Saudi prince buys $310m Airbus

[katty]

more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/nov/12/theairlineindustry

Dan Milmo Guardian Unlimited Monday November 12 2007

Airbus A380. Photo: AFP/Roland Magunia. In pictures: Airbus 380

The world's 13th richest man has set a new standard for billionaire opulence with the first VIP order for the A380 superjumbo.

Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who topped the Forbes Arabia rich list last year, has invested a small piece of his estimated $20.3bn (£9.8bn) fortune in an Airbus "Flying Palace", which is priced out of most tycoons' range with a retail price of $310m.

Airline customers for the mega-jet, which can seat up to 850 people, have managed to win sizeable discounts by placing bulk orders but the Riyadh-based billionaire is expected to have paid the full price - before adding the multimillion pound cost of kitting out the airliner.

The passenger version of the A380 has already raised the bar in luxurious air travel, with inaugural customer Singapore Airlines fitting its business class section with double-bed cabins.

However, private buyers will have much more leeway to indulge their whims, because the lack of hundreds of economy class seats leaves ample room for a kitchen, boardroom, cocktail bar, gymnasium, jacuzzi and giant plasma TV screens.

[whistle]

1. No wonder Shrub* holds this guys hand and kisses him on the lips

[angstlessk]

2. this raises the bar for the rich and greedy...need more starving to 'kitt' out

the latest toy for the rich...WHAT AN ABUSE OF MONEY! (AKA RESOURCES)