London - World leaders are used to travelling in style, but now they won’t be the only ones guaranteed a good night’s sleep.
Nine heads of state are reported to have ordered Boeing’s new 747 Aeroloft luxury business jet, which boasts a separate cabin with sleeping quarters for eight people.
The extra space, also featuring a changing room, adds nearly 36m2 to the Boeing Business Jet 747-8.
The new cabin is located above the main deck, between the upper deck and the tail. It guarantees passengers will have comfort and space as they snooze on international flights.
It means the plane has a total of 466m2 – more than the Airbus A380, which at 463m2 is the largest passenger plane.
The first Aeroloft-equipped plane took off from Boeing Global Transport and Executive Systems in Wichita, Kansas, recently, headed for Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg, Germany, to get more luxury fixtures and fittings. It is scheduled to enter service in 2014.
Boeing has not disclosed the price of the new jetliner, but a typical 747-8 aircraft costs £220 million (R2.95 billion) without any luxury add-ons.
Boeing Business Jets are billed by the company as “the ultimate business jet” and feature a kitchen, conference and dining area, lounge, bathroom, private office and an executive suite with a queen-size bed and full shower.
The new 747 Aeroloft plane was developed by Greenpoint Technologies, a private firm.
Captain Steve Taylor, Boeing Business Jet president, said: “The Aeroloft is one of the more innovative and exciting projects on which we’ve collaborated with Greenpoint. We’re certain all the BBJ 747-8 customers receiving the Aeroloft will be thrilled.” – Daily Mail