Airbus wants airlines to have inflight bars on the A330neo
By Chris C., October 27 2016
Inflight bars and lounges are usually the domain of Airbus A380 superjumbos, but the aircraft manufacturer is eyeing the concept for its smaller A330neo jets, due to fly their first passengers by the end of 2017.
A modernised version of the existing Airbus A330s already flying with the likes of Qantas, Virgin Australia and Etihad Airways, the A330neo offers airlines a “unique and customisable welcome area at the main passenger boarding door”, says Airbus.
That’s precisely where you could plonk an inflight bar – and during a visit to Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, Australian Business Traveller spotted one such mock-up: a simple bar with space for travellers to stand and pour Scotch, or have it served by the crew:
Airlines may choose to keep the default Airbus ‘Airspace’ pattern overhead for a funky look and feel…
… or could completely customise it to suit their own brand or design theme:
Disguised as regular air vents, micro data projectors can also help set the mood in the bar zone…
… whether displaying text and graphics on the surrounding cabin walls, on the floor below or even on passengers themselves, as we experience while exploring the bar mock-up:
But as to whether an inflight bar will ever take wing on an Airbus A330neo, that’s ultimately a decision left to the airlines buying the aircraft.
More on inflight cocktail bars and lounges:
- Airbus A380 ‘bar wars’: Qatar, Emirates and Etihad
- Review: Etihad Airways' Airbus A380 Lobby lounge
- The fabulous bars, lounges and restaurants of the Boeing 747
- Review: Qatar Airways Airbus A380 lounge and bar
- Raising the bar: Virgin Australia's swanky new Boeing 777 bar
- Review: Emirates Airbus A380 inflight cocktail bar and lounge
Chris Chamberlin travelled to Toulouse as a guest of Airbus.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 233
It'll be really good if those little projectors could show the footy or the cricket.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
Sports bar on board eeeek!....gouge my eyes with a fork right now!
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 729
I don't see why bars have to just for Super jumbos. This is a good idea, hopefully the better airlines will pick this up.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 729
Sports bars, oh the types...
08 Apr 2011
Total posts 24
Oh no! That would be a bit of a nightmare on a much smaller jet. On the 330 everyone seated around the bar would effectively be forced to be 'at the bar' even if they don't want to be!
QF
25 Feb 2014
Total posts 20
I hope its a self serve bar - that would hilarious!
Airbus clearly doesnt understand Mass Pschology Principles.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Gold
04 Jul 2014
Total posts 129
Let's not forget that Virgin Atlantic already have bars on their A330's.
31 May 2016
Total posts 10
Yes but Virgin's A330 bar is only for the Upper Class cabin. In that context, it works. I don't think it would work for economy class. Best we could hope for is a limited self-serve area with a few drinks and snacks.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
Or of course they could be like Finnair and put in a standard galley in the entry, rather than wasting the vertical space.
Function or form.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2014
Total posts 170
Is there a bulkhead wall missing in the first photo because this is just for show, or are the entire economy and premium economy cabins meant to be staring at the bar?
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