AvGeek alert! You can soon sleep in a Boeing 727 at this aviation-themed hotel
AvGeeks, have you ever wanted to have a whole plane to yourself? Well, here's your chance ...
A retired Boeing jet in South Africa is being converted into a private VIP hotel suite that can accommodate up to six people. The aircraft suite will cater to AvGeeks or other travelers looking for a unique private accommodation.
The story first gained traction earlier this week as people took to social media with images and videos of airplane fuselage moving around South Africa.
The 727 — which is expected to be ready to accommodate visitors by October — will join an existing Boeing 737-200 that serves as a six-bedroom boutique hotel called Aerotel Hoedspruit. Reserving the whole 727 aircraft will cost between 10,000 and 12,000 South African rand per night — or about $700 to $850 — according to the hotel director, who adds that it will sleep up to six people.
In the 737, rates start at 1,800 rand per night ($128) for single-occupancy rooms and 3,000 rand ($214 USD) for double occupancy. Despite being inside of a plane, each room comes with almost all the traditional amenities you'd expect in a hotel: a queen bed, a private bathroom and shower, coffee and tea, a refrigerator and complimentary WiFi.

The hotel's new 727 was seen being transported by road from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Int'l Airport (JNB) to its new home in Hoedspruit, South Africa, on June 11. Moving the plane was a logistical challenge. It took five days to transport the 727 fuselage to its new location, and its journey through the countryside drew the attention of locals who witnessed the jet pass by, according to The South African.
For those interested in visiting, Aerotel Hoedspruit is about a five-hour drive from Johannesburg. But, despite its relatively remote location, it's not completely off the tourist circuit. It sits near several noteworthy attractions such as Kruger National Park and various animal rehabilitation centers. A traveler could easily combine a safari with staying in a room in one of these unique accommodations. The hotel's website even gives the option to add excursions while booking.
And, while the number of flights to South Africa remains significantly down as compared to pre-pandemic levels, frequent flyers have historically had plentiful options for using miles to get there.
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Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
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Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
