ACJ TWOTWENTY: DEFINING A NEW MARKET SEGMENT
Within days of its launch, Airbus Corporate Jets announced the first six orders for the new clean-sheet design ACJ TwoTwenty aircraft. Chosen completion centre Comlux has confirmed an order for two aircraft, with four further jets ordered by undisclosed customers. The first Xtra Large Bizjet looks to be gathering early interest.
Last October, Airbus Corporate Jets launched the clean-sheet design ACJ TwoTwenty aircraft and created what the OEM describes as a new market segment – the Xtra Large Bizjet.
Based on the US$81 million Airbus A220-100, and featuring advanced materials and state-of-the-art technologies, the ACJ TwoTwenty will feature a high-end VIP cabin interior, offered in a wide selection of zone arrangements, designed to address the requirements of both the heavy and long-range business jet categories.
“We are proud to extend the ACJ product family with the launch of the ACJ TwoTwenty,” said Benoit Defforge, President ACJ. “The aircraft combines intercontinental range, unmatched personal space and comfort for all passengers. This latest technology platform is offering unbeatable economics and unrivalled reliability.
“Based on its compelling market appeal, we see a promising demand for this aircraft in the growing business jet market,” he added.
While occupying the same parking space and being able to take off from the same airports as competing business jets, the ACJ TwoTwenty will offer three times more cabin space, yet with a third less operating costs.
The increased range will enable the aircraft to fly up to 5,650 nm/10,500 km (over 12 flight hours), directly connecting city pairs such as London and Los Angeles, Moscow and Jakarta, Tokyo and Dubai, and Beijing and Melbourne.
As part of the A220 family, it will have the quietest, cleanest and most eco-friendly aircraft in its category, featuring a 50% reduced noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft, and up to 25% lower fuel burn.
Featuring unmatched personal space with 73m²/785 ft² of floor space distributed over six wide VIP living areas, the ACJ TwoTwenty offers wide scope for customised interior arrangements and handcrafted furnishing, including a bathroom with shower and bedroom with a kingsize bed.
The cabin will accommodate up to 18 passengers who can work, dine and relax comfort due to its versatility with a Wi-Fi system across all the cabin and latest innovations such as electro-chromatic windows and LED lighting, and at speed with two times better connectivity than its competitors guaranteed.
Flexible interiors
Renowned aviation company Comlux has been selected as an exclusive partner for the outfitting of the first 15 cabins at its ACJ-approved completion centre in Indianapolis, working in partnership with ACJ’s Head of Creative Design, Sylvain Mariat, creator of many ACJ interiors with his distinctive signature style.
“We are proud to be the launch customer of the Airbus’ newest family member, the ACJ TwoTwenty and the selected partner to outfit the cabin in our completion centre in Indianapolis.
“We have worked jointly with ACJ and shared our long experience in operating and completing all types of aircraft, to allow the new Bizjet to offer more comfort and the latest cabin innovations available in the industry,” said Richard Gaona, Executive Chairman & CEO Comlux.
“Thanks to the unique combination of intercontinental range, comfort, extra space and second-to-none economics, we are convinced the aircraft will be a winner in the business aviation market.”
For the two aircraft they have ordered, the team at Comlux has selected the business and guest lounge as well as a private entertainment space and a private suite, including a bathroom.
The cabin, set to “Reimagine your place in the sky…” will be equipped with large full lie-flat seats, a US-king size bed, a standing rain shower, a humidifying system for well-being on board, outstanding connectivity, a Wi-Fi system across all the cabin and further innovations.
“We are honoured to see our longstanding client Comlux becoming the launch customer of our new ACJ TwoTwenty as well as our cabin completion partner on the programme, “ added Defforge. “Our new extra Large Bizjet will seamlessly complement Comlux’s portfolio – and we are convinced the aircraft will become a flagship addition to their fleet.”
Entry into service of the first ACJ TwoTwenty by Comlux Aviation is targeted for early 2023.
