We talked to David Velupillai, Marketing and Communications Director, Airbus Corporate Jets, about the company’s recent announcements, including the introduction of the A330neo and the ACJ319’s brand new interior.

Airbus recently unveiled the A330neo as the latest member of the company’s line-up of widebody corporate jets, offering 17.5% more range than the baseline version.

The European manufacturer is targeting the head-of-state and government delegation sector as a particular market opportunity for the type. It is a re-engined A330-900 and the commercial version will be entering airline service next year.

At EBACE, Airbus Corporate Jets showed a model with a cutaway cabin. Airbus says the ACJ330neo will be developed from both the A330-900 and the smaller, but longer-range, A330-800 models.

When equipped with Trent 7000 engines, the ACJ330neo will offer 9,400nm (17,400km) range, a 17.5% increase over the baseline ACJ330, according to Marketing and Communications Director, Velupillai.

Interiors inspired by art

Airbus also unveiled a new interior design for its ACJ319, developed by exotic supercar design company Pagani Automobili.

A new cabin design, called Infinito, features a “sky ceiling” which brings a live view of the sky above the aircraft into the cabin. The ceiling screen can display other images but generally creates a feeling of airiness and space, living up to the name Infinito – which means ‘infinity’ in Italian.

Pagani’s design team created the initial Infinito design, including its look and feel, while Airbus Corporate Jets designers contributed their experience in aircraft design and compatibility.

The design features a curved pathway through the cabin, as well as shell-shaped valances and walls between zones – including one between lounge and conference areas which switches from opaque to transparent at the touch of a button.

Sculpted metal features, mirroring those found in Pagani’s hypercars, appear in light-fittings and other details, while light-emitting diodes (LEDs) enable different mood-lighting ambiances.