The Phoenix Cabin has all the amenities that a billionaire might want in a private jet: plush leather chairs, soft carpet, and a flat-screen TV to watch while criss-crossing the globe.
But with its red hues - traditionally a lucky colour in China - and centrepiece round table that doubles for playing mahjong, Airbus is setting its sights on the growing number of ultra-rich Chinese who can afford to shell out upwards of $65 million for their very own home and office in the sky.
"The round table with a Lazy Susan is the Chinese way of sharing and spending time together," said Francois Chazelle, vice-president of worldwide sales at Airbus corporate jets, at an air show that wrapped up in Hong Kong on Thursday.
Europe's Airbus said its private jet operation set a company record last year, delivering 15 planes worth $1.5 billion, with China standing out as the firm's fastest-growing market. Chinese customers accounted for about 25% of business jet sales at Airbus in 2010.
Driving that surge is China's red-hot economy, which has produced about 875,000 millionaires and almost 200 billionaires, according to the Hurun Rich List, the Chinese equivalent of the Forbes richlist.
{{/usCountry}}Driving that surge is China's red-hot economy, which has produced about 875,000 millionaires and almost 200 billionaires, according to the Hurun Rich List, the Chinese equivalent of the Forbes richlist.
{{/usCountry}}Rival Bombardier is forecasting the industry will make 600 business jet deliveries in China between 2010 and 2019, while US-based Gulfstream is also boosting its presence in mainland China. "The race is on - there is a lot of activity right now in China," Chazelle said.