Iconic 747 Hotel Faces Its Final Flight
An iconic piece of aviation history may soon be lost as the unique Boeing 747-200 hotel near Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport faces an uncertain future following the bankruptcy of its owner. Known as Jumbo Stay, formerly Jumbo Hostel, the one-of-a-kind accommodation has welcomed thousands of budget travelers since its launch in 2009, offering a rare opportunity to sleep inside an aircraft that once soared the skies. The hotel, constructed from a former Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-200B that entered service in 1979, has become a must-stay destination for aviation enthusiasts and curious travelers alike. However, the facility’s days now appear numbered as financial pressures forced its owner into bankruptcy on March 21, 2025.
Bankruptcy trustees have determined that the hotel is no longer economically viable and cannot continue operating as a going concern. Jumbo Stay officially closed its doors on March 17, 2025, leading to the cancellation of 800 advance reservations. With no feasible plan to keep the establishment open, the most likely outcome is that the airframe will be scrapped and dismantled piece by piece, ending a 16-year run that captured the imaginations of travelers around the world.
Regarded as the only hotel of its kind, Jumbo Stay was skillfully converted inside the fuselage of the retired 747. The renovation, which cost approximately $3 million, transformed the once-450-seat aircraft into a hotel boasting 33 rooms and 76 beds. Guests could choose among four dormitory-style rooms, five standard rooms, and three suites. The dormitories catered to both male and female travelers with options for two or four beds per room and shared bathroom facilities, while the standard rooms provided configurations ranging from double to triple occupancy, with one room featuring a private toilet space. This innovative concept, which combined elements of a hostel and a budget hotel, attracted visitors from all corners of the globe.
The story behind the hotel’s creation is as unique as the structure itself. Oscar Diös, the founder and owner of Jumbo Stay, was inspired to convert the aircraft into a hotel after learning about the decommissioning of a 747 at Arlanda Airport in 2007. Already experienced in transforming unconventional spaces such as trains, boats, and lighthouses into accommodations, Diös seized the opportunity to create a distinctive attraction at the entrance of one of Scandinavia’s busiest airports. The project was also intended to serve as a promotional tool for the airport, enticing passers-by with a glimpse of a flying giant repurposed as a place to rest.
Despite the initial success and global recognition, Jumbo Stay has struggled in recent years. Its revenue dropped from SEK 8 million ($800,000) in 2019 to half that amount in 2023, a decline attributed not only to the COVID-19 pandemic but also to increased competition from other budget hotels near Arlanda Airport and the loss of advertising revenue on its site. Attempts to sell advertising space had been curtailed after state-owned airport operator Swedavia took over the sales, further affecting the hotel’s financial stability.
Now, with Swedavia unwilling to lease the land to another operator, the fate of this historic hotel appears sealed. The loss of Jumbo Stay marks the end of a remarkable chapter in travel history, as a once-celebrated aviation landmark prepares for its final descent.
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