There are many different destinations a retired plane can go to. Some return to the sky to fly for other airlines, others have their parts recycled (about 80 to 85% of an aircraft can be recycled), while a large number are relocated to aircraft graveyards.
One British Airways jet in particular is shaping up for a very busy future after being reborn as a UK airport-based exclusive event space for hire.
Suzannah Harvey, chief executive of the privately owned Cotswold Airport near Kemble, England, bought the Negus 747 for £1 (about $1.30) in October 2020 and spent 14 months converting it into a modern “party plane,” which will have tickets starting at around $1,300 an hour.
A large number of 747s have been retired over the last couple of years as airlines have moved older aircraft retirement dates forward due to the pandemic, with KLM, Air France, Delta, United and British Airways.
Harvey then came up with the idea for the event facility when several unused BA 747s arrived at the storage and parts company Air Salvage International, based at Cotswold Airport.
However, the process was far from simple. In fact, the sale involved weeks of negotiations during which BA agreed that the plane’s economy class could be removed and Harvey promised to ensure the aircraft would be well looked after.
“It took six weeks to get the contract negotiations done,” Harvey told CNN Travel. “We had a duty to look after the plane until it was economically viable with any investment. Now, we hope it will be with us for many years and generations to come.”
According to Harvey, BA allowed Cotswold Airport to choose from its fleet of 747 retirees and opted for an iconic Negus.
complete renovation
“I think it’s the most beautiful thing they’ve ever produced,” she says. But it was once the team signed the buyout proposal that the hard work really began. While much of the aircraft looks the same, including the paintwork and cockpit, economy class has been completely removed to create a ballroom, and the galley has been restyled into a bar.
Additionally, the entire plane has been rewired with custom lighting to replicate the original on-board system while on the ground, as well as the electrical part.
The roof panels have been removed, along with the central overhead bins, providing a better view of the inner workings of the aircraft, which first entered the British Airways fleet in February 1994 and made its last passenger flight on 6 April. from 2020.
“It’s been a lengthy process to make it safe to visit because these aircraft are designed to be in the air,” adds Harvey.
“So there are a lot of safety features that don’t meet the health and safety regulations for an on-site event space. Therefore, they needed to be deactivated.”
labor of love
The renovation cost almost £500,000 ($671,000), and Harvey points out that around £200,000 ($268,000) was spent on putting in a new £80,000 ($107,000) concrete structure.
Although the work took much longer than expected, in part due to delivery problems due to the pandemic, the aircraft turned into an event space is finally ready to receive guests. Its official launch will take place later this month.
“We’re absolutely swamped with questions right now,” says Harvey. “It is a very versatile event space, so it can accommodate anything from a children’s birthday party, to the launch of a new product or a corporate presentation.”
Upcoming bookings include recordings for a TV show, as well as various parties. The aircraft can also be hired for weddings at a cost of £12,000 ($16,000) for 24 hours, which takes into account set-up and tear-down times – the team already has a wedding booked this spring.
“The entire aircraft is licensed for marriage,” explains Harvey. “Then you can get married in the cabin if you like.”
versatile installation
While Harvey is extremely proud of the project, she admits it wouldn’t be financially viable for many due to additional fees, such as plane parking fees, which she says can cost around £1,200 ($1,600) a week, depending on location. and the size of the aircraft. The cost of transporting a plane of this size is also significant.
“We are in an advantageous position, of course,” she said. Although the space will be up and running soon, there is still an unexpected problem that has not been completely resolved.
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“One problem is getting the toilet system to work,” she admits, before pointing out that plane toilets are designed to work under pressurization when the aircraft is at altitude.
“We are hopeful that we will resolve this issue within the next six months. But right now we have very stylish bathroom units positioned outside.”
While the process of converting the plane was challenging and time-consuming, Harvey is extremely proud of the project and can’t wait to start getting partygoers on board.
“I think it’s a real achievement,” she says. “I don’t think anyone else has made an event space as versatile as this one in the world”.
In addition to the events, the airport will open the facilities for tours starting in March, and visitors will be able to reserve a spot through an app that will be launched soon.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
