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Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Dad turns 1970s private jet into holiday home - and it still has the original cockpit
An Airbnb glamping pod promises to give guests checking in the flight of the they won't even leave the ground. A 1970s private jet has been lovingly converted - after seven months of toil and an outlay of £90,000 - into a cosy self-catering let, where you can explore the cockpit at leisure. The vintage 1970s Hawker - now known as Alaya Airways - is in Dolgellau in Gwynedd, Wales and has only been available to rent for less than a month but is already being snapped up by tourists seeking a mile-high stay that never leaves the ground. Its owner Tamir Ali, 38, snapped up the vintage plane in December 2023 and decided to set about turning it into a two-bed room stay, with guests paying £170 a night. Intrigued by its history as the staff plane of an oil company, and in use for much of the 70s and 80s, he's strived to preserve as many original features as possible, while also ensuring all the things you'd expect from a self-catering stay are there. There's a kitchen with all mod cons, bathroom with shower and even space to enjoy a glass of fizz in a dedicated outdoor area - and its pet friendly to boot. With a 70 per cent occupancy rate already, the property looks set to be booked up for the summer and is described as the perfect stay for families. Adding in a double bedroom, via a cosy cabin, plus wood floors and modern electrics ensures the plane is a comfy retreat. The 1970s private jet, once the property of an oil company, still has its original cockpit in tact for guests checking in at the glamping pod in Dolgellau in Gwynedd, Wales Tamir, who's based in Leicester, said: 'It's awesome - when people walk in they say it's much bigger than it seems on the outside. 'It's almost like you're in a normal home. It's a unique experience, not many people get to sit in the cockpit of a 70's private jet.' The plane enthusiast describes the plane when he bought it, around 35 years after it was retired, as 'worse for wear' but with plenty of potential: 'There was lots of mould and moss inside - but I immediately envisioned what I wanted it to be.' He said building the plane back up and giving it new life has made for some interesting encounters, saying: 'I've always worked with eccentric people - people who deal with the weird and wonderful. 'I know a chap in Essex, who said he had something that was up my street.' The comfy-looking seats remain a cream leather, while the Airbnb owner has given the cabin at the back a modern look, using a bright yellow Ikea daybed and a trendy black matt sink unit. Last month, a Dorset developer's four year battle to turn a tiny garage into an Airbnb was thwarted for a third time. Peter Mullins has tried and failed to get permission to redevelop his 19 foot-wide garage in Poole, Dorset, after buying the property for £600,000 in 2021. A planning application in 2021 to add two storeys to the garage to create a pair of semi-detached houses was dismissed at appeal. Then in 2022, a conversion and extension to create two flats was also refused. And in his latest attempt to redevelop the property, Mr Mullins had sought to demolish the garage and turn it into a dwelling to create a £1million Airbnb to 'make his money back' on the expensive garage. Owner Tamir Ali said the property took him seven months to transform from a 'worse for wear' plane to a glamping pod Plans submitted to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council show the home was set to be in a newly-added pitched roof and would include a double bedroom, a single bedroom, and a dining and living room. The development would take place just a street away from the iconic Sandbanks beach, where famous residents have included Harry Redknapp, chef Rick Stein and Liam Gallagher. But the application was rejected by planners earlier this month, who said the proposed windows would be just 1.65m from a home on Panorama Road - where houses sell for an average of £3,922,500, according to Rightmove.
Powys County Times
10-05-2025
- Powys County Times
AirBnB in Mid Wales created from a 1970s private plane
Plane enthusiasts can stay in a 1970s private jet - complete with original cockpit - after a dad spent £90k transforming it into a tiny home in Mid Wales. Tamir Ali acquired half of a 1970s Hawker jet in December 2023, from an acquittance who deals with "unique features". The plane had been used by an oil company to transport employees through the 1970's and 80's before being decommissioned. It was cut in half with the wings removed for ease of transport. The dad-of-four spent seven months and nearly £90k transforming the jet and turning it into a rental property in Dolgellau in Gwynedd. The unique home is complete with two bedrooms - sleeps two adults and two children - and has a fully functioning kitchen, a bathroom with a shower and outdoor seating area. The pet friendly property has only been on Airbnb for three weeks, but is already at 70 per cent occupancy. Tamir, who restores classic cars, from Leicester, said: "It's awesome - when people walk in they say it's much bigger than it seems on the outside. "It's almost like you're in a normal home. "It's a unique experience, not many people get to sit in the cockpit of 70's private jet." The plane was "a bit worse for wear" when Tamir first purchased it for an undisclosed amount in December 2023. The 38-year-old spent seven months transforming the plane into a quirky holiday home. The restoration and renovation process included replacing the carpets with wooden floors, rewiring the electrics, and getting a custom-made door fitted. Tamir secured a location for the plane in Dolgellau and fitted a 16ft by 9ft cabin to it to make enough space for a double bed, kitchen and bathroom. Tamir said: "I've always worked with eccentric people - people who deal with the weird and wonderful. "I know a chap in Essex, who said he had something that was up my street. "It was looking a bit worse for wear, the nose cone was hanging off and there was no door. "There was lots of mould and moss inside - but I immediately envisioned what I wanted it to be." The property is called "Alaya Airways" - named after Tamir's youngest daughter Alaya, five. Alaya Airways - which is technically classified as a glamping pod - is available to rent for £170-a-night. Tamir added: "It's a very, very cool experience.
