A $350 million Boeing 747-8 Business Jet intended as a private 'flying mansion' for Saudi royalty has been dismantled at an Arizona aircraft boneyard after sitting unused for over a decade. The jet, initially ordered by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, logged fewer than 30 flight hours before being sent to Pinal Airpark in 2022.

Purchased in 2017 for $95 million after the prince's death in 2011, the aircraft never received its planned luxurious interior including private bedrooms and conference rooms. The massive plane spent 10 years parked at EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg while brokers unsuccessfully sought another buyer. Aviation analysts note the engines alone could have been worth up to $80 million if sold separately.

The rare aircraft's scrapping represents a significant financial loss, though its limited production may offer a small environmental benefit. With only nine other BBJ 747s still in operation among government and royal family fleets, the plane's retirement highlights the challenges of repurposing ultra-luxury aircraft. Analysts suggest many components will be recycled for cargo plane use, though the original investment will likely never be fully recouped.