Jumbo Stay
{{Short description|Hostel in Stockholm, Sweden}}
{{Infobox hotel
| hotel_name = Jumbo Stay
| image = Jumbo Stay, 2019 (03).jpg
| caption = Exterior view in 2019
| address = Arlanda Airport
| location_city = Stockholm
| location_country = Sweden
| coordinates = {{coord|format=dms|region:SE-AB_type:landmark|display=it}}
| opening_date = {{start date|2009|1|15|df=y}}
| closing_date = March 2025
| owner = Oscar Diös
| number_of_restaurants = 1
| number_of_rooms = 33
| number_of_suites = 2
| floors = 2
| website = {{URL|http://www.jumbostay.com}}
| footnotes =
}}
Jumbo Stay (formerly the Jumbo Hostel) was a hostel and hotel located inside a decommissioned Boeing 747-200 aircraft at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden. It has 33 rooms, 76 beds, and officially opened in January 2009. In March of 2025 , the owner declared bankruptcy and closed the hotel.{{cite web |title=Iconic Jumbo Stay 747 hotel at Stockholm Arlanda declares bankruptcy, may be sold for scrap|url=https://www.aviation24.be/airports/stockholm-arlanda-arn/iconic-jumbo-stay-747-hotel-at-stockholm-arlanda-declares-bankruptcy-may-be-sold-for-scrap/ |website=Aviation24 |accessdate=5 April 2025}}
History
File:9V-SQE B747-212B Singapore A-l HKG 27OCT81 (6456277689).jpg, Hong Kong, in 1981]]
Jumbo Stay is housed within a preserved Boeing 747-212B.{{cite web |title=Information & History |url=http://www.jumbostay.com/info-history/ |website=Jumbostay |accessdate=11 July 2022}} The 747 was built for Singapore Airlines, and entered service in 1976 under the registration 9V-SQE. In 1984, it was sold to Pan American World Airways, for which it flew until 1991 as N727PA Clipper Belle of the Sky.{{cite web |last1=Sargunaraj |first1=Wilbur |title=How to spend the night in a Jumbo Jet Engine |url=https://wunderflug.com/magazine/how-to-spend-the-night-in-a-jumbo-jet-engine-wilbur-sargunaraj-visits-the-747-jumbo-stay-hotel-at-stockholm-airport/ |website=Wunderflug |access-date=12 August 2022 |date=15 July 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Steele |first1=John |title=Names of the Pan Am Clippers 1934 to 1991 By Manufacturer and Model |url=https://www.panam.org/images/HistoryResourcesMuseumLinks/Pan-Am-Clipper-Manufacturer.pdf |website=Panam.org |publisher=Pan Am Historical Foundation |access-date=12 August 2022 |page=21}} Later, it operated for Cathay Pacific Airways, Garuda Indonesia, and others.{{cite news |last1=Smithson |first1=Ben |title=What it's like sleeping in the cockpit of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet hotel |website=The Points Guy. |date=21 June 2022}} Retrieved 11 July 2020. Its last air operator was Transjet, a Swedish charter airline based at Arlanda Airport that went bankrupt in 2002.{{cite web |last1=Shardlow |first1=Ju |last2=Floyd |first2=Charlie |title=We stayed overnight in a Boeing 747 converted hotel — here's what it was like inside |url=https://www.insider.com/boeing-747-airplane-converted-hotel-inside-2019-2 |website=Insider |accessdate=23 July 2020 |date=8 February 2019}}
The aircraft was subsequently acquired by Oscar Diös, who had previously run a youth hostel in Uppsala.{{cite web |title=STF Arlanda/Jumbo Stay |url=https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/facilities/stf-arlandajumbo-stay-hostel/about-us/ |website=Swedish Tourist Association |access-date=11 July 2022 |language=en}} Diös was developing a concept of running hostels inside many different objects, including boats, trains and lighthouses. When he found out that a retired aircraft was for sale at Arlanda Airport, he decided to try setting up an airport hostel inside it, as there were no hostels or budget hotels nearby.{{cite news |title=Tight squeeze at Jumbo Hostel |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/2723424/Tight-squeeze-at-Jumbo-Hostel |access-date=11 July 2022 |work=Stuff |agency=AAP |date=31 August 2009 |language=en}} In December 2007, the municipality of Sigtuna granted him a building permit to establish a hostel within the aircraft at the entrance to the airport.
