FIRST LOOK • AIRBUS AJC TWOTWENTY
THE BIG JET WITH
XTRA LARGE AMBITIONS
The first ACJ TwoTwenty was delivered to its launch customer earlier this year. So what differentiates the aircraft in an already crowded marketplace? Words: Mike Stones
FIRST LOOK • AIRBUS ACJ TWOTWENTY
THE BIG JET WITH
XTRA LARGE AMBITIONS
The first ACJ TwoTwenty was delivered to its launch customer earlier this year. So what differentiates the aircraft in an already crowded marketplace? Words: Mike Stones
THE AIRBUS ACJ TwoTwenty is a big plane with bold ambitions. It’s tasked with carving out what Airbus terms a new market segment in business aviation – “the Xtra large bizjet” category. So is the jet on track to realise those plans? The first completed ACJ TwoTwenty was delivered to launch customer FIVE Hotels earlier this year. The resort group is enjoying its new jet.
“FIVE Hotels seems delighted with its ACJ TwoTwenty and the aircraft schedule is so busy – to the point we can’t get hold of the aircraft as much as we would like for shows,” Chadi Saade, acting president, Airbus Corporate Jets tells Corporate Jet Investor. “It’s a nice problem to have and we are working on it, so we can show the aircraft in several areas of the world.”
The aircraft flying with FIVE Hotels is the only ACJ TwoTwenty in service at present. But not for long. “The second ACJ TwoTwenty has been delivered to Comlux, our exclusive completions partner, and outfitting is ongoing,” says Saade. “A third TwoTwenty will be delivered soon. We are ramping up production slowly but surely to reach our target of having more and more aircraft in service.”
Talking of targets, ACJ is not revealing projected target sales for the ACJ TwoTwenty. But Saade does tell us: “We want to double the ACJ orders in the near future.” Impressive ambitions.
But why such optimism about Airbus’s latest business jet in an already crowded market? “The ACJ TwoTwenty is set to become a real game changer in the business aviation market because of its unique value proposition,” says Saade. “It offers a unique combination of unmatched cabin space and comfort, intercontinental range – all this with lower operating costs, competitive pricing and high residual value.”
Let’s talk numbers – starting with cabin dimensions. The ACJ TwoTwenty's cabin boasts 786sqft (73sqm) of floor space, seating up to 19 passengers. It features six wide VIP living areas of about 130sqft (12sqm) each. “Compared with other ACJ aircraft, the big difference is that we have introduced this flexible cabin organisation; enabling clients to choose from different layouts,” explains Saade. “However, customers still have the freedom to fully customise the final look and feel of the aircraft to their taste.”
“We want to double ACJ’s orders in the near future.”
Chadi Saade, acting president, Airbus Corporate Jets
Claiming an ace for space: The ACJ TwoTwenty's cabin boasts 786sqft (73sqm) of floor space, seating up to 19 passengers.
The aircraft’s modular design offers clients six VIP living zones – each of them roughly 12sqm in size. “You can install a king-size bed and have the opportunity to dine at a proper eight-seat dining table. You can sleep 11 people in proper beds – all at a price point that competes with long-range business jets.
“The aircraft was designed to compete head-to-head with the largest aircraft of our competitors,” he says, referring to the largest Gulfstream, the G700, the Bombardier 7500 and a range of other models. “Compared with those aircraft, the real estate you can get with an ACJ TwoTwenty is roughly two to three times more – but with a similar exterior parking footprint,” says Saade.
Also, the jet's advanced air management system is designed to ensure the well-being of all on board, with low cabin altitude, reduced noise levels, and enhanced humidification and air quality.
Plus, Airbus highlights the much bigger cargo capacity of its latest business jet. The aircraft can accommodate up to 100 bags compared with about 20 claimed by its competitors.
Moving on to range and duration, the ACJ TwoTwenty may have stylish legs, but no one would claim they are as long as some of its ACJ sister models or its competitors. The aircraft claims a range of up to 5,650nm (10,465km) and can stay airborne for more than 12 flight hours. That compares with a range of 6,000nm and 13 hours aloft for the ACJ320neo and 7,500nm for the Gulfstream G650ER and G700 (although this may be a little understated). Then there’s Bombardier’s Global 7500 with a range of 7,700nm.
But is the capability to fly further necessarily better? Not according to Airbus. The ACJ TwoTwenty can meet the requirements of 99.9% of all US departures, connecting city pairs including Los Angeles to London, Miami to Buenos Aires, and New York to Istanbul, says the manufacturer based on ACJ analysis of WingX data, June 2023. The range could be extended with extra fuel tanks operated under Extended Twin-Engine Operations (ETOPS) permits. It also occupies a similar parking footprint as ultra-long-range jets and can take off from the same airports, due to its short-field performance capabilities.
