Newsstand - The Ultimate in Aerial Bling - the A380CJ

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2190429,00.html

IT IS the ultimate private jet. Airbus, the European plane manufacturer, is on the cusp of selling a VIP version of its A380 superjumbo following a series of secret talks with potential clients.
When the double-deck aircraft enters into commercial service at the end of this year it will be capable of squeezing in up to 850 passengers.

However, wealthy individuals who have more than £200m to spare are being offered a de luxe version of the A380, boasting en-suite bedrooms, a royal lounge, a private dining room and, if desired, a driving range for a spot of golf practice.

Airbus and its partner, Lufthansa Technik (LHT), a subsidiary of the German flag carrier which specialises in VIP cabin interiors, are believed to be targeting about 20 potential customers who already own Boeing 747s and may be looking to upgrade to a bigger plane. Members of this exclusive club include the Sultan of Brunei and Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, a Riyadh-based investment tycoon.

Informed sources suggest that the leaders of the Gulf states such as Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates might also be set to sign up as the superjumbo’s first VIP customers.

Predicting there won't be much demand for a VIP aircraft that can only operate from/to a handful of airports...not that a rich emir or two might not buy it anyway "just because they can."

Predicting there won't be much demand for a VIP aircraft that can only operate from/to a handful of airports...not that a rich emir or two might not buy it anyway "just because they can."

Unlike a passenger A380, an A380CJ just needs a runway long enough and a tarmac wide enough to handle it, since Customs and Immigration comes to you and when you exit via boarding stairs, you will step into a waiting limousine.

So no need for gate space and jetways and such.

And worst case, one can always land at an area airport capable of taking your plane, then transferring to a smaller jet for the hop into the city proper. For example, you could land at ONT and transfer to a 737BBJ or A319CJ or a helicopter for the run to SAN.

Unlike a passenger A380, an A380CJ just needs a runway long enough and a tarmac wide enough to handle it, since Customs and Immigration comes to you and when you exit via boarding stairs, you will step into a waiting limousine.

So no need for gate space and jetways and such.

And worst case, one can always land at an area airport capable of taking your plane, then transferring to a smaller jet for the hop into the city proper. For example, you could land at ONT and transfer to a 737BBJ or A319CJ or a helicopter for the run to SAN.

Good points.

Onboard driving range??? I assume one of those "hit it into a video screen/net" kind, not the full length of the upper deck covered in astroturf? ;)

Most people, obviously influenced by biased media, completely forgot that airports had to be reconstructed for the 773 and 346 long before the A 380 ever set a wheel on one of their runways...

So far a VIP configurated 744 was the ultimate thing, but from the first moment some wealthy individual flies an A 380 , others will follow just to keep track, happens all the time with fancy yachts as well...

OT, just thinking aloud: while it would make sense for Air Force One to be an A380 (increased space, ability to carry more people etc.), would the American government allow the "First Plane" to be from a non-American manufacturer?

OT, just thinking aloud: while it would make sense for Air Force One to be an A380 (increased space, ability to carry more people etc.), would the American government allow the "First Plane" to be from a non-American manufacturer?

I would sincerely doubt it. Have you seen the furore over the chance that Marine One would be a British built chopper :rolleyes:

Anyway, Air Force One as a Boeing 747 is iconic, it would be unthinkable to see something else in that livery.

Actually AF1 as a 707 is probably iconic, but that being said, AF1 will be based on a US commercial or military transport as long as the US makes commercial or military transports.

As for Marine One, while it is true that the copter comes from the EU, Lockheed-Martin supplies enough parts that it was able to win the contract even with a gingoistic [sic] Congress.

But if they don't have to go through the terminal, how will they trash airport lounges?