The world's largest specialist corporate aeroplane is coming into service... at Leeds-Bradford Airport.

For a mere £8,500 an hour, up to 19 people can travel in total luxury in the Boeing BBJ2 737 aircraft which has 50 per cent sound proofing, a double bed, full-size shower cabin and beautiful fixtures and fittings.

The $60 million venture will jet royalty, heads of state, and pop and movie stars around the world from next month.

And it's all based in Yeadon.

The plane was bought for $44 million by founder and chairman of operating company Multiflight, David Hood, pictured, a founder of Saltaire-based Pace Microtechnology. For the multi-millionaire, who was brought up in Odsal and educated at Buttershaw Comprehens-ive School, the sky's the limit.

Mr Hood said: "Our clients are all around the world, including heads of state, but it is fantastic to be based here.

"For five years we have had a Falcon plane which can take 12 passengers, but we normally have less.

"This Boeing plane is a lot bigger. We only charge for the flying time, so £8,500 is a bargain. That includes four crew - and the champagne is included."

Among the plane's designer features are winglets - turned-up wing tips which improve performance and save four per cent of fuel - and two cameras, one fitted under the plane, the other on the tail, which can be manipulated by guests to get an all-round view. They can even zoom down to the ground at 35,000ft. Walking into the cabin, shoes have to come off so as not to spoil the creamy carpet.

Created by a boat designer, the interior of the aircraft took Germany aviation company Lufthansa nine months to fit, at the cost of $22 million.

The walnut wood and cream carpet compliment the cream and brown soft furnishings. There are sprawling sofas, comfy leather chairs, coffee tables, softly-lit lamps, book shelves and vases of flowers. Toilets are discreetly hidden beneath cushion-like leather covers and one bathroom has a large shower cubicle and fluffy white robes.

Two cuddly sheep toys lie on the double bed in the bedroom, which also has a chaise lounge. "Well, I am from Yorkshire, you know!" joked Mr Hood.

He first became interested in aviation when flying around in a helicopter with Pace clients.

"I learned to fly the helicopter and it went from there. Now we have lots of projects, including redeveloping all this side of the airport.

"We have had lots of interest in the BBJ2 already. It is wonderful flying on it, particularly to have a shower on a long-distance flight.

"The sound-proofing is impressive. You just lounge around watching a movie, like being at home. It is effortless travel."

Chief pilot Captain Rick Bardsley, from Burley-in-Wharfedale, said: "It's a fabulous plane to fly - a dream job.

"We took it to Tahiti last month as part of its CAA certification programme. I am very proud we have got it here at Leeds-Bradford."

Four similar planes will eventually be housed in a giant hanger to be finished in November, and another will accommodate light aircraft. A new apron has already been built.

Multiflight already offers a range of aircraft services, including maintenance.

The luxury plane will be shown at the Yorkshire Air Show in Elvington over August Bank Holiday. One hundred tickets to tour the plane will be raffled off for charity.