Recreational Flying's new corporate jet

[PA.]

The worlds largest Private Jet.

 

In early 2007, reports began circulating that some extremely rich person had commissioned a private variant of Airbus' then-newly introduced A380 airliner, at a starting cost of $300M. The double-decker jumbo jet—still the world's largest passenger jet—can accommodate 853 passengers in commercial guise, but the buyer, who was later revealed as Saudi Arabian royal Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, was said to have spent an additional $100M to $150M to outfit the plane to his high standards and transport no more than 100 people. But now the prince has apparently sold the plane before it ever took flight, to an unnamed billionaire desperate to skip the waiting list for the world's largest private jet.

 

 

Prince Al-Waleed tapped interior designer Edése Doret—a private jet and megayacht specialist—to transform the interiors into an airborne palace. That process started simply, at least by these standards. Doret designed a 14-seat dining table for the Prince and his guests, complete with cushy chromed chairs and a glass chandelier, all rendered in soothing neutral tones.

 

 

Adjacent to the dining area, a lounge area boasting three sofas, a pair of chairs, a shiny coffee table, and four rather hideous light fixtures. As if guests weren't impressed enough already by a half-billion dollar private jet, there's an illuminated nook in the divider to hold a scale model of the owner's absurdly large motor yacht. A huge flatscreen television, mounted on the wall opposite the ship model, provides more pedestrian entertainment.

 

 

If the upgrades mentioned so far seem banal by private jet standards—and/or hardly worth $150M—this is where things get crazy. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the record-breaking jet will have the world's first elevator in the sky, providing access to the plane's three levels in flight, as well as extending all the way down to the tarmac when parked, for easy VIP egress.

 

 

Doret had been planning to include a whirlpool tub in the design—one with "a rapid drainage system that can empty the standing water in seconds to a tank in the cargo hold"—but Airbus refused to include a swimming pool on board. What is reportedly making the cut is a special "magic carpet" room on the lowest level, which is outfitted with a transparent floor, providing astounding views of the countryside from cruising altitude.

 

 

 

[facthunter]

You have to rough it till something better is around. Think I saw one belonging to the Sultan of Brunei at Tullamarine a while back. Nev

 

 

[Ultralights]

every model of 747 has an elevator on board. so the A380 private jet above is by no means, the "first elevator in the sky"

 

 

[cscotthendry]

Yes, spare a thought for the poor Saudis next time you fill your tank at the petrol station...

 

 

[rgmwa]

He may be wealthy enough to visit the cockpit whenever he wants to .... but he's still just a passenger.

 

rgmwa

 

 

[Gnarly Gnu]

Looks a bit tacky actually. Dunno if it's the interior designers fault or if prince tallywacker asked him to design it like an Argentinian bordello. No wonder he sold it.

 

Photoshop job in #1 is equally bad.

 

 

[Yenn]

Hey Gnarly, you obviously visited different bordellos to me.

 

 

[Deskpilot]

I'd rather have his Arabian Stallion.

 

 

[ayavner]

every model of 747 has an elevator on board. so the A380 private jet above is by no means, the "first elevator in the sky"

Actually, they all do don't they? thats how you get the nose up n down... :-P

 

 

[Admin]

Actually we will be doing a run around the country picking people up and taking them to NatFly in the Recreational Flying Corporate Jet so reserve your place today

 

 

[planedriver]

I'd sooner be picked up in your old CT or the Gazelle Ian.

 

It's always an advantage to know you can stop before you run out of concete:yikes:

 

 

[Admin]

I'd sooner be picked up in your old CT or the Gazelle Ian.It's always an advantage to know you can stop before you run out of concete:yikes:

 

 

[Marty_d]

I'd rather have his Arabian Stallion.

That's what they call him at the aforementioned Argentinian bordello. (Very specific there Gnu... does bordello interior design differ from country to country?)

 

 

[Deskpilot]

I was referring to his horse, not his sexual abilities or preferences.