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Airbus Corporate Jets

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ACJ
Czech Air Force ACJ319 with a Saab Gripen
Role Business jet
Manufacturer Airbus

Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) is a business unit of Airbus which markets and completes business jet variants of the company’s airliners. Following the entry of the 737-based Boeing Business Jet into the market, Airbus introduced the A319-based Airbus Corporate Jet in 1997. Although the term Airbus Corporate Jet was initially used only for the A319CJ, it is now used for all models in a VIP configuration.[1] As of June 2019, 213 corporate and private jets are operating; 222 aircraft have been ordered, including 128 A320 family jets.[2]

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

Narrow-body aircraft

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The ACJ family is based on the A320 family of aircraft, beginning with the A319CJ. Today any version of the A320 is available as a corporate jet with a 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]

ACJ318

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The ACJ318 offered a range of 4,200 nmi or 7,800 km.[5] The smallest of the ACJ family, based on the passenger A318, was offered in passenger configurations between 14 and 18 passengers.

ACJ319

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Angela Merkel visiting Greece with an ACJ319 in 2012

The ACJ319 offered a range of 6,000 nmi or 11,100 km.[6] 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). Upon resale the aircraft can be reconfigured as a standard A319 by removing its extra tanks, thus maximizing its resale value. Certificated by both the European JAA and American FAA, the A319LR and ACJ are the only business jets approved for public transport on both sides of the Atlantic.[7] In 2018, its unit cost was $105M.[8]

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 government officials, and was also ordered by the Flugbereitschaft of the Luftwaffe for the transport of German government officials. Since 2003, an ACJ is a presidential aircraft of Armenia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Italy, Malaysia, Slovakia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Venezuela.[citation needed]

ACJ320

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ACJ320 cabin

The ACJ320 offered a range of 4,300 nmi or 7,800 km.[9] 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, with two removable fuel tanks.[10] In 2018, its unit cost was $115M.[8]

ACJ321

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The A321 is the largest narrow-body corporate jet with a full passenger range of 4,200 nmi (7,800 km).[11]

ACJ319neo/ACJ320neo

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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).[12]

The ACJ320neo first flight was on 16 November 2018, starting a short test programme for the extra fuel tanks and greater cabin pressurisation.[13] It was first delivered to Acropolis Aviation on 16 January 2019.[14] On 25 April 2019, the ACJ319neo completed its first flight, before a short test campaign and delivery to German K5 Aviation, outfitted with five ACTs.[15] The CFM Leap-powered ACJ319neo was certified by the EASA on 9 July.[16] In 2023, the equipped price of the ACJ319neo was $107.5M,[17] and $117M for the ACJ320neo.[18]

ACJ321LR

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Long-range neo variant. The ACJ321LR has a range of 8,175 nmi (15,140 km) which is the longest range of any narrowbody plane. [citation needed]

ACJ TwoTwenty

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In October 2020, Airbus announced an ACJ variant of the A220-100, to be known as the ACJ TwoTwenty, with a range of 5,650 nmi (10,460 km) and cabin space of 73 m2 (790 sq ft) for 18 passengers.[19] To increase its range the ACJ Two twenty is offered with up to five removable auxiliary centre tanks (ACT).[20]

Airbus expects to launch the ACJ TwoTwenty in the first quarter of 2023.[21] The ACJ TwoTwenty made its first flight on 14 December 2021, before delivery to Comlux to be outfitted with a VIP cabin in Indianapolis.[22] In 2022, its equipped price was $80M.[18]

Specifications

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Variant ACJ318[23] ACJ319neo[24] ACJ320neo[25] ACJ321[11] ACJ TwoTwenty[26][27][28]
VIP pax 8 25 8 18
Wingspan 35.8 m (117 ft 5 in) 35.1 m (115 ft 2 in)
Height 12.56 m (41 ft 2 in) 11.76 m (38 ft 7 in) 11.50 m (37 ft 9 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) 35.00 m (114 ft 10 in)
Fuselage width 3.95 m (13 ft 0 in) 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)
Cabin height 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) 2.11 m (6 ft 11 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) 23.7 m (77 ft 9 in)
Cabin width 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in) 3.28 m (10 ft 9 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) 73 m2 (790 sq ft)
MTOW 68.0 t (149,900 lb) 78.2 t (172,000 lb) 79.0 t (174,200 lb) 93.5 t (206,000 lb) 63.1t
Maximum fuel 24,210 L (6,400 US gal) 37,400 L (9,900 US gal)[a] 34,350 L (9,070 US gal)[b] 32,900 L (8,700 US gal) 28,570 L (7,550 US gal)
Engines CFM56-5B, 68.3 in (1.73 m) fan ceo: CFM56-5B or IAE V2500A5, 63.5 in (1.61 m) fan
neo: LEAP-1A or PW1100G 		Pratt & Whitney PW1500G
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) 84.1–103.6 kN (18,900–23,300 lbf)
Max speed Mach 0.82 (470 kn; 871 km/h)
Range 7,800 km (4,200 nmi) 12,500 km (6,750 nmi) 11,100 km (6,000 nmi) 7,800 km (4,200 nmi) 10,460 km (5,650 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) 1,463 m (4,800 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) 1,387 m (4,551 ft)
Ceiling 12,500 m (41,000 ft) 11,900 m (39,000 ft) 12,500 m (41,000 ft)

