The $80 million private jet version of an Airbus A220 boasts a huge bathroom and meeting rooms. Take a look inside.
Pete Syme
- Airbus displayed one of its ACJTwoTwenty jets at a conference in Geneva.
- The $100 million private-jet version of its A220 airliner had several sections.
The Airbus A220 has a unique history. The firm's smallest airliner started life as the Bombardier CSeries before financial difficulties led to its acquisition by the European planemaker.
It utilizes fly-by-wire technology, which is key in Airbus' history. In the 1980s, the A320 became the second commercial jet after Concorde to use it — helping propel the manufacturer to compete with Boeing.
Typically used to serve regional routes, Airbus also offers a private-jet version of the A220 through its Corporate Jets division, called the ACJ TwoTwenty.
Richard Gaona, the CEO of charter airline Comlux, told Aviation International News it usually retails for around $80 million. He added that it serves a different market to Boeing Business Jets.
Business Insider went on board an ACJ TwoTwenty owned by Comlux. While it wasn't as extravagant as some private jets, it was well configured to serve corporations — kitted out with meeting areas and divans that can be used as beds.
Airbus exhibited a business-jet version of its A220 airliner at EBACE, an aviation conference in Geneva.
Airbus says it can fly for up to 12 hours nonstop with a range of 6,500 miles. The commercial version can only fly up to about 4,100 miles by comparison.
Reaching the top of the jet stairs really put its size into perspective.
The A220 might be Airbus' smallest airliner, but it looked enormous compared to the purpose-built business jets on display. It was one of two aircraft at EBACE that needed jet stairs to board, along with a Boeing 737 Max.
The entrance had an intricate design on the floor between the galley and flight deck.
In the flight deck, you can see there are side sticks instead of yokes because the A220 is fly-by-wire.
Fly-by-wire replaces mechanical flight controls with computer-controlled systems. It's considered safer because there are fewer points of failure, and it's cheaper to fix. Fewer parts and lighter wires mean better fuel efficiency, too.
Airbus pioneered its use in commercial aviation. Before the launch of the A320 in 1987, fly-by-wire was only found on Concorde and military aircraft.
The ACJ TwoTwenty can be configured in several layouts, although this one was seemingly aimed at corporations.
This aircraft didn't have the king-size bed that other ACJTwoTwenty jets have, in favor of more seats and meeting areas.
A small galley area had a coffee machine and numerous glasses.
Outside the main cabin were these two seats, presumably for flight attendants or junior staffers.
The first section was a meeting area with seats for six people.
The whole cabin area is 78 feet long and 6-foot-10-inches high.
Past that was a larger cabin with a similar seat layout ...
... with four seats arranged around a table for a meal.
Beyond that was an L-shaped couch and a TV.
The final cabin area was the smallest, with two divans that can be used as beds.
It might not be as luxurious as the double beds on some private jets, but it still looked more comfortable than flying commercial.
The aft was dedicated to a bathroom with purple ambient lighting.
It was pretty spacious, and there were neat storage areas for toiletries and water bottles.
Plus a good-sized shower.
The ACJTwoTwenty wasn't super flashy, especially compared to the nearby Boeing 737 Max.
The Boeing Business Jets 737 Max had two large bedrooms and three bathrooms with an opulent design. But for a corporation, it makes sense that meeting rooms and a higher capacity would take priority.
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