At Orbis, we know firsthand how aviation can open access to life-saving eye care in the world’s most remote corners.
Here are 7 of the most unusual uses of airplanes that prove the sky isn’t the limit, it’s just the beginning.
7 Unusual and Inspiring Uses of Aeroplanes (That Go Beyond Travel)
When most people think of planes, they imagine holidays, business trips, or in some cases, a delayed flight with lukewarm tea and limited legroom. But aircrafts do more than transport people or parcels. Around the world, planes are being used in surprising and life-changing ways, from fighting wildfires to planting forests and even saving sight.
1. The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital
Mission: Fighting avoidable blindness from the sky
Yes, it’s a real hospital inside a plane. The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital is a fully equipped teaching hospital onboard a converted MD-10 aircraft. It travels to low- and middle-income countries, delivering world-class eye care and hands-on training for local eye care teams.
Inside, you’ll find:
- An operating theatre
- Laser treatment rooms
- Pre- and post-op areas
- A classroom for live-streamed surgeries and lectures
This unique aircraft doesn’t just perform surgeries; it strengthens local health systems and empowers communities.
2. Planes That Fight Wildfires
Mission: Tackling wildfires from the air
Large aircraft like retrofitted DC-10s, C-130s, and 737 Fire liners can be transformed into aerial firefighting planes, capable of dropping thousands of gallons of water or fire retardant over blazing forests. These “water bombers” are crucial in wildfire-prone areas like California, Australia, and Southern Europe, helping to save lives, wildlife, and entire ecosystems.
An Canadair CL-215 (Scooper) drops water during Aerial Firefighting Demo at the 2019 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh July 24, 2019, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. USDA Photo by Preston Keres.
3. Planes Turned Into Homes and Hotels
Mission: Recycling aircraft for creative living
From Sweden to Costa Rica, old jets are being reborn as airplane homes and aviation-themed hotels. These unique spaces let you sleep in a cockpit-turned-bedroom, relax in a galley-turned-kitchen, or unwind in a first-class seat watching Netflix. It’s eco-friendly architecture with a high-flying twist.
Jumbo Stay, an unconventional hotel housed in a retired Boeing 747 at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden. Photo by Bahnfrend.
4. Planes That Plant Trees
Mission: Aerial reforestation using seed bombing
Planes are helping restore deforested land through aerial seeding, dropping thousands of “seed bombs” - biodegradable pods filled with seeds and nutrients, over barren landscapes. Countries like Thailand and Australia use this technique to regrow forests quickly and cost-effectively.
Aerial reforestation, or seed bombing, is a method for repairing deforested land. Watch the video to see how it works.
5. Planes as Film & Tv Sets
Mission: Creating realistic flight scenes
Ever watched a dramatic in-flight movie moment? Chances are it was filmed on a grounded aircraft or inside a specially built airplane set. Some studios even use retired jets or simulate real turbulence using gimbals and rigs.
For example, Sully used a real A320 simulator to recreate the emergency landing on the Hudson, and Snakes on a Plane built a full 747 interior just to film its high-flying chaos. In the TV series Lost, the wreckage of a real Lockheed Tristar became a centrepiece of the set.
A commercial 747 aircraft was bought by the production of War of the Worlds and then chopped into pieces and transported to Universal Studios backlot in Hollywood, CA, where the full set has been left fully dressed as it was during filming. Photo by MilesPeterson
6. Planes Used for Advertising
Mission: Aerial marketing and sky messaging
Banner-towing planes fly over beaches, festivals, and sports events, turning the sky into a giant billboard. From skywriting marriage proposals for celebrities like Katy Perry to banner planes promoting brands like Coca-Cola and shows like Love Island UK, aerial advertising turns the sky into prime marketing space. Even political campaigns and games like Fortnite have used sky banners to grab attention with high-impact, airborne messages.
In 1932, Pepsi bought a branded biplane and hired a pilot to skywrite messages promoting the soda, an idea that proved wildly popular. The campaign grew to 14 planes and even inspired a 1980 commercial where a cowboy proposes to Sue with a skywritten “WILL U MARRY ME SUE?” courtesy of Pepsi.
For International Women's Day 2019, Old Navy used skywriting for their campaign.
7. Planes as Flying Science Labs
Mission: Researching climate and extreme weather
Organizations like NASA and NOAA use aircraft such as the DC-8 Airborne Laboratory and P-3 Orion to study climate change, hurricanes, and even volcanoes. These flying labs are packed with sensors, radar, and computers — gathering critical data that satellites can’t always capture.
NASA Armstrong’s DC-8 Airborne Science Laboratory flying over California. Participants flying on board were assisting scientists in the operation of instruments that measure air pollution and greenhouse gases to better understand their sources and how they react in the atmosphere.
Aeroplanes With a Mission
Whether they're planting forests, fighting wildfires, or restoring sight in the sky, these unusual uses of aircraft prove that aviation can do more than move people – it can change lives. At Orbis, we believe that when planes carry purpose, not just passengers, they help the world see a brighter future.
