The flagship of the A380 parts auction, the business-class bar has been the subject of frenzied bids.
The bar of one of Emirates’ A380s, lot 200, was the centerpiece of this auction. Located on the upper deck of the superjumbo, in the rear, it was reserved exclusively for business class passengers who could come for a cocktail at an altitude of 10,000 meters. On its own it embodies the comfort and luxury that commercial aviation can offer today.
A black marble bar
Measuring 2.50 m wide, 2 m deep and 2.30 m high, the bar is impressive. For reasons of weight, its set-up was made with an imitation wood paneling and the counter in imitation marble. Only the top of the back sideboard is actually black marble. Equipped with a refrigerator, the bar has a mirror display and soft lighting that highlight the bottles of spirits. Ten ceiling spotlights end up highlighting the counter in the shape of a semicircle. Produced by British aviation equipment manufacturer AVIC Cabin Systems, the bar design was conceived by Emirates in collaboration with French architect Jacques Pierrejean.
The Emirates A380 bar has just been sold
As expected, the tender was contested but only after Maître Labarbe lowered the starting price from € 20,000 to € 10,000. After thirteen long minutes of outbidding, he was finally paid € 15,200. The buyer, whose identity is unknown, is located in the United States. At this price, well below the estimate between 20,000 and 30,000 euros, the auctioneer will not offer the real bottles that belong to him that he had placed as decoration. The lucky buyer now has until 31 December to collect it and organize his Atlantic crossing. To facilitate transport, the bar will be disassembled. It is up to the new owner to put it back on its feet and bring the electrical system up to standard.
The A380 recycled composite surfboard
Fan blade customized by Mero
But the 500 people registered for sale this Friday, October 14, weren’t all interested in the bar. There were in fact 117 other lots on offer and some were not lacking in originality. Notice, for example, a surfboard made from recycled A380 composites. It took off for 2,000 euros. One of the A380’s faux leather bar seats cost € 3,000. Finally, a fan-shaped shovel customized by the artist from Toulouse Mero and depicting an eagle has risen to an altitude of 3,500 euros.
For the last day of sale, this Saturday 15 October, several lots are expected to be subject to bitter auctions such as the two pilot sleeves, the orange suit worn by Airbus test pilot Claude Lelaie during the first flight of the A380, or the door access. of the cabin. Notice to amateurs. Opening of hostilities from 2.30pm
