Plane cleared for take off on Bournemouth beach ahead of air festival

Immense Air, the UK’s first ever aerobar, has been cleared for take off on Bournemouth Beach as part of Bournemouth Air Festival.

The first passengers will be boarding the decommissioned ATR-42 aeroplane on Friday 18 August for a series of unique ‘flights’ in the run up to the air festival at the end of the month.

The bar and restaurant concept has its own airport terminal between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers with departure lounge, duty free, customs, cabin crew, and club class – there’s even a VIP first class lounge.

“Bournemouth has never seen anything like this,” says Immense Air flight director Ben Dyas. “It’s all done with a smile on our faces and we believe Immense Air will be one of Bournemouth’s biggest attractions in the build up to the air festival and a truly unique feature of the festival itself.

“The sky’s the limit!”

The 42-seater aircraft that used to fly to the Channel Islands has been imaginatively converted to feature four serving hatches and a spacious overall bar area of 30 feet.

Departure lounge bar tickets start at just £5 with bookings at the Club Class restaurant available from £25.

A range of VIP flight packages is also available to include private tables and service with a two- or three-course menu and an international drinks list.

Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights live tribute bands, fire shows and top DJs provide the entertainment as Immense Air whisks its guests away on a new flight of fancy.

During the air festival visitors will be able to choose from a range of themed flight ‘destinations’, from Hawaii to Rio via Ko Pha Ngan, followed by a package of retro delights on Vintage Sunday.