Flying palace: inside the A380 private superjumbo
By Craig Platt | smh.com.au | 17 June
The enormous size of the Airbus A380 allows it to house features never before seen on an aircraft, such as an elevator between floors. Photo: Case4de/Design Q
A British design firm is currently working on the interiors for a private Airbus A380 superjumbo VIP jet, under commission from a "Middle Eastern" client.
The client remains unknown, but could be Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who became the first person in the world to buy the world's largest passenger aircraft for his personal use in November 2007.
While the price paid was not disclosed at the time, airlines typically purchase the A380 for US$300 million (A$370 million).
Design Q say the enormous size of the A380 - which can fit up to 853 passengers with an all-economy class fit-out - allows it to house features never before seen on an aircraft. These include a grand entrance hall featuring a floating spiral staircase that will join the three floors of the aircraft.
The front section of the aircraft leads to a large board room, that can be open to the entrance hall or closed for private meetings, and private lounge.
A separate entrance at the front of the aircraft allows passengers to board via an elevator, rather than a side door. The elevator also allows for travel between the plane's floors.
Elsewhere, passengers can relax in the marble-lined hamam (steam room) on the lower deck. A prayer room is planned for the upper deck.
"This aircraft is all about the ultimate luxury travel experience and exudes confidence and commitment on the part of the owner," says Gary Doy, director of Design Q.
Among the other feature reportedly planned for the luxury giant are a "wellbeing room" that will feature a display screen floor showing the ground beneath the plane, a concert hall with a stage and seating for 10, and five luxurious private quarters.
The extravagant designs present their own problems for engineering partners Case4de. "There are many technical and certification challenges on this project however we are confident given the experience we have of this aircraft that the concept we have developed with Design Q is feasible," managing director Noureddine Madoui said.
Planespotters will have to wait to find out: the A380 superjumbo private jet will not be ready for three years.
First published by Smh.com.au on June 17 2009
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