Considering Zimbabwe is among the top 20 poorest countries in the world, it’s a bit ironic that its president would fly around in a $400 million airplane. However, this didn’t stop President Mugabe from using it instead of using taxpayers’ money to pay off the country’s current $40 million debt. Regardless, it is a thing of beauty, flying at a speed of 858 km an hour.
Not only has the plane been decorated with Zimbabwe’s flag colors on the outside, but it has been decorated in a way that is fit for royalty on the inside. Obviously, thinking about your country’s issues is not a priority when you’re working from an airplane that looks like this.
Britain's Airbus A330 – $250 million
The 32nd squadron of the Royal Air Force recently purchased a $250 million Airbus A330 for British Prime Minister Theresa May. The airplane has a comfortable 58-seat capacity for government officials and close staff and an extra 100-seat area in the airplane's tail for journalists. And this nifty little machine can refuel in the air!
The UK has the presidential airplane with the biggest passenger capacity on this list, and it is also one of the most modest. Supposedly, the purchase and renovations were made, taking the country's economic situation into account, claiming they actually saved a lot of money due to smaller engines and less fuel. All in all, the airplane is quite modest, even when it comes to its interior decor, but at $250 million, it still makes our list.
Saudi Arabia's Boeing 747 – $520 million
When it comes to splurging, King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia's ruler until 2015, definitely tops the list. He decided to modify this Boeing 747 and turned it into a flying palace, complete with its very own fountain on board! The airplane itself cost approximately $228 million, but the King decided to jack up its price to $520 million by transforming its interior into something out of a 1600s royalty film set.
The aircraft is complete with five bedrooms, 20 smaller rooms, and a steam room made entirely out of marble. But wait, that's just the beginning. It also features a parking space for his beloved (and oh so humble) Rolls Royce, a private elevator, and a stunning grand piano with a concert hall. Frugal, huh?
USA's Doomsday Plane (Modified Boeing 747) – $220 million
We've all heard of the famous Air Force One, but surely you didn't expect the leader of the free world to be content with just one plane? The US president has another outstanding piece of equipment at his disposal: the Doomsday Plane. Just like its eerie name suggests, this plane is to be used in case of emergencies and as a getaway vehicle in the most dangerous situations.
Now, this airplane is what we would call a technological marvel. As we said, it is to be used in the worst-case scenario. Not only can this airplane be in the air for 620 hours straight, but it can also go days without refueling. It has thermo-radiation shields surrounding the plane to protect it in case of a nuclear war. What's more, the equipment on the plane is so refined and advanced that it has the power to perfectly communicate with the outside world. Oh, and it needs a special air conditioning system in order to keep all the equipment in a perfect state. Let's hope we don't see this baby in the sky anytime soon, though.
Italy's Airbus A319CJ – $90 million
Italy's presidential aircraft is an Airbus A319 Corporate Jet (CJ). It is a classic model used by President Sergio Mattarella, and even though, as far as presidential planes go, it isn't particularly ostentatious, it is still an impressive piece of equipment with a very tasteful and classic European interior.
This $90 million airplane fits 30 passengers, but as it turns out, the Italian Air Force uses another 2 Corporate Jets! Guess the Italians are not so modest, after all. The Airbus A319 is flanked by two other equally impressive aircraft, which have 50 seats each. These are usually reserved for government officials.