BAE Systems and Design Q Unveil ABJ Elegante Concept as Cost-Effective Luxury Business Jet

May 17, 2011
The ABJ Eleganté is the fourth of five innovative and exciting interiors commissioned by BAE Systems Regional Aircraft from Design Q to meet different VIP aircraft market segments.

Geneva, Switzerland......BAE Systems and leading UK design consultancy Design Q today unveiled their latest concept for the Avro Business Jet (ABJ) at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva.

The ABJ Eleganté is the fourth of five innovative and exciting interiors commissioned by BAE Systems Regional Aircraft from Design Q to meet different VIP aircraft market segments. The first two ABJ Explorer One and Explorer Four, the ultimate ‘go-anywhere’ aircraft, were unveiled at EBACE 2010 and the ABJ Fusion, aimed at the high-end luxury charter aircraft market, was unveiled at the National Business Aviation Association convention in October 2010.

The ABJ Eleganté features a highly sophisticated and luxurious interior that takes full advantage of the aircraft’s exceptional cabin interior space that is unique in an aircraft of this class. The combination of the highly affordable capital cost of the aircraft married to a stunning state of the art interior makes the ABJ Eleganté a compelling proposition for wealthy individuals or companies that seek an aircraft for shorter duration trips.

Chris Sedgwick, Technical Sales Executive for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft said today: “A fully converted ABJ of this level of quality can be put on the ramp for between US$12-15 million, or 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 the space and grandeur of the 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. A stone floor completes the effect and with noise reducing curtains over the rear exit doors the final effect is one of luxury.

“Luxury is often a word that is overused, having the effect of diluting its real meaning. Space is a luxury in an aircraft interior and it is this that defines the ABJ Eleganté”, says Gary Doy, Director of Design Q. “We have concentrated on providing a space that makes you feel relaxed and cared for with an emphasis on rich materials and harmonious forms. It makes the most of the generous cabin dimensions and leaves you in no doubt you are travelling in style.”The ABJ Eleganté represents a unique product offer in the VIP Regional Jet market. An Avro RJ100 with an interior like this and with the space and luxury on offer should be high on the shopping list for those customers who want a versatile and spacious interior and great value for money.