Before gifting their $400-million Boeing 747 to the United States, the big-hearted Qatari royal family spent 13 years flying it to Spain for lavish summer getaways.

Fifty TVs and 13 Blu-ray players kept the kids entertained, whereas a second 747 carried the family’s luggage.

Every summer, as the mercury soared in Doha’s desert heartland, the Qatari royal family would escape the blistering heat in signature style aboard their lavishly outfitted Boeing 747-8, a $400 million airborne palace that once belonged exclusively to their private fleet. It’s the same VIP jet that has been grabbing headlines lately for being gifted to the United States. With its soaring wingspan, plush interiors, and space for just under 100 guests, the aircraft wasn’t just a means of transport. It was a symbol of modern royalty in motion, a floating extension of their palace that whisked them from Qatar to the cooler climes of the Mediterranean.

Their favorite destination? The Balearic gem of Mallorca, Spain, where the family has long summered in luxury. The journey itself was nothing short of spectacular. While a standard Boeing 747 is built to carry over 400 passengers, this private version was meticulously customized for royalty.

Five lounges, a grand spiral staircase, a master suite, and gold-trimmed bathrooms, eleven of them, were only part of what made this flying residence unique. And for the Qatari royals, it wasn’t just about comfort. It was about maintaining the grandeur and refinement of palace life even at 40,000 feet.

Once airborne, the family enjoyed the full suite of onboard amenities. From streaming entertainment across 40 high-definition screens to dining on multi-course meals prepared in one of five full kitchens, the journey was as indulgent as the destination.

A specialized humidification system kept the cabin air crisp and pleasant, while the near-silent interiors, thanks to high-end soundproofing, ensured peaceful travel for all. The master bedroom, adorned with rich wood finishes and custom furniture, came complete with its own en-suite marble bath as opulent as anything found in a five-star hotel.

However, the jet’s grandeur didn’t end with its amenities. What truly astonished those who glimpsed the royal arrival in Spain each summer was the scale of their entourage and their luggage. Dozens of staff members traveled alongside the royals, including chefs, personal trainers, nannies, stylists, and security personnel. But perhaps the most jaw-dropping detail of all was the travel arrangement of one of the Emir’s wives.

Her collection of luggage, believed to include hundreds of designer trunks, cases, and garment bags, required an entire separate Boeing 747 just to transport it. While this may sound unbelievable, those who have worked with the royal family confirmed it wasn’t unusual. The second aircraft, similarly opulent, often landed within hours of the main jet, ensuring her belongings arrived promptly and with care.

Once on the ground in Mallorca, the royal family would settle into their Spanish sanctuaries. While they were known to frequent the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, insiders confirm that the family also owned the Jumeirah Hotel in Puerto Sóller, one of the island’s most prestigious properties.

Perched along the cliffs with sweeping sea views and private access to the harbor, the hotel served both as their vacation retreat and a showcase of Qatari taste and hospitality. On several occasions, large sections of the hotel were reserved exclusively for the family, their guests, and their staff.

Their summer presence in Mallorca didn’t go unnoticed. Local residents and luxury watchers alike marveled each year at the fleet of luxury SUVs, discreet but extensive security details, and the procession of luggage-laden porters that arrived with military precision. Instead of the suitcases being stacked away, they get their own private villa complete with a pool, costing more than $6,500 per night, a quirky but very real example of the family’s penchant for ultra-personalized comfort.

One amusing detail that emerged from hotel staff was the Emir’s commitment to fitness. He would never use the hotel’s public gym. Instead, a top-tier treadmill was flown in, costing $550 to rent, and installed in a dedicated suite just for his workouts. A personal trainer accompanied him throughout the vacation, ensuring his routine remained uninterrupted.

Beyond the lavish accommodations and over-the-top arrivals, the royal family’s summer trips to Spain were defined by their blend of tradition and cutting-edge luxury. They brought their world with them, their routines, their teams, their preferences, and recreated a home away from home thousands of miles from Doha.

Today, that very same Boeing 747-8, once the scene of these decadent summer migrations, has taken on a new chapter. But during its prime in the skies under Qatari ownership, it stood as an unrivaled example of how royalty traveled, not just in comfort, but in a spectacle of modern-day extravagance. Their yearly escape to Spain wasn’t just a vacation. It was an event, a statement, and a reminder that for the Qatari royals, luxury knows no altitude limits.

This article was originally published by Luxurylaunches