The band has acquired a personalized plane -- complete with Eddie on the tail wing -- that they will use to travel from show to show during their 2008 tour. It's an Iron Maiden plane.

 

 

The band sent out a press release concerning the plane, which will be piloted by the band's frontman, Bruce Dickinson:

We had the idea last year of converting a jumbo jet into effectively what would be a flying 113 ton 'splitter bus' for touring and we have been working seriously on it ever since. It's pretty complex but in the end we were able, with a lot of help from Astraeus Airlines, to overcome all the technicalities of customising the plane for our purposes. We are taking out the back 10 rows of seats to fit in a customised cargo hold that we can use again in the future if this jaunt works. This is in addition to all the standard storage holds.

By taking band, personnel and equipment in one form of transport, it makes all the touring so much easier and overcomes the logistical difficulty of people and equipment going in different planes. We can even work out exactly how big our carbon footprint is and take care of that responsibility! We will be packing as much of the show into the plane as we possibly can for this first leg and intend to give the fans something very special to remember. And it allows me to combine 2 of my greatest passions, music and flying.
I was thinking about how rock stars flying planes [especially ones with heavy loads] usually doesn't end so well, but you know what? Who cares? Look how freaking badass that plane is.

 

I was thinking about how amazing it is that Iron Maiden has a 60-person crew, but you know what? Who cares? Look how freaking badass that plane is.

 

I was thinking about how weird it is they felt the need to mention their "carbon footprint," but you know what? Who cares? Look how freaking badass that plane is.

 

 

I mean, really. That plane kicks a lot of ass.