At Orlando International Airport, beneath a Florida sky that felt appropriately symbolic, Magnifica Air unveiled the first aircraft in its future fleet, a defining moment ahead of the airline’s planned 2027 launch.
Draped in the carrier’s newly revealed livery, the Airbus Corporate Jet ACJ321neo signals more than fleet expansion. It marks the physical arrival of a concept that aims to redraw the boundaries between commercial first class and private aviation.
This is the first of four aircraft that will debut Magnifica Air’s Private Class, a standalone cabin category conceived to sit between traditional premium cabins and full private jet charter. It is positioned not as an upgrade, but as an alternative: one that blends the discretion and spatial freedom of private aviation with the safety infrastructure and operational discipline of commercial flight.
Engineering the Platform
Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW1133 geared turbofan engines — fully compatible with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) — the ACJ321neo offers a range of approximately 6,100 nautical miles. That long-haul capability places it firmly in territory typically reserved for corporate aviation platforms, enabling transcontinental routes without compromise.
The aircraft will now enter a ten-month interior completion phase, during which it will be transformed into Magnifica Air’s bespoke Private Class configuration. The design will accommodate a limited number of guests — approximately 54 across the wider planned fleet of A220 and A321neo aircraft — with space prioritised over density.
Kevin Ketterer, Vice President of Technical Operations at Magnifica Air, describes the delivery as a pivotal step:
“The arrival of our first ACJ321neo is a defining operational milestone. It enables the launch of our maintenance and reliability programs, integrating predictive technologies and dedicated support services designed to deliver the level of consistency expected from a new cabin category.”
The PW1133 engines are widely recognised for fuel efficiency, reduced noise footprint and operational reliability. Combined with the aircraft’s aerodynamic design and lightweight construction, the platform underpins Magnifica Air’s commitment to operating with one of the most efficient carbon footprints possible within its segment.
Introducing Private Class
For Magnifica Air, the unveiling represents a shift from blueprint to tangible fleet development. Private Class has been conceived as a category in its own right — not merely an enhanced first class, but a restructured cabin philosophy built around privacy, wellbeing and operational resilience.
Co-Founder and CEO Wade Black is clear about the distinction:
“Private Class is not a product enhancement. It is a new cabin category built around how people want to travel today. Bringing our first aircraft into the fleet is a tangible step toward delivering that standard at scale.”
The airline has previously outlined plans for a fleet of Airbus A220 and A321neo aircraft, each configured with a limited guest count to preserve the exclusivity central to its concept. Operations are expected to launch in 2027, with South Florida–New York announced as the inaugural route, pending certification and cabin completion.
The Leadership Behind the Vision
Magnifica Air’s executive team brings together decades of expertise from both commercial and private aviation.
At the helm is Wade Black, whose career spans aviation, real estate and luxury travel, shaped by a consistent focus on service elevation and innovation. Supporting him is Chief Development Officer Sean McGeough, who brings more than 30 years of aviation leadership experience, including roles as CEO of Nextant and President of Hawker Beechcraft EMEA, alongside experience with Airbus Corporate Jets and Wheels Up.
Chief Operating Officer Brad Lambert contributes over three decades within the airline industry and holds certification as an Airline Transport Pilot, ensuring operational rigour underpins the brand’s ambition. Meanwhile, Doreen DePastino, Vice President of Inflight Services and Ground Operations, draws on 35 years of inflight expertise with global carriers including Emirates and JetBlue, shaping a service culture designed to match the aircraft’s architectural promise.
From Concept to Cabin
The unveiling of the ACJ321neo is, in many respects, a statement of intent. In an era where premium travel continues to evolve, Magnifica Air is positioning Private Class as a response to shifting expectations — privacy without isolation, scale without congestion, and a cabin designed not simply around seats, but around space.
With its first aircraft now physically in place, the airline moves from vision to execution. And as the ACJ321neo begins its transformation into Private Class configuration, the contours of a new travel category begin to take shape.