Wide-body aircraft

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

ACJ330-200

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French Air Force Airbus A330-200

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

ACJ330neo

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The ACJ330neo is based on the new A330neo with the "Harmony" cabin concept. It has a capacity of 25 passengers and a range of 10,400 nmi (19,260 km).

ACJ340-300

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Bundeswehr Airbus A340-300

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.

ACJ340-500

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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).

ACJ340-600

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

ACJ350

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German Air Force Airbus A350-900

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.[29] This range is the distance between two antipodes, allowing connection with any suitable airport.

ACJ380-800

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One executive variant of the Airbus A380 was ordered in 2012, with two full decks and a third deck in the cargo compartment,[30][31] 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). The undelivered plane, ordered by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, was to be called "Prestige".[32][33] The Guardian reported the plane was sold amid disputes between Forbes and Talal relating to the size of his fortune and his efforts to affect his ranking on the Forbes billionaires list.[34]

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.[35]

Specifications

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Variant ACJ330neo[36] ACJ340[37] ACJ350[38] ACJ380[39]
Typical VIP pax 25 50
Wingspan 60.3 m (198 ft) 63.45 m (208.2 ft) 64.75 m (212.4 ft) 79.75 m (261.6 ft)
Height 17.73 m (58.2 ft) 17.53 m (57.5 ft) 17.05 m (55.9 ft) 24.09 m (79.0 ft)
Length 58.37 m (191.5 ft) 67.93 m (222.9 ft) 66.8 m (219 ft) 72.72 m (238.6 ft)
Cabin Length 45.00 m (147.64 ft) 54.00 m (177.17 ft) 51 m (167 ft) 44.90, 43.93 m (147.3, 144.1 ft)
Cabin area 215.6 m2 (2,321 sq ft) 258.5 m2 (2,782 sq ft) 270 m2 (2,900 sq ft) 305, 249 m2 (3,280, 2,680 sq ft)
Fuselage Width 5.64 m (222 in) 5.96 m (235 in) 7.14 m (281 in)
Cabin
width × height 		5.27×2.41 m (207×95 in) 5.61×2.43 m (221×96 in) 6.54×2.33, 5.75×2.29 m
257×92, 226×90 in
MTOW 242 t (534,000 lb) 380 t (840,000 lb) 280 t (620,000 lb) 560 t (1,230,000 lb)
Max fuel 139.09 m3 (36,740 US gal) 215.26 m3 (56,870 US gal) 165 m3 (44,000 US gal) 324.56 m3 (85,740 US gal)
Unit thrust 303–316 kN (68,000–71,000 lbf) 235–249 kN (53,000–56,000 lbf) 374 kN (84,000 lbf) 311 kN (70,000 lbf)
Max speed Mach 0.86 (493 kn; 914 km/h) Mach 0.89 (511 kn; 945 km/h)
Range 18,612 km (10,050 nmi) 18,300 km (9,900 nmi) 20,000 km (11,000 nmi) 17,500 km (9,400 nmi)
Takeoff 2,770 m (9,090 ft) 3,180 m (10,430 ft) 2,200 m (7,200 ft) 2,880 m (9,450 ft)
Landing 1,730 m (5,680 ft) 1,960 m (6,430 ft) 1,966 m (6,450 ft) 2,030 m (6,660 ft)
Service ceiling 12,500 m (41,000 ft) 13,100 m (43,000 ft)

