Airbus reveals A350 ‘super first class’ suites concept

Business class suites with sliding doors are becoming the new norm for premium travel, but that doesn’t mean airlines have to give up on first class.

If anything, Airbus wants them to double-down on the ‘wow’ factor – and these concept suites for the A350 certainly deliver.

Flying under the Airspace brand, this bespoke design created by Airbus is ready for airlines buying the long-range A350-1000 to add to the pointy end of the plane.

Airbus' A350-100 Airspace first class concept.

While two private suites flank either side of the A350-1000, the ‘Master Suite’ in the middle is the show-stopper – and Airbus says it offers more space than on the upper deck of an A380 superjumbo.

Airbus' A350-100 Airspace first class concept.

There’s a wide double couch where two high flyers can get cosy, and it faces a two-berth ottoman for intimate face-to-face dining or inviting friends into your suite.

Airbus' A350-100 Airspace first class concept.

Behind a frosted glass panel is a washroom and changing room, while the locker next to the couch can include an optional mini-bar.

Airbus' A350-100 Airspace first class concept.

Being a middle suite means there are no windows, so Airbus has turned this into a positive and added a massive curved screen which wraps around the inside of the suite.

Airbus' A350-100 Airspace first class concept.

When the couch converts into a full-sized double bed, you can choose a projection of the night sky to literally be sleeping under the stars.

Airbus' A350-100 Airspace first class concept.

Airbus has opted for the same 1-1-1 approach as in the new A350 first class cabins of Lufthansa and Qantas, and nobody would be surprised if other airlines follow this trend, among them Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways.

Another alternative for airlines remains the innovative EnSuite concept from Factorydesign, which also lent its expertise to shaping Etihad’s A380 first class cabin.

Factorydesign's Ensuite 'first class plus' concept.

Two EnSuites are separated by a single aisle, with each providing an oversized suite for two passengers travelling together.

Factorydesign's Ensuite 'first class plus' concept.

A pair of wide armchair-style seats converts into a double bed, with full height walls turning this into a truly personal space for living, relaxing, dining and sleeping. 

Factorydesign's Ensuite 'first class plus' concept.

The EnSuite’s luxury travel trump card, however, is the inclusion of a spacious private bathroom.

Factorydesign's Ensuite 'first class plus' concept.

“Currently, with the exception of Etihad’s The Residence, even the most privileged premium class travellers are required to share a toilet,” Factorydesign posits.

“Can you imagine that being acceptable in any Four Seasons or Shangri-La Hotel?”

However, for airlines which are a little less adventurous or who needs to sweat their Excel spreadsheet a little harder, the EnSuite also comes as a pair of self-contained first class suites.

Factorydesign's Ensuite 'first class plus' concept.

In that configuration, each would have its own aisle entry and shared use of the bathroom – “creating a stunning experience for the passenger while, pragmatically, satisfying the airline’s commercial ambitions,” the firm says.

Factorydesign's Ensuite 'first class plus' concept.

Also read: Amazing Airbus A380 first class concepts