Tiny homes, converted buses, and shipping container houses have all gained popularity for offering affordable and customizable living spaces. But long before these alternative housing options became trendy, Jo Ann Ussery took on a project that soared above the rest—transforming a Boeing 727 passenger jet into her permanent residence.
After losing her home in a tragic fire, Jo Ann, a beautician from Benoit, Mississippi, was determined to rebuild her life in an unforgettable way. With a spark of inspiration from her brother-in-law—an air traffic controller—she purchased a retired Boeing 727 destined for the scrapyard. She had it delivered to a plot of land she already owned, and then began the six-month journey of converting the jet into a cozy and fully functional home.Doing much of the labor herself, Jo Ann managed to complete the conversion for less than $30,000. Her aircraft home featured three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and even a hot tub installed in the cockpit. The plane-home wasn’t just functional—it was a stunning showcase of creativity, resilience, and resourcefulness.
Jo Ann lived in her jetliner home from 1995 until 1999, when disaster struck again. During an attempt to move the aircraft to a new location for public display, it tragically fell off a truck and was destroyed. Though short-lived, her innovative home left a lasting legacy that would go on to inspire others across the country.One of those inspired was Bruce Campbell, an electrical engineer from Hillsboro, Oregon. After hearing Jo Ann’s story on the radio in the late 1990s, he was immediately captivated. "I was driving home and listening to the story, and it was amazing I didn’t drive off the road because my focus turned entirely to it," Bruce recalled. “The next morning, I was placing phone calls.”
Motivated by Jo Ann’s “proof of concept,” Bruce purchased a Boeing 727 once owned by Olympic Airways—a plane that even transported the remains of the airline's founder, Aristotle Onassis. After extensive work, Bruce converted the jetliner into his personal residence, where he has now lived for over two decades. His project, totaling about $220,000 at the time (around $380,000 today), became a lifelong passion.“I would never live in a conventional home. No chance,” Bruce said. “If Scotty beamed me to inner Mongolia, erased my fingerprints and forced me to live in a conventional structure, I’d do what I have to do to survive, but otherwise, it’s a jetliner for me anytime.”
Both Jo Ann and Bruce proved that unconventional living isn’t just possible—it can be remarkable. Their bold choices continue to inspire a growing movement of alternative home designers and enthusiasts around the world.
After losing her home in a tragic fire, Jo Ann, a beautician from Benoit, Mississippi, was determined to rebuild her life in an unforgettable way. With a spark of inspiration from her brother-in-law—an air traffic controller—she purchased a retired Boeing 727 destined for the scrapyard. She had it delivered to a plot of land she already owned, and then began the six-month journey of converting the jet into a cozy and fully functional home.Doing much of the labor herself, Jo Ann managed to complete the conversion for less than $30,000. Her aircraft home featured three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and even a hot tub installed in the cockpit. The plane-home wasn’t just functional—it was a stunning showcase of creativity, resilience, and resourcefulness.Jo Ann lived in her jetliner home from 1995 until 1999, when disaster struck again. During an attempt to move the aircraft to a new location for public display, it tragically fell off a truck and was destroyed. Though short-lived, her innovative home left a lasting legacy that would go on to inspire others across the country.One of those inspired was Bruce Campbell, an electrical engineer from Hillsboro, Oregon. After hearing Jo Ann’s story on the radio in the late 1990s, he was immediately captivated. "I was driving home and listening to the story, and it was amazing I didn’t drive off the road because my focus turned entirely to it," Bruce recalled. “The next morning, I was placing phone calls.”Motivated by Jo Ann’s “proof of concept,” Bruce purchased a Boeing 727 once owned by Olympic Airways—a plane that even transported the remains of the airline's founder, Aristotle Onassis. After extensive work, Bruce converted the jetliner into his personal residence, where he has now lived for over two decades. His project, totaling about $220,000 at the time (around $380,000 today), became a lifelong passion.“I would never live in a conventional home. No chance,” Bruce said. “If Scotty beamed me to inner Mongolia, erased my fingerprints and forced me to live in a conventional structure, I’d do what I have to do to survive, but otherwise, it’s a jetliner for me anytime.”Both Jo Ann and Bruce proved that unconventional living isn’t just possible—it can be remarkable. Their bold choices continue to inspire a growing movement of alternative home designers and enthusiasts around the world.
