Random Tyke Ranking: 10/10
Clean: 10
Convenient: 10
Comfortable: 9
Check-in/out; booking: 8
The Swedes, my friend remarked, recycle
everything, even their Jumbo Jets.
I spend much of my life on planes, and it’s decades since I stayed at a hostel, so my emergency exit drill was at the ready, but I didn’t need it. Even seasoned travelers experience a frisson of excitement disembarking the shuttle and looking up at the enormous awaiting Jumbo, especially when it’s dark (Sweden, winter) and floodlit from below.
The young receptionist told us the free airport shuttle ran “two times each year”, a worrying but ultimately linguistic error. We arrived at 1:15 am outside the terminal building to a mile-long taxi queue, and a suspiciously short bus queue, but Alpha Bus 3 loomed up in the almost-dark just 5 minutes after we did, and after a few stops and under 10 minutes, we were deposited in the shadow of this gentle giant.
On entry you’re greeted with signs to prepare for takeoff – as in, your shoes – none are allowed inside. It’s not overdone, but character is milked to the nth degree, and every inch is utilized, including the engines and the wheelhouse, which have become cute, self contained tubular sleeping spaces (but an outside trek from the shower rooms, and possibly worth a miss if you're claustrophobic).
 |
I spend much of my life on planes, and it’s decades since I stayed at a hostel, so my emergency exit drill was at the ready, but I didn’t need it. Even seasoned travelers experience a frisson of excitement disembarking the shuttle and looking up at the enormous awaiting Jumbo, especially when it’s dark (Sweden, winter) and floodlit from below.
 |
| Engine rooms |
On entry you’re greeted with signs to prepare for takeoff – as in, your shoes – none are allowed inside. It’s not overdone, but character is milked to the nth degree, and every inch is utilized, including the engines and the wheelhouse, which have become cute, self contained tubular sleeping spaces (but an outside trek from the shower rooms, and possibly worth a miss if you're claustrophobic).
We had a standard room for 2 in the main cabin – a double bed below, a single above, super clean and super comfortable – a thick mattress topped with a mattress topper, and beds are not physically connected so there’s no bunk shaking every time 1 person moves. Small, but no smaller than your average ferry cabin and much more comfy.
These rooms retain original aircraft fittings (as does the whole plane) : overhead luggage storage, 2 porthole windows (with curtains) and various signage. We were there in a heat wave, and it was cool as well as quiet – in spite of bathrooms being at 1 end of the corridor, exit door at the other, and, presumably, people getting up at all hours to catch flights. We did not hear them. The exception would be in a dorm space, because people are bound to come and go at odd times. Bathrooms are shared, super clean, and showers are hot and powerful.
Staff encourage you to explore the plane – you can walk and sit on the wing and see other spaces when unoccupied, such as the conference room, and the cockpit suite upstairs, a small, twin bedded space with its own bathroom, and enough levers and buttons that, were this a movie, the occupants could surely figure out takeoff.
Breakfast helpers dress like pilots;
the airspace is a little cramped at peak times, but the food is good and unlimited.
Other times you can buy snacks and drinks, including alcohol, from reception.
Insider tips:
Fun sleeps should ensure good sleep as well as fun, and Jumbostays excels at both.
- The plane is 5 minutes walk across the street from the car rental center
- Standard rooms have 2 power outlets
- WiFi is free and effective
Fun sleeps should ensure good sleep as well as fun, and Jumbostays excels at both.
Getting there: Free
and frequent shuttles from Arnanda airport terminals. Easy access to the E4
motorway, and across the street from the airport car rental center.
Price Range: 550 - 1895 SEK (shared dorm room to suite).
