Airbnb is taking its game of dream stays to new heights, quite literally.
In a move sure to capture the interest of travelers, the accommodation giant has announced a partnership that will see the iconic house from Pixar’s 2009 film “Up” lifted into the air, balloons and all.
It’s part of Airbnb’s ongoing quest to redefine hospitality with outlandish stays, with up to 10 standout listings.
Following the success of ventures like the Barbie Malibu DreamHouse, the company is now introducing a permanent category called “Icons,” featuring partnerships with brands and celebrities