You have flown the Queen of the sky across the globe, you might have been lucky and got granted access to the flight deck and/or perhaps the holy grail, sat on the jumpseat during the journey but… have you ever slept -literally- in a Boeing 747?
Jumbo Stay, where dreams go to FL350 and above!
Well, wish granted! Sweden offers this one of a kind and unique opportunity to board a 747 for the night. Suit yourself, Board the “Jumbo Stay” and experience a lifetime opportunity. This is a wonderful experience that the whole family will enjoy as ‘atypical’ stay. Should you be an aviation geek, the experience just gets better as you can pamper yourself by going with the extra mile: Double Bed Ensuite Cockpit room!
Video Source and Credit © Jumbo Stay in Stockholm.
The Aircraft, The Hotel
Tower, this is “Three Delta November Echo Echo” requesting apron.
According to Wikipedia (Yeah, we know it’s not a verified source of information but it does provide quick hand info when travelling): “The hotel is located inside a decommissioned 747-200 jetliner. The aircraft is a Boeing 747-212B originally built for Singapore Airlines in 1976, registered 9V-SQE (construction number 21162 / line number 283). It was later sold to Pan American where it was registered N727PA and named “Clipper Belle of the Sky”. The aircraft later served with Air Club International, Transjet, Northeast Airlines, Jet Midwest Inc, Tower Air, Nationair, Cathay Pacific, and Garuda Indonesia. The last owner was Transjet which was based out of Arlanda, but it went bankrupt in 2002. The plane has remained at Arlanda since then.
In December 2007, Sigtuna authorities granted a building permit for establishing Jumbo Stay at the entrance to Arlanda airport. In January 2008, the aircraft was moved to a construction parking site where the first phase of the conversion began with the dismantling of the old interior, new paint and new decorations for the rooms. 450 seats were taken out and the plane was sanitized completely. The hostel was built like any building, subjected to the same demands on climate control and insulation, adhering to all common energy standards. Heating is achieved with an air-air inverter.
While the aircraft’s engines were removed for spare parts, the outer casings of the 747’s four engines were kept and were re-mounted onto their pylons. Most of the instruments in the aircraft’s cockpit were also salvaged as part of its conversion into a suite, but the control columns, central throttle console and forward instrument panels have been kept.
During the summer of 2008, the plane was towed to its final destination at the entrance to Stockholm-Arlanda Airport where it was placed on a concrete foundation with the landing gear secured in two steel cradles. A metal flight of stairs and an elevator were then installed to allow visitors to access the aircraft’s interior from ground level. The hostel opened in late December 2008.”
The Rooms
The hotel provides a myriad of options when it comes to lodging (Type of rooms can be checked online). Most rooms (unless you opt for the suite) have a common bathroom. The must would be the Double Bed Ensuite Cockpit but be advised to book early and most travellers preferred that option!
After an uneventful transfer with free shuttle from the Airport Terminal and a warm welcome at the hotel reception, we received out boarding pass key in order to get to our room.
- Double Bed Ensuite Cockpit
To access the flight deck, you access through the stairway marked ‘reserved access’. The Room is comfy and looks unreal as literally sleeping on the flight deck.
Most of the original equipment has been salvaged but the illusion is still there. The curtains let you spend the night calmly, but be aware that early light might wake you up early. During our stay in March, it was freezing outside but the heating in the room, as well as the blanket, worked like a charm to let us enjoy the night. The private bathroom and the meeting room made our day. There is also a private viewing terrace accessible from the room.
- Double Bed Ensuite Black Box
- Dorms and Standard rooms
This is not a Hobbit House but rather an Engine Room!
So what are you waiting for?
Brussels Airlines is flying to Bromma (BMA) Airport. Once you have reached the city centre, why not spend a night in this stunning landmark. As the Jumbo Stay is located at the Arlanda Airport (ARN), from Stockholm Central Station, you have several options :
- Shuttle Bus Flugbussarna (Best affordable preferred option). [buy return ticket online, full price for an adult 198 SEK (approx. 18 EUR).] Bus runs mostly every 15 minutes from Central Station. Expect a few short stops on the way. Nice free add on, each bus is equipped with free onboard WIFI.
- Train [buy return ticket online, reduced price for an adult starts at 390 SEK (approx. 36 EUR), adult full price 570 SEK (approx. 53 EUR).]
- Uber ride (Uber X journey approximately 20 minutes, price for one way (!) around 489 SEK (approx. 45 EUR).
- Taxi
Depending on the time of the day, the journey lasts between 30 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic.
Once you reached the Airport Terminals, from departures level go down to the bus terminal and grab Bus stop 3 outside all the terminals. The Bus name is P3 ALFA which stops in front of the Jumbo Stay. (same route, the opposite way to head back to Airport Terminals).
Regarding Dinner plans, You can have dinner:
- on location (snacks, warm meals and sandwiches) (preferred to fully enjoy the experience)
- upon arriving at Airport Terminal
- across the street at the hotel
With its ideal location, you will have a unique opportunity to spot aeroplanes (runway in use permitting). We spotted quite a few arrivals. Best spots are on the ground near the Jumbo Stay or from the wing (yes, you can walk on the wing !) that can be accessed from the aircraft. I used my ‘basic’ lens 18-300 which is more than enough as we are pretty close.
Live Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower/CTAF/Control – Arlanda, Stockholm, Sweden
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