Airbus Corporate Jets

Czech Republic ACJ319 with a Saab Gripen
Role Business jet
Manufacturer Airbus
Unit cost
ACJ319: $105M, A320 Prestige: $115M (2018)[1]

Airbus Corporate Jets, a business unit of Airbus SAS and part of Airbus, markets and completes corporate jet variants from the parent's airliner range. Types include the A318 Elite to the double/triple-decked Airbus A380 Prestige. Following the entry of the 737 based Boeing Business Jet, Airbus joined the business jet market with the A319 Corporate Jet in 1997. Although the term Airbus Corporate jet was initially used only for the A319CJ, it is now often used for all models, including the VIP widebodies. As of December 2008, 121 corporate and private jets are operating, 164 aircraft have been ordered, including an A380 Prestige and 107 A320 family Corporate Jet.[2]

An Airbus Corporate Jet Centre is based at Toulouse, France and specialises in single-aisle aircraft.

Narrow-body aircraft

ACJ319 cabin

The ACJ family is based on the successful A320 family of aircraft and was based on the A319CJ. Today any version of the A320 is available as corporate jet with 180 minute ETOPS rating.[3] Changes over the passenger versions include an increase in service ceiling to 41,000 ft (12,000 m) and the use of a variable number of removable additional fuel tanks.[4]

Airbus ACJ318

The A318 Elite is based on the passenger A318. The smallest of the ACJ family, it is offered in passenger configurations between 14 and 18 passengers with a range of 4,050 nmi (7,500 km).

Airbus ACJ319

Angela Merkel visiting Greece with an ACJ319 in 2012

This model is the corporate jet version of the A319. It incorporates removable extra fuel tanks which are installed in the cargo compartment, and an increased service ceiling of 12,000 m (39,000 ft) giving a range of 6,500 nmi (12,000 km). Upon resale the aircraft can be reconfigured as a standard A319 by removing its extra tanks, thus maximizing its resale value. Certificated both European JAA and American FAA, the A319LR and ACJ are the only business jets approved for public transport on both sides of the Atlantic.[5]

The aircraft seats between 19 and 50 passengers but may be outfitted by the customers into any configuration. DC Aviation, UB Group and Reliance Industries are among its users. The A319CJ competes with the Boeing BBJ1, Gulfstream G550, and Bombardier Global Express. Because of its wider fuselage diameter, it offers a roomier interior than its competitors. It is powered by the same engine types as the A320, either the CFM International CFM56-5 or the V2527.

The A319CJ was used by the Escadron de transport, d'entrainement et de calibration which is in charge of transportation for France's officials, and was also ordered by the Flugbereitschaft of the Luftwaffe for transportation of Germany's officials. Since 2003, an ACJ is a presidential aircraft of Armenia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Italy, Malaysia, Slovakia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Venezuela.

Airbus ACJ320

The A320 Prestige is offered as a variant for passengers who want more interior space than the A319 offers. It has a passenger capacity of 30 and a range of 4,950 nmi (9,170 km) with two removable fuel tanks.[6][7]

Airbus ACJ321

The A321 is the largest narrow body corporate jet with a full passenger range of 4,590 nmi (8,500 km).[8]

ACJ319neo/ACJ320neo

ACJ320neo model shown at the May 2018 EBACE

Two A320neo family variants are offered: the ACJ319neo, carrying eight passengers up to 6,750 nmi (12,500 km), and the ACJ320neo, carrying 25 up to 6,000 nmi (11,000 km). The CFM LEAP or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G lower fuel-burn provides additional range along with lower engine noise while the cabin altitude does not exceed 6,400 ft (2,000 m). To increase its fuel capacity, the ACJ319neo is offered with up to five additional centre tanks (ACT).[9]

Specifications

Variant ACJ318[10] ACJ319neo[11] ACJ320neo[12] ACJ321[13]
Typical VIP pax 8258
Wingspan 35.8 m (117 ft 5 in)
Height 12.56 m (41 ft 2 in) 11.76 m (38 ft 7 in)
Length 31.45 m (103 ft 2 in) 33.84 m (111 ft 0 in) 37.57 m (123 ft 3 in) 44.51 m (146 ft 0 in)
Cabin Length 21.62 m (70 ft 11 in) 24.01 m (78 ft 9 in) 27.74 m (91 ft 0 in) 34.44 m (113 ft 0 in)
Cabin area 74.2 m2 (799 sq ft) 83 m2 (890 sq ft) 96 m2 (1,030 sq ft) 121 m2 (1,300 sq ft)
Width 3.95 m (13 ft 0 in) Fuselage, 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in) cabin width, 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) cabin height
MTOW 68 t (150,000 lb) 76.5 t (169,000 lb) 79 t (174,000 lb) 93.5 t (206,000 lb)
Max fuel 24,210 L (6,400 US gal) 37,400 L (9,900 US gal)[lower-alpha 1] 34,350 L (9,070 US gal)[lower-alpha 2] 32,900 L (8,700 US gal)
Thrust (×2) 96–106 kN (22,000–24,000 lbf) 98.3 kN (22,100 lbf) 98–120 kN (22,000–27,000 lbf) 120–148 kN (27,000–33,000 lbf)
Max speed Mach 0.82 (470 kn; 871 km/h)
Range 7,800 km (4,200 nmi) 12,500 km (6,700 nmi) 11,100 km (6,000 nmi) 7,800 km (4,200 nmi)
Takeoff 1,780 m (5,840 ft) 1,850 m (6,070 ft) 2,100 m (6,900 ft) 2,430 m (7,970 ft)
Landing 1,230 m (4,040 ft) 1,360 m (4,460 ft) 1,500 m (4,900 ft) 1,630 m (5,350 ft)
Service ceiling 12,500 m (41,000 ft)11,900 m (39,000 ft)

Wide-body aircraft

The VIP widebodies are based on the A330/A340/A350/A380 aircraft. Additional fuel tanks extend the range, with most increase for the A330 Prestige.