Orders, deliveries, and operators

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Governments, executive and private jets[2][40][41][42]
Aircraft A220
-100		 A220
-300		 A318 A319 A319
neo		 A320 A320
neo		 A321 A321
neo 		A300 A310 A330
-200		 A330
neo		 A340
-2/300		 A340
-5/600		 A350
-900		 A350
-1000		 A380
-800		 All
Ordered 6 2 20 77 6 20 8 1 2 3 3 69 0 7 7 5 0 1 237
Delivered 0 0 20 77 3 20 6 1 0 3 3 60 0 7 7 3 0 0 210
Operated 0 0 20 74 3 29 7 2 0 0 17 62 0 10 10 2 0 0 236

References

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  1. ^ Airbus Executive and Private Aviation Archived 2010-04-20 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b "Orders and Deliveries". Airbus. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  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. ^ "ACJ318". Airbus. Archived from the original on 2016-12-01.
  6. ^ "ACJ319". Airbus. Archived from the original on 2013-01-05.
  7. ^ PrivatAir selects A319 long-range for Lufthansa flights Archived 2010-01-13 at the Wayback Machine Airbus
  8. ^ a b "Purchase Planning Handbook" (PDF). Business & Commercial Aviation. Aviation Week Network. May 2018.
  9. ^ "ACJ320". Airbus. Archived from the original on 2016-12-06.
  10. ^ "A320 Prestige" (PDF). Aviation Broker. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  11. ^ a b "ACJ321". Airbus. Archived from the original on 2018-09-11.
  12. ^ "Corporate Jets: ACJneo". Airbus. Archived from the original on 2018-06-30. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  13. ^ "ACJ320neo takes to the skies for the first time" (Press release). Airbus. 19 November 2018.
  14. ^ Kate Sarsfield (16 Jan 2019). "Acropolis Aviation takes delivery of first ACJ320neo". Flightglobal.
  15. ^ "ACJ319neo makes successful first flight" (Press release). Airbus. 25 April 2019.
  16. ^ David Kaminski-Morrow (15 July 2019). "EASA indicates certification of ACJ319neo". Flightglobal.
  17. ^ "Purchase planning handbook - Ultra long-range Jets table". Business & Commercial Aircraft. Second Quarter 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Purchase planning handbook - Jets table". Business & Commercial Aircraft. Second Quarter 2023.
  19. ^ "Airbus Corporate Jets launches ACJ TwoTwenty business jet". Airbus (Press release). 6 October 2020.
  20. ^ "ACJ TwoTwenty | Airbus Corporate Jets". www.acj.airbus.com. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  21. ^ O'Connor, Kate (13 October 2021). "ACJ TwoTwenty On Schedule For 2023 Debut". AVweb. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  22. ^ "Newly launched ACJ TwoTwenty completes first flight" (Press release). Airbus. 14 December 2021.
  23. ^ "ACJ318". Airbus. Archived from the original on 2018-09-11.
  24. ^ "A319neo". Airbus. Archived from the original on 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  25. ^ "A320neo". Airbus. 21 October 2021. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  26. ^ "ACJ TwoTwenty". Airbus. 6 September 2021. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  27. ^ "A220-100". Airbus. 7 October 2021.
  28. ^ "Bombardier C-Series" (PDF). Bombardier. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  29. ^ "Airbus Launches ACJ350 XWB with Easyfit Outfitting". Airways News. May 23, 2016. Archived from the original on May 24, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  30. ^ A380 Cross-Section Business Week
  31. ^ The Airbus A380's suite ride Archived 2011-06-12 at the Wayback Machine Los Angeles Times
  32. ^ Jennifer Coutts Clay; Brian Davidson (March 8, 2007). "Airbus A380 VIP 'Flying Palace' Interior Design Unveiled". Space.com.
  33. ^ HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal places first order for A380 flying palace Airbus
  34. ^ Neville, Simon; Moulds, Josephine (2013-03-05). "Prince Alwaleed bin Talal insulted at only being No 26 on Forbes rich list". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  35. ^ Morris, John (28 May 2018). "First A380 'Royal Yacht' May be Launched Soon". Aviation Week. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  36. ^ "ACJ330neo". Airbus.
  37. ^ "ACJ340". Airbus.
  38. ^ "ACJ350". Airbus. Archived from the original on 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2018-10-25.
  39. ^ "ACJ380". Airbus.
  40. ^ "Airbus Corporate Jets wins order for the ACJ319neo - 2021". www.acj.airbus.com. Archived from the original on 2021-05-17.
  41. ^ 2019 Databook (PDF) (Report). GAMA. March 20, 2020.
  42. ^ 2020 Shipment Report (PDF) (Report). GAMA.

Notes

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  1. ^ 5 ACT
  2. ^ 4 ACT

See also

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