A U.S. - based design company is nearing completion of an interior
design for a prospective customer for the VIP version of the Airbus
A380 "Flying Palace" and has released an image to the public.

Airbus revealed that in February this year an unnamed customer had signed a
letter of intent to purchase a VIP A380, although the client is yet to sign a firm order
for the aircraft. The interior design, for an office of dining room, was created by
Edese Doret Industrial Design. 

The latest interior concepts for A380 VIP versions have been completed by Lufthansa Technik,
which this week signed a preliminary agreement for cooperation with Airbus on cabin completion
projects for the 21st century flagship jetliner.

Using its extensive cabin interior experience on aircraft that include the Airbus Corporate Jetliner
and A340 Prestige, Lufthansa Technik has developed a multi-zone use of the A380’s main and
upper decks - which together provide nearly 900 square meters (10,000 square ft.) of cabin
floor space.

In Lufthansa Technik's concept, the A380’s main deck includes a forward lounge, meeting rooms,
the main galley, a large royal lounge, and a dedicated dining/conference area. In the aft section
is first and business class seating, which would be occupied by support personnel. 

The upper deck would be proposed for use primarily by the aircraft's owner/principal user and
invited guests, with access to this level via a private staircase from the main deck. A private
lounge incorporating several divans is located in the forward portion of the upper deck, along
with a full galley and buffet. 

The mid-section houses two guest rooms with bathrooms and showers. This is followed by
the private zone for the A380’s owner/principal user, which includes an office, a bedroom
with dressing area, a bathroom and a wellness area that includes a steam bath and
exercise machines.  

Located in the upper deck's aft cabin is a separate section with economy class seating, as well
as crew rest areas and a kitchen. This aft section is accessed by a rear cabin spiral staircase
from the main deck, guaranteeing the privacy of the upper deck’s primary users. 

"I have no doubt there is a market for VIP versions of the A380, and we believe the requirement
exists for at least 3 to 5 aircraft," said Walter Heerdt, Lufthansa Technik’s Senior Vice President
of Marketing and Sales. 

"The A380 truly gives VIP aircraft completion a new dimension, and it opens exciting possibilities
for the interior design and outfitting."  

Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal  has ordered a USD 319 M Airbus SAS A380
superjumbo, becoming the first private customer for the world's biggest aircraft,
Bloomberg reported Monday. Alwaleed, who is the biggest individual investor in the
world's largest bank, flew in from Saudi Arabia on his Boeing Co. 747.
Prince's aircraft will be delivered in 2010 and will be powered by Rolls-Royce Group
Plc Trent 900 engines. While the superjumbo has a list price of $319 million, the actual
amount he will pay was not disclosed.
Fitting out the double-deck A380's interior may cost "several hundred million,'' Airbus said.
The plane, which seats 525 people in a standard airline configuration, can house three
bedrooms, private lounges, bathrooms, offices, a steam bath and exercise machines in
a so-called VIP set-up.
Airbus, which is the world's biggest maker of commercial aircraft, expects to sell about
20 VIP versions of the A380. Prince Alwaleed first invested in the world's largest bank
Citigroup in 1991 and his Kingdom Holding Co. has a 4 percent stake worth at least
USD 6.5 B, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Like Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Chairman Warren Buffett, the Saudi prince built his USDS 25 B fortune by taking
holdings in undervalued brand-name companies.
A nephew of Saudi King Abdullah, Alwaleed began investing after graduating from
California's Menlo College in 1979. A year later, he received a USD 300,000 loan from
Saudi American Bank, which was run by Citicorp, according to his authorized biography
"Alwaleed: Businessman, Billionaire, Prince,'' written by Al-Jazeera International host
Riz Khan. In 1991, the prince invested USD 590 M in Citigroup predecessor Citicorp,
which needed cash as it struggled with Latin American loan losses and a collapse in
U.S. property.