Brand New Titan Airbus A321neo Repainted For UK Government
Images have emerged of an A321LR bedecked in the same eye-catching livery as the UK’s newest VIP transport plane. The aircraft, owned and operated by Titan Airways, has been painted in the same colors as the UK’s RAF Voyager, signaling it will become the latest VIP transport for the country.
Boris Force One has a tiny replica on the way. Photo: Getty Images
A baby Boris Force One
The UK’s new VIP transport, colloquially dubbed ‘Boris Force One,’ has had a baby. Specifically, an Airbus A321LR has been spotted painted in a perfect replication of the livery adorning the A330-based VIP jet and is set to begin operations for the Royal Air Force soon.
The aircraft, registered G-XATW, is owned and operated by Titan Airways, a British wet leasing and charter flight company based out of London’s Stansted Airport. It was delivered in October last year, as the first of two Airbus A321LR to arrive with the carrier. Titan is seeking to replace its aging 757-200s with these newer, more efficient jets.
It’s likely that the A321LR will be a workhorse for official visits that are shorter in range and require fewer personnel. The RAF Voyager, registered ZZ336, will remain the aircraft of choice for long-haul operations, as well as fulfilling its regular day to day duties as a Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).
Since its delivery in late October, G-XATW has been stored at London Stansted. In mid-November, it took a short hop over to Bordeaux, home to Sabena Technics – a company with a paint hangar that specializes in the A320 family of aircraft.
The aircraft returned to the UK from Bordeaux on March 8th. Flight data: RadarBox.com
On March 8th, it came back to the UK, landing at Norwich late in the afternoon. Readers report that the paintwork was applied here by Satys/Air Livery. Finally, on Friday, the A321LR headed to Titan’s home at London Stansted.
Replacing the BAe 146s?
Currently, the Royal Air Force has two VIP configured BAe 146 aircraft which it uses for short-haul, low capacity operations. It also has a further two BAe 146 configured to carry cargo. These aircraft are all rather old, with the two VIP aircraft clocking in at around 36 years of age.
As reported in UK Defence Journal today, last year there was confirmation from the UK government that replacements for the 146s were under consideration. Gareth Thomas, Member of Parliament for Harrow West had asked when they would be retired, what aircraft would replace them, and if the plan was to use the RAF Voyager for short-haul ops usually undertaken by the BAe 146s.
The UK’s current short-haul VIP jets are aging BAe 146s. Photo: Getty Images
In response, James Heappey, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement said,
“The current fleet of four BAe 146 aircraft are planned to be retired from Service on 31 March 2022. Replacements for those aircraft are currently under consideration as part of normal capability planning. The fleet of 14 Voyager will continue to support the collective Air Transport task including VIP and Command Support Air Transport tasking.”
While it was originally thought that the Global 5000 series would be a good replacement for the 146s, this now seems to not be the case. It also appears that the timeline has shifted forwards somewhat, as the A321LR is painted and ready to begin work. Although it may require some interior adjustments at Titan’s base in London, we could see it in service later this year.
Not for Four Seasons
When G-XATW was delivered, it was sporting an all-black livery and was thought to be heading for operations on behalf of TCS World Travel. TCS is the company that operates private jet tours on behalf of Four Seasons; multi-stop, ultra-luxury tours around the world with prices of around $170,000 per person.
However, it looks as if XATW will never receive its coat of Four Seasons livery, as it is clearly marked to be head to the Royal Air Force now. However, it could be that Four Seasons is destined to get the second A321LR, which is due to arrive with Titan soon. Currently flying under test registration G-OATW but due to become G-GBNI, the second is showing as due for delivery, so should arrive in the next few weeks.
Four Seasons Reveals More Private Airbus A321LR Trips in 2022
It’s been over a year since we first heard about Four Seasons’ brand new private jet. Now, the hotel and resort brand has unveiled some of the experiences customers can book using the brand new Airbus A321neo jet. From Africa to Southeast Asia, to Australia and Europe, customers can see the world in Four Seasons privacy and luxury – for the right price.
