VIP Club 4 Lounge with bar area

Aeronexus, VIP charter airline and long-standing customer of Starling Aerospace, required an alternative configuration for its VIP Boeing 767-300ER to create a lounge area for its wide range of customers.

Starling Aerospace has been involved with transforming the B767-300ER, from a passenger configuration to a multifunction corporate VIP layout since 2015 when it was first purchased by Aeronexus. This has included overhauling, refurbishing and certifying 96 lie-flat seats and the design, build and installation of a three-seater Berthable Divan. Whilst this configuration has proved highly successful for VIP and business clients, Aeronexus required an alternative layout which would appeal to a wide range of customers such as major tour operators offering round-the-world air cruises.

Starling Aerospace created a design concept which would involve converting six existing forward-facing business double seats to aft-facing seats to create a Club Seating arrangement with a bar area. This innovative solution eliminated the cost of purchasing additional seating but required six folding leaf tables - 24 pax (12 forward and 12 aft facing) - and a bar unit to achieve the new configuration.

To fit the new Club 4 Lounge configuration Starling Aerospace designed three leaf custom built tables and a Dry Bar which were painted using elaborate flip paint to provide subtle colour tone changes when viewed at different angles. The bar top was covered with ultra-thin Corian® backed with a composite board making a lightweight stone top and featuring an insert for a champagne ice bucket. The VIP bar was also made to measure to fit and secure 16 slide in standard Atlas catering boxes at the back of the bar. 

Starling Aerospace was then challenged with converting and approving the six forward-facing double seating into aft facing. This included ensuring that all the PSUs, signage, carpet and related cabin components could be easily swapped around and back again to comply with both configurations of the aircraft. Starling Aerospace also needed to qualify the forward-facing positions and re-validate the seats for aft facing in the Club 4 configuration.

Starling Aerospace successfully met the brief by providing a cost-effective innovative solution and delivering a complete turnkey service to the client using its in-house capabilities. The Role Change Kit VIP Club 4 Lounge with bar area has provided Aeronexus with an alternative configuration for its B767-300ER which can be easily installed within a two-day period with minimal downtime. The new spacious luxury lounge area allows passengers to socialise and interact comfortably, making it ideal for world air cruises.

Gareth Evans, Head of Sales and Marketing Aeronexus, is delighted with the results and the opportunity to grow the business.

“We have been engaged with Starling Aerospace since purchasing the Boeing 767-300ER as a replacement to our previously operated Boeing 767200ER. With their guidance and technical support, we have achieved a spacious and welcoming interior for the aircraft which has impressed all our clients since its launch.

The addition of the Berthable Divan and private bedroom area has also been very well received by our customers and this latest upgrade has given the aircraft even more of a wow factor. The lounge area has already proved highly successful for two 25-day long luxury tours.”