This Boeing 727 Turned Dream Home Is Just Plane Awesome!
Unique houses are certainly increasing in popularity – just look at the rise in homes converted from buses, tiny homes, and shipping containers. Each of these options allow for a lower cost and completely customizable alternative to traditional accommodations. Jo Ann Ussery, however, created her own special home years before it was trendy. She purchased an old airplane, a Boeing 727, and upcycled it into a home full of luxurious features.
A unique home
Ussery’s story began in 1993 when her home in Benoit, Mississippi was destroyed. She and her two children needed somewhere to live and had very little to their names, partially due to the recent passing of her husband. Initially, she thought that moving into a trailer would be the answer to her problems, but she couldn’t afford any homes that were large enough for three people. Enter Bob, Ussery’s air traffic controller brother-in-law, who suggested she try living in a plane.
Jo Ann Ussery fills a birdbath outside her converted Boeing 727. Rather than buying a mobile home, Ussery purchased an old Boeing 727 for $2,000 USD and remodeled it into a home in Benoit, Mississippi. (Photo by © Ralf-Finn Hestoft/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
The plane is 138 feet long, with 76 windows running along the side. As with any commercial aircraft these windows didn’t open, but that wasn’t a problem as Ussery had air conditioning installed. She also added proper insulation and flooring. Which parts of the original 727 stayed? One single airplane bathroom, and the overhead bins – certainly a great solution to the problem of storage in a small home.
Interior features
Once the larger modifications were made, Ussery was able to move on to add details and luxuries. The renovated plane contained three bedrooms, a small bathroom, a living space, a full kitchen, and even a dedicated laundry room. Along with the washing machine and dryer, it also had an oven and telephone.
Undoubtedly, the best addition was what Ussery did with the cockpit overlooking the lake. She turned it into an elegant master bathroom, complete with a luxurious hot tub.