A Saudi prince is about to take delivery of the world's largest and most
opulent private jet dubbed the 'Flying Palace', which will boast an
incredible array of luxuries including its own concert hall and
Turkish spa.
The Airbus 380, dubbed the Super Jumbo, has a 10,000 sq ft interior
making
it the world's largest airliner and has been designed to carry around 600
passengers 8,000 miles in quiet comfort at speeds of up to 647mph.
But billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud clearly has his own
ideas
about what luxury air travel is all about and ordered his new transport
three years ago.
The Prince will soon be delivered a 'green' plane - just the basic
shell -
which will then be customised by a British-based firm who insist it
will be
the most luxurious aircraft in existence.
The five suites which form the owner's private quarters have king- size
beds, entertainment systems and a prayer room featuring computer
generated
prayer mats which always face Mecca.
A lift drops to the tarmac and a red carpet unfurls, with downlights to
'give the impression of turning up at the Oscars', according to Design
Q's
co-founder Gary Doy.
Business class: The plane's boardroom features a table which functions
as a
giant touchscreen and (right) a white spiral staircase winds around
the lift
which travels three floors and also drops onto the tarmac to act as the
prince's private entrance
The new jet, which has already been labelled the Flying Palace, will
boast:
A dazzling main spiral staircase as well as a lift which will travel the
plane's three floors and lower onto the tarmac to act as the Prince's
private entrance
A Concert Hall featuring a grand piano, accoustic panelling and
seating for
an audience of ten. Big name entertainers are expected to perform.
A Hamam steam room lined with marble only two millimetres thick to
keep the
weight down as well as a sensory area for treatments
A magnificent Wellbeing room for guests featuring a giant screen on the
floor allowing them to see what they are flying over
A full size boardroom featuring a large perspex table which doubles as a
huge touchscreen
A total of five luxury suites as well as a prayer room with electronic
mats
which automatically turn to face mecca
Ample parking space for a Rolls Royce (or Mercedes Benz)
Giant of the skies: The Airbus A380 is the world's largest airliner
and has
been designed to carry over 600 passengers. The basic cost is £135
million
but Prince Alwaleed's plane is expected to top £300million
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is the region's wealthiest man
The belly of the A380 has been turned into a relaxation zone, including a
Turkish bath lined with marble only two millimetres thick to keep the
weight
down.
Next door is a wellbeing room, with the floor and walls turned into a
giant
screen showing the ground down below. Guests can stand on a 'magic
carpet'
and watch the journey, a scented breeze blowing into the room.
If work really is unavoidable, the boardroom is on hand with iTouch
screens
and live share prices projected on to the tables. For conference calls, a
business partner on the ground can be virtually projected on to the
table to
'join' a meeting.
There are around 20 'sleepers' - the equivalent of First Class seats -
for
extra guests. According to the designers, the style is elegant curves and
swirls of Arabic writing.
The prince, who is known as the Warren Buffet of the Middle East, is the
richest man in a region awash with oil money.
His new plaything will be an upgrade from his current private jet - a
customised Boeing 747. He also owns an Airbus 321.
His yacht, the Kingdom5KR was the biggest in the world when it was
launched
and featured in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again.
According to Airbus's Middle East President Habib Fekih the prince can
expect delivery of the jet in the new year however it is not clear how
long
the customisation will take.
As the largest stakeholder in News Corp outside the Murdoch Family,
Prince
Alalweed was interviewed on the deck of his yacht in Cannes by the BBC
following the phone tapping scandal.
Looking relaxed in a pair of shorts and sunglasses he famously
declared that
News Corp's then chief executive Rebekah Brooks 'has to go', which many
believe effectively ended Brooks's career at the company.
A spokesman for Design Q, the Worcestershire-based company who will be
carrying out the customisation of the plane, told the Independent the
plane
would be 'not only the most luxurious aircraft in existence, but also
reflects the cultural values and status of its owner.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251071/Saudi-princes-300m-custom-Superjumbo-complete-Turkish-spa-concert-Hall-parking-space.html
Good pictures on this link.
Gerry
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