Private Jet Designer Sarah Larranaga Recognized for Aircraft Design and Engineering Excellence
Why the Best Private Jet Design Starts With Engineering, Not Just Aesthetics
Marquis Who’s Who has named Sarah Larranaga an Honorary Listee. The recognition is worth noting, but the more useful story is what her path says about how private jet design should be approached. It is a useful guide for any owner or operator planning a private jet overhaul.
Private Jet Design Is An Engineering Problem First
A cabin on a large-cabin jet has to work within certification rules, weight limits and maintenance access. Any finish that ignores those limits becomes a problem later. That is why Sarah’s training matters. She studied interior design at Savannah College of Art and Design and structural engineering at Georgia Tech. She also continues her maintenance training at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The result is an aircraft designer who can take an idea from sketch to a build that holds up in service.
Seeing The Project From Both Sides
Sarah began as an intern at Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah and went on to work with several manufacturers. She then became a private aircraft broker, representing owners on acquisitions and on refurbishment design for new and pre-owned aircraft. Having worked for the manufacturer and for the owner, she knows how each side defines quality. For bespoke private jet design, that perspective keeps the owner’s priorities at the center of every decision.
Range Across Platforms
Sarah Larranaga Aviation Design, her design studio, has worked on Gulfstream G450, G650 and G700 aircraft, Dassault Falcon Jet models, Bombardier’s Global family from 5000 to 8000, the Challenger series, and the Boeing 787, among many more. The design studio also works on Airbus Corporate Jets and on helicopters such as the Bell 525 Relentless. Each platform has its own structure, systems and approval path. An aviation designer with range across them is better placed to spot problems early and to modernize avionics and connectivity without disrupting the rest of the aircraft.
Overhauls Are Won or Lost on Downtime
Demand for this work is rising. Business Jet Traveler cites an estimate that global completions and refurbishment spending will grow about 36% between 2026 and 2034. As more aircraft enter shops, schedule and cost control matter more. The design studio manages the project from design through maintenance oversight and works directly with directors of maintenance. The aim is less downtime, fair pricing and fewer details slipping through.
Award-Winning Private Jet Design, Recognized Worldwide
Owners want proof that a private jet designer’s work stands up to scrutiny outside the studio. Sarah’s work has been recognized in several places. She was featured in Robb Report’s 2026 Best of the Best and received a 2026 Global Recognition Award. Her Dassault Falcon 2000, Verdant Sky, earned the 2026 International Design Pioneer Award and was recognized at the 2026 Elite Wings Design Awards. Design et al, which says it works only with the world’s leading designers, has also recognized the design studio’s work, including Verdant Sky and SlivAir. You can see the full list on the awards and press page.
Private Jet Design for Notable Clients
High-profile owners tend to have the least patience for surprises, which makes their projects a useful test. Sarah designed SlivAir, the Gulfstream G450 for Paris Hilton, which was covered by Robb Report and Jetset. Her work for WWE includes Bombardier Globals, first a Global 5000 and now a Global 6500. Brands have also trusted the design studio with their aircraft, including a Gulfstream G550 for New Balance and a Gulfstream GV for Puma Hoops, alongside many more private VIP clients. Repeat work and returning clients suggest the process holds up from one aircraft to the next.
Collaboration on Bespoke Private Jet Design
Some aircraft are too complex for one point of view. Sarah has collaborated with designer Christopher Nobles on several large projects: a Boeing 787, a Bombardier Global 7500, a Gulfstream G700, a Gulfstream G650 and a Bell 525 Relentless. A second design voice, combined with her design engineering and project oversight, gives owners a broader range of ideas without losing control of schedule and cost.
What Comes Next
Sarah is now offering bespoke interiors to fractional jet operators across the U.S. She is also working with yacht designers on interiors that match for clients who own both a jet and a yacht. Both fit her approach, which is consistent design carried through every part of a client’s travel.
What To Look For In a Top Private Jet Designer
A private jet designer should offer three things:
Engineering depth behind the design work
Hands-on experience across the aircraft types you fly
Clear accountability for schedule and cost
If you are planning a private jet overhaul or a bespoke private jet design project, Sarah would welcome the conversation. You can learn more about Sarah and the design studio or get in touch by clicking the button below.