LONDON – The pandemic has had a positive impact on some creative people who decided to pursue their dreams.
One of them is an aeronautical engineer who decided that it was time to transform an A380 into an elegant hotel.
With the help of some experts from the related industry, such as the real-estate company Groupe Duval, Frederic Deleuze has set the foundations for his project in record time, aptly-named Envergure (which is French for wingspan).
The retired aircraft will begin its new life in the northern area of the Toulouse-Blagnac airport, in the same region in which Airbus is headquartered. According to Simple Flying, it might get a new livery, but the most notable changes are on the inside.
The unusual hotel will feature 31 rooms, all with en-suite toilets and showers. The deluxe ones will be able to accommodate up to 4 guests at the same time.
The 2 suites, located at the rear of the aircraft, will be over 35 square meters (376.6 square feet) each.
The suites at the front will be equipped with a king-sized bed and a premium bathroom with a bathtub, while the suites at the end of the plane will be a duplex suite across 2 levels, connected by the original staircase.
Since the aircraft will be entirely dedicated to the rooms and suites, there isn’t any room available for an onboard restaurant. This is why Deleuze has decided to build a building adjacent to the A380.
Of course, the building will be aviation-themed; the restaurant building will look like a control tower.
The pricing for this hotel hasn’t been revealed yet, but the Envergure project is set to take off in 2024, offering a great example of how old aircraft can be converted into something impressive while also promoting a circular economy.