At 64 years old, retired electrical engineer Bruce Campbell has transformed an old airplane into a home like no other. His passion for innovation and unconventional thinking led him to embark on a journey that turned an abandoned Boeing 727 into a fully functional living space. In his early twenties, Campbell invested $23,000 in a 10-acre wooded property near Hillsboro, Oregon. Unlike most people who would build a traditional home, he envisioned something far more unique—a house made from a decommissioned aircraft.

Campbell has always had a knack for taking things apart and putting them back together in new and exciting ways. Initially, he planned to use his land as the foundation for a home built from retired cargo ships, believing it to be an original concept. However, nearly two decades later, he discovered that a Mississippi hairdresser named Joanne Ussery had already converted a Boeing 727 into a home. Ussery’s decision came after her previous home was destroyed in a fire, prompting her to repurpose the plane into a residence beside a tranquil river. Inspired by her story, Campbell decided to alter his approach, opting for an aircraft home himself but with his own personal touches.

In 1999, Campbell made the bold decision to purchase a Boeing 727 from Olympic Airways, paying a staggering $100,000 for the plane. Transporting the enormous aircraft to his property in Oregon posed a major challenge, especially since it had to be shipped all the way from Athens, Greece. Factoring in the transportation expenses, which amounted to approximately $120,000, the total cost of acquiring and relocating the plane reached $220,000. Despite the hefty investment, Campbell had no regrets—he saw it as a worthwhile expenditure for a truly one-of-a-kind home.

Inside, the aircraft retains much of its original structure. Several of its components, including the restroom and a few original passenger seats, remain intact. To accommodate his everyday needs, Campbell installed a washing machine and a sink. While the Boeing 727 provides ample space, Campbell leads a minimalist lifestyle. His kitchen setup is basic, consisting only of a microwave and a toaster, and he prefers simple meals like cereal and canned foods.

Though unconventional, Campbell’s airplane home is nothing short of impressive. His ingenuity and dedication have transformed an old jetliner into a livable space, redefining what a home can be. While most people may not imagine living in an airplane, Campbell proves that with creativity and determination, even the most unusual ideas can come to life.

The interior of the aircraft is sleek and futuristic, with its metallic walls and narrow passageways maintaining an industrial aesthetic. The cockpit remains largely untouched, serving as both a historical artifact and a reminder of the plane’s past life in the skies. Rather than stripping it down completely, Campbell preserved much of the aircraft’s original structure, blending aviation heritage with functional living space.

His project has drawn widespread attention, inspiring people to rethink traditional home design. While Campbell does not spend all of his time in his airplane home, he takes great pride in what he has accomplished. More than just a place to live, the plane represents his ability to bring an unconventional vision to reality. By repurposing a decommissioned aircraft, he challenges the norms of architecture and sustainable living, proving that homes can be built from virtually anything.

Imagining what it’s like to wake up inside a Boeing 727 surrounded by Oregon’s lush forests adds to the fascination of Campbell’s creation. The contrast between the airplane’s sleek aluminum body and the natural landscape around it makes the setting surreal. It’s a home unlike any other, and his vision has turned it into something truly extraordinary.

If alternative housing interests you, Campbell’s airplane home stands as a shining example of ingenuity and resourcefulness. Take a look at the video below to get a full tour of this fascinating aircraft-turned-home and witness firsthand how remarkable the interior truly is!