hey... guess what YOU just helped pay for this week ...

With gasoline prices expected to rise another 20 Cents over the next 2-3 weeks, be happy that your hard-earned money just helped fund the purchase of the largest private jet plane.

He may only be the world's 13th-richest man, but Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia will soon be able to claim the bragging rights to the world's largest private jet.

Putting an end to months of speculation, Airbus announced Monday that the Saudi billionaire had become the first VIP customer for the A380 superjumbo jet, the winged colossus that the European plane maker lists for just over $300 million. Prince Alwaleed, who currently makes do with a customized Boeing 747-400, signed the contract for his new "flying palace" at a ceremony with senior Airbus executives at the Dubai air show.

He expects to take delivery of his plane in 2010.

With its 73-meter, or 240-foot, double-deck fuselage and 80-meter wingspan, the 560-ton A380 dwarfs the rides of the even world's most powerful leaders. In comparison, Air Force One, the U.S. presidential jet, is a relatively modest conveyance, a Boeing 747-200 weighing in at just 333 tons.

Forbes estimates the Saudi Prince's fortune at $20.3 BILLION.