The Boeing 747 is an iconic plane, and its life cycle is reaching its end — like this world’s first Boeing 747-8.
A Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) private aircraft that was supposed to serve as a ‘flying mansion’ for the Saudi Arabian Government has now been scrapped in Arizona, US.
The worst part? It only had around 30 flight hours clocked and didn’t even live up to its full potential.
Since the plane never found an owner, Boeing sent it to a boneyard — Pinal Airpark in Arizona, US.
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Why the first Boeing 747-8 private jet never had an owner
Initially, the Saudi Crown Prince, Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, was supposed to take delivery of the BBJ in 2012.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Saudi Arabian government never received the plane, and Boeing sent it to the Arizona desert.
This is where the 747-8 would receive ‘interior modifications,’ according to Germany’s aeroTELEGRAPH.
After that tragedy, nobody else came forward to buy the private jet, despite the asking price being slashed to a mere $95 million.
For context, the Saudi Arabian Government’s initial order cost them $280 million.
That’s certainly a hefty price cut, but it’s sad that the luxurious flying palace didn’t get another chance.
Boeing’s 747 family is truly special — and the 747-8, is the world’s longest commercial aircraft.
Which also makes it perfectly suitable for being a luxury palace in the air.
But the 747 is old now, and Boeing stopped production of these airplanes only recently.
As a matter of fact, more and more 747s are headed toward retirement.
The popular ‘Queen of the Skies’ is an airplane every aviation enthusiast loves, and some pilots have their own way of bidding farewell.
The 747-8 is a luxurious ‘flying mansion’
Boeing’s BBJ doesn’t have the ‘flying mansion’ or ‘flying palace’ nicknames for no reason.
While being the largest private jet in the world, it also has the most stunning interior.
When we think of a private jet, the first thing that comes to mind would be a small plane.
And that could say, seat up to 15 passengers at most.
But to fathom a 467-seater private jet is another thing.
Because of its sheer size — spanning 420 square meters across two levels — it makes you feel like you’re at a 7-star hotel.
The only difference is that the hotel is in the air, and you can travel to any part of the world if you desire.
Private jets certainly have a sharp appeal, but aircraft like this take the experience to a whole new level.
The Boeing 747-8 scrapped in Arizona never flew for long, though.
It only recorded 16 flights over almost 29 hours, and unfortunately, nobody got to experience its luxury offerings.
