Airbus announces Saudi prince buying private superjumbo 'flying palace' jet

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: In the annals of excess, it could be a new high: A more than US$300 million dollar, super-sized luxury airplane, bought and outfitted solely for the private comfort of a billionaire from oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

Once done, the Airbus A380, the world's biggest passenger plane, will be a "flying palace" for Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the manufacturer announced Monday.

Airbus SAS would not give a specific price tag for the VIP double-decker jet, with its football field-length wings, saying only that it would cost more than the aircraft's list price of US$320 million (€219.5 million).

But that steep spending doesn't even include the money the prince will spend to custom fit the 551-square-meter plane to include whatever he wants — private bedrooms, a movie theater or even a gym with a jacuzzi. He'll also need a flight crew of about 15 to operate the luxury liner.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/12/africa/ME-FIN-Saudi-Luxury-Jet.php