Airbus unveiled here at NBAA 2014 a new VIP widebody cabin concept, Summit, for the A330-200, featuring a floor plan with an executive configuration in the front of the cabin and airline style seating in the rear. The Summit is intended to appeal to customers, such as governments, that need to transport both a few passengers in VIP accommodations along with a larger group, such as a trade delegation and journalists. However, Airbus (Booth 5099, static display) believes Summit may also be popular with private buyers in the Middle East who often travel in a similar manner. The cabin configuration shown at the Airbus press conference has a 90-person capacity.
“What most customers want in a widebody is the ability to carry more people and to fly them nonstop to the world,” said John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, customers,. “The Airbus ACJ330 Summit delivers the greater capacity, comfort and capability of a widebody and will do so faster and more affordably than competitors by using a modern and proven solution.”
The executive end of the Airbus ACJ330 Summit features a bedroom with ensuite bathroom, an office, a conference and dining room and a work area. The airline-style seating in the rear would be installed during production, which is faster and more cost-effective than a green completion. The design of the executive and airline-style sections can both be customized to meet customer needs.
Airbus believes this is the fastest and most economical route to buying an executive-configured airliner, though no pricing has been set; an Airbus spokesman said an A330-200 in airliner configuration costs about $220 million. Two delivery positions for Summit buyers are available for 2015 delivery, according to the company. Airbus also stressed the simpler completion afforded by its metal airframe, as opposed to the composite fuselage of the competing platform for this market: Boeing’s B787.
Attendees can get a sense of the interior possibilities of such VIP completions aboard the ACJ319 operated by Tyrolean Jet Services that Airbus has on static display here. Certified for 19 passengers, the luxe interior includes forward lounge, bedroom and lavatory with stand-up shower.
Airbus also provided updates on recently announced initiatives and programs. In May the company introduced its Sharklets winglets as an in-service retrofit option (standard on new ACJs as of last October), and Zurich-based Comlux and Riyadh’s Alpha Star Aviation Services have ordered the installation for their respective ACJ319 and ACJ320 aircraft.
Meanwhile, the Airbus Corporate Jet Customer Care Centre (C4you), introduced 18 months ago to provide a single point of aftermarket contact for customers, is now handling more than 500 queries per month. Additionally, it’s recently established ACJ Advisory Board, composed of owners and operators, is now meeting quarterly, helping the company to “understand what matters to them.”