Airbus ACJ330-200

VIP aircraft Airbus A330 of Qatar Amiri Flight taxiing on Zagreb airport

The A330-200 Prestige offers space for 60 passengers with a range of 8,300 nmi (15,400 km).

Airbus ACJ340-300

Egyptian Government A340

Based on Airbus' first four engine design, the ETOPS immune A340-300 Prestige offers a 7,700 nmi (14,300 km) range for 75 passengers. It is powered by four CFM56-5C4/P engines, each rated at 151 kN (34,000 lbf) thrust.

Airbus ACJ340-500

The ACJ340-500 is a longer range complement to the A340-300 Prestige with a 10,000 nmi (19,000 km) range as a result of having a higher fuel capacity and an updated wing with increased span and area. It carries 75 passengers and can link almost any imaginable city pair on the globe. It is powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 556 engines, each rated at 249 kN (56,000 lbf).

Airbus ACJ340-600

The ACJ340-600 is a version of the A340-600 with range increased to 8,500 nmi (15,700 km).

Airbus ACJ350

The A330 and A340 successor A350 XWB is also offered as the ACJ350 corporate jet by Airbus Corporate Jets, offering a 10,800 nmi (20,000 km) range for 25 passengers for the -900 derivative and 270 square metres (2,900 sq ft) of cabin space.[14]

Airbus ACJ380-800 "Flying Palace"

One executive variant of the Airbus A380 was ordered in 2012, with two full decks and a third deck in the cargo compartment,[15][16] but the aircraft was sold as a regular aircraft before modifications were made. Range was to be increased to 8,900 nmi (16,500 km). British tabloids said that the version ordered by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal was to contain a conference room, a concert hall, a garage, wellness and steam room as well as a lift to enter the plane.[17] The undelivered plane was to be called "Prestige".[18][19] The Guardian reported the plane was sold amid disputes between Forbes and Talal around the size of his fortune and his efforts to affect his ranking in Forbes billionaires list.[20]

As of May 2018, plans to retrofit one of the first A380s to be retired from service with Singapore Airlines as a business jet were reported to be "at a very advanced stage". Refitting a retired A380 would cost less than buying a new A330 or Boeing 777 business jet.[21]

Orders, Deliveries, Operators - Governments, Executive and Private Jets

Breakdown by AircraftA318A319 A319neoA320 A320neoA321A300A310A330-200A340-200/300A340-500/600A350-900TOTAL
Orders2079218613358771205
Deliveries2077018013341770177
In Operation207202201021411290198

Summary to 31 May 2017[22]

References

  1. ↑ "Purchase Planning Handbook" (PDF). Business & Commercial Aviation. Aviation Week Network. May 2018.
  2. ↑ Airbus Executive and Private Aviation Archived 2010-04-20 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ ACJ Family - Versatility Archived 2009-02-26 at the Wayback Machine. Airbus
  4. ↑ "Airbus". Archived from the original on 2008-02-09. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  5. ↑ PrivatAir selects A319 long-range for Lufthansa flights Archived 2010-01-13 at the Wayback Machine. Airbus
  6. ↑ A320 Prestige Aviation Broker
  7. ↑ http://www.gbjyearbook.com/yb_aircraftpage.html?recnum=A320 Airbus ACJ320
  8. ↑ Airbus ACJ321 Global Business Jet
  9. ↑ "Corporate Jets : ACJneo". Airbus.
  10. ↑ "A318". Airbus.
  11. ↑ "A319neo". Airbus.
  12. ↑ "A320neo". Airbus.
  13. ↑ "ACJ321". Airbus.
  14. ↑ "Airbus Launches ACJ350 XWB with Easyfit Outfitting". Airways News. May 23, 2016.
  15. ↑ A380 Cross-Section Business Week
  16. ↑ The Airbus A380's suite ride Los Angeles Times
  17. ↑ Inside the world's biggest private jet with 4-poster beds, Turkish bath... and a place to park the Rolls MailOnline
  18. ↑ I First Buyer For the Airbus A380 'Flying Palace' Space.com
  19. ↑ HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal places first order for A380 flying palace Airbus
  20. ↑ "Prince Alwaleed bin Talal insulted at only being No 26 on Forbes rich list". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  21. ↑ Morris, John (28 May 2018). "First A380 'Royal Yacht' May be Launched Soon". Aviation Week. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  22. ↑

Notes

  1. ↑ 5 ACT
  2. ↑ 4 ACT
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