The end of an aircraft’s life is not always immediate. Commercial jets are often retired by storing them in an airfield in the desert, where they can be kept in “preservation” mode for many months, if not years. A plane that has been stored could be put back into service if the market demands change. The plane will be decommissioned if it is not. The sensitive avionics, engines, and landing gear will be removed. All reusable parts are then tagged, tested, and recertified.
According to the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association In the next 20 years, more than 12,000 aircraft are expected to reach the end their operational life. Up to 90% of the weight of an aircraft can be recycled using modern recycling techniques, mainly aluminum, titanium and composites. Engine parts, electronic equipment, and safety gear are most valuable. Cabin interiors, decorative fittings, and cabin interiors are usually the first items to be repurposed, or sold to enthusiasts. McJenkin’s company is a part of this global eco-system. He says that they will pull hundreds of pieces from an aircraft. “Some parts sell in days, while others are kept in the inventory for many years, waiting to be needed by the right customer.”
It is important to consider the location of graveyards. This can be the difference between parts lasting for decades and corroding over a period of months. “You won’t find many graveyards in Florida“McJenkin says. “The humidity destroys everything.” It’s no wonder that many of the largest commercial bonesyards are in Arizona where the air is sufficiently dry to prevent the harmful effects. Time is still the enemy, even in the desert. The value of an aircraft drops every year it sits idle. Seals crack, paint peels off, and rubber parts begin to crack. The salvageable parts will eventually be gone and the metal recycling company will take what is left.
Not all retired planes are dismantled for their parts. Some aircraft are repurposed as tourist attractions. In Costa Rica, a 1965 Boeing 727 once flown by South African Airways was converted into a luxury jungle AirbnbThe, perched 50 feet above the ocean with panoramic views. A retired 747 at Stockholm Arlanda Airport in Sweden became a ‘flying car’. Jumbo StayIt was a 33-room hotel where you could sleep in the “Cockpit Room” under the instrument panel. (It closed its operations and filed for bankruptcy Early 2025.
