Standing proudly on a podium, the new Airbus Helicopters H160VIP looked every inch a prize worth winning – and for one design company, that’s exactly what it was. Last October, the pan-European helicopter giants launched a contest to find a designer for the VIP interior of its new craft. Five companies competed for the honour with the eventual winners being chosen by a panel of customers and specialists in luxury goods. And that company proved to be Pegasus Design.

The Monaco-based firm is led by Peder Eidsgaard, best known for his exterior and interior design work on superyachts, and has previously worked with Airbus. This latest collaboration should prove to be fruitful according to Frederic Lemos, head of private and business aviation at the helicopter firm. “Our in-house design team will now work closely with Pegasus Design to establish a new standard of VIP cabin interiors on the private and business aviation market, ensuring that the H160 will propose the same level of excellence, innovation and emotion inside and out,” he said. Rich leather upholstery and wood and metal accents will feature heavily, and each cabin can be fully customised to the buyer’s specifications.

There is considerable substance to go with this style as well – this VIP version of the H160, the world’s first all-composite civil helicopter, will be able to cruise at a speed of almost 300kph and has a range of just over 800km, powered by two Turbomeca Arrano turboshaft engines. Two prototypes have already taken to the air, clocking 140 hours of flying time and the first delivery of the H160VIP is expected to take place in 2018.

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