A retired Lufthansa Dash 8 Q400 has been transformed into a split “crashed plane” Airbnb in the Somerset countryside, offering a secluded glamping experience that its owner says evokes a "real-life Castaway" stay.
Martyn Baker bought the aircraft fuselage in two parts on eBay and had the sections transported about 200 miles from Eastbourne to Somerset, a journey he said took around five hours. The plane was reassembled on site over two days in March last year and fitted out with original aircraft seating and hotel-style amenities. A night at the property is listed at £125 plus Airbnb fees.
The accommodation is divided into two distinct sections meant to mimic first-class and economy cabins. The first-class carriage contains a double bed, upholstered seating and soft lighting; the economy section includes cooking facilities, a log burner, television and a dining area that folds away to make space for two camp beds. Outdoor facilities include a wood-fired hot tub and barbecue, and the site sits in private woodland a short walk from the West Somerset Railway and the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Baker said severe weather damage to a caravan he previously rented prompted him to look for a different kind of glamping unit. "It caused a fair bit of damage so when we took it out I just thought I wanted something a bit different," he said. He bought one half of the fuselage for £9,000 and the other for £8,000 and later installed original plane seats to complete the interior.
"It wasn't set up with the intention of creating a crash site but I can see why people might think that," Baker added. He said the interiors were largely finished when he acquired them and that the project involved positioning and joining the two sections in the woods. "It is in isolation and if our guests enjoy that Castaway experience then I'm all for it," he said.
Baker said guest reviews on the Airbnb listing so far have been uniformly positive, with visitors describing the property as "unique," "really quirky" and "more interesting than a hotel room." One review cited on the listing said the accommodation felt "homely yet miles from real life." Baker said guests have given only five-star ratings to date.
The transformation of retired aircraft fuselages into novelty accommodation has precedent in the UK and abroad, where decommissioned planes have been repurposed as restaurants, hostels and private stays. In this instance, the Dash 8 Q400 — a turboprop airliner once used on regional routes — was repurposed to provide a themed overnight experience while retaining aspects of its cabin architecture.
The listing emphasizes privacy and woodland seclusion while noting proximity to local attractions. Baker said he would like to learn more about the plane's operational history but had found few clues beyond its Lufthansa association. He also described the transport and installation as attracting attention: "It wasn't too bad on the motorway but when we tried to navigate roundabouts, we got a lot of curious looks."
The property joins a growing market for unusual short-term rental experiences that market themselves on novelty and location as much as on traditional hospitality features. Baker's aircraft stay is positioned to attract visitors seeking an unusual overnight option within reach of regional rail heritage and protected landscapes in Somerset.