Move over, mini-suites – Airbus is playing the long game with some seriously swanky new digs for its flagship A350-1000. Business Traveller reports that Airbus unveiled the new first-class concept designs at this week’s Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. The designs were presented not with brochures or slideshows but through full-on augmented reality. Airbus clearly wants to show, not tell, just how plush the pointy end of the plane could get.
Why now? According to the Toulouse Titan, demand for first-class cabins has seen a noticeable uptick. (Yes, people still want ultra-premium space at 38,000 feet – especially on long-haul trunk routes where bragging rights are half the fun.)
In This Post
So, what’s on offer?
Enter the Master Suite so as not to be confused with your Airbnb in Ibiza. This centrepiece of the concept fits two passengers, with a double bed, private bar, changing area, and its own lavatory. If your idea of in-flight comfort includes sipping Champagne in pyjamas away from the riff-raff, this one’s got your name all over it.
There’s also a clever rethink of cabin real estate. In their words, Airbus proposes a 1-1-1 layout that’s fully maximised, meaning no more clunky crew rest staircases or loos intruding on valuable passenger space. Those essentials are pushed forward into a new central module just opposite the cockpit door. Very feng shui. Very VIP.
And it’s not just about space. Airbus is zhuzhing things up with sculpted ceiling panels, a fascia refresh, and even welcome lighting at Door 1 to give that “boutique hotel lobby in the sky” vibe.
The goal? Airbus says it’s about inspiring potential customers (read: airlines with cash to burn) and showing that the A350-1000 can support a true first-class setup, not just a glorified business seat with a curtain.
Who’s already playing in this league?
While Airbus teases its next-gen First, others are already rolling out their own interpretations of sky-high luxury.
- Lufthansa is launching its long-awaited Allegris First Class on select A350-900s later this year. The headliner? A Suite Plus option for two, with a double bed and restaurant-style dining for couples who dine at altitude.
- Air France is also making a play for the top shelf. It’s introduced a new La Première suite – nearly 3.5 square metres of private space on the Paris–New York route. Think: a 2-metre-long bed, a separate chaise longue, a second seat for guests, floor-level storage, and not one but two 32-inch 4K screens. Très chic.
Final Approach
Let’s be real: most of us won’t swan around in these new Airbus A350 First Class suites unless we win the Avios lottery or strike oil. But there’s no denying that Airbus has thrown down a stylish gauntlet. Now we wait to see which airline takes the bait – and how soon we can gatecrash the party (on points, of course).
Related Topics:
JAL Goes All-In on Fleet Renewal: 737 MAX Boost & a New Airbus Twist
EVA Air Doubles Down on Airbus – More A350s, More A321neos, and a $3.1B Price Tag
