A home rental with the Emirates bar: Big plans for this A380 relic
The idea came to Curt Larson earlier this month when he read TPG's story about Airbus auctioning off parts of an A380 that once graced the skies.
Sure, the aircraft manufacturer had plenty of items on sale worthy of an AvGeek's admiration, but that bar from an Emirates business-class cabin, he felt, would be quite something to have on display.
"It's just sort of the provenance and the history of this bar," he said. After all, he'd previously had a chance to see a similar bar on a past trip aboard Emirates — a marquee part of the Dubai-based carrier's premium service. Combine that with what appears to be a finite future for the superjumbo, and owning a piece of the iconic aircraft seemed to be a worthy investment.
Larson figured he'd have no shot at winning, though. Airbus planned to open the bidding at 20,000 euros — equivalent to about $20,000.
"I felt like it was going to go for a lot," he said.
Fast forward a few weeks, and Larson's shock that he did, in fact, win has given way to in-depth planning: How to get it to the U.S., and how it will figure into an eventual home rental that's sure to be at the top of an AvGeek's list once available.
A winning bid
While Larson had little expectation he'd contend for the premium-cabin relic, he began to feel a glimmer of hope when bidding for the Emirates bar opened with little fanfare. Then the auctioneer lowered entry bids by 5,000 euros (about $5,000), Larson said.
"Still, no one was bidding," he said.
So it went down to 10,000 euros (approximately $10,000), which was good enough for him.
"I had started to bid a little bit," he explained. The bids began to climb but quickly slowed as the number approached 15,000 euros — which Larson decided would be his ceiling.
"I was like, let me just try €15,100," he said. "I was having total buyer's remorse already."
A gavel banged, and the auctioneer called out something in French — which Larson didn't understand, not speaking French. But then he heard his name.
"What have I done?!" he thought. "How am I even going to get this thing to the United States?"
Future plans for the bar
As Larson's winning bid has sunk in over recent weeks, so too has the realization his costs may well double by the time he gets the bar shipped to the U.S. — a process he expects could take months.
As personal a victory as his bid seems, though, it's one you may someday be able to enjoy, too.
Larson plans to buy a property in Palm Springs, California, which he'll lease out as a short-term rental. "My plan is, this will be a significant part of the marketing appeal," he said. "This will help us rent our place."
Yes, someday you might be able to surf Airbnb and track down a rental property at which you can enjoy a drink (or as many as you'd like) at a bar that once served customers at 30,000 feet.
"It's a chance to hang out at this bar for as long as you want," Larson said.
Whether a trip in Emirates business class is an aspirational, future redemption or you'd like to relive a past travel highlight, it'd certainly be a stay to remember.
Buyer's remorse fading
As he negotiates the complicated shipping process for his big-ticket purchase, it's clear Larson's buyer's remorse is beginning to wear off. "This bar was actually on a plane that flew all over the world," he marveled. "I find it really cool."
He's promised to share photos once it arrives, and we'll certainly be keeping an eye out for that future home rental listing.
After all, he said, "There are definitely bigger aviation geeks than me."
We may even know a few of them.
Just enough bling: A review of Emirates' new premium economy on the A380 from Dubai to London
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees