See inside a Boeing 737 jet that is being converted into an Airbnb with $100,000 from the company's 'OMG! Fund'

Taylor RainsNov 11, 2022, 23:49 IST

Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

Airbnb hosted a competition to fund 100 "out-of-this-world" rental properties for its "OMG!" category.
Each winner will receive $100,000 from the platform to convert unique homes, like fossils and planes, into Airbnbs.

Airbnb announced the winners of its OMG! Fund in October, which gives 100 applicants $100,000 each to create an "out-of-this-world" rental property.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said the rest of the year will see a push to bring more hosts onto the platform.Stefanie Keenan/Getty

According to Airbnb, tens of thousands of people applied, and recipients from over 20 countries were selected by a panel of judges.

The judges included design guru Iris Apfel, architectural expert Koichi Takada, Airbnb Superhost Kristie Wolfe, and Airbnb VP of Experiential Bruce Vaughn, per the company.Airbnb

Applicants were inspired by several elements, like wine, fruit, stars, wildlife, aviation, sci-fi movies, and even mushrooms.

Himalayan Fruit Shaped Bedrooms created by Arun M. in IndiaAirbnb

Airbnb said half of the winners are already registered hosts on the platform, saying unique property bookings have increased by 49% from 2019 to 2021.

Stargazing Sphere Suspended in the Rocks by Orien R.Airbnb

The extravagant ideas, which were chosen due to their "unique and inspiring design, sustainable consideration, and novel ways of offering immersive guest experiences," are sure to impress.

Tire-Shaped House Made of Junkyard Tires by Kim S.Airbnb

The extravagant ideas, which were chosen due to their "unique and inspiring design, sustainable consideration, and novel ways of offering immersive guest experiences," are sure to impress.

Some examples, which will be part of Airbnb's "OMG!" category, include a fossilized dinosaur skull in the US desert…

Adobe Fossilized Dinosaur Skull in Desert created by Haylee M.Airbnb

…a "floating" avocado in Chile…

Floating Avocado in an Avocado Farm created by Ignacio R. in Chile.Airbnb

…and an old Boeing 737-200 aircraft in Australia. Airbnb says the properties need to be ready by summer 2023.

A 737-200 being converted into a rental.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

The 737-200 is of particular interest to the plane enthusiast community as there are only a few plane-hotel conversions around the world.

The cockpit suite of the Jumbo Stay 747 hotel in Sweden.Taylor Rains/Insi

Insider spoke with Mary Cotterell, who, along with her husband Andrew Cotterell, plan to give their retired jet a new life. Here's what the future property will look like.

Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

Insider spoke with Mary Cotterell, who, along with her husband Andrew Cotterell, plan to give their retired jet a new life. Here's what the future property will look like.

The 737-200 being converted is an old jet from defunct Australian carrier OzJet, which ceased operations in 2009.

Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

The carrier had three 737-200s, and two ended up in the hands of the Cotterell couple in 2017, she explained. One 737 is being used for the Airbnb and the second will be an aviation museum.

Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

The carrier had three 737-200s, and two ended up in the hands of the Cotterell couple in 2017, she explained. One 737 is being used for the Airbnb and the second will be an aviation museum.

The Airbnb has been named Uncle Joe Merrick after Andrew's late uncle who worked on the 737-200 model at Boeing during its production.

Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

"It's just an amazing coincidence," she said. "And then from that, we've learned so much about him and his connection with aviation. It's just been very special for us."

The plane being transported to the air park.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

"It's just an amazing coincidence," she said. "And then from that, we've learned so much about him and his connection with aviation. It's just been very special for us."

Prepping the jets for conversion and transport to the Cotterell's White Gum Air Park near Perth in Western Australian, which was done via roadway, was a task, Cotterell told Insider.

The plane being transported to the air park.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

Prepping the jets for conversion and transport to the Cotterell's White Gum Air Park near Perth in Western Australian, which was done via roadway, was a task, Cotterell told Insider.

"The first problem we had was the wings still had fuel in them," she explained. "So, we had to drain two and a half kiloliters out of each aircraft before we could even start doing anything."

The left wing positioned for assembly.Andrw

"The first problem we had was the wings still had fuel in them," she explained. "So, we had to drain two and a half kiloliters out of each aircraft before we could even start doing anything."

The aircraft that will be the Airbnb currently has its wings and undercarriage, but the wheels and tail still need to reattached.

Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

Once that is complete, she said they will begin work on the inside. So far, most of the seats have been sold off, with about six left to sell.

Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

The couple is working with shopfitters to help design the space, with Cotterell saying she hopes they can "realize our vision and build what we want them to build inside the plane."

Rendering of the Airbnb.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

The couple is working with shopfitters to help design the space, with Cotterell saying she hopes they can "realize our vision and build what we want them to build inside the plane."

She said they have big plans for the jet, and had to send renderings and a detailed plan to Airbnb before being considered for the $100,000, which is about $155,000 AUS.

Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

She said they have big plans for the jet, and had to send renderings and a detailed plan to Airbnb before being considered for the $100,000, which is about $155,000 AUS.

According to Cotterell, the original plan was to have two bedrooms that could sleep a total of six people but said that has since been scrapped due to space.

Employees working on fixing up the jet.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

Instead, the couple has settled on a four-capacity Airbnb with two bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed…

Mary and Andrew Cotterell's 737-200 Airbnb rendering.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

…and a full-sized bathroom attached to both.

Mary and Andrew Cotterell's 737-200 Airbnb rendering — shower.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

Other areas of the jet will be transformed as well to create a full home-like environment. Specifically, the front galley will be converted into a kitchen…

Mary and Andrew Cotterell's 737-200 Airbnb rendering — kitchen.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

…the old business class section with be a dining room…

Mary and Andrew Cotterell's 737-200 Airbnb rendering — full view.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

…and in the aft area will be a lounge and entertainment area. The bedrooms and bathrooms will sit between the dining room and lounge.

Mary and Andrew Cotterell's 737-200 Airbnb rendering — aft view.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

The cockpit will remain intact but blocked by plexiglass, Cotterell said, so guests can still see the jet's flight technology.

Mary and Andrew Cotterell's 737-200 cockpit.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

"Post 9/11, nobody ever gets to see inside a flight deck anymore," she told Insider. "So, it's pretty special to show that to people, especially kids, because it's just something that they never thought they would ever see."

Mary and Andrew Cotterell's 737-200 overhead panel.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

"Post 9/11, nobody ever gets to see inside a flight deck anymore," she told Insider. "So, it's pretty special to show that to people, especially kids, because it's just something that they never thought they would ever see."

Outside the jet, Cotterell said the plan is to create an outdoor kitchen area with a barbecue and patio.

Mary and Andrew Cotterell's 737-200 Airbnb rendering — BBQ area.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

"Where the aircraft is located, the view is just stunning," she explained. "Our sunsets are amazing, so they can sit down there and have cheese or a barbecue or whatever they want."

Andrew Cotterell

"Where the aircraft is located, the view is just stunning," she explained. "Our sunsets are amazing, so they can sit down there and have cheese or a barbecue or whatever they want."

Guests will be greeted by the Cotterells upon arrival and receive cute little luxuries, like a boarding pass and gourmet chocolate made by a local baker.

Mary and Andrew Cotterell's 737-200 Airbnb enroute to the Air Park.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

The property also has a bar and grille onsite, so guests can order food delivered to them: "We will put the food into a catering cart and then we can just pop it inside in the galley section for them."

Mary and Andrew Cotterell's 737-200.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

The property also has a bar and grille onsite, so guests can order food delivered to them: "We will put the food into a catering cart and then we can just pop it inside in the galley section for them."

Cotterell told Insider the new Airbnb is expected to open in August 2023 and will run guests about $800 AUS ($500) per night.

Mary and Andrew Cotterell's 737-200 rendering.Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

"You want to make it affordable for people, but we want it to be like a corporate jet inside," she told Insider. "So it's not going to be your average plane. We want it to be something special and a bit luxurious for people."

Courtesy of Andrew Cotterell

"You want to make it affordable for people, but we want it to be like a corporate jet inside," she told Insider. "So it's not going to be your average plane. We want it to be something special and a bit luxurious for people."

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See inside a Boeing 737 jet that is being converted into an Airbnb with $100,000 from the company's 'OMG! Fund'

Airbnb announced the winners of its OMG! Fund in October, which gives 100 applicants $100,000 each to create an "out-of-this-world" rental property.

According to Airbnb, tens of thousands of people applied, and recipients from over 20 countries were selected by a panel of judges.

Applicants were inspired by several elements, like wine, fruit, stars, wildlife, aviation, sci-fi movies, and even mushrooms.

Airbnb said half of the winners are already registered hosts on the platform, saying unique property bookings have increased by 49% from 2019 to 2021.

The extravagant ideas, which were chosen due to their "unique and inspiring design, sustainable consideration, and novel ways of offering immersive guest experiences," are sure to impress.

Some examples, which will be part of Airbnb's "OMG!" category, include a fossilized dinosaur skull in the US desert…

…a "floating" avocado in Chile…

…and an old Boeing 737-200 aircraft in Australia. Airbnb says the properties need to be ready by summer 2023.

The 737-200 is of particular interest to the plane enthusiast community as there are only a few plane-hotel conversions around the world.

Insider spoke with Mary Cotterell, who, along with her husband Andrew Cotterell, plan to give their retired jet a new life. Here's what the future property will look like.

The 737-200 being converted is an old jet from defunct Australian carrier OzJet, which ceased operations in 2009.

The carrier had three 737-200s, and two ended up in the hands of the Cotterell couple in 2017, she explained. One 737 is being used for the Airbnb and the second will be an aviation museum.

The Airbnb has been named Uncle Joe Merrick after Andrew's late uncle who worked on the 737-200 model at Boeing during its production.

"It's just an amazing coincidence," she said. "And then from that, we've learned so much about him and his connection with aviation. It's just been very special for us."

Prepping the jets for conversion and transport to the Cotterell's White Gum Air Park near Perth in Western Australian, which was done via roadway, was a task, Cotterell told Insider.

"The first problem we had was the wings still had fuel in them," she explained. "So, we had to drain two and a half kiloliters out of each aircraft before we could even start doing anything."

The aircraft that will be the Airbnb currently has its wings and undercarriage, but the wheels and tail still need to reattached.

Once that is complete, she said they will begin work on the inside. So far, most of the seats have been sold off, with about six left to sell.

The couple is working with shopfitters to help design the space, with Cotterell saying she hopes they can "realize our vision and build what we want them to build inside the plane."

She said they have big plans for the jet, and had to send renderings and a detailed plan to Airbnb before being considered for the $100,000, which is about $155,000 AUS.

According to Cotterell, the original plan was to have two bedrooms that could sleep a total of six people but said that has since been scrapped due to space.

Instead, the couple has settled on a four-capacity Airbnb with two bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed…

…and a full-sized bathroom attached to both.

Other areas of the jet will be transformed as well to create a full home-like environment. Specifically, the front galley will be converted into a kitchen…

…the old business class section with be a dining room…

…and in the aft area will be a lounge and entertainment area. The bedrooms and bathrooms will sit between the dining room and lounge.

The cockpit will remain intact but blocked by plexiglass, Cotterell said, so guests can still see the jet's flight technology.

"Post 9/11, nobody ever gets to see inside a flight deck anymore," she told Insider. "So, it's pretty special to show that to people, especially kids, because it's just something that they never thought they would ever see."

Outside the jet, Cotterell said the plan is to create an outdoor kitchen area with a barbecue and patio.

"Where the aircraft is located, the view is just stunning," she explained. "Our sunsets are amazing, so they can sit down there and have cheese or a barbecue or whatever they want."

Guests will be greeted by the Cotterells upon arrival and receive cute little luxuries, like a boarding pass and gourmet chocolate made by a local baker.

The property also has a bar and grille onsite, so guests can order food delivered to them: "We will put the food into a catering cart and then we can just pop it inside in the galley section for them."

Cotterell told Insider the new Airbnb is expected to open in August 2023 and will run guests about $800 AUS ($500) per night.

"You want to make it affordable for people, but we want it to be like a corporate jet inside," she told Insider. "So it's not going to be your average plane. We want it to be something special and a bit luxurious for people."