An old jet rumoured to once be owned by drug lord Pablo Escobar has been turned into a luxury Airbnb on a traditional estate.
The plane sits on the site in Bristol and boasts of a hot tub and a sauna but guests could have to fork out up to £850 per night.
Originally built in 1968 and fitted out as a private jet in 1981, the craft was flying up until 2012 – when it made its final journey to Filton Airfield in South Gloucestershire.
With walnut panelling, leather seats, a gold-plated shower and toilet, the plane gives the guests a taste of what the Billionaire life would be like.
It also boasts two double bedrooms with en-suite toilets and showers, as well as seats which can convert into beds.
Businessman Johnny Palmer, 41, who got the green light from Bristol City Council for his project said: ‘It was built in 1968 for Japan Airlines and in 1981 it got converted into a private jet. It had a series of owners.
‘Eventually it could not fly anymore and in 2012 it was decommissioned.’
There have been many rumours about who the previous owners were – including an Arab prince and the Mafia.
‘Someone said that Pablo Escobar might have owned it for a while,’ he said.
‘As to where it came before that who knows – that doesn’t change the fact that we are doing so many positive stuff with it now.’
He added: ‘There is a bit of a roll play cosplay thing going on there – people enjoy that experience and living that fantasy for a little while and then living their normal lives.
‘The contrast – billionaire and real life – is actually really healthy to people.
Although the plane does not have wings or engines, all other features work including the airstairs, lighting, three toilets, shower, kitchen, fridge and many of the cockpit lights.
Mr Palmer said: ‘I always wanted to have a private jet and this was an opportunity to get one – the thing that I wanted was never a plane that flew it was just having a private jet so this was perfect.
‘I just think they are cool – I just like airplanes. Everyone wants a private jet, right?
‘On industrial estates people don’t really care what you do because visually they are not very nice as they are so that gives a creative opportunity to do weird things like airplanes.
‘Whereas if I tried to do this in agricultural or residential setting you just wouldn’t get planning permission for it.’
The whole project was a restoration job that took several years to complete.
‘The stuff that is inside was fitted out in 1981 – before I was born – and all we have done was restored it to the best that we can,’ he said.
‘I did a lot of the electrics myself, I had a plumber, a carpenter – there have been lots of people who have been involved in the process.’
Mr Palmer now has regular open days where residents living nearby can come and tour the plane for a donation to local charities.
He added: ‘I like that it brings joy to people and a lot of people have great nights on there, kids are inspired by it. People come up here and take selfies with it.’
The cheapest nights in the aircraft are £250 and the peak nights are £850 for the night.
Peak times are in August and it’s nearly fully booked the whole year.
Mr Palmer said he lends the jet for artists for free if they are doing music videos or photoshoots for artistic processes – mostly Drill and Rap artists.
When asked if there had been any celebrities staying in the Airbnb Johnny said: ‘Not that I know – but it is also quite discreet.
‘The whole point of it is that it is a very private space. Even if they did I would not say because respecting guest privacy is really important.’
With the popularity of the business, all the income has meant they can restore the jet and improve the experience.
‘The money we get from it just goes back into the project to make it better and better for future guests.
‘It has never the intended to make money.’
A pre application was submitted this month for a second airplane to be placed next to the existing one.
He added: ‘This one will be bigger and much more impressive. And much higher and a bigger structure.’