High above the clouds, at 35,000 ft., Adnan Khashoggi's DC-8 is cruising noiselessly toward his estate in Marbella, Spain. His guests, sipping 1961 Chateau Margaux from crystal goblets with triangular silver bases, lounge on the jet's cream-colored chamois-and-silk banquettes. His masseur, his valet, his barber and his chiropractor -- they accompany him everywhere -- are relaxing as well because "A.K.," as he is known to his employees, is fast asleep on the $200,000 Russian sable spread covering his 10-ft.-wide bed in one of the plane's three bedrooms.
In the plane's fully equipped kitchen, Khashoggi's chef is preparing hors d'oeuvres. They will...