A crack-ing find! Old Boeing jet ‘once owned by Pablo Escobar’ is turned into luxury Airbnb on British industrial estate
An old plane once owned by drug lord Pablo Escobar has been transformed into a luxury Airbnb on a traditional estate.
The plane is based at the Bristol location and features a hot tub and sauna, but guests can pay up to £850 per night.
Originally built in 1968 and converted into a private jet in 1981, the aircraft flew until 2012, when it made its final journey to Filton Airfield in South Gloucestershire.
With walnut paneling, leather seats, a gold-plated shower and toilet, the plane gives guests a taste of what the billionaire’s life would be like.
It also features two double bedrooms with private toilets and showers, as well as chairs that convert into beds.
Businessman Johnny Palmer, 41, who got the green light from Bristol City Council for his project, said: ‘It was built in 1968 for Japan Airlines and in 1981 it was converted into a private jet. It had a series of owners.
‘Eventually it could no longer fly and was decommissioned in 2012.’
There have been many rumors about who the previous owners were, including an Arab prince and the mafia.
Located at the Bristol location, the aircraft features a hot tub and sauna and can cost up to £850 per night
It features two double bedrooms with private toilets and showers, as well as chairs that convert into beds
There have been many rumors about who the previous owners were, including drug lord Pablo Escobar, pictured
“Someone said Pablo Escobar might have owned it for a while,” he said.
‘Where it came before, who knows, that doesn’t change the fact that we are now doing so many positive things with it.’
He added: ‘There’s a bit of a role-playing cosplay thing going on there – people enjoy that experience and live in that fantasy for a while and then go about their normal lives.
‘The contrast – billionaire and real life – is actually very healthy for people.
Although the aircraft has no wings or engines, all other functions work, including the airstairs, lighting, three toilets, shower, galley, refrigerator and many of the cockpit lights.
Mr Palmer said: “I have always wanted a private jet and this was an opportunity to get one. What I wanted was never an airplane that flew, it was just a private jet, so this was perfect.
‘I just think they’re cool, I just love airplanes. Everyone wants a private jet, right?
‘On industrial estates people don’t really care what you do, because visually they aren’t that nice, so that gives a creative opportunity to do strange things, like airplanes.
Originally built in 1968 and converted into a private jet in 1981, the aircraft flew until 2012 – when it made its final journey to Filton Airfield in South Gloucestershire.
With walnut paneling, leather seats, gold-plated shower and toilet, the plane gives guests a taste of what the billionaire’s life would be like
Businessman Johnny Palmer, 41, pictured, said the plane was built for Japan Airlines in 1968 and converted into a private jet in 1981
Mr Palmer added: ‘There’s a bit of a roll-play-cosplay thing going on there – people enjoy that experience and live in that fantasy for a while and then go about their normal lives.’
‘Whereas if I tried this in an agricultural or residential environment you just wouldn’t get planning permission for it.’
The entire project was a restoration job that took several years to complete.
“The stuff in there was furnished in 1981 – before I was born – and all we’ve done is restore it as best we can,” he said.
“I did a lot of the electrical myself, I had a plumber, a carpenter – a lot of people were involved in the process.”
Mr Palmer now has regular open days where residents living nearby can come and tour the aircraft to donate to local charities.
He added: ‘I like that it brings people joy and a lot of people have great evenings there, children are inspired by it. People come here and take selfies with it.”
The cheapest nights on the plane cost £250 and peak nights are £850 per night.
Peak times are in August and it is almost fully booked all year round.
Although the plane has no wings or engines, all other functions work, including the air stairs and lights
Some of the cockpit lighting, as well as the three toilets, shower, kitchen, refrigerator also work
Mr Palmer said the whole project was a restoration job that took several years to complete.
“The stuff in there was furnished in 1981 – before I was born – and all we’ve done is restore it as best we can,” Palmer said.
Mr. Palmer said he did much of the electrical himself and involved a plumber, a carpenter and others in the process
Originally built in 1968 and converted into a private jet in 1981, the aircraft continued to fly until 2012 – when it made its final journey to Filton Airfield, Bristol
Mr Palmer now has regular open days where residents who live nearby can come and tour the aircraft to donate to local charities
The cheapest nights on the plane cost £250 and peak nights are £850 per night
Peak times are in August and it is almost fully booked all year round
Mr. Palmer said he lends the plane for free to artists when they make music videos or photo shoots for artistic processes – usually Drill and Rap artists
Mr Palmer said he lends the plane for free to artists when they are making music videos or photo shoots for artistic processes – usually Drill and Rap artists.
When asked if any celebrities were staying at the Airbnb, Johnny said, “Not that I know of, but it’s pretty discreet too.
“The whole point is that it’s a very private space. Even if they did, I wouldn’t say it because respecting guest privacy is very important.”
With the popularity of the company, all the revenue has allowed them to restore the aircraft and improve the experience.
‘The money we get from it simply goes back to the project to make it better and better for future guests.
“The intention was never to make money.”
This month, a preliminary application was submitted for the installation of a second aircraft next to the existing one.
He added: “This one will be bigger and much more impressive. And much higher and a larger structure.’