ANYONE SEE THIS ON AOL? The half a Billion Dollar flying palace - Rolls Royce not included by Scott Carmichael on Jun 9th 2009 at 3:00PM Holy crap. That is about the only response I have to this Airbus A380 being developed for Saudi prince al-Waleed bin Talal. Of course, the prince has not officially announced that this will indeed be his new home on the road, but enough news has been pieced together to link him to the purchase. Not only is this the first Airbus A380 sold to a private owner, it is the most expensive private plane ever put together. For comparison - one of the most popular large private planes in the world is the Boeing Business Jet, which starts at "just" $42 Million. Seriously, someone obviously sat down with some crayons, and decided to design the most insane, over-the-top plane they could. This thing has it all - starting with the special cylindrical elevator that comes out of the bottom of the plane. His Chauffeurs can then drive his Rolls Royce up the ramp on the rear, and park it in his on-board garage. Relaxation comes from a steam room, Turkish bath, concert hall (with a baby grand piano) or in one of the five private quarters, complete with king size beds. Less fortunate guests will have to spend the night in one of the 20 "normal" first class sleeper suites. When his Royal Highness needs to get some work done, he can take the elevator up to his boardroom and play with the touch screen TV's or the holographic projection system. And finally in the lineup of ludicrous additions - get this - the well being room has a floor made from a giant screen, showing what the plane is flying over. Total price? About $488 Million Dollars.
See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnEYf8w1Ab0 Good luck putting up with the dingy reporter though... ugh. She's awful
My very first job out of school was working on a similar custom 747 SP for the Saudi's in 1978. It was just as oppulent for it's time. It orginally was supposed to have a disco lounge in the baggage area. That, believe it or not, was cut due to cost savings. I guess there are no more reasons for cost savings anymore. My understanding was the plane I worked on was to cost about $140M when at the time a normal 747 went for $40. So, with inflation, $500M seems about right today.
No kidding, miserable presentation. Speaking of the prince, you'd think with that kind of money he could take care of the chin mole. Reminds me of an Austin Powers movie.
The Saudi family actually has three of those 747 which take off all at the same time and fly in three different directions without anybody knowing on whih plane the family really is. faucets are made of pure gold etc. Friend of mine was working exclusively on the engines of that plane. He said the family did some cracy stuff. Flying in a few Lambos and Ferraris then coming if for a few hoursto take them to the Autobahn. ...when money is just absolutely and completely no object.
Many years ago....when I was flying for a charter airline, I had the chance to get on a B-727 aircraft that belonged to a Sheik. It had gold and marble everywhere...but was really interesting was that the toilet was on a gimble and compass system that it would always point to Mecca. Must be freaky to be on the toilet when the aircraft was in a turn...huh? Hey...if you got the money...do with it what you want.
