Retired airplane wasn't taken to boneyard but instead left on the street and a McDonalds was built inside it

No matter where you go in the world, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a cooler fast-food joint than the Taupō McDonald’s in New Zealand, set inside a retired airplane.

Parked right outside the restaurant sits a fully preserved Douglas DC-3, a legendary aircraft that once carried passengers and cargo across New Zealand.

Instead of being scrapped or sent to a boneyard, the plane found a second life serving customers in a completely different way.

And yes, you can actually sit inside it while eating your meal.

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The retired airplane was put to good use

The aircraft originally flew under South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand before being retired in the 1980s.

When the McDonald’s location opened in 1990, the plane was installed as a quirky extension of the restaurant.

Today, it functions as a compact dining area, where visitors can step into the cabin, grab a seat, and enjoy their burgers and fries in a setting that feels more like a flight than a fast food stop.

Inside, much of the plane’s original character remains intact.

The windows are still in place, offering that unmistakable in-flight perspective, while the cockpit has been preserved for curious visitors to peek into.

It creates a surprisingly immersive experience, blending aviation nostalgia with everyday dining.

Unsurprisingly, the location has become a hit with both tourists and aviation enthusiasts, many of whom rank it among the coolest McDonald’s outlets anywhere.

Set just minutes from Lake Taupō, the restaurant has grown into a must-visit attraction in its own right.

This isn’t the only McDonald’s to stand out

Around the world, the brand has embraced some truly creative locations, although none of them are at sea.

In Budapest, a branch inside the grand Nyugati Railway Station is often called the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world, thanks to its ornate architecture.

Over in Roswell, there’s a UFO-shaped restaurant that leans into the town’s extraterrestrial lore.

Meanwhile, a location in Orlando doubles as one of the largest McDonald’s on the planet, complete with arcade games and expanded menus.

Still, few can match the charm of the Taupō McDonald’s.

Turning a retired airplane into a dining space was a bold idea, but it worked brilliantly.

Many retired aircraft end up being repurposed into all sorts of things, although not all of them are nearly as iconic.

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