Many people hate the idea of having to sleep on a plane. But Swedish entrepreneur Oscar Dios thinks they can be persuaded otherwise and he has created a new kind of hostel to prove it.

Dios says it is the world's first jumbo jet hostel, an actual jet plane at Sweden's main airport outside Stockholm which has been converted into a 25-room guesthouse that sleeps 72 people.

"I learned about this plane that was standing abandoned at Arlanda airport and I've been trying the concept of hostels in many different houses and buildings," he said. "I thought, 'Why not a plane?'"

Jumbo Hostels opened for business on Thursday, giving customers the chance to check in and sleep in a room that can best be described as cozy.

"The most challenging part with this project is trying to build something inside a metal hull -- it's just really, really tight."

The jet, which was originally produced for Singapore Airlines, was taken out of service in 2002. It is held on a concrete foundation with the landing gear secured in steel cradles.

One thing the hostel has going for it is price -- a room starts at SEK350 Swedish kronor (USD$41), which is a lot less than hotel rooms close to major airports.

Another feature: customers can get married on the wing of the plane and stay in the plane's more luxurious honeymoon suite situated in the cockpit.

Instead of walking down the aisle, lovebirds can take what Jumbo Hostels calls the "wing walk," where they can be joined in bliss at the wing tip. The hostel has someone ready to perform the ceremony.

But in some respects, this hostel remains a plane -- most clients have to share the jet's nine bathrooms and staff only wear air steward and stewardess outfits. The only room that has its own bathroom is the honeymoon suite.

(Reuters)

23 January 2009