It’s a performance delivered by the latest aerodynamics, composite and advanced materials and, not least, the aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney GTF PW1500G engines. The combination adds up to lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared with previous generation aircraft, says Airbus. In addition the aircraft is by design extremely quiet and offers significant noise margins (17.1 EPNdB) vs. latest regulation (ICAO Chapter 4 Noise Standard), quieter than any other competitor LR or ULR jet in the market today.
Best-in-class connectivity technologies are also claimed for the ACJ TwoTwenty. This is based on a Wi-Fi system across the entire cabin, capable of up to 50 Mbps.
Operating costs are claimed to be up to 30% lower than ultra-long-range business jets. This arises mainly due to reduced maintenance and training costs, according to the manufacturer. Compared with ultra-long-range jets, the ACJ TwoTwenty’s design is said to incorporate simplified maintenance procedures and longer maintenance intervals, reducing on the ground time and lowering labour and maintenance expenses.
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The aircraft is also fitted with a fully-equipped kitchen enabling the preparation of meals to be served at the jet’s eight-seat dining table.
Cleaning up on luxury airborne comforts – the ACJ TwoTwenty is equipped with shower and other bathroom facilities.
The ACJ TwoTwenty claims a range of up to 5,650nm and can stay airborne for more than 12 hours.
Bedtime in the sky – the aircraft can sleep up to 11 people all on “proper beds,” says the company.
The first C checks scheduled maintenance takes place at year six. This translates to 50% fewer maintenance man-hours and 80 more days of aircraft availability over the first 10 years, claims Airbus. Plus, the manufacturer’s worldwide footprint enables it to benefit from more affordable spare parts, maintenance and training services. Flight crew training is also said to cost less than other business jets due to the aircraft’s airline heritage. Initial training costs one-third the cost of ULR jets and takes 25% less time, says Saade. Recurrent training can be as short as one day only and is one-sixth the cost of ULR jets.
“We have much lower operating costs than other manufacturers because the aircraft has been designed initially and priced for the airline world in operations,” says Saade. “That leads to significant cost savings.”
So how about price? Airbus is not publishing a price for ACJ TwoTwenty. (We do know its sister, the ACJ320, carries a list price tag of about $100m, as typically outfitted). But Saade does tell us this: “I can’t give you a precise price because that is confidential. But we designed the aircraft to compete head-to-head with very large business jets such as the G7500. That means we also want to compete from a price perspective.” Bombardier’s Global 7500 carries a list price of $75m.
Moving on to value retention, over the past 10 years, both ACJs and Boeing Business Jets have held their values much better than most business jets. Airbus claims strong demand and limited supply contribute to ACJ aircraft having twice the value retention compared with long-range and ultra-long-range business jets. An ACJ analysis in January of more than 20 years of traction data showed average annual depreciation of about 3%. A similar study of long-range and ultra-long-range business jets in October 2018 by Bank of America Merrill Lynch showed average annual depreciation of 6%, says the company. Unlike most OEMs, Airbus builds ACJs to order, eliminating the financial pressure to reduce prices to move unsold inventory or white tails, says Saade. Also, ACJ maintains commonality in new feature designs, enabling existing aircraft to be retrofitted to the latest capabilities without buying a new model.
Who is buying? Saade answers the question by first highlighting the trend over the past 15 to 20 years for larger cabin space. “All our competitors have increased their cabin space by between 30% to 40% over the years,” he says. “The market was looking for more cabin space but there was no one who could offer the value proposition the ACJ TwoTwenty can: two to three times the cabin size whilst having the similar parking space, intercontinental range and lower operating costs.”
Cabin space is the key for buyers from all over the world. ACJ clients include ultra-high-net worth individuals looking to upgrade from smaller business jets, governments and corporations who want to fly delegations of 15-18 people. Or looking to have the capability to have up to 11 people on board – all sleeping on proper beds. Saade also highlights the emergence of first-time buyers who, after booking smaller aircraft with charter operators, decide to invest in a larger aircraft. “During Covid, individuals and corporations realised things can happen to prevent airlines from operating. So because they value their freedom to continue their businesses and travel between three cities in one day, they decided to invest in private jet travel,” says Saade.
Another legacy of Covid has been the appearance of governments looking for large aircraft to conduct repatriation flights, crew transportation or to provide flying hospitals. About half the company’s current clients for its ACJ’s fleet are governments. Which brings us to sustainability. “Governments are extremely interested in sustainability,” says Saade.
