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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Not only will British billionaire and F1 team owner Richard Branson dress and serve as a stewardess on Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia X but one of his passengers will be shaving his legs... and paying heavily for the, er, privilege.
AirAsia founder and Team Lotus co-principal Tony Fernandes won a bet with Branson made at the 2010 Bahrain F1 GP. Branson and Fernandes had wagered over whose F1 team would place higher at the Bahrain GP, with Fernandes ultimately winning the bet.
Fernandes added that the business mogul would shed his leg hair if someone paid the equivalent of at least R4.4million.
TICKETS FOR R50 000
"As an AirAsia flight attendant, Richard would have to comply to our grooming standards," Fernandes said. "That includes shaving his legs.
PRETTY IN RED: Even billionaires lose bets as Richard Branson will be dressing up as an stewardess in May 2011. Pics by Wanderlust.co.uk
"Rather than shave him myself, Richard and I thought we could have a bit of fun, engage with our guests, and raise more money for charity if we opened up the opportunity to the highest bidder.
"It’s the first time we’ve agreed on anything so that in itself is worth the price of the opening bid."
The airline said the top bidder must have a confirmed ticket costing R50 000 for the London-Kuala Lumpur charity flight with the leg-shaving auction to be held at a pre-departure event at Stanstead airport, near London.
AirAsia X is a long-haul affiliate of AirAsia and Branson's Virgin Group.
The airline said it was selling 160 tickets for the flight, with passengers to be entertained on board by street magician Sav the Deceptionist and a four-piece band featuring former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan.
AirAsia is south-east Asia's largest budget airline and, along with AirAsia X, services about 150 routes to destinations in Asia, Australia and Europe.
AirAsia founder and Team Lotus co-principal Tony Fernandes won a bet with Branson made at the 2010 Bahrain F1 GP. Branson and Fernandes had wagered over whose F1 team would place higher at the Bahrain GP, with Fernandes ultimately winning the bet.
Fernandes added that the business mogul would shed his leg hair if someone paid the equivalent of at least R4.4million.
TICKETS FOR R50 000
"As an AirAsia flight attendant, Richard would have to comply to our grooming standards," Fernandes said. "That includes shaving his legs.
PRETTY IN RED: Even billionaires lose bets as Richard Branson will be dressing up as an stewardess in May 2011. Pics by Wanderlust.co.uk
"Rather than shave him myself, Richard and I thought we could have a bit of fun, engage with our guests, and raise more money for charity if we opened up the opportunity to the highest bidder.
"It’s the first time we’ve agreed on anything so that in itself is worth the price of the opening bid."
The airline said the top bidder must have a confirmed ticket costing R50 000 for the London-Kuala Lumpur charity flight with the leg-shaving auction to be held at a pre-departure event at Stanstead airport, near London.
AirAsia X is a long-haul affiliate of AirAsia and Branson's Virgin Group.
The airline said it was selling 160 tickets for the flight, with passengers to be entertained on board by street magician Sav the Deceptionist and a four-piece band featuring former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan.
AirAsia is south-east Asia's largest budget airline and, along with AirAsia X, services about 150 routes to destinations in Asia, Australia and Europe.
