It's hard up there for a private jet owner.
Sure, having your own airplane means you've got cash to burn, can skip over those horrible TSA security checkpoints, and don't need to deal with a layover in Atlanta to get anywhere. And no one's going to lose or rifle through your baggage.
Having a private jet is largely about having it all, so limitations are not welcome. That makes the safety regulations that ban working fireplaces on aircraft a real problem. Thankfully, Lufthansa Technik---the aircraft services division of the German airline---has created a "Fireless Fireplace" to make business jets feel as cozy as a living room on the ground.
It combines an illuminated water mist with an illuminated imitation of burning wood to create what Lufthansa calls a "very realistic 3-D impression of a real fire." The faux flame is cold, but heat and sound are real and adjustable by remote control. Naturally, the design can be adapted to fit the customer's taste. It weighs 66 pounds, consumes up to 1,300 watts, and meets all relevant regulations.
So as you watch the outside temperature plunge well below freezing, listen to the crackling logs, feel the heat, and let yourself believe.