Below: Well connected – the aircraft has a Wi-Fi system across the entire cabin capable of up to 50 Mbps.
Inset: The jet's flexible modular design enables clients to plan their bespoke cabin across six distinct living areas.
Below: Well connected – the aircraft has a Wi-Fi system across the entire cabin capable of up to 50 Mbps.
Inset: The jet's flexible modular design enables clients to plan their bespoke cabin across six distinct living areas.
For now, there is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). All Airbus commercial aircraft, including the ACJ TwoTwenty, are capable of flying with up to 50% SAF and the manufacturer aims to achieve 100% SAF certification by 2030. (SAF can reduce emissions by 80% on average during its full lifecycle compared with traditional aviation fuel).
In the longer term, as part of the industry’s drive to zero emissions by 2050, the company, like all major OEMs, is looking at alternative propulsion technologies, such as hydrogen and electric powerplants plus aerodynamic innovation. “We have already reduced fuel burn by double digits over the past few years with the use of new engines and several other technologies.”
Meanwhile, Saade sums up the key ACJ TwoTwenty proposition like this: “We planned the ACJ TwoTwenty to fit perfectly into the sweet spot where you combine acquisition costs very close to ultra-long-range jets with intercontinental range of 12 hours flight, two to three times the cabin space of other business jets and much better efficiency on operating, maintenance and training costs.”
It’s a proposition that convinced FIVE Hotels as well as other key customers. More clients shouldn’t be long in joining this new owners’ club.
Flight crew training is claimed to cost less than for other business jets due to the aircraft’s airline heritage.
The ACJ TwoTwenty can conect city pairs such as Los Angeles to London and New York to Istanbul.
The ACJ TwoTwenty can conect city pairs such as Los Angeles to London and New York to Istanbul.
Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty
Industry Feedback: The ACJ TwoTwenty spreads its wings with Comlux and FIVE Hotels
Comlux: Three up on ACJ TwoTwentys
COMLUX, AIRBUS’ long-term completions partner, is three up on the Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty range. After completing the first aircraft purchased for launch customer Dubai-based FIVE Hotels at its Comlux Completion headquarters in Indianapolis, the company is now working on a second TwoTwenty delivered earlier this year. It also operates FIVE Hotels’ aircraft.
Arnaud Martin, Comlux chief strategy officer and CEO, Comlux2twenty told CJI: “The aircraft is very modern and performs extremely well. Our VIP airline division, Comlux Aviation, has operated the first ACJ TwoTwenty delivered to FIVE since April this year.”
This has enabled Comlux to give Airbus direct design and engineering feedback in service plus the operator’s view of the aircraft registered 9H-FIVE. “The ACJ TwoTwenty is very easy to operate, reliable and versatile, operating in all type of airports thanks to its excellent performance,” he said.
Big attractions of the aircraft are the cabin space and interior design flexibility it offers VIP travellers and owners. “Today s catalogue offers more than 100 possible floor plan configurations within the six distinct living areas of the ACJ TwoTwenty this is a very large catalogue and, so far, is deemed to be fully satisfactory for our customers and prospects,” he added.
Cabin interiors are offered with a range of ambiance interiors including avant-garde, timeless and quintessence.
FIVE Hotel’s ACJ TwoTwenty features 16 seats, a dining table for eight passengers, a master suite with a king-sized bed and shower, electro-chromatic window shades, a fully equipped kitchen, non-stop streaming high-speed connectivity and two ultra-large 55-inch screens, high-speed Wi-Fi and in-flight music.
Meanwhile, Chadi Saade, acting president, Airbus Corporate Jets tells CJI a third ACJTwoTwenty will be delivered to Comlux soon. It can’t arrive too soon for Martin at Comlux. “We look forward to the next deliveries at the end of this year and early next year to ensure more customers can experience the aircraft,” says Martin. “All charter customer and prospective buyers having the chance to board and fly the aircraft are just amazed by the space, the comfort and the modernity of the cabin.”
FIVE: ‘Dare-to-be-different private jet’
AFTER FIVE months of operations, FIVE Hotels and Resorts is delighted with what it describes as the airborne opulence and versatility of its new business jet.
“A dare-to-be-different jet, the ACJ TwoTwenty cabin is one of the most innovative and technologically-advanced aircraft cabins ever designed – one that boasts all the conveniences of modern luxury living, but in the sky,” Aloki Batra, CEO, FIVE Hospitality tells CJI. “Aboard 9H-FIVE [the ACJ’s registration] guests have a first-hand experience of the masterful combination of design, engineering, craftsmanship and luxury used to create this particular FIVE-styled space in the skies.”
