Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, was revealed yesterday as the launch customer of the A380 ‘Flying Palace’, the VIP version of the new double-deck airliner.
Prince Alwaleed flew into the show in his personal Boeing 747-400 and signed the firm contract for the latest super-jumbo. His A380 will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines and will undergo cabin outfitting at a yet to be named completion centre. Prince Alwaleed has been named twice by Forbes magazine as one of the smartest and most creative investors in the world.
With 5,930 sq ft (551 sq m) of cabin floor space, Airbus says the Flying Palace gives customers more space, more comfort and a more modern design to fly non-stop to any city pairing in the world. “It will also allow them to benefit from more tranquil travel in the A380’s outstandingly quiet cabin, as well as the peace of mind that its four engines bring” says Airbus chief operating officer, customers, John Leahy. “Prince Alwaleed’s order means that Airbus’ sales success in the corporate jet market now extends from its smallest aircraft, the A318 Elite, all the way up to its largest, the A380 Flying Palace.”
The A380 is flying daily in the flying display.
Source: Flight Daily News
