Grounded Jets, Elevated Stays
The 1975 Avenue & Hotel in Johor Bahru has parked two full-size Boeing 747s beside its swimming pools, converting them into 18 guest suites. One aircraft previously flew for Pan Am, the other for Japan Airlines. The hotel has renamed them Bove and Bey.
Both jets retain their original fuselages but now house interiors inspired by eight countries, including Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, China, the UK, Italy, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Guests board via a jet bridge connected to the main hotel building, then walk through the cabin to reach their rooms.
The Japan Airlines aircraft, a Boeing 747 SR-146B, entered service in 1980 and flew commercially until 1998. After changing hands several times, it ended up in storage at nearby Senai Airport. The Pan Am jet is one of the earliest 747s ever built, delivered in 1970. It briefly operated for American Airlines before being converted into a freighter in 1992, then flying for Tower Air and Logistics Air before arriving in Malaysia.
What It's Like Inside
Each plane originally carried hundreds of passengers. The JAL aircraft was configured for up to 533 people. Now, each jet holds just nine suites.
The hotel skips the economy category entirely. Instead, it offers Premium, Business, Captain, and Signature tiers. Premium Suites span two levels and include a king-size bed, freestanding bathtub, rain shower, and separate living area. The preserved cockpit remains accessible to guests.
The setup feels more spacious than any commercial cabin, though it's worth noting that these are still narrow-body conversions. You won't mistake it for a penthouse, but the novelty is real.
Beyond the Plane
The hotel grounds include 20 conventional rooms in a main building, plus dining and leisure facilities that underscore the advantages of staying grounded. Hanareya serves Japanese food, including sashimi and wagyu beef. There's a spa, gym, steam room, rooftop pool, sunken jacuzzi, and a man-made beach pool. Families can use the Playscape Water Park.
The property sits about 20 minutes from Senai International Airport and within easy reach of Singapore, which means guests can watch active aircraft overhead while lounging poolside.
The Numbers
Rates for September start at 1,706 ringgit (around €360) and run up to 2,786 ringgit (about €590) per suite, according to the hotel. That's significantly higher than standard accommodation in Johor Bahru, where mid-range hotels typically charge under 300 ringgit per night.
The planes have been on-site for a few years. Plans for their transformation were underway by at least 2022, though the hotel has only recently begun marketing them more widely.
A Growing Trend
Retired aircraft are finding second careers with increasing frequency. In the UK, a former British Airways 747 retired during the pandemic was purchased for £1 and converted into a bar and events venue. In Brussels, part of an Airbus A319 now serves as a meeting and dining space in the European Quarter.
These projects reflect both the surplus of retired wide-body jets and the appetite for unusual lodging experiences. The 747, in particular, carries nostalgic weight. Once the backbone of long-haul travel, the type has largely been phased out by airlines in favor of more fuel-efficient twin-engine models.
For travelers willing to pay a premium, the 1975 Avenue & Hotel offers a way to experience that era without leaving the ground. Whether that's worth the price depends on how much you value the novelty, and how much you've always wanted to sleep in a cockpit.
