People around the world have come up with unique ways to give retired aircraft a second life.
While some are converted into restaurants and diving attractions, others have become hotels.
Here are five aircraft you can book for an overnight stay, and one that will soon be an Airbnb in Australia.
For example, companies will regularly sell or lease their unwanted aircraft to another operator to fly people or cargo.Avelo plane at Wilmington Airport on October 20. The carrier acquired its jets from Southwest Airlines.
Vincent Games/ILG Spotter
Because many aircraft have large cabins that can be stripped and replaced with beds and even dance floors, it’s easy to see how one could be repurposed into something more than just a flying machine.British Airways 747 “party plane” in England.
Taylor Rains/Insider
One of the most enticing conversions for travelers is when aircraft-turned-hotels, and there are a handful that have popped up around the world.Jumbo Stay 747.
Taylor Rains/Insider
From New Zealand to Sweden to Costa Rica, here are five aircraft that you can rent for the night, and one in Australia currently being built with $100,00 from Airbnb.A 737-200 being converted into a rental.
Mary Cotterell/737-200
Nestled inside Manuel Antonio National Park, the accommodation is an old Boeing 727 that has been converted into a two-bed, two-bath suite.
Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde
The aircraft is perched 50 feet above the ground, overlooking the Pacific Ocean…
Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde
…and is just down he street from El Avion restaurant, which is made from a downed Fairchild C-123 airplane.
Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde
Both bedrooms are air-conditioned and a total of three queen-sized beds are available for guests.
Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde
Meanwhile, a private bathroom with standing showers is connected to each bedroom.
Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde
The jet’s owner, Allan Templeton, has custom-build the plane with several cool features, like tropical hardwood inside the fuselage…
Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde
…and outdoor decks over each wing.
Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde
He even left the original cabin windows in place.
Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde
According to rental agency VRBO, the suite costs $770 per night on average, which is steep, but likely worth it for the views and tranquility of the plane.
Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde
Source: VRBO
A special “Cockpit Cottage,” which can only be accessed by a suspension bridge, is also available about 330 feet away from the 727.
Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde
The tucked-away spot was made from an old airmail plane flown by French carrier Aéropostale in the early 1900s. Today, the small suite is perfect for a romantic getaway and even features a kitchenette.
Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde
Source: Insider
If you want a quiet escape from the hustle of Amsterdam, the nearby city of Teuge has created a suite out of an old Soviet Ilyushin 18.
Michel Porro/Getty Images
Source: Vliegtuigsuite
The plane was once owned East German leader Erich Honecker, as well as flew for German airline Interflug.
Michael Porro/Getty Images
Source: Vliegtuigsuite
Called the Vliegtuigsuite, the plane, which was built in 1960, has a two-person bedroom…
Miche
Source: Vliegtuigsuite
…and a private bathroom, including a jacuzzi tub.
Michel Porro/Getty Images
Source: Vliegtuigsuite
Also offered are a sauna and small kitchen with an oven and microwave…
Michel Porro.
Source: Vliegtuigsuite
…and a living room with seating and TVs.
Michel Porro/Getty Images
Another old aircraft lives just down the road from the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand, which are home to the world-famous glowworms.Glow worms dot the walls of the dark Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Shaun Jeffers/Shutterstock
Source: Woodlyn Park
The vintage Bristol Freighter Plane, which is one of the last allied aircraft flown in Vietnam, has been turned into a small two-room hotel.
Woodlyn Park
Source: Woodlyn Park
The rooms are split — one in the cockpit and one in the tail — and are separate accommodations. Woodlyn Park owns the hotel, which can run guests over $200 per night depending on the season.
Woodlyn Park
Source: Woodlyn Park
Both suites can sleep four people with a combination of double beds or bunks. Moreover, each has an ensuite bathroom and a kitchenette, complete with a gas cooktop, a microwave, and a refrigerator.
Gary Danvers Collection/Flickr
Source: Woodlyn Park
In Pembrokeshire, England, guests can stay in a retired Etihad Airways A319 aircraft. Dubbed the “Arabian Nights Airbus,” the plane has been stripped of its flight controls with just the fuselage still standing.
Apple Camping
Source: Apple Camping
According to the company, rates start at £179 ($207) per night for two people. Up to four guests can stay, but each additional person costs £20 ($23) per night.
Apple Camping
Source: Apple Camping
The company, Apple Camping, has converted the cabin into a hotel, complete with a kitchen built into the galley…
Apple Camping
Source: Apple Camping
…a toilet and shower made from the two lavatories and a large outdoor deck…
Apple Camping
Source: Apple Camping
…and a combined bedroom and living room with a bedroom with two twin beds, a pull-out couch, chair, and TV.
Apple Camping
Source: Apple Camping
The largest jet on the list is a massive Boeing 747 in Sweden’s capital city.Jumbo Stay 747.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Jumbo Stay
The plane was built for Singapore Airlines in 1976 and flew for 33 years before being permanently parked at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, just a few minute’s bus ride from the terminals.Staying at the Jumbo Stay 747 hotel in Sweden.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Jumbo Stay
Inside are 33 bedrooms, including singles…Staying at the Jumbo Stay 747 hotel in Sweden.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Jumbo Stay
…private doubles like the cockpit suite…Staying at the Jumbo Stay 747 hotel in Sweden.
Taylor Rains/Insi
Source: Jumbo Stay
…and shared dorms that are hostel-style.Staying at the Jumbo Stay 747 hotel in Sweden.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Jumbo Stay
Guests can even opt to stay inside one of the four engines or even the wheel well.Staying at the Jumbo Stay 747 hotel in Sweden.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Jumbo Stay
Most of the rooms do not have a full bathroom attached, but there are shared showers throughout the fuselage.Staying at the Jumbo Stay 747 hotel in Sweden.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Jumbo Stay
In addition to rooms, the mammoth 747 boasts a conference room with the original first-class seats…Staying at the Jumbo Stay 747 hotel in Sweden.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Jumbo Stay
…and a cafe with breakfast and drinks available throughout the day.Staying at the Jumbo Stay 747 hotel in Sweden.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Jumbo Stay
While not yet open, there is one Boeing 737-200 aircraft that is being converted into a rental in Perth, Australia.
Mary Cotterell/737-200
The jet flew for defunct airline OzJet before being bought by Mary and Andrew Cotterell.The plane is named after Andrew’s uncle, Joe Merrick, who worked on the 737-200 at the Boeing factory when the type was being produced, Mary Cotterell told Insider.
Mary Cotterell/737-200
The married couple applied to Airbnb’s OMG Fund to try their shot at $100,000 to turn the plane into a rental, and they ended up being one of the 100 properties selected worldwide.
Mary Cotterell/
Source: Airbnb
Mary Cotterell told Insider that the 737 is still in renovations, but will feature two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and a porch.Rendering of the plans.
Mary Cotterell/737-200
Nightly rates will start at about $800 AUS ($500), she said, and the new Airbnb will open by August 2023.Employees working on fixing up the jet.
Mary Cotterell/737-200