Following a restoration that began in January 2008 and cost the equivalent of more than {{USD|3000000}}, the aircraft was towed in Summer 2008 to its new permanent location{{cite news |last1=Khalil |first1=Shireen |title=Wild Jumbo Stay Hotel plane transformation goes viral |url=https://www.news.com.au/travel/wild-jumbo-stay-hotel-plane-transformation-goes-viral/news-story/3a18dc92af812d6c6780afd9cc435d22 |access-date=11 July 2022 |work=news.com.au |date=11 July 2022}} on a grass-covered mound outside the airport's perimeter.{{cite news |last1=Ritter |first1=Karl |title=A cozy hostel in converted jumbo in Stockholm |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/a-cozy-hostel-in-converted-jumbo-in-stockholm/ |access-date=11 July 2022 |work=The Seattle Times |agency=AP |date=4 January 2009}} Its interior had been almost entirely changed, including the removal of 450 seats.{{cite web |last1=Corbett |first1=Kelly |title=You Can Spend the Night on This Out-of-Service Boeing 747 Jet, Which Is Now a Chic Hostel |url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/a31098357/jumbo-stay-airplane-hostel-sweden/ |website=House Beautiful |accessdate=23 July 2020 |date=26 February 2020}} However, a selection of its features, such as the flight controls and some of the original seats and windows, had been retained.
At its permanent site, the aircraft was mounted on a concrete foundation, and its landing gear was secured in two steel cradles. Additionally, a set of metal stairs and a lift were installed at the main entrance on the left side.
The owner began taking bookings in late 2008, and officially opened the transformed aircraft as "Jumbo Hostel" on 15 January 2008. He also named it "Liv", after his daughter. Since then, the business name has been changed to "Jumbo Stay".
Description
File:Jumbo Stay, 2019 (07).jpg
Jumbo Stay is described by its operator as both a hostel and a hotel. It has 33 rooms with up to four beds in each. Altogether, it holds 76 beds. A large room, branded as "The Cockpit Suite", is located on the upper deck. It has a pilot's eye view through the front windows, and is equipped with an ensuite shower and toilet. A second suite, similarly equipped, is branded as "The Black Box Suite". All of the other rooms are about {{cvt|6|m2}} in size and have access to shared bathrooms. Some of those rooms are located in the engine nacelles or wheel wells.
The former first-class area at the front of the aircraft has been converted into a cafe that serves breakfasts, snacks and light beverages. There are also microwave ovens for those who wish to self cater. The cafe is open to day visitors as well as guests staying overnight.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/jan/10/jumbo-stay-stockholm-hostel-sweden|title=747 jumbo hostel in Stockholm|last=Manson|first=Scott|date=2012-01-10|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-05-21|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} In the upper deck, there is a conference lounge with eight first-class flight seats. Outside, the left-side wing has been converted into a patio and observation deck, from which aircraft moving along a nearby taxiway can be spotted.
According to the owner, the most challenging aspect of the renovation was to build something inside the aircraft's hull. Only {{cvt|353|m2}} of space was available for the rooms, cafe and lounge.
Jumbo Stay is "a 15-minute walk" from the airport terminal and can be reached by free shuttle bus. It can also be booked for special occasions. Civil wedding ceremonies can be held on the observation deck, and receptions can be hosted in the cafe or conference lounge.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Jumbo Hostel|Jumbo Stay}}
- {{Official website|http://www.jumbostay.com}}
- [https://aussieairliners.org/b-747i/b-747-200/21162-283/9vsqe.html Photographs of the 747 in service with Singapore Airlines and Pan Am] – on Aussie Airliners
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp_DT-aEXL0 How to sleep in a 747 Engine: Wilbur Sargunaraj visits Jumbo Stay Stockholm] – on YouTube by Wilbur Sargunaraj
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cIs2OtgCcw Video review of Jumbo Stay by Simply Aviation] – on YouTube
{{Hostels}}
{{Hotels in Sweden}}
{{Boeing 747 family}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Hotels established in 2009
Category:2009 establishments in Sweden