Luxury US Startup Bets Big On 10 Airbus A220s With A Private Suite And Just 54 Seats

Published Nov 15, 2026, 10:22 AM EST Luke has over a decade of experience as a travel writer and aviation analyst. As a passionate traveler based across the Middle East and Asia, Luke offers strong insights into the industry. Based in South East Asia. Airbus has confirmed Florida-based luxury airline startup Magnifica Air as the mystery buyer of ten ACJ220-300s, the corporate jet version of the A220-300. The carrier plans to equip each jet with just 54 seats, including a private suite, compared with around 150 passengers in a typical airline configuration. The order brings Magnifica Air's planned fleet to 17 aircraft, comprising 14 ACJ220s and three ACJ321neos. The airline plans to launch a concept it calls "Private Class," described as an experience between commercial first class and private aviation. However, the startup's launch has been pushed back from 2027 to early 2028. Magnifica Air Expands Its Fleet With 10 More Corporate A220s Credit: Magnifica Air As confirmed by Airbus Corporate Jets this week, Magnifica Air has been named as the mystery buyer of the ten jets, which were already listed in Airbus' backlog under an unnamed customer. Production of the airline's first A220-300 is reportedly already underway, although the projected delivery dates have not been disclosed. The interior is set to feature 54 luxury seats, including a single private suite. The startup originally showcased a configuration featuring two private suites when it unveiled its plans in 2025, but the latest design has reduced that number to one. The ten ACJ220-300s confirmed this week increase Magnifica Air's planned Airbus A220 fleet from four to 14, joining another four airframes acquired under a leasing deal with Air Lease Corporation. The luxury carrier will also use Airbus' Skywise data platform, with a package that includes Skywise Core X1, navigation databases and tools for flight planning, crew management and daily operations. Magnifica Air CEO Wade Black said: "Our ACJ fleet is a critical part of delivering the Private Class experience. The ACJ220-300, together with Skywise, gives us the cabin, the range and the operational backbone to bring it to our members." Private Suites, Chauffeurs & Lie-Flat Beds Credit: Magnifica Air Airbus describes Magnifica Air's interior as "a bespoke, low-density ultra-premium cabin," designed to offer considerably more space and comfort than a conventional airline configuration. Each aircraft will accommodate 54 passengers, including a single private suite, with the remaining seats offering a premium business-class experience. The ticket is also expected to include a chauffeured car from the passenger's home or office, while checked luggage will be returned to customers within 10 to 15 minutes of landing. Onboard, the airline has promised premium dining, a personalized service, and a more intimate atmosphere than conventional first-class cabins. It is also developing a membership program called 'The Seven Club.' Family memberships start at $14,950, while corporate memberships begin at $29,950. The highest membership tiers will require a deposit of $500,000 for families or $1 million for businesses. In return, elite members will receive various benefits, including fixed pricing, upgrades and priority access to private suites. Launch Delayed Until Early 2028 Credit: Aerospace Trek | Shutterstock Magnifica Air's launch timeline has been moved back to early 2028, with the carrier previously targeting a 2027 launch. It originally expected to receive its FAA Part 121 certificate by late 2026 and begin full operations in the third quarter of 2027. The carrier plans to connect New York and South Florida first, with Los Angeles, San Jose, Dallas and Houston among the destinations being considered for subsequent expansion. It also wants to offer services for major events, such as The Masters, Formula One and the Super Bowl. The airline has said that its fares will be around 1.5 to two times the average price of a first-class ticket, depending on route and demand. All-business-class and all-premium airlines remain relatively rare. US carriers Eos Airlines, MAXjet and Silverjet all operated short-lived business-class-only services between New York and London, but did not remain afloat for long. French carrier La Compagnie has had a longer run, operating from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) since 2014 with all-business A321neos configured with 76 seats. Meanwhile, Maldives-based Beond also operates all-premium A319s and A321s.