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PEARL ISSUE - n° 17 - 2019 - € 10
The Art of Sailing
Turquoise 77m Go
[ BESPOKE FLY ]
How is it possible to transform a commercial airliner into a super-luxury business jet that feels nothing like a normal aircraft? Airbus has the answer, and has drawn on the expertise offered by Horacio Pagani, Lufthansa Technik and Unique Aircraft for the interior design
AIRBORNE TRANSFORMATIONS by Sergio Barlocchetti - Ph. courtesy by ACJ
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miles – which means it’s possible to fly non-stop from New York to Dubai – with a maximum range of 15 hours. They can do so seated in leather armchairs whose upholstery, wood trim and stitching are the same as those found in the sort of Italian hypercar that has bewitched sheiks, entrepreneurs and political leaders throughout the world. Pagani also uses technical style elements like carbon fibre – in the sketches it can be seen in the window surrounds and the table for conferencing or meals. The result is not only functional, the weight savings give the ACJ319 enhanced performance. The division of the spaces is achieved through the use of semitransparent panels that can be darkened at the touch of a button. The ultra-Italian coffee machine is just one of the many optional features that will push the aircraft’s cost well above the base price of
A
100 million euro. The first user will be K5 Aviation of Gammelsdorf, CJ (Airbus Corporate Jets) is the European manufacturer’s
Germany, which will include it as a VVIP option for the operator
business jet division. Its products are based on commercial
Vertis Aviation, which already offers the previous versions of the
models that have been configured to carry government and
ACJ319. “Clients can already enjoy the great comfort provided by our
business VVIPs in line with client specifications and in a style created
aircraft. There is a huge amount of space for relaxation, movement
by the world’s best design studios. As the passenger cabins were
and work, so passengers can arrive refreshed and on the ball after
originally intended to carry over a 150 travellers and have been
flights lasting up to thirteen hours”, says Erik Scheidt, CEO of K5
redesigned to host 20 at the most – but usually just eight – with
Aviation. “Corporate jet clients are demanding more and more from
no thought for the strict income-generating requirements of low-
high-end jets, expecting greater comfort, more space and more
cost carriers, there is almost endless scope for personalisation, and
carrying capacity, and the Airbus family ACJ Neo can respond to all
although the need for airworthiness certification imposes restrictions
this”, adds John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer at Airbus.
on the type of materials and the construction methods used, the
Lufthansa Technik and Unique Aircraft have presented their projects,
result is simply breath-taking, especially as the talent behind it is
further attempts to transform the strict parameters of traditional
Italian. Since 2017 the person responsible for the interior styling
passenger cabins into interiors that more closely resemble the
of the A319ACJ Neo has been none other than Horacio Pagani, and
comfortable spaces we are used to on the ground, from bars with a
lucky passengers will be able to experience it on flights of up to 6000
counter to screening rooms inspired by the classical style of Greek
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The restrictive limitations of passenger cabins have been overturned in favour of opulent, ultra-comfortable interiors. In the renderings (here and opening pages), some solutions designed for the sleeping, lounge and dining areas
amphitheatres. The aerospace giant is also planning larger models after the A 320-based ACJ Neo. One of these is the A 350XWB, and all will be based on the same philosophy of fulfilling the requirements of all client, even those seeking a 200 square-metre apartment for travelling round the world with only two stops.
www.acj.airbus.com
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