A decommissioned Airbus A380 will not be demolished: it will be turned into a hotel in Toulouse
Transforming disused aircraft, revolutionizing their interiors and changing their end use has now become a trend. We have told of [...]
Transforming disused aircraft, revolutionizing their interiors and changing their end use has now become a trend. We have told of the more fortunate ones that have remained "whole" such as the 747 turned into event location. Others who have been turned into restaurants or hotels. Then there are those who have been Made in pieces for the happiness of collectors and those that were simply scrapped as one does with old cars.
In this article:
In various parts of the world interventions of this kind are taking place, with some exciting results to say the least. The latest example concerns France and specifically. Toulouse Blagnac Airport. The idea is to create a hotel near the facility so as to offer more services to passing travelers. The project bears the name Envergure. The transformed aircraft will be a A380, "saved" from dismantling to obtain spare parts.
The Envergure Project
Coincidentally, the place where this A380 will probably be adapted into a hotel (it should be specified how these are projects and not initiated operations) is particularly close to the assembly site. Airbus is across the street and one of its aeronautical engineers, Frederic Deleuze, developed this intriguing idea.
To date everything is still on paper, or digital to be more precise. The project would lead to a restoration of the livery, the appearance of which, however, would not be changed. Quite different is the matter for the interior, which would have to be modified in no small measure to create the space necessary to accommodate a certain number of rooms. Calculating the space available, Deleuze envisions as many as 31 rooms within the plane, including two suites for a deluxe experience.
Going down to the specifics, let's find out what kind of services will be provided:
- each room will have its own private bathroom, with standard facilities and a shower
- standard rooms will be about 16 square meters in size
- accommodations will accommodate a maximum of two people
- guests can sleep in a comfortable queen-size bed (150-160 cm wide by 200 cm long)
- deluxe rooms will be approximately 23 square meters in size
- accommodations will accommodate a maximum of four people
- Guests will sleep in a comfortable queen-size bed (150-160 cm wide by 200 cm long) and one or two single beds
Source : https://www.projet-envergure.com/
A380 suites
As mentioned, the project includes two suites that will provide a far richer experience than the standard rooms, as well as the deluxe rooms. They will be built at both ends of the A380 to the delight of flying enthusiasts. In both cases, the space made available to potential customers is far greater than in other accommodations. It is about 35 square meters. The more intriguing of the two is undoubtedly the one in the front area, which Will occupy the former flight deck. Inside there will be a king-size bed (180 cm wide by 200 cm long). Again there will be a private bathroom, of course, but instead of a walk-in shower there will be a comfortable bathtub.
If the suite on the "nose" of the airplane is certainly the most striking, the one placed in the tail will surprise. It is a duplex room. The design includes two levels, connected by the original staircase placed inside the aircraft. There are thus two bedrooms, along with a large bathroom.
Dinner in the control tower
The master bedroom suite aboard Singapore Airlines' A380.
There will certainly be no shortage of space on board the A380, but besides rooms, it will not be possible to install much else. However, it is impossible to think of a hotel without a restaurant area. This will be built outside, recalling the style of a control tower. Here will take shape a 60-cover restaurant and, probably, the front desk of the hotel facility.
