Design Q interior completed for Avro Business Jet

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has completed the first Avro Business Jet to have an interior designed by UK consultancy Design Q. The conversion was carried out by London Stansted-based Inflite Engineering.

The aircraft - an Avro RJ70 - has been acquired by Bulgaria's national carrier Bulgaria Air and will be operated on behalf of the airline's parent company, Varna-based industrial group TIM.

BAE teamed with Design Q in May to offer a cost- and time-efficient alternative to the service offered by traditional completion centres, most of which had reached full capacity. "The result shows convincingly that the combination of a pre-owned airliner together with an innovative interior results in a strong, cost-effective contender for the larger business jet market and at a fraction of the cost and timescale of new production line aircraft," says BAE Systems Regional Aircraft.

Gary Doy, joint founder of Design Q, says that in recent years there has been a shift in values and aspirations of the VIP aircraft owner. He says: "In part this is due to younger and more design-aware customers entering the marketplace looking for a more contemporary and high-quality interior solution, with a trend towards more open-plan layouts and modern surface finishes."

Several innovative features have been incorporated into the design, including what is believed to be the world's first engineering installation of a Bang & Olufsen entertainment system into an aircraft.

Particular attention has been paid to the entrance of the aircraft. After ascending the air stairs, an entrance vestibule with a curved bar on each side of the cabin door acts as a focal point. Its aim is to leave the passenger in no doubt that this is a VIP product. The main cabin is entered via electronically controlled pocket doors, designed to provide a sense of theatre and a practical solution to a solid door.

The wide body of the ABJ allows for a layout that is usually associated with a much bigger and more expensive aircraft. Two club four arrangements are used in the forward area of the main cabin, with the principal seating located aft. A curved sofa opposite the entertainment system with two articulated armchairs is designed to add a relaxed feel to this area and emphasise the space available.

Source: Flight International