The Four Seasons jet is an A321LR. Photo: Four Seasons
“The Four Seasons Private Jet Experience was created for travellers who want to see the world, immerse themselves in new cultures and share in unique adventures, all while part of an end-to-end Four Seasons experience,” -Christian Clerc, President, Global Operations, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
A look at Four Seasons’ A321 private jet packages
The company has several exciting packages on offer, which can be booked for as early as May 2021. However, Spring 2022 experiences are already being marketed by the hotel group and are available for booking. Here’s what Four Seasons has on offer:
World of Adventures – May 28 to June 20, 2021 – Seattle, USA – Kyoto, Japan – Bali, Indonesia – Seychelles – Rwanda – Marrakesh, Morocco – Bogota, Colombia – Galapagos Islands – Miami, USA
International Intrigue – November 27 to December 20, 2021 – Seattle, USA – Kyoto, Japan – Hoi An, Vietnam – Maldives – Serengeti, Tanzania – Marrakesh, Morocco – Budapest, Hungary – St. Petersburg, Russia – Paris, France
African Wonders – a family-friendly itinerary: December 28, 2021, to January 9, 2022 – Athens, Greece – The Pyramids, Egypt (day trip) – Serengeti, Tanzania – Mauritius – Rwanda – Victoria Falls, Zambia (day trip) – Johannesburg, South Africa.
Timeless Encounters – March 14 to April 6, 2022 – Kona, Hawaii – Bora Bora – Sydney, Australia – Bali, Indonesia – Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, Thailand – Taj Mahal, India (day trip) – Dubai, UAE – Prague, Czech Republic – London, England
Ancient Explorer – April 8 to May 1, 2022 – Miami, USA – Mexico City – Easter Island – Bora Bora – Great Barrier Reef, Australia – Bangkok or Koh Samui, Thailand – Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan – The Pyramids, Egypt (day trip) – Taormina, Italy – Madrid, Spain
The A321 private jet experience
While we already know a lot about the long-range capabilities of the A321neo and the A321LR, its the Four Seasons’ inflight experience that is stealing the show. On board, the private jet has an experienced flight crew, which includes a dedicated Concierge, Executive Chef, and Journey Physician.
“The new Airbus A321neo-LR aircraft has been fully customised to Four Seasons exacting specifications, with input from previous Four Seasons Private Jet passengers. Offering the widest and tallest cabin in its class, the 48-seat interior has been configured for even greater comfort with as much space as possible for guests to spread out and makes themselves at home.” -Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Itineraries are flexible – even in mid-flight. Photo: Airbus ACJ
Who’s actually flying the aircraft?
It wouldn’t be too surprising to learn that Four Seasons doesn’t have an AOC (Air Operators Certificate) of its own. But with our website’s clear aviation focus, we wanted to see if we could find the actual aircraft registration and the operator behind the service. While it took a little bit of digging, we think we found some of the behind-the-scenes information.
The aircraft has everything travelers could need or want at 36,000 feet. Photo: Airbus ACJ
It’s stated that Four Seasons’ private jet has partnered with TCS World Travel to provide these luxury excursions. In turn, TCS World Travel partners with Titan Airways to arrange the actual flights. Titan Airways is a UK-based wet lease operator based out of London Stansted Airport. We know that Titan Airways took delivery of a brand new A321LR jet from Airbus on October 26th. The aircraft is registered as G-XATW.
This aircraft information has yet to be confirmed – we’ve asked Four Seasons about this, but we didn’t receive a response before the time of publication.
Titan Airways (ZT, London Stansted) has taken delivery of the first of two A321-200NX(LR)s due to be operated, among others, on behalf of luxury tour operator TCS World Travel.
G-XATW (msn 10150) is powered by CFM International LEAP-1A33 engines and is dry-leased from Air Lease Corporation. It was delivered from Hamburg Finkenwerder to London Stansted on October 26, 2020. TCS World Travel said in a press release that it planned to launch the first round-the-world journey using the aircraft on October 10, 2021.
Titan Airways expects the delivery of the second A321-200NX(LR) in spring 2021. It too will be dry-leased from Air Lease Corporation.
The British carrier announced earlier this year that the two A321-200NX(LR)s will replace its two ageing B757-200s, which are currently 20.3 years old on average. It underlined that the new aircraft will feature highly customisable cabins, optionally outfitted in a single-class layout with 195 seats; a two-class layout with 16 premium seats and 168 standard seats; or an all-business configuration with 52 fully lie-flat seats. The B757-200s can seat up to 202 passengers in a single-class layout.
According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, Titan Airways currently operates one A318-100, two A320-200s, four A321-200s, two B737-400(SF)s, and the two B757-200s. It has a further two A321s undergoing conversion into A321-200Fs to replace the B737s. It is also awaiting the delivery of its first A330-200. It ended operations of passenger Boeing aircraft earlier this year with the retirement of its last B767-300(ER).
