A short video offers us a rare insight into the passenger cabin of the RAF Voyager, an Airbus A330 used by the UK Royal Family and other top government officials. As it turns out, these VIP travelers use the...
A short video offers us a rare insight into the passenger cabin of the RAF Voyager, an Airbus A330 used by the UK Royal Family and other top government officials. As it turns out, these VIP travelers use the same business class seat onboard the RAF Voyager that you and I do on many commercial flights.
A Rare Look In Passenger Cabin Of RAF Voyager Jet Used To Transport Royal Family
King Charles and Queen Camilla flew to Kenya in late October, their first visit to the Commonwealth Nation since Charles ascended to the throne in 2022. To reach Kenya, the royals used the Royal Air Force Voyager, which began service as a aerial refueling tanker (and still maintains that ability), but was retrofitted in 2016 to accommodate VIP travel. The Airbus A330 is now use by figures like the Prime Minster, Royal Family, or other top officials for state travel. In 2020, it was repainted with a controversial new livery.
> Read More: The Controversial Paint Job On Britain’s “Air Force One”
If you were expecting private cabins like the Etihad Residence/Apartments (or like the modified 747-200 known as Air Force One when transporting the US president), think again. The Royal Family shared a 7-second video of Charles and Camilla onboard and the cabin looks much like a business class cabin in a commercial airline.
The King and Queen flew to Kenya today ahead of their State Visit, which begins tomorrow.
Follow #RoyalVisitKenya for the latest updates. pic.twitter.com/OkX55eFuwk
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 30, 2023
In fact, I can specifically identify the seats as Thompson Aero Vantage XL, which I just reviewed on my SAS A350-900 flight report earlier this week. Other carriers that use this seat include Delta Air Lines, Philippine Airlines, and Qantas. It does appear that there are two compact sleeping berths in the very front of the RAF Voyager cabin, but those look more like crew rest seats than for passengers.
While still quite plush for intercontinental transport, it’s hardly a cutting-edge or luxury product compared to some of the first class product or private jet configurations that transport other heads of state and top officials.