Billionaire Roman Abramovich Buys Private Jet for $350M; the Rich & Famous Follow Suit
Edited by : TJVNews.com
It appears that flying in private jets is anathema for environmental activists as the carbon footprint it generates can be dangerous, but that is certainly not true for all people. The rich and famous are still flying on private jets as they travel around the globe.
According to a December 2021 report on the simpleflying.com website, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has added a Boeing 787 to his private jet fleet. Among other things, Abramovich is the owner of the Chelsea Football Club. The billionaire decided to give up his 767-300ER for the 787-8, which has been reconfigured to carry 50 select passengers, according to the report. Abramovich will become the third person to own a private 787, along with the Mexican government and a charter firm.
Abramovich’s private 767 was known as ‘The Bandit’ due to the black ‘Zorro mask’ paint on the front, but now the billionaire has shelled out a cool $350 million for the new Boeing 787-8. Forbes Russia has reported that the price of the plane includes $100 million for a luxury cabin and other additions. But then again, Abramovich’s estimated net worth is $12.9 billion, so this new plane cost a mere “bag of shells.”
The billionaire’s new private jet was originally intended to be sold to Swiss operator PrivatAir, according to the report on the simpleflying.com web site. Planespotters.net reported that the jet was constructed in 2015 but couldn’t be received due to the airline’s bankruptcy in 2018. The simpleflying.com report indicated that after spending four years in storage, the plane moved to the Basle Airport for a new cabin outfit. On December 19, 2021 P4-BDL made its way to Moscow for service with Abramovich.
The report indicates that Abramovich has “outfitted his 787 with all the bells and whistles imaginable.” And it is noteworthy to mention that the jet, known as P4-BDL “will seat 50 passengers, 10 security personnel, 10 staffers, and 30 guests, spread over 224 square meters.”
Because Abramovich is concerned about security, there is an onboard defense system on the plane as well. In private 787s passengers can “expect bedrooms, couch-style seating, a kitchen for fresh food, and several bathrooms,” according to the simpleflying.com report.
The plane that is being replaced, the private 767-300ER is now on sale for $100 million, according to aeroTelegraph.
The report indicates that the 767 “features three guestrooms (with bunk beds!), a reading room, dining room, living room, and two guests bathrooms. Additionally, the plane has a large master bedroom and bathroom.” The 767 seats 34 passengers and there is no doubt that they will travel in comfort.
The 787 brings some notable advantages compared to the 767, according to the simpleflying.com report. They indicate that “the larger cabin means that the plane accommodates more passengers and new features. Importantly, the aircraft has a range of 18,418 km (9,944nm) when carrying 25 passengers. This means journeys from London to Sydney and beyond are well within reach.”
