Airbus just unveiled the private jet version of its smallest airliner, which is estimated to cost $100 million — see inside the plane

Fri, 10/20/2023 - 05:00

The bedroom on the ACJ TwoTwenty. — ACJ TwoTwenty king bed.
Adrien Daste/Airbus

Airbus Corporate Jets debuted its highly-anticipated ACJ TwoTwenty business plane on Monday.
The plane is marketed as an "Xtra Large Bizjet" thanks to its expansive capacity.
The ACJ TwoTwenty's cabin, range, and operating costs rival that of competing business planes.

The private jet arm of European planemaker Airbus has unveiled the luxe cabin of its newest business plane — the ACJ TwoTwenty.

The reveal comes three years after Airbus Corporate Jets first announced the VIP aircraft, which the manufacturer is marketing as an "Xtra Large Bizjet."

The company created the new market segment to highlight the new business aircraft's impressive capacity, range, and operating costs — all while maintaining a competitive price point.

On Monday, the ACJ TwoTwenty made its public debut at the annual National Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas.

ACJ TwoTwenty flying in May 2023. It first flew in December 2021.
Airbus

NBACE takes place every year and is a stage for business aviation companies to show off their planes and products.

The specific aircraft displayed at the show was delivered to launch customer FIVE Hotels and Resorts in spring 2023.

ACJ TwoTwenty delivery to FIVE.
Michael Angst/Airbus

The Dubai-based luxury hotel chain plans to use the VIP planes to expand its hospitality brand with even more high-class offerings.

FIVE and Airbus took the time to show off the plane's luxe cabin for the first time this week.

The newly introduced business plane is the private jet version of Airbus’ A220 commercial airliner.

Delta A220. — Several global operators fly the A220 in the -100 and -300 variants.
Delta Air Lines

Carriers including Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, and Breeze Airways have bought the single-aisle jet.

Compared to its airliner sister, the ACJ TwoTwenty boasts a much longer range at 6,500 miles — that's over 12 hours of nonstop flying.

ACJ TwoTwenty cockpit.
Adrien Daste/Airbus

The A220 can fly about 4,000 miles nonstop, according to Airbus, and is popular for cross-country routes in the US.

This means the jet can operate intercontinental flights, like Los Angeles to London and New York to Istanbul.

ACJ TwoTwenty couch.
Adrien Daste/Airbus

The long-haul capabilities are powered by the jet's two Pratt & Whitney GTF PW1500G engines.

The performance rivals that of many large purpose-built private planes like the Gulfstream G700 and the Bombardier Global 7500.

Qatar Airways CEO with cabin crew and other Qatar and Gulfstream executives standing in front of the G700. — Qatar Airways Executive received its first G700 VIP plane in June.
Qatar Airways

These ultra-long-range business planes can both fly about 9,000 miles nonstop and are used by companies like Qatar Airways Executive and private charter company VistaJet.

While the large business jets can fly further, they have less floor space to offer — giving the ACJ TwoTwenty a leg up on the competition.

ACJ TwoTwenty main lounge.
Adrien Daste/Airbus

The ACJ was also designed to have a "similar parking footprint and ramp presence" and take off from the same airports as large business planes, according to Airbus.

Specifically, the 786-square-foot cabin offers up to three times more space compared to large business jets.

The G700 offers about 415 square feet of floor space. The Global 7500 boasts the largest cabin in its category, with just over 450 square feet of space.

Despite its higher capacity, Airbus estimates the cost to operate the ACJ TwoTwenty to be less than that of large long-range private jets.

ACJ TwoTwenty galley.
Adrien Daste/Airbus

According to Simple Flying, Airbus' VP of corporate jets for North America, Sean McGeough, said the cost to operate the ACJ Two Twenty will be two-thirds that of large bizjets, noting Airbus' maintenance infrastructure and large spare part inventory.

Plus, the list price is expected to be competitive with rival large planes.

A VistaJet Bombardier Global 7500.
Dominick Gravel/VistaJet

"The ACJ TwoTwenty is set to become a game-changer in the business aviation market," McGeough said. "It offers a unique combination of unmatched cabin space, intercontinental range, state-of-the-art amenities, and competitive pricing."

Buyers can expect to pay about $100 million for a finished ACJ TwoTwenty, the Business Jet Traveler reported.

This estimate is more expensive than the $78 million Gulfstream G700 and the $75 million Global 7500.

Its luxe cabins will reflect the high price tag, with options to include an office, a master ensuite bedroom with a shower, and giant flatscreen TVs.

Aircraft completion company Comlux has partnered with Airbus to be the outfitter of the ACJ TwoTwenty's VIP interiors at its facility in Indianapolis.

High-tech systems will also be offered, like touchless window shades and high-speed WiFi.

Moreover, the cockpit hosts advanced systems that make urban and challenging airports "not a problem for the ACJ TwoTwenty."

The amenities were on display at NBACE, but the cabin can be tailored to the buyer with Airbus having several customizable options available.

ACJ TwoTwenty shower. — ACJ TwoTwenty bathroom with a rainfall shower.
Adrien Daste/Airbus

The ACJ Two Twenty's "signature ambiances" include Timeless, Avant-Garde, and Quintessence.

Meanwhile, its special edition cabin created by French artist Cyril Kongo adds a splash of color to the collection.

Cyril Kongo's ACJ TwoTwenty business lounge design.
Airbus

The designer and graffiti artist "brings the cabin design to the next level of emotion" with vibrant colors, captivating patterns, and unique textures and fabrics.

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Transportation, finance, Aviation, Airbus, acj-twotwenty, private-jets, private-aviation, Aircraft, Planes, a220, business-planes, business-visual-features

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Airbus just unveiled the private jet version of its smallest airliner, which is…