For years, the wealthy elite around the world relied on aircraft such as Learjets to get from point A to point B quickly with a modicum of comfort. Now they buy much larger aircraft with special features, like the Airbus A380 “Flying Palace.”

The Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger plane, successfully landed in two United States airports in New York and Los Angeles yesterday. One was carrying 550 people; the other only a crew. The test flights took place to monitor everything from how easily the plane docks at the terminal gate to the way the in-flight dining and entertainment services work.

Typically, aircraft such as Airbus’ and Boeing’s lose their usual seating to a customized sumptuous interior designed for business, entertainment and sleeping. For example, note the VIP version of the Airbus A380 “Flying Palace,” the interior design of which was recently unveiled.

Space.com recently noted that the Airbus A380, when used for typical commercial use, seats 555 passengers on two levels. By removing those pedestrian seats, there is space for creating a spacious boardroom that doubles as an office.

Of course, we all know that business is more than inspiring, instructing, training and issuing orders. Sometimes managing involves entertaining. For this purpose, the ultra-luxurious Airbus A380 is easily one of the most, well, luxurious aircrafts we have ever seen, boasting two dining halls, a 600 square foot master bedroom, seats that can be converted into beds, large lounging areas that are akin to mobile penthouses, a game room, a quick-draining whirlpool, etc. etc. etc.

The conversion from production-run Airbus to “palace in the air” involved installing a curvy cocktail bar with a huge TV as well as alcoves. Located along windows, a small group can hear and see many digitally stored programs, play computer games. The interior areas have a thoroughly modern design created by Edése Doret Industrial Design. However, whether or not the designs will be transformed into a real interior depends on the client’s approving them or adjusting them.

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Airbus received its first preliminary order from an unidentified customer for the VIP-configured A380 ultra-large airliner last month. While the person who commissioned the aircraft was not identified, the article goes on to report that “British billionaire Sir Richard Branson” plans to offer Airbus 380s with double bedrooms, bars, beauty salons and casinos for use by the general flying public. No dollar value was assigned to a ticket associate with the privilege of using these upgrades. As the old maxim goes, if you have to ask, it’s probably too expensive for you (or your company’s T&E budget).

Lufthansa Technik has also transformed an Airbus 380 from being just another big bus in the sky to a combination business, living and entertainment center. The special design includes king-sized beds, deep pile carpeting, en-suite bathrooms, an office with Web and e-mail access, a dining room for business meetings or entertaining and a theater.

Deliveries to Singapore Airlines, the planemaker’s launch customer, are not due until October — two years late.

Airbus experienced a two-year delay in actually getting the vehicle to market, and the company wiped out more than $6 billion of its forecast profits in the process. It was an expensive lesson, costing 10,000 jobs and forcing the closure of six of its European plants.

While the “Flying Palace” trend plays out, some 10,000 Airbus employees back on the ground may lose their jobs, according to BBC News. There, Airbus boss Louis Gallois indicated that the company “was not efficient enough.” Yet 5,000 of these cuts involve temporary staff and subcontractors whose contracts won’t be extended. In the face of this cut, which will be carried out over four years, Peter Scherrer of the European Metalworkers Federation says, “We totally oppose closure of any site and we won’t accept any firings.” According to BBC, “Staff in France, Germany, the UK and Spain have stopped work in a coordinated series of demonstrations against plans to cut 10,000 jobs.”

It seems as if European management and labor are just as far apart as they can be. Sound familiar?

To take a virtual tour of the aircraft, click HERE.

Related: King of the Sky: Boeing Dreamliner vs. Airbus A350 XWB