Could there be an A380 hotel?

Concepts have been released for an Airbus A380 to be converted into a hotel in Toulouse, close to the super jumbo’s birthplace.

The Envergure (French for wingspan) project involves taking an Airbus A380 earmarked for recycling and converting the jet into a luxury hotel with 31 rooms and two suites. A building inspired by Air Traffic Control tower designs is planned to be built alongside the jet, comprising a 60-seat restaurant and check-in facilities as well as enabling access to the aircraft.

Airbus A30 hotel
The mammoth jet would be positioned alongside a 60-seat restaurant Envergure

Should the plans be given the green-light, the aircraft will be located close to Toulouse Blagnac Airport, close to the Aeroscopia museum and MEETT, a recently opened exhibition and convention centre.

According to the organisation behind Envergure, led by former Airbus employee Frédéric Deleuze, the restaurant will “offer top-of-the-range cuisine, based on fresh, seasonal and local products, in an exceptional setting”.

Onboard the Toulouse-built titan, 31 standard and deluxe rooms will be spread across the two passenger decks. These would comprise either a queen-size or king-size bed with shower, en-suite and a desk.

Airbus A30 hotel
The Airbus A380 would be fitted out to accommodate 31 rooms and two suites Envergure

Additionally, there will be two suites – one on the flight deck and another on two floors incorporating the rear stairwell. The former of these would consume a 35m² area including the cockpit of the aircraft incorporating a bedroom with a king-size bed, bathroom with bathtub, office space. The latter, a duplex to be situated at the rear of the aircraft will be split across the two decks, will feature two bedrooms as well as a bathroom and office area.

At present, the hotel is at the proposal phase and no A380s have been identified as candidates for the transformation. However, there are plenty of super jumbos to choose from. Hi Fly Malta’s sole example is now stored, as are 10 Etihad Airways jets, five Thai Airways widebodies, seven Air France twin-aisles, and 13 of Lufthansa’s leviathans.

Airbus A30 hotel
The Envergure group have earmarked a site close to the Aeroscopia museum, which features its own Airbus A380, as a potential location for the hotel Envergure