Luxury News from Luxury Insider

Design Q Gives the Airbus A380 A Princely $482 Million Revamp

Published: 6/10/2009 4:19:00 AM

Keywords: Aviation | Opulence

 

By RACHEL TAN

Whoever commissioned automotive and aerospace design consultancy Design Q to upholster and revamp the burly Airbus A380 into a veritable magic carpet ride must have only one thought on their mind: Travelling in absolute luxury.

The Middle Eastern client, said to be a Saudi Arabian prince, is set to use the 600-seater for his own personal use, but not before Design Q in partnership with Case4de reaches into their bag of design tricks.

A lift chauffeuring through three floors aboard the jet links passengers to an impressive host of features including a marble-floored “hamam” or steam room, a board room with holographic screens and a dedicated prayer room.

Perhaps most excitingly, Design Q  plays around with mood-lighting and design technology to construct clever ambient environments such as the well-being room. With its walls and floors which transform into screens to show the world outside, the room mimics a unique airborne experience complete with a realistic breeze flowing into the space. With such amenities available at 3000 feet above ground, it is no wonder the Airbus 380 is quoted to cost $482 million.

Design Q