The modernization offering encompasses optical renewals, including wood veneers, carpets, and upholstery replacement, as well as technology upgrades, such as replacing the entire In-flight Entertainment (IFE) and onboard connectivity equipment. The IFE can be upgraded with new high-definition screens, speakers, and a modernized cabin management system. Connectivity onboard can also benefit from the installation of a state-of-the-art Low Earth Orbit (LEO) SatCom solution developed by Airbus Corporate Jets, which lets passengers enjoy a much faster internet connection for office and entertainment applications.
“We are dedicated to providing cutting-edge solutions to meet our customers’ evolving needs,” said Chadi Saade, President of Airbus Corporate Jets. “We proudly collaborate with our partners on the ACJ318 Elite, ensuring that our customers benefit from the most advanced connectivity options, offering a new level in passenger experience and inflight connectivity with ACJ Connect Link which leverages Gogo Galileo’s Full Duplex terminal.”
The ACJ318 Elite’s original VIP cabins were already exclusively designed and fitted by Lufthansa Technik between 2007 and 2015. Its airliner-sized fuselage diameter enabled a considerably spacious interior with areas for dining, lounging and offices, as well as amenities like a private bath and bedroom. While the Elite’s basic floor plan and cabin monuments were largely standardized to a 19-passenger layout, customers could choose from a broad variety of high-quality cabin materials. However, as expectations evolve and technology advances, Lufthansa Technik is now responding with a focused upgrade strategy that preserves the aircraft’s premium appeal while aligning it with today’s standards of luxury and connectivity.
“Even highest-quality aircraft such as the ACJ318 Elite are not fully immune against a decade of everyday wear and tear, and especially not against the extremely fast-paced development of new cabin and connectivity technology,” said Fabian Nagel, Vice President Sales, VIP & Special Aircraft Services at Lufthansa Technik. “Therefore, we are honored to revive the successful ACJ318 Elite program. Our unmatched expertise in VIP interiors, which already went into every A318 Elite from the beginning, will now also be employed to extend the lifespan and enhance the value of these remarkable aircraft.”
