Thaindian News

Sydney, August 4 (ANI): A former Boeing 747 jumbo is now the world’s strangest hostel.

The one-time Singapore Airlines plane is parked permanently near the entrance to Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport, and it never leaves the ground.

It was opened as “the world’s first Jumbo Hostel” in January.

With its 353 square metres of available space, it boasts 25 tiny rooms that can house 72 people overnight, along with a café, tended by uniformed cabin crew 24 hours a day.

Owner Oscar Dios has indicated he would be interested in involvement in a chain of such hostels on the fringe of airports around the world.

At Arlanda, passengers who fly in to Stockholm very late at night find the compact and comfy accommodation to be very handy.

A free bus takes customers to the jet from the terminal to the plane.

What makes it more comfortable to stay is the fact that passengers staying here can easily sleep because there are no overnight noises and distractions like PA announcements about turbulence and/or seat belts, noisy fellow passengers such as crying babies and toilet queuers.

Named “Liv” after the daughter of Oscar Dios, the airplane ended its 36-year-old flying career in 2002 after flying in the colours of Singapore and Pan American plus a series of charter operations later.

When Dios heard about the abandoned Jumbo after a while, he thought it might be just the thing for his concept of running hostels in many different buildings, boats, trains and lighthouses, and asked himself: “Why not in a plane?”

“Liv” underwent a complete overhaul and major renovation work for more than a year to transform it into a hostel.

“The most challenging part was to build something inside the hull. It was just really, really tight,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Dios as saying.

Civil wedding ceremonies can be arranged not inside the Jumbo but outside on the plane’s left-wing observation deck, for a marriage celebrant is on call, and couples can hold their reception in the Jumbo Cafe then retire to the Cockpit Suite.

Reaction from people who’ve taken on the Jumbo Hostel experience has been mostly favourable, with praise for its cleanliness, friendly service and convenience to the airport. (ANI)