Design Q are making a name for themselves in the field of VIP / VVIP aircraft interior design as a leading interior design consultancy.
Their recent offering was displayed at EBACE, Geneva unveiling their latest interior concept for the Avro Business Jet; the ‘ABJ Eleganté’ in partnership with aerospace giant BAE Systems.
The Eleganté interior concept is the fourth of five innovative luxury aircraft interiors commissioned to Design Q by BAE Systems Regional Aircraft to provide offerings for different VIP aircraft market segments.
The Avro Business Jet (ABJ) is a spacious regional jet that offers plenty of interior space whilst coming in at a competitive operational price.
Chris Sedgwick, Technical Sales Executive for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft: “A fully converted ABJ can be put on the ramp for between US$12-15 million, the cost of a much smaller mid-sized business jet, and certainly for considerably less than a new build regional jet conversion. The large cabin space of the ABJ means that an interior arrangement close to that of a Boeing Business Jet can be accommodated, so the ABJ can be a useful complement to the bigger aircraft for shorter journeys, or to access difficult, short or unpaved airfields.”
The interior of the ABJ Eleganté is aimed at the customer who appreciates a larger VIP aircraft but requires a regional product for everyday use. For some customers it represents a logical addition to their existing VIP fleet without sacrificing the creature comforts they are used to.
The focus of the interior has been to maximise the available space within the cabin by creating a fluid layout that guides the occupants through the cabin. Although this has been done before on some large VIP aircraft it is a new approach on an aircraft of this size and price bracket. The style is one of ‘comfortable luxury’ utilising rich material finishes with fluid shapes and new technology to create a harmonious overall effect.
On entering the aircraft the generous cabin is immediately on show creating an instant feeling of space. There is a large galley at the front of the aircraft that can be shut off from the main cabin for privacy. The forward lounge has two large sofas providing a relaxed social area with an offset dining table in the aft section and a large 46” display screen. The dining area can be used as a work area and in this mode there are information screens embedded into the surface with power supply for laptops and a central pop-up communication centre.
The credenza is designed to emphasise the flow of the cabin with concealed mood lighting set under the stone upper and a multi-curved form finished in the high quality wood veneer.
The aft cabin provides an additional lounge and private office. A curved book case gives the cabin both a personal feel and a practical storage solution. The cabin can be quickly converted into a private bedroom with a full size double bed. With a very large VIP lavatory located behind the bookcase the complete rear section of the aircraft doubles as a private bedroom with an en- suite.
The bathroom/dressing room stretches the full width of the aircraft with a full height wardrobe. An expressive wash basin is complimented by the warmth of the rear stone wall and rich texture of the wood veneered side units. The floating oval mirror houses a concealed storage area and mood lighting providing a visual focus, whilst a stone floor completes the effect and with noise reducing curtains over the rear exit doors the final effect is one of luxury.
Reports indicate that there are 24 ABJ executive and VIP versions of its BAE 146 / Avro RJ regional jets in service or presently undergoing completion. BAE has 110 146’s / Avro RJ’s on its leasing portfolio; the majority of which are currently leased to airlines.
ABJ Eleganté Image Portofio:
ABJ: DesignQ Elegante VIP Aircraft Interior – lounge
ABJ: DesignQ Elegante VIP Aircraft Interior – dining table
ABJ: DesignQ Elegante VIP Aircraft Interior – floorplan
ABJ: DesignQ Elegante VIP Aircraft Interior – livingroom
ABJ: DesignQ Elegante VIP Aircraft Interior – bedroom
ABJ: DesignQ Elegante VIP Aircraft Interior – bathroom