Flights in the aircraft, marketed as the group’s Fly FIVE service, enables the luxury resort company to extend its hospitality from the ground to the skies. “Fly FIVE is an extension of the on-ground 'Vibe at FIVE' that FIVE is famed for and Fly FIVE perfectly embodies FIVE's ethos,” says Batra. “Immersive entertainment, flawless service and is a first-of-its-kind, one-of-a-kind private jet experience – providing a singular experience for every guest.”
FIVE’s guests value the aircraft’s cabin space and flexibility, according to the group. “Guests are excited by Fly FIVE’s fresh take on an in-flight entertainment experience and its unique way to dine, entertain and invigorate in the most opulent and private environment,” says Batra. “It’s ultra-luxe and customised cabins are a reflection of FIVE’s luxury lifestyle hospitality and entertainment ethos, that is unfound in other business aircraft.”
This shape-shifting model at the ACJ TwoTwenty Creative Studio in Toulouse, France enables clients to compare the size of the aircraft’s interior with competitors’ jets. The white-edged borders narrow to mimic smaller cabins.
The studio offers an array of cabin furnishing materials.
Comlux: Three up on ACJ TwoTwentys
COMLUX, AIRBUS’ long-term completions partner, is three up on the Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty range. After completing the first aircraft purchased for launch customer Dubai-based FIVE Hotels at its Comlux Completion headquarters in Indianapolis, the company is now working on a second TwoTwenty delivered earlier this year. It also operates FIVE Hotels’ aircraft.
Arnaud Martin, Comlux chief strategy officer and CEO, Comlux2twenty told CJI: “The aircraft is very modern and performs extremely well. Our VIP airline division, Comlux Aviation, has operated the first ACJ TwoTwenty delivered to FIVE since April this year.”
This has enabled Comlux to give Airbus direct design and engineering feedback in service plus the operator’s view of the aircraft registered 9H-FIVE. “The ACJ TwoTwenty is very easy to operate, reliable and versatile, operating in all type of airports thanks to its excellent performance,” he said.
Big attractions of the aircraft are the cabin space and interior design flexibility it offers VIP travellers and owners. “Today s catalogue offers more than 100 possible floor plan configurations within the six distinct living areas of the ACJ TwoTwenty this is a very large catalogue and, so far, is deemed to be fully satisfactory for our customers and prospects,” he added.
Cabin interiors are offered with a range of ambiance interiors including avant-garde, timeless and quintessence.
FIVE Hotel’s ACJ TwoTwenty features 16 seats, a dining table for eight passengers, a master suite with a king-sized bed and shower, electro-chromatic window shades, a fully equipped kitchen, non-stop streaming high-speed connectivity and two ultra-large 55-inch screens, high-speed Wi-Fi and in-flight music.
Meanwhile, Chadi Saade, acting president, Airbus Corporate Jets tells CJI a third ACJTwoTwenty will be delivered to Comlux soon. It can’t arrive too soon for Martin at Comlux. “We look forward to the next deliveries at the end of this year and early next year to ensure more customers can experience the aircraft,” says Martin. “All charter customer and prospective buyers having the chance to board and fly the aircraft are just amazed by the space, the comfort and the modernity of the cabin.”
FIVE: ‘Dare-to-be-different private jet’
AFTER FIVE months of operations, FIVE Hotels and Resorts is delighted with what it describes as the airborne opulence and versatility of its new business jet.
“A dare-to-be-different jet, the ACJ TwoTwenty cabin is one of the most innovative and technologically-advanced aircraft cabins ever designed – one that boasts all the conveniences of modern luxury living, but in the sky,” Aloki Batra, CEO, FIVE Hospitality tells CJI. “Aboard 9H-FIVE [the ACJ’s registration] guests have a first-hand experience of the masterful combination of design, engineering, craftsmanship and luxury used to create this particular FIVE-styled space in the skies.”
Flights in the aircraft, marketed as the group’s Fly FIVE service, enables the luxury resort company to extend its hospitality from the ground to the skies. “Fly FIVE is an extension of the on-ground 'Vibe at FIVE' that FIVE is famed for and Fly FIVE perfectly embodies FIVE's ethos,” says Batra. “Immersive entertainment, flawless service and is a first-of-its-kind, one-of-a-kind private jet experience – providing a singular experience for every guest.”
FIVE’s guests value the aircraft’s cabin space and flexibility, according to the group. “Guests are excited by Fly FIVE’s fresh take on an in-flight entertainment experience and its unique way to dine, entertain and invigorate in the most opulent and private environment,” says Batra. “It’s ultra-luxe and customised cabins are a reflection of FIVE’s luxury lifestyle hospitality and entertainment ethos, that is unfound in other business aircraft.”
This shape-shifting model at the ACJ TwoTwenty Creative Studio in Toulouse, France enables clients to compare the size of the aircraft’s interior with competitors’ jets. The white-edged borders narrow to mimic smaller cabins.
The studio offers an array of cabin furnishing materials.
Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty
Industry Feedback: The ACJ TwoTwenty spreads its wings with Comlux and FIVE Hotels
Comlux: Three up on ACJ TwoTwentys
COMLUX, AIRBUS’ long-term completions partner, is three up on the Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty range. After completing the first aircraft purchased for launch customer Dubai-based FIVE Hotels at its Comlux Completion headquarters in Indianapolis, the company is now working on a second TwoTwenty delivered earlier this year. It also operates FIVE Hotels’ aircraft.
Arnaud Martin, Comlux chief strategy officer and CEO, Comlux2twenty told CJI: “The aircraft is very modern and performs extremely well. Our VIP airline division, Comlux Aviation, has operated the first ACJ TwoTwenty delivered to FIVE since April this year.”
This has enabled Comlux to give Airbus direct design and engineering feedback in service plus the operator’s view of the aircraft registered 9H-FIVE. “The ACJ TwoTwenty is very easy to operate, reliable and versatile, operating in all type of airports thanks to its excellent performance,” he said.
Big attractions of the aircraft are the cabin space and interior design flexibility it offers VIP travellers and owners. “Today s catalogue offers more than 100 possible floor plan configurations within the six distinct living areas of the ACJ TwoTwenty this is a very large catalogue and, so far, is deemed to be fully satisfactory for our customers and prospects,” he added.
Cabin interiors are offered with a range of ambiance interiors including avant-garde, timeless and quintessence.
FIVE Hotel’s ACJ TwoTwenty features 16 seats, a dining table for eight passengers, a master suite with a king-sized bed and shower, electro-chromatic window shades, a fully equipped kitchen, non-stop streaming high-speed connectivity and two ultra-large 55-inch screens, high-speed Wi-Fi and in-flight music.
Meanwhile, Chadi Saade, acting president, Airbus Corporate Jets tells CJI a third ACJTwoTwenty will be delivered to Comlux soon. It can’t arrive too soon for Martin at Comlux. “We look forward to the next deliveries at the end of this year and early next year to ensure more customers can experience the aircraft,” says Martin. “All charter customer and prospective buyers having the chance to board and fly the aircraft are just amazed by the space, the comfort and the modernity of the cabin.”
FIVE: ‘Dare-to-be-different private jet’
AFTER FIVE months of operations, FIVE Hotels and Resorts is delighted with what it describes as the airborne opulence and versatility of its new business jet.
“A dare-to-be-different jet, the ACJ TwoTwenty cabin is one of the most innovative and technologically-advanced aircraft cabins ever designed – one that boasts all the conveniences of modern luxury living, but in the sky,” Aloki Batra, CEO, FIVE Hospitality tells CJI. “Aboard 9H-FIVE [the ACJ’s registration] guests have a first-hand experience of the masterful combination of design, engineering, craftsmanship and luxury used to create this particular FIVE-styled space in the skies.”
Flights in the aircraft, marketed as the group’s Fly FIVE service, enables the luxury resort company to extend its hospitality from the ground to the skies. “Fly FIVE is an extension of the on-ground 'Vibe at FIVE' that FIVE is famed for and Fly FIVE perfectly embodies FIVE's ethos,” says Batra. “Immersive entertainment, flawless service and is a first-of-its-kind, one-of-a-kind private jet experience – providing a singular experience for every guest.”
FIVE’s guests value the aircraft’s cabin space and flexibility, according to the group. “Guests are excited by Fly FIVE’s fresh take on an in-flight entertainment experience and its unique way to dine, entertain and invigorate in the most opulent and private environment,” says Batra. “It’s ultra-luxe and customised cabins are a reflection of FIVE’s luxury lifestyle hospitality and entertainment ethos, that is unfound in other business aircraft.”
This shape-shifting model at the ACJ TwoTwenty Creative Studio in Toulouse, France enables clients to compare the size of the aircraft’s interior with competitors’ jets. The white-edged borders narrow to mimic smaller cabins.
The studio offers an array of cabin furnishing materials.
