Boeing's Newest VIP Jet Bought by Asian Billionaire Joseph Lau

When you are rich, super rich, what's the one thing you need that separates you from the rest of the herd? A private jet of course! Joseph Lau, a real estate powerhouse from Hong Kong, recently ordered a 787-8 model from Boeing valued at $153 million.

Pet named the "787 VIPs," this jet is for the rich only. The first model is set to roll off Boeing's Seattle production line in July. The first test flight of the 787s is set for August.

Get A Mental Picture

This plane is no joke. The private jet has a cabin space of 2,404 square feet - roughly the same size as a tennis court. It can hold up to 250 passengers on routes up to 8,200 nautical miles, making trips from Hong Kong to New York or Los Angeles non-stop.

Just Who Is Rich Enough to Buy A 787?

Joseph Lau has a net worth of 2.1 billion, putting him at number 458 on Forbes' list of richest billionaires in the world. That's right folks; there are 457 billionaires who are richer than Lau.

This 55-year-old divorced father of three is a self-made billionaire. He owns 47 percent of a Hong Kong property developer called Chinese Estate Holdings. Lau also owns part of Lifestyle International, which owns SOGO Department Stores, upscale department stores in Japan.

Also a world class art collector and buyer, Lau is said to have set a record for the most Andy Warhol purchases last year. The piece that put him over the mark was Warhol's portrait of Chinese leader Mao Zedong. He paid $17.4 million.

Lau is also a red wine collector, allegedly owning more than 10,000 bottles. Of course, when you have billions, what's a few bottles of wine and a few pieces of art to you? Maybe he can put some on his 787.

Sources:
www.forbes.com/lists
news.yahoo.com
buzz.yahoo.com