Skip to content

Bid For a Piece of Aviation History in This Incredible eBay Auction

May 27, 2016
3 min read
Buy-747-Featured
Bid For a Piece of Aviation History in This Incredible eBay Auction
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

If you want to own a (very large) piece of aviation history, check out this unique sale on eBay. Concord Aerospace, which has recently posted listings for used planes on eBay, has listed an auction for a vintage Boeing 747 that was operated by Virgin Atlantic that went out of service in 2015. After decades of flying the original jumbo jet, most airlines are opting for more fuel efficient aircraft and thus these 'Queens of the Skies' are either being sold for scrap parts, or in this case being auctioned off to the public like this vintage Lady Penelope themed plane.

Place your bid for a vintage Virgin Atlantic 747 on eBay.

Bids are starting at $299,000 or you could 'Buy It Now' for a mere $900,000. As of the time of this posting, there have been over 45,000 visitors to the page, no bids, and almost 300 people 'watching' the auction. Since Boeing announced in January that it will only produce six 747s per year, this could be of great interest to aviation enthusiasts eager to spend more time with the beloved 747.

Relax in your very own business-class cabin on the upper deck of this 747.

Although many of the interior components are in-tact, the engines and other valuable equipment have been removed. The business-class cabin has 44 seats arranged in a 1-2-1 pattern.

The Main Cabin aboard your potential 747 features IFE at every seat.

The economy cabin of this aircraft contains 261 seats arranged in a 3-4-3 pattern. The seats still look like they're in good shape, with large in-flight-entertainment screens at every seat.

The mostly empty 747 flight deck.

This particular aircraft was fitted with 4 CF6-80 engines. The aircraft underwent $76 million retrofitting project to install new engines, but these proved to not be significantly more efficient, which led to the aircraft's demise. This plane was the second of the airline's 747-400s to be retired.

The galley has been stripped of all its food-prep appliances.

After years of breakfasts, lunches and dinners being prepared by flight attendants, the galley has been stripped to its bones — but there's plenty of room to add your own fridge and microwave!

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

It's eerie seeing the 'Queen of the Skies' no longer flying and stripped of many of her essential flying parts. Even with the significantly discounted auction rate, you'll still be spending a pretty penny — but for lovers of the 747, this could be a priceless opportunity to own a piece of history.

Will you be placing a bid for this vintage 747?

TPG featured card

4 / 5
Go to review
Rewards rate
1XChoose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee
2XEarn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status + $300 of Bilt Cash
Annual fee
$495
Regular APR
26.74 - 34.74% variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Good Credit, Excellent Credit

Pros

  • Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
  • Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
  • $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
  • $200 Bilt Cash annually
  • Priority Pass membership
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Moderate annual fee
  • Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
  • Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
  • Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
  • 2X points on everyday spend
  • $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
  • $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
  • Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
  • Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
  • Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.