The first ACJ TwoTwenty, the executive version of the Airbus A220 airliner, was delivered to FIVE Hotels and Resorts on April 28, 2023, before being presented to the public in Dubai on May 2 to coincide with the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) trade show.
Although owned by FIVE Hotels and Resorts, this first airframe (9H-FIVE, pronounced “Nine-Hotel-Five”) will be operated by executive aviation group Comlux on behalf of the Dubai-based high-end real estate and hospitality group, which intends to make it available for private, on-demand hire.
Switzerland-based Comlux has had an instrumental role, not just in defining the cabin interior design of this aircraft, but also in launching the TwoTwenty program together with Airbus.
Comlux was not only involved in defining the main features of the aircraft and the TwoTwenty brand, but also acquired this first unit from the European manufacturer and sold it to FIVE Hotels and Resorts before its entry into service.
Prior to flying to Dubai on its delivery flight, this first TwoTwenty aircraft spent 14 months having its cabin fitted at Comlux MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) center in Indianapolis, in the United States. The executive aviation group was selected by Airbus to complete the cabin fittings for the first 15 aircraft of the type.
The TwoTwenty can stay airborne for up to 12 hours, carrying up to 16 passengers. In addition to the luxurious, contemporary cabin interior, it is fitted with LED lighting throughout, high-speed internet connectivity, a kitchen and a dining table seating eight and a master bedroom.
This aircraft is being positioned in the exclusive market for VVIP aircraft as a new and rather unique product, with a cabin interior that is considerably larger than that of a purpose-built private jet, but at a fraction of the cost of larger airliner conversions.