Retired Boeing 747s Find New Life Around the World
The Boeing 747 is one of the most iconic passenger planes in history, but its numbers are dwindling as airlines switch to newer twin-engine widebodies. However, some retired 747s have been repurposed into unique second lives around the world.
One such example is a former British Airways 'party plane' in England, which was converted into an event space for weddings and birthday parties at Cotswold Airport. The venue, which opened in 2022, cost about $675,000 to renovate and offers amenities like original cabin seats, access to the cockpit and upper deck, and a bar.
Another repurposed 747 is an old Delta Air Lines plane turned into a museum in Atlanta. The '747 Experience' opened as an exhibition in 2017 and features educational material about the history of the 747 and its role in the airline's fleet.
In Bahrain, a retired Malaysia Airlines 747 was sunk off the coast to create an artificial coral reef, attracting divers from over 50 countries. However, trips to the site have been paused since the pandemic, although Scuba Master is offering excursions for about $100 per person when available.