Commercial aircraft transformed into a hotel in Sweden
We’ve seen lots of tired train docks turned into cute Airbnb rentals. But for another travel-themed accommodation option, did you know that there is a commercial aircraft that has been converted into a Swedish hotel, with room rates starting at just $ 45 per night?
Jumbo stay is a hotel located in a disused Boeing 747-200 jetliner that is parked near Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Now an outdated model, the aircraft was originally designed in 1976 for Singapore Airlines. The wide-body aircraft retired in 2002 after flying for several different airlines, including Pan Am and Swedish Transjet.
In 2007, Sigtuna municipality granted a building permit to convert the aircraft into a hotel at the entrance to Arlanda Airport. The conversion included removing 450 seats, repairing the interior and converting the aircraft into a 33-room hotel.
Rooms at this airport hotel have views of the runway and views of the plane’s huge engines. Before making its debut as a resident in 2009, the aircraft was placed on a concrete foundation and secured with steel cradles.
In total, Jumbo Stay can sleep up to 76 people with rooms equipped with one to four beds. One of the most interesting stays is the Cockpit Suite, which has two beds, a bathroom and a TV in the plane’s former cockpit.
Although Jumbo Stay is unique because it is housed in a former aircraft, you can find some flight-themed stays elsewhere.
A great example is in Fredericksburg, Texas, at Hangar hotel, which is a 1940s-themed hotel designed to look like a World War II hangar. Located outside of San Antonio, the hotel is located on a runway and has airline memories and USO history. Hangar Hotel also has an event center and a restaurant.
Do you think the aviation hotel trend is ready to start?