Avgeeks visiting the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru, located in the south of the Asian country near its border with Singapore, now have a rather exciting option when it comes to accommodation. Indeed, as recently reported by Live & Let’s Fly, the 1975 Avenue & Hotel has converted two Boeing 747s into luxury living quarters: one previously flew for Pan Am, while the other is an ex-Japan Airlines jet.
These aircraft had reportedly been present on the site of the hotel for some time, but now, after a comprehensive interior refurbishment and a striking coat of orange paint, they are open for booking. The hotel is targeting a luxury angle with this offering, as it notes that one of the Boeing 747s has just nine suites on board, drawing influences from various countries. Let’s take a closer look!
The 1975 Avenue & Hotel has named its 747s Bove and Bey, with each of these jets featuring “a boutique collection of nine uniquely themed suites.” These are split into four categories: Premium, Business, Captain, and Signature. The former of these is a two-floor suite, with “design influences from Indonesia, Thailand, Greece, and Italy.” For fans of the 747’s top deck, this is certainly the place to stay!
Elsewhere, the Business Suites draw on influences from Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Spain, while the Captain Suites are inspired by Germany and Saudi Arabia. The Signature Suite, meanwhile, draws on Chinese and Malaysian influences. Some of the hotel rooms that aren’t in the 747s themselves offer views of the jets, so there’s something for everyone. The hotel says that:
“Bringing together retail, dining, entertainment, and hospitality, the destination also features two repurposed Boeing 747 aircraft offering unique experiences and unforgettable overnight stays.”
The two jets flank a more conventional hotel building, with this facility featuring another 20 rooms alongside the 18 that can be found in the Boeing 747s that previously flew for Pan Am and Japan Airlines. The jumbo jets’ presence is hard to ignore, with one of their tails extending over the pool area to make for an impressive setting for those looking to swim or relax in the sun.
As previously noted, the hotel is aiming for a boutique luxury experience, and this is reflected in the prices that those hoping to stay in one of the suites on board the 747s must be willing to pay. These reportedly range from RM 1,500 to RM 3,000 a night ($371 to $742). As such, it is far from a cheap experience, but one that would surely be worth every penny for lovers of aviation history and the Boeing 747.
This approach represents a stark contrast to the former Jumbo Stay hostel on the outskirts of Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) in Sweden. The facility, which unfortunately had to close in 2025 due to its owners having to declare bankruptcy, was aimed more at those traveling on a budget, as reflected by its more spartan accommodation offerings. Now, however, it has had to shut its doors for the very last time.
The hotel officially shut down in March following a bankruptcy filing.
According to Live & Let’s Fly, the ex-Japan Airlines Boeing 747 that forms part of this new hotel complex bore the registration JA8143 during its time with the carrier, which began in 1980. It was an example of the high-density 747SR variant, with Planespotters.net showing that it had 22 business and 511 economy seats. It left JAL in 1998, and, after serving various other carriers, it was retired in 2009.
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Meanwhile, the ex-Pan Am 747 that now houses hotel guests in Malaysia bore the registration N743PA in its heyday. This 747-100 served Pan Am from 1970 to 1992, including a brief lease to American Airlines at the start of its tenure, before being converted to fly cargo for the likes of Tower Air. Its last operator was Logistic Air, and, by the time it was retired in 2010, it had spent four decades flying round the world.
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