German design house Lufthansa Technik has teased a new cabin concept for the ACJ330. The concept, called 'Explorer,' follows the trend for explorer yachts, vessels that are designed to take their owners on intrepid adventures. Set to be unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show this week, the cabin showcases the best and newest technology, even allowing passengers to experience the underwater world mid-flight.

A private jet for the explorer generation

Lufthansa Technik is set to unveil a brand new cabin concept for the widebody A330. Due to debut at the forthcoming Monaco Yacht Show, the ‘Explorer’ cabin design channels the current trends in superyachts to allow their passengers to go anywhere at any time and to ‘discover the world.’

Lufthansa Technik has taken inspiration from the popular trend for explorer yachts, a class of sea vessels that are tailored to the more adventurous traveler. Also known as expedition yachts, these vessels are just as accustomed to tackling treacherous oceans miles away from port as they are cruising around the Bahamas.

As a base for its design, Lufthansa Technik chose the ACJ330. As a widebody jet, this gave the design team plenty of space to play with, and the right sort of plane to fit the theme. Just as an explorer yacht will be designed to be capable of sailing long distances without needing to visit a port or refuel, the ACJ330 is highly efficient and lightweight, capable of flying 25 passengers for 21 hours non-stop.

Lufthansa Technik notes that very few ACJ330 concepts have been presented to the market thus far, making the unveiling doubly exciting. Wieland Timm, Head of Sales VIP & Special Mission Aircraft Services, at Lufthansa Technik, commented,

"Lufthansa Technik regularly develops new VIP aircraft cabin concepts that both meet the latest market requirements and represent the latest trends. With this red-hot study we continue this tradition in an innovative way. We are developing the ‘Explorer Design' for a completely new target group."

Tantalizing teasers

While more details of the ACJ330 ‘Explorer’ cabin will be unveiled at the Yacht Show, Lufthansa Technik has released a teaser that showcases some of the creativity we can expect from this concept. In terms of the floor plan, Lufthansa Technik says it is focusing on making the space multi-purpose, allowing its intrepid customers to utilize the space as they need at the time.

Naturally, the aircraft has all the usual bedrooms, bathrooms, dining spaces, and conference facilities that would be expected from a high-end private jet. But the team is seeking to push boundaries in terms of new technology and specifications, promising ‘surprises’ within the cabin that will be unique to Explorer.

Perhaps the most eye-catching element to be revealed so far is the new projection technology showcased in the above image. This technology allows visual elements to cover the walls and ceiling of the cabin, using any design the occupants desire. Lufthansa Technik has illustrated an ‘underwater’ theme, which would be rather unique to experience while flying miles above the ocean.

Jan Grube, Sales Director in Lufthansa Technik's VIP & Special Mission Aircraft Services division, who accompanied the development of the new study, added,

"Over the last few months we have intensively analyzed the visual context and the typical elements of the EXPLORER boat class in order to transfer the design idea behind it from the water to the air, and thus into a new cabin design. The interior elements, which also integrate brand-new features, are therefore deliberately kept multi-functional."

Some of the initial concept will be showcased at the Monaco Yacht Show, which begins tomorrow. However, we can expect a full reveal with more surprises at the Dubai Air Show in November.