floorplan
One of the reasons I attended NBAA-BACE was to connect with the professionals and manufacturers who help bring aviation properties to life.
I had conversations with hangar builders, architects, and hangar door manufacturers about their work and the ways our specialties can complement one another.
These conversations reinforced something I frequently discuss with clients:
A hangar isn't simply a large garage, and a hangar home isn't simply a house with an airplane parked beside it.
Hangar planning involves considerations that can influence the entire property.
For example, the airplane's dimensions and maneuvering requirements can affect the hangar layout.
The hangar door system can influence structural coordination, clearances, and how the building functions.
The relationship between the taxiway, hangar, residence, and outdoor living areas can shape everything from circulation to privacy.
And the way an owner plans to use the hangar may be just as important as the airplane itself.
Will it primarily be used for airplane storage?
Will it include a workshop, office, lounge, or entertaining area?
Does the owner anticipate changing airplanes in the future?
Will family and guests regularly move between the hangar and residence?
These questions should be considered early, alongside the work of the architect, builder, engineer, and other appropriate specialists.
When the design team understands the full picture, there's a better opportunity to create a property that works cohesively rather than solving each space in isolation.
4. Collaboration Is One of the Most Valuable Investments in an Aviation Project
One of my favorite moments at NBAA-BACE was meeting the architect involved in one of my out-of-state hangar projects.
We'd already been connected through the project, but having the opportunity to meet in person and discuss the work was incredibly valuable.
It's a reminder that successful aviation projects depend on people with different areas of expertise working toward the same goal.
An architect brings essential knowledge of building design and documentation.
Engineers address structural and technical requirements.
Builders bring construction experience and practical execution knowledge.
Hangar door manufacturers understand the specifications and operational considerations of their systems.
An interior designer contributes expertise in space planning, the user experience, materials, furnishings, and how the completed environments support everyday life.
These roles aren't interchangeable.
The value comes from understanding where they overlap and how they can work together.
For aviation property owners, this means choosing a team that's willing to communicate, ask questions, and coordinate decisions before those decisions become expensive to change.
It also means having professionals who recognize when another specialist's input is needed.
At Aeroview, I don't believe my responsibility ends with creating an attractive design.
I want to be a resource for my clients throughout the design process, helping them understand their options and connect the right pieces of their project.
5. The Future of Aviation Living Is More Personal
Aviation property design is particularly interesting because there's no single definition of the aviation lifestyle.
For one pilot, the dream may be a comfortable hangar apartment that provides a place to relax between flights.
For another, it's a custom aviation residence where the hangar, home, and outdoor living spaces work together.
Someone else may envision a private hangar retreat with space for business meetings, entertaining, or spending time with friends.
Even when two clients own similar airplanes or properties, their design needs may be completely different.
That's why I believe the future of luxury hangar home design will continue to be driven by personalization.
Not simply choosing different finishes or adding expensive features.
Real personalization starts with understanding the owner.
How do they fly?
How do they live?
What activities happen on the property?
What do they want their home or hangar to feel like?
What might change over the next five or ten years?
The answers help determine the appropriate layout, flow, materials, and design priorities.
A well-designed aviation residence should reflect the person who lives there, not someone else's idea of what a pilot's dream home should look like.
6. Aviation Design Needs More Industry Connection
Perhaps my biggest takeaway from NBAA-BACE was realizing how much opportunity there is to build stronger connections between aviation professionals and the design industry.
Throughout the convention, I met people who were interested in learning more about the work Aeroview does.
Several conversations reinforced the need for thoughtful design in hangars, aviation residences, FBOs, and other spaces supporting general aviation.
I also realized that if I want to design better aviation properties, I need to keep learning from the people who understand the industry from different perspectives.
That includes pilots, airport operators, architects, hangar builders, manufacturers, and the professionals responsible for making aviation facilities function every day.
Interior designers can contribute valuable expertise to these projects.
But we also have a responsibility to understand the environments we're designing for.
That means asking better questions, staying informed about relevant products and technologies, and recognizing that design decisions don't happen in a vacuum.
The more connected the design process is to the realities of aviation, the more valuable the finished space can become.
Looking Ahead: Bringing More Character to Aviation on the Ground
I attended NBAA-BACE expecting to learn about aviation innovations, discover products, and make professional connections.
I accomplished those goals.
What I didn't expect was how much the experience would expand my vision for the future of Aeroview Design Co.
There's a tremendous amount of knowledge, creativity, and innovation throughout the aviation industry.
I believe there's an opportunity to bring more of that same energy into the environments surrounding the airplane.
More warmth in pilot lounges.
More character in FBO interiors.
More thoughtful planning in hangar homes.
More collaboration between the professionals who design and build aviation properties.
And most importantly, more attention to the people who use these spaces every day.
Because aviation design shouldn't stop at the airplane.
The experience on the ground matters, too.
Planning an Aviation Property?
At Aeroview Design Co., we specialize in luxury interiors and planning for the aviation lifestyle, including hangar homes, hangar apartments, private hangar retreats, FBO interiors, and pilot lounges.
Whether you're preparing to build an aviation residence or considering improvements to an existing aviation facility, thoughtful design begins with understanding your property, your goals, and how the space needs to function.
Explore Aeroview's aviation design services to learn how we can help you plan a space that supports the way you live, work, and fly.
And if you're a pilot or aviation professional, I'd love to hear your perspective:
What's one thing you wish more aviation spaces offered?