Wales Online
07-05-2025
- Wales Online
A disused private jet has been turned into an Airbnb in the Welsh countryside
A disused private jet has been turned into an Airbnb in the Welsh countryside The converted jet is now home to a kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms and has an outdoor seating area You can now stay in this private jet which has been transformed into holiday accommodation Aviation enthusiasts now have the opportunity to stay in a 1970s private jet, complete with its original cockpit, thanks to a father who invested £90k to convert it into a compact home. Tamir Ali, 38, procured half of a 1970s Hawker jet in December 2023 from an acquaintance specialising in "unique features". The aircraft was previously used by an oil company to ferry employees during the 70s and 80s before being retired. For ease of transportation, the plane was halved and its wings detached. The father-of-four dedicated seven months and nearly £90k to transform the jet into a rental property located in Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here . The distinctive dwelling boasts two bedrooms - accommodating two adults and two children - a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom with a shower, and an outdoor seating area. Despite being listed on Airbnb for only three weeks, the pet-friendly property has already achieved 70 per cent occupancy. Tamir, a classic car restorer from Leicester, shared: "It's awesome - when people walk in they say it's much bigger than it seems on the outside. "It's almost like you're in a normal home. It's a unique experience, not many people get to sit in the cockpit of a 70's private jet." Article continues below Fancy a weekend away here? Inside the jet When Tamir initially purchased the plane for an undisclosed sum in December 2023, it was "a bit worse for wear". He then spent seven months converting the aircraft into an unconventional holiday home. The refurbishment of the aircraft involved installing wooden floors instead of carpets, a complete rewiring of the electrical system, and fitting a bespoke door. Tamir found the perfect spot for his aeroplane home in Dolgellau, Wales, and expanded it with a 16ft by 9ft cabin that includes a double bed, kitchen, and bathroom. Tamir Ali It's cosy inside the jet Tamir commented: "I've always worked with eccentric people - people who deal with the weird and wonderful. I know a chap in Essex, who said he had something that was up my street." About the plane's initial state, Tamir said: "It was looking a bit worse for wear, the nose cone was hanging off and there was no door." He further shared: "There was lots of mould and moss inside - but I immediately envisioned what I wanted it to be." The unique property, dubbed "Alaya Airways" after Tamir's youngest daughter Alaya, aged five, offers a distinctive stay. Now operating as "Alaya Airways", this innovative accommodation, which falls under the glamping pod category, can be booked for £170 per night. Tamir enthused: "It's a very very cool experience." On customer reactions, he added: "The feedback so far has been good, people seem to love it." Interested parties can view the property online. Article continues below
New York Post
07-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
I spent $120K to convert a decrepit old plane into a quirky Airbnb: ‘It's a unique experience'
Can't sleep on planes? Then this Airbnb isn't for you. In the United Kingdom, a father of four transformed a vintage, private jet into a glamping destination. Tamir Ali, 38, jumped on the chance to purchase the 1970s Hawker jet in December 2023. The defunct aircraft is now a quirky Airbnb in northwestern Wales, SWNS reported. Advertisement 'It's a unique experience, not many people get to sit in the cockpit of 70's private jet,' Ali told the outlet. 7 It cost more than $120,000 to convert the once-derelict private jet into this unique getaway. Tamir Ali / SWNS 7 Red-eye? Don't worry, this jet has a guestroom in the cockpit. Tamir Ali / SWNS Advertisement 7 The Airbnb boasts a fully functioning kitchen and a bathroom. Tamir Ali / SWNS Ali, who restores classic cars in his spare time, told SWNS that he encountered the investment opportunity through unique connections. 'I've always worked with eccentric people — people who deal with the weird and wonderful,' Ali said. 'I know a chap in Essex, who said he had something that was up my street.' That 'something' was a 1970s Hawker jet, complete with its original cockpit. The aircraft was formerly used through the 1970s and 1980s as a means of transporting employees of an oil company. Advertisement The Hawker was cut in half and wingless — for ease of transportation — when Ali took it off his friend's hands for an undisclosed sum. He called the plane 'a bit worse for wear.' The jet's nose cone was hanging off, he said, and there was no door. 'There was lots of mold and moss inside — but I immediately envisioned what I wanted it to be,' Ali said. 7 The state of the '70s-era jet when Ali bought it. Tamir Ali / SWNS Ali spent more than $120,000 over the course of seven months to transform the derelict machine into a cozy rental property. Advertisement The plane is now located in Dolgellau, a charming mountain town in northwestern Wales. It listed on Airbnb just three weeks ago, but it's already a hit, Ali said. Ali's quirky holiday home includes a fully functioning kitchen, a bathroom with a shower and an outdoor sitting area. There's technically two bedrooms — a small bed in the cockpit area, and a double bed in the 16-by-9-foot cabin added onto the back of the plane. 7 The Airbnb is 20 minutes from the sprawling Eryri National Park. Tamir Ali / SWNS 7 What the place lacks in elbow room, it makes up for in vintage charm. Tamir Ali / SWNS 7 Ali maintained the original cockpit console. Tamir Ali / SWNS The renovation process entailed replacing old carpets with wooden floors, rewiring the electrics and getting a custom-made door. 'It's awesome — when people walk in they say it's much bigger than it seems on the outside,' Ali said. Advertisement He named the $227-a-night glamping pod 'Alaya Airways,' after his youngest daughter. Can't get enough of the high life? Alaya Airways isn't the only vintage plane available on the vacation rental site. Airbnb also offers stays aboard a 1956 air freighter in Alaska, a WWII-era plane in Wisconsin, and a Boeing 727 — once owned by Pablo Escobar — in Bristol.
The Irish Sun
07-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
I turned '70s jet into ultimate Airbnb with two bedrooms, shower & its original cockpit – now I rake in £170 per night
A DAD has revealed how he turned a 1970s jet into an Airbnb rental worth £170 per night. Plane enthusiasts can stay in a 1970s private jet - complete with original cockpit - after a dad spent £90k transforming it into a tiny home. 7 The plane was previously used by an oil company to transport employees Credit: SWNS 7 Tamir spent £90k converting the 1970s jet into a functioning rental home Credit: SWNS 7 The rental property is complete with the original cockpit Credit: SWNS Tamir Ali, 38, acquired half of a 1970s Hawker jet in December 2023 from an acquittance who deals with It was cut in half with the wings removed for ease of transport. The dad-of-four spent seven months and nearly £90k transforming the jet and turning it into a Read more Travel The The pet friendly property has 7 Tamir Ali, 38, used his classic car restoration skills to transform the jet Credit: SWNS Tamir, who restores classic cars, from Leicester, said: "It's awesome - when people walk in they say it's much bigger than it seems on the outside. "It's almost like you're in a normal home. Most read in Travel "It's a unique experience, not many people get to sit in the cockpit of 70's private jet." The plane was "a bit worse for wear" when Tamir first purchased it for an undisclosed amount in December 2023. I transformed my council house hallway for under £60 - the old laminate has vanished but critics say it 'looks cheap' Tamir spent seven months transforming the plane into a The restoration and renovation process included replacing the carpets with wooden floors, rewiring the electrics, and getting a custom-made door fitted. Tamir secured a location for the plane in Dolgellau, Wales, and fitted a 16ft by 9ft cabin to it to make enough space for a double bed, kitchen and bathroom. Tamir said: "I've always worked with eccentric people - people who deal with the weird and wonderful. "I know a chap in Essex, who said he had something that was up my street. "It was looking a bit worse for wear, the nose cone was hanging off and there was no door. "There was lots of mould and moss inside - but I immediately envisioned what I wanted it to be." 7 Tamir spent seven months transforming the plane into a modern rental property Credit: SWNS 7 The property even has enough space for a double bed, kitchen and bathroom Credit: SWNS 7 Tamir named the rental property 'Alaya Airways' after his youngest daughter Credit: SWNS The property is called "Alaya Airways" - named after Tamir's youngest daughter Alaya, five. Alaya Airways - which is technically classified as a glamping pod - is available to rent for £170-a-night. Tamir said: "It's a very very cool experience. "The feedback so far has been good, people seem to love it." You can view the property here -
