Traditional first-class passengers are the target of a new design concept developed by Switzerland’s PrivatAir in collaboration with Design Investment. The concept is entitled PrivatFirst and coming a year after the decision to ground Concorde, is being hailed as an attempt to fill the resultant gap which has been left behind.

PrivatFirst is a cabin interior concept based on narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A319LR and the Boeing Business Jet. It is intended to offer luxurious and spacious private cabins for its passengers, in an attempt to rekindle the atmosphere of the golden age of aviation in the 1930s.

The interior offers two types of cabin layout, outfitted for either single or double occupancy. PrivatAir says all cabins will be appointed with full-size beds, affording its occupants a maximum of privacy. Furthermore, the concept includes a lounge area, in which travellers are able to relax and enjoy the social aspects of their voyage.

Speaking from PrivatAir’s booth at this year’s EBACE show, Design Investment’s managing partner

Mark Collins told EBAN: “What we are basically offering is real estate on the aircraft, coupled with a very high level of service.”

Asked how much a ticket is likely to cost when the inaugural service is up and running, Collins said: “We believe a return ticket, in a full aircraft, would start at around $16,000. The Concorde ticket was $8,000 return and even though we can’t get you the speed of the Concorde, we are going to quadruple your real estate.”

A flexible first class return ticket from London to New York with British Airways, flying in mid-June 2004, is quoted at around $6,000.

The two Swiss companies say they decided to offer two different configurations because they envisage two slightly different markets. Although most first class passengers travel alone, the companies believe this kind of service would also be attractive to couples who are honeymooning or looking for a flight experience akin to that of the Orient Express railway experience.

A self-contained environment, the single cabin concept includes a day bed and seat. There are blinds to the aisle which you can open or close and there is also a cupboard which hides a wash basin.

The double cabin would offer two seats in club-two formation for daytime use, plus a cabin across the aisle with two full-size beds, wash basin and TV. Luggage bins would be available above the beds.

All the two companies need now is a launch customer, which in view of the expenses involved in launching