Naomi began examining whether dedicated aircraft access would make sense for certain operations.
Her financial advisors were skeptical.
Private aviation was expensive.
Owning an aircraft required substantial capital, qualified crews, maintenance oversight, insurance, facilities, and careful planning.
The purchase price was only the beginning.
Naomi knew that.
She wasn't interested in buying a status symbol.
She wanted to understand whether a properly managed aircraft could provide genuine operational value.
Her team studied charter arrangements.
Fractional ownership.
Aircraft management agreements.
And the financial implications of purchasing a corporate jet.
They consulted experienced aviation professionals.
Reviewed different aircraft types.
And analyzed realistic operating costs.
Eventually, the company determined that a dedicated long-range aircraft could support certain executive and specialized transportation needs, provided its use was governed carefully.
The board approved the acquisition through Horizon Aviation Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Naomi's parent company.
The aircraft was a beautiful long-range business jet.
White fuselage.
Elegant blue accents.
Powerful engines.
And a cabin spacious enough for both executive work and comfortable long-distance travel.
Naomi insisted that the interior be designed around practical use.
She wanted excellent lighting.
Comfortable seating.
Reliable communication systems.
A conference area.
And enough flexibility to accommodate different types of company travel without constant reconfiguration.
But she made one personal request.
Her mother would help select the main cabin upholstery.
Evelyn thought Naomi was joking.
"You want me to design an airplane?"
Naomi laughed.
"Just help me choose the seats."
Her mother stared at the samples spread across the conference table.
Cream leather.
Gray leather.
Soft beige.
Several fabric options.
Evelyn touched the cream upholstery.
Then frowned.
"Beautiful."
Naomi smiled.
"But?"
"Will it be easy to clean?"
The designers laughed.
Naomi didn't.
She looked at the upholstery specialist.
"That's a good question."
The man explained the treatment and maintenance requirements.
Evelyn nodded thoughtfully.
Then examined the armrests.
"These are too hard."
Naomi looked surprised.
"Really?"
Her mother sat in the sample seat.
"Try sitting here for four hours."
Naomi laughed.
"Mom, it's a private jet."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow.
"Does that mean your elbows stop being human?"
The designers laughed again.