Woman Transforms $2,000 Boeing 727 Into Her Dream Home

 

When most people think of buying a home, they imagine brick and mortar structures lined neatly along suburban streets or tucked away in the countryside. For Jo Andrews, however, home ownership took flight—literally. After purchasing a decommissioned Boeing 727 for just $2,000, Jo set out to transform the aircraft into a breathtaking and unconventional living space that has captivated dreamers around the world.

A Flight of Imagination

Jo, a 38-year-old designer from Oregon, had always been fascinated by planes. As a child, she would spend hours building model aircraft and sketching futuristic air travel concepts. Her dream, however, wasn’t just about flying—it was about creating a living space that embodied freedom, innovation, and sustainability.

The opportunity came when she stumbled upon an online auction listing for a Boeing 727 that had been retired from service years earlier. Most people saw a rusting metal carcass destined for the scrapyard. Jo saw potential. With a modest $2,000 winning bid and a mountain of determination, she had just bought herself the most unconventional "fixer-upper" imaginable.

"I knew it was crazy," Jo laughs. "But every dream worth chasing sounds crazy at first."

From Runway to Living Room

The first hurdle wasn’t cosmetic—it was logistical. The aircraft, once designed for the open skies, had to be transported to a parcel of rural land Jo had recently purchased. The move involved slicing the fuselage into sections, loading them onto flatbed trucks, and carefully reassembling the plane on-site.

Once in place, Jo began the painstaking process of turning the interior from a stripped-down shell into a cozy, fully functional home. She approached the project with a mix of creativity and pragmatism. The rows of passenger seats were removed, making room for open living spaces. Overhead bins were reimagined as clever storage compartments. The cockpit, instead of being gutted, was preserved as a reading nook with panoramic views through the pilot’s windows.

Instead of fighting the plane’s innate design, Jo embraced it. "The key was to work with the airplane, not against it," she says. "Its curves, its structure—they’re part of the beauty."

Inside the 727 Home

Step inside Jo’s home today, and it feels like stepping into a boutique hotel suite designed by an aviation enthusiast with an eye for comfort. The sleek metal walls have been softened with warm lighting and natural wood accents. In the main cabin area, a spacious lounge features plush sofas, reclaimed wood tables, and a minimalist fireplace.

The galley, once used by flight attendants to serve coffee and meals at 30,000 feet, now functions as a stylish and efficient kitchen. Jo installed modern appliances, marble countertops, and a pull-down dining table that nods to the plane’s original use.

Further down the fuselage, where rows of seats once stretched, Jo created a bedroom and bathroom. The original airplane lavatory was revamped into a spa-like bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower and eco-friendly fixtures. One quirky feature? Jo retained the illuminated "Lavatory Occupied" signs, which still function.

Solar panels installed on nearby structures provide power, and a rainwater collection system handles much of her water needs, making the home surprisingly sustainable.

Challenges at Every Turn

Turning a plane into a house wasn’t all smooth sailing—or smooth flying, as Jo puts it.

Structural issues meant reinforcing certain parts of the plane. Heating and cooling required custom solutions since the thin fuselage walls weren’t designed for residential comfort. Regulations, too, posed headaches. Zoning laws in her area didn't initially account for "aircraft homes," leading Jo into months of negotiation with local officials.

And of course, there was skepticism from friends and family. "People thought I'd lost my mind," Jo says. "Even I had my doubts some nights, standing inside that empty, cold metal tube, wondering what on earth I was doing."

But each setback became another chance for ingenuity. Jo sourced materials from salvage yards, repurposed aviation parts, and relied on YouTube tutorials and the goodwill of mechanically inclined friends.

"Every challenge just made me love it more," she says. "It became a symbol of resilience."

A Symbol of Possibility

Today, Jo’s 727 home has become something of a local legend. She's hosted open houses, featured in design blogs, and even inspired others to think outside the box—or fuselage—when it comes to building their dream homes.

More than just a cool story or an Instagram-worthy space, Jo’s journey speaks to a larger trend: reimagining the possibilities of what a home can be. In a world grappling with housing shortages, environmental concerns, and a thirst for individuality, Jo's project offers an inspiring reminder that homes don't have to be cookie-cutter, nor do they have to be astronomically expensive.

"Home isn't a structure," Jo says. "It’s a feeling. It’s creativity, hard work, and a little bit of wild dreaming."

She often spends evenings in the old cockpit, watching sunsets through the curved glass windows once reserved for pilots. It’s a fitting view for someone who refused to stay grounded by conventional ideas—and instead took her dreams sky-high.