You Can Spend the Night on This Out-of-Service Boeing 747 Jet, Which Is Now a Chic Hostel
If you've ever tried to catch some shuteye during a flight, let's be real—it probably wasn't your best night's sleep ever. Even with a super comfy travel Ostrichpillow, you probably were still incredibly groggy come morning. So why, would anyone want to sleep on a plane, if it wasn't necessary?
Well, this plane is different. Jumbostay is a hostel located in Stockholm-Arlanda, Sweden, with rich views... of the Stockholm Arlanda Airport. If you were wondering what sets Jumbostay apart from all the other hostels of the world, I'll clue you in: it's a decommissioned jet. Yup, this Boeing 747 jet, originally built in 1976, has been out of service since 2002. After a two-year renovation project, it was transformed into a hostel with 33 rooms, and then towed over to Stockholm-Arlanda in 2009, where it lives on the tarmac surrounding the airport. While some of the original seats, controls, and windows remain the same, this plane has been revamped to treat guests to a comfortable stay in a unique vessel.
The jet has a total of 76 beds and offers a variety of rooms, including dorm rooms with multiple beds, single rooms, and even suites, such as: The Cockpit Suite and The Black Box Suite, both equipped with double beds. These luxe suites will cost you just below $200 USD, while the dorm rooms, the cheapest lodging option available, will cost around $46 USD and some change. Rooms come equipped with flatscreen TVs, free wireless internet, and cleaning services. Depending on which room you’ve booked will also determine whether or not you have a private bathroom, and if breakfast will be included.
Insider recorded a video taking viewers through a stay at Jumbostay, and overall, it seemed like a positive experience. "Really they've stripped the entire plane out, and it feels like a hotel," says Insider's Charlie Floyd, who stayed in a single room. He admitted that he was surprised by how spacious his room was, and how much headspace he had from his bed. He also mentioned that his room had "plugs in the walls" and "new carpet down" Floyd explains that during his stay, it was -5 celsius degrees outside. However, the entire plane was heated and “toasty." For closet space/storage, he showed how the jet had re-installed the overhead compartments for travelers to store their belongings.
The video also introduces Insider's Ju Shardlow, who stayed in The Cockpit Suite. Many of the original controls remain intact here, and guests are invited to touch and play with them. Shardlow also notes how surprisingly quiet it was in the space, despite the fact that The Cockpit Suite had a window view of the airport in the distance, where planes could be seen taking off on the runway. She even mentions that the private bathroom in her suite had a ceramic sink and proper shower. Also, because she booked a suite, she had private access to the plane's VIP lounge. Still intact with all the original seats, this special chamber allows guests to soak up some history with their martinis.
Other perks of choosing to stay in this decommissioned jet include being able to walk across the wings (which in the summer, allegedly, make a great spot to drink). Plus, the hotel staff is uniformed in flight attendant attire to really make guests feel like they're flying. But if you're not looking to stay over, Jumbostay wants travelers to know that everyone is welcome to visit its cafe, not just hostel guests. Breakfast, coffee, cookies, ice cream, sandwiches and warm meals, can be purchased in the cafe, according to the website.
Interested in staying in a jet that won’t take you anywhere per se, but will deliver you a one-of-a-kind stay? You can book a room here. You can also check out this Airbnb in France that lets you sleep on an actual airplane, if Sweden isn’t on your travel bucket list right now.
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