See inside a Boeing 727 salvaged from an aircraft 'graveyard' and converted into a lavish Airbnb that starts at $438 a night

Taylor RainsApr 26, 2024, 15:55 IST

A scrapped Boeing 727 has been converted into an Airbnb in England.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

An entrepreneur has converted a 56-year-old Boeing 727 into an Airbnb in Bristol, England.
Named PYTCHAir, the jet was bought without wings, engines, or a tail — but kept its lavish interior.

Most commercial airplanes end their life in aircraft "graveyards," where they are disassembled and discarded or recycled.

Some, however, are rescued by entrepreneurs and repurposed into everything from hotels and restaurants to dive sites and art installations.

The latest converted airplane is a 56-year-old Boeing 727 in Bristol, England, that's been repurposed as an Airbnb and is now owned by British-Australian businessman Johnny Palmer.

Known as PYTCHAir, the luxe jet is already getting bookings into May and June.

Palmer declined to share with BI the cost of the now colorfully painted aircraft but said he got a discount because the 727 didn't have wings, engines, or a tail.

With or without wings, the magic lives inside the plane, Palmer said. It has a lavish interior previously outfitted by an ultrawealthy owner. Palmer said he has since restored PYTCHAir into a livable space with a kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

"We've treated this as a restoration project rather than ripping everything out and changing it — and why would you?" he said. "It's beautiful; it's totally raw 1980s billionaire kitsch."

The Airbnb requires a minimum two-night stay and starts at 350 British pounds — or about $438 — a night, so at least $876 for a two-night stay.

PYTCHAir started life as a commercial jet flying for Japan Airlines and defunct German leisure carrier Hapag-Lloyd Flug between 1968 and 1981.

People gather for the first view of the new Boeing 727 in Washington, which was developed for the short-to-medium haul market.-AFP/Getty Images

The plane was converted into a private jet in 1981 by an unknown owner. Palmer told BI the original cabin has an Arabian flare.

The original design as it was before Palmer purchased the plane.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

The plane jumped to a few more ultrawealthy owners before ending up wingless in a scrapyard in England, where Palmer bought it.

Johnny Palmer with the 727 in 2021.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

He was then faced with the task of moving the plane from Cotswold to its home in Bristol.

The aircraft was transported via motorway to Bristol.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

Palmer said the high-class interior was left in its original configuration and that he brought in a car detailer to wash, polish, and vacuum.

This is the same living space previously pictured but after the sprucing up and renovations.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

But the lighting, sound, and plumbing needed work, he said.

Palmer said that a modern Boeing Business Jet of similar stature would cost at least $50 million.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

And he had to create a structure from shipping containers to hold the jet in place.

PYTCHAir is located at a multi-use facility called Skyline Park, which hosts the Airbnb and other spaces like a film set.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

Once fixed up, the plane operated as a multi-use space for things like parties and meetings before becoming a full-time Airbnb.

The bedroom inside the 727.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

Palmer converted the 727 into an Airbnb earlier this year. It has a minimum two-night stay at about $438 per night — or around $876 for a two-night booking.

The nightly rate in British pounds is 350, with a two-night minimum.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

According to Palmer, the 727 can comfortably accommodate up to four people, but he said more can hypothetically fit.

Part of the kitchen area in the 727.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

The sleeping options include a separate bedroom with a king bed, a bunk bed, a pull-out couch, and a few sofas.

The main four sleeping areas.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

However, the upper twin bed is particularly cramped due to the shape of the ceiling.

The curved ceiling obstructs the upper berth.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

The jet also features two main living spaces that can be used for lounging, working, or dining.

The couch doubles as a twin bed.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

There is no shortage of comfortable work and living space.

The main lounge inside the 727 Airbnb.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

There's also a kitchen on board, complete with a dishwasher, two ovens, and a small refrigerator.

The small kitchen comes nearly fully equipped.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

An ensuite bathroom and two half-baths make for a total of three toilets and one shower.

The shower and sink in the main bedroom.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

Among the coolest spaces on the 727 is the cockpit, which Palmer said has some of the original lighting restored.

The cockpit has been left unchanged other than the restoration done on the lighting and systems.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

For those who don't want to stay overnight at PYTCHAir, Palmer said he welcomes visitors to see the plane during the day.

The plane is perched on storage containers to make it "fly." The fuselage was painted by artists Hasan Kamil, HazardOne, and Curtis Hylton.Courtesy of PYTCHAir

Palmer's decked-out Boeing jet isn't the world's only scrapped plane given a second life. One 727-turned hotel lives in a jungle in Costa Rica.

Another 727 turned into a hotel is in Costa Rica.Courtesy of Hotel Costa Verde

A giant Boeing 747 hostel-hotel complete with four engine rooms sits in Sweden.

The cockpit room at the JumboStay Hotel in Sweden.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Meanwhile, at least half a dozen old commercial planes have ended up in a deep grave as man-made diving sites.

A Boeing 737 sunken off the coast of Canada.Sea Proof TV

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