Earlier today, we wrote about Airbus and its Corporate Jet division launching a business jet variant of the A220-100. Airbus must have struck gold because, following the launch announcement, orders have already been taken for the new aircraft. A total of six ACJ TwoTwentys have been ordered – not bad for the first day of sales!
Six aircraft ordered following launch announcement
Airbus Corporate Jets is announcing that it has already won its first orders for the ACJ TwoTwenty. The total thus far is six aircraft. So who are the customers?
Comlux, a company with an existing relationship with ACJ as a cabin interior outfitter, has revealed an order for two aircraft. The company itself has been outfitting and upgrading VIP interiors for many years and has been selected as the exclusive supplier of interiors for the first 15 cabins of the ACJ TwoTwenty.
As for the other four jets ordered, the identity of the customers has not been disclosed – something more typical of private and business jets compared to commercial and passenger airlines.
“We are honored to see our longstanding client Comlux becoming the launch customer of our new ACJ TwoTwenty as well as our cabin completion partner on the programme…Our new extra Large Bizjet will seamlessly complement Comlux’s portfolio – and we are convinced the aircraft will become a flagship addition to their fleet.” -Benoit Defforge, President ACJ
How much does an ACJ TwoTwenty cost?
Simple Flying asked Airbus about the list price of these aircraft. While the industry as a whole has been moving away from announcing list prices and order values, the European planemaker told us the following:
“The ACJ TwoTwenty is a new value proposition to business aviation buyers at a price tag just under ultra long-range business jets.”
With that in mind, perhaps we can try to find a ballpark figure. If we consult Aircraft Cost Calculator, we can compare the Bombardier Global 7500 – an aircraft with a range that far surpasses the one stated for the ACJ TwoTwenty. The website says that “depending on numerous factors, the average price for a pre-owned Bombardier Global 7500 is $72 million.” Without any more specific guidance from Airbus, this is the closest we can get.
What can we expect from an ACJ TwoTwenty?
Airbus says that the new ACJ TwoTwenty will feature a high-end VIP cabin interior, supported by what it calls “a flexible cabin catalog.”
ACJ supplier (and now TwoTwenty customer) Comlux will be responsible for fitting the aircraft with its business and guest lounge as well as a private entertainment space and a private suite, including a bathroom.
The cabin will be equipped with large full lie-flat seats – but goes a step further and can be fitted with a US-king size bed, and a standing rainshower.
Entry into service of the first ACJ TwoTwenty by Comlux Aviation is targeted for early 2023.
Airbus says it has more than 200 of its corporate jets in service on every continent, including Antarctica.
Do you think the aircraft will gain more orders in the next few weeks? Let us know in the comments.
