Airlines
EXPLORER design study opens up new themed worlds for VIP cabins
The VIP private plane of the future will look like this.
Lufthansa Technik AG will go into more detail about its brand-new wide-body VIP cabin concept, EXPLORER, at the Dubai Airshow. After a sneak preview at the Monaco Yacht Show in September, various further features will be on display at the aerospace trade show in the United Arab Emirates. These include attributes that are already accessible in an appealing and excellent manner thanks to modern technology.
Initially presented at the Monaco Yacht Show in September of last year, the Explorer design concept. It is based on the current craze for superyachts that satisfy two desires for their owners: to take them practically anywhere at any time, and to serve them at their destination as a private hotel and base camp for a wide range of leisure activities and excursions.
The Airbus A330 is the platform that Lufthansa Technik’s experts have selected to fulfil these private aviation customer demands. As a traditional widebody aircraft, it provides enough room for a variety of new cabin designs and also has a sizable enough range to accommodate the target group for the Explorer’s special needs.
The large-scale integrated projection system for virtual content, which spans from the window belt to virtually the entire cabin ceiling in the multipurpose lounge area, is one of the most striking aspects of the EXPLORER concept. Similar features have been frequently observed in design studies, but until now there hasn’t been a technology that can execute them in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and certifiable.
The floor in the forward fuselage region, which stretches outward from the parked aircraft to provide a roomy veranda, is another feature that enables EXPLORER passengers to make entirely new discoveries. The Airbus A330 freighter’s main deck cargo hatch, which is now also available as a retrofit solution for passenger versions, allows passengers to directly immerse themselves in the EXPLORER interior’s surroundings via a platform that can be extended by several metres.
The rear of the aircraft’s multipurpose room is another such highlight. It satisfies the demands of all travellers who prefer to use their regular exercise and health amenities when travelling vast distances. This area can also be transformed into a flying hospital room in case of an emergency.
For this specific VIP target group, the design configuration currently on display is specifically focused on bringing the distinctive explorer character to life and is intended for up to twelve VIP passengers. On the basis of this concept, however, other modular variations with up to 47 people are also feasible. For instance, one of these may be a lot more private owner’s module with a master bedroom, bathroom, and office, as well as bigger spaces for the staff or additional entourage.
