Summary

• The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft, which had been converted into a restaurant in Ghana, has permanently closed its doors after operating for ten years.
• The restaurant allowed guests to "board" the aircraft and offered a menu of Ghanaian dishes and a variety of drinks.
• Similar concepts of ex-aircraft turned into restaurants can be found in Zimbabwe and Colorado Springs.

When traveling on long-haul flights, a crucial part of the onboard experience for many passengers is the food served by airlines. Back when it was a staple of the long-haul scene, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 would have been loaded with all sorts of meals for its passengers to enjoy.

For years, one example of the widebody trijet still welcomed passengers to have meals onboard after being converted to a quirky restaurant in Ghana, known as La Tante DC 10 Restaurant, or locally as The Green Plane. However, that is sadly not possible anymore, as the restaurant has since shut down all operations.

26 years in the skies

The aircraft in question began its life at Thai Airways. It was built in December 1976 and entered service in March 1977 under the registration HS-TGD. In January 1987, it was re-registered as HS-TMC, but its days at THAI were numbered.

In December of that year, it moved to Europe to serve Scandinavian Airlines. The aircraft flew for under three years as OY-KDC for SAS before returning to Asia to serve Malaysia Airlines as 9M-MAW in October 1990.

The aircraft's final change of ownership came in October 1999, when the long-range DC-10 was transferred to Ghana Airways. It spent four years flying for the African carrier registered as 9G-ANB until it retired from service in 2003 after an extensive and varied career that had lasted 26 years. However, its story was not over yet.

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A new lease on life

Following the aircraft's retirement, its future looked far from bright. Indeed, having initially been stored at Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra, Ghana, the 2005 liquidation of Ghana Airways resulted in its abandonment.

Many of the aircraft's parts, including its three General Electric (GE) engines, were subsequently sold for scrap, rendering the jet a mere shadow of the former twin-aisle flagship it once was. However, a last-minute intervention in 2011, when its aluminum components were being removed for smelting, saved the day. This came from the wife of a Togolese minister.

It was confirmed shortly afterward that the aircraft's new owners planned to convert it into a restaurant. After moving the remains of the aircraft to the Airport City Accra suburb, the facility eventually had its grand opening, as reported at the time by News Ghana, in November 2013.

A sad ending

After two and a half decades of flying, the DC-10 continued its legacy as a unique dining experience. While the establishment failed to live over a decade, it left long-lasting memories on the customers who have visited it. Last month, several individuals shared videos of the aircraft being towed away on X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.

Usually, when a restaurant closes or moves operations, some loyal customers frequently visit the building for that nostalgic feeling. But in this case, the entire structure has been removed from the site. According to the BBC, guests used to 'board' the aircraft via stairs from the ground, as they would have done back in its operational years. Due to the extra space needed for dining, it could accommodate 118 guests, a bit less than the 276 passengers it had capacity for in its flying years.

The restaurant's menu consisted of a wide variety of Ghanaian dishes, such as banku with spiced Tilapia and Jollof rice with chicken, as well as smaller plates and sandwiches for visitors seeking lighter meals. Its bar also served an impressive range of both alcoholic and soft drinks.

Similar concepts

La Tante DC 10 Restaurant is not the first diner created from an ex-Ghana Airways aircraft. A similar concept can be found just off a thin strip of highway in a small town in Zimbabwe. Although the project never took off, it has attracted a few avgeeks looking to explore some exciting pieces of history.

Resting in Chegutu, Zimbabwe, are two Vickers Viscount aircraft intended to be turned into unique, vibrant restaurants like the La Tante. They were previously operated by Air Zimbabwe, registered as Z-WGB and Z-WGC. The latter was built in November 1961 for Ghana Airways, which utilized it from 1961 to 1973.

However, another famous concept similar to La Tante is not from an ex-Ghana Airways aircraft. Standing tall just outside Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is a 70-year-old Boeing KC-97, now known as The Airplane Restaurant.

It can seat up to 42 hungry passengers and serves basic American diner-style food. However, the menu has exciting aviation-themed dishes like Wings Wings and Piper Club. Customers can look at the "Upgrade Your Ticket" subsection to add sides. While a lot can be done with a retired aircraft, these are some creative ideas that avgeeks and foodies can enjoy together.

What do you make of this airliner-turned-restaurant? Have you ever been there yourself? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Sources: ATDB.aero, BBC, Ghana Web, La Tante DC-10 Restaurant, News Ghana