Thought business was tough, no matter what industry you’re in? Not for these corporate spenders.

Days after the Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co. informed employees it was reconsidering how much it will match in their 401(k) plans in 2009, executives have just purchased a $45 million corporate jet — the third in the business’s fleet.

Starbucks ordered the Gulfstream 550 jet three years ago, but determined that canceling delivery of it would be too expensive. At the $45 million price tag the company locked in when it ordered the plane, it would cost $5 million to cancel the contract. The company would also lose any payments it had already made on the jet.

The Gulfstream’s maiden voyage was to Hawaii, where it spent two weeks before returning state-side. Company officials refuse to disclose who took the trip, but insisted that it was a combined business and personal trip. (Starbucks policy requires employees to reimburse personal use of the jet.)

Starbucks officials claim the jet is vital to the company’s business. Even though employees usually take commercials flights, a company spokesperson claimed: “In some instances, it makes more sense, from a time and economic standpoint, to use the corporate plane.”

Some good news about the jet: Starbucks won’t need to shell out extra for coffee-makers. The jet’s kitchen comes standard with them.

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Tags: 401(k) plans, Business fleet, Company travel, Starbucks