Airbus’ A318 Elite has successfully passed the milestone of its tenth aircraft delivery, highlighting the widespread and growing appeal of this new member of the family, which was launched less than four years ago, in November 2005.
The A318 Elite has won more than 25 sales in Asia, Europe and the Middle East – about a quarter of the 100-plus sales won by the Airbus ACJ Family to date.
Derived from the smallest member of the modern Airbus aircraft family, the A318 Elite is unique in bringing the space and comfort previously only associated with much larger jets, to a much broader market.
“Our A318 Elite is the new space-ship of corporate jet travel, because of the leap in comfort and space that it brings to a broad market,” comments Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, John Leahy. “The A318 Elite is also a very affordable package, delivering value as well as comfort and space,” he adds.
The A318 Elite features an optimised cabin, produced in co-operation with Lufthansa Technik, offering attractive affordability and unmatched comfort.
Comlux of Switzerland took delivery of the first A318 Elite in 2007, and recently became the first to take delivery of a second for VVIP charter, which Airbus is displaying at this year’s NBAA show. The A318 Elite has met with great success on the VVIP charter market, and is currently available for charter from Global Jet Concept in Geneva, as well as Comlux Aviation in Zurich.
This A318 Elite on display at NBAA features further improvements, such as a domed ceiling that brings a refreshing new ambiance to what is already the widest, tallest and most spacious cabin in its class.
In essence, customers get even more of a feeling of being in a stylish home or office rather than an aircraft, which is, in Airbus’ experience, what most of them really want.
Airbus can offer the domed ceiling because the upper interior of its aircraft is relatively uncluttered, allowing the installation of concave panels that create a pleasing impression of light and space that is unique to its aircraft in this class.
The A318 Elite has a range of more than 4,200 nm/7,800 km, allowing it to fly coast-to-coast within the USA, and to fly non-stop between London and New York.
Total sales of the Airbus corporate jets now stand at more than 150, comprising over 100 of the ACJ Family, plus a further 50 or so Airbus widebodies for VIP and government use.
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