Qatar’s Royal Family Takes $400m Boeing 747 to Mallorca for Solar Eclipse

Qatar’s ruling family reportedly sent one of its luxury Boeing 747-8 private jets from Doha to Mallorca ahead of the rare total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026.

The Qatar Amiri Flight Boeing 747-8 BBJ, registered A7-HHE, arrived at Palma de Mallorca Airport on August 10 after a journey of nearly 3,000 miles. The aircraft is reportedly valued at around $400 million.

Although there is no official confirmation that Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was aboard, or that the eclipse was the reason for the flight, the timing has attracted considerable attention. Qatar was outside the eclipse’s path, while Mallorca was positioned within the path of totality.

The aircraft is no ordinary passenger jet. Built as a Boeing Business Jet, it reportedly features more than 5,000 square feet of VIP space, 11 bathrooms, five kitchens and a private office. It can accommodate approximately 89 passengers and 14 crew members.

The royal family also owns the enormous Al Lusail superyacht, a 404-foot (123-meter) vessel estimated to be worth about $500 million. The yacht has frequently been seen around Mallorca and can accommodate up to 36 guests across 18 suites.

With facilities including a cinema, gym, beauty salon, swimming pool and beach club, Al Lusail could provide the royal family with an unobstructed location from which to watch the eclipse over the Mediterranean.

Mallorca experienced only about 96 seconds of totality, with the Sun positioned very close to the western horizon. Being at sea could therefore have offered a clearer view than many locations on land.

The reported trip highlights the extraordinary resources available to Qatar’s royal family, allowing them to travel thousands of miles aboard a $400 million private jet and potentially watch the eclipse from a $500 million superyacht.

However, claims that Emir Tamim personally travelled to Mallorca specifically to watch the eclipse remain unconfirmed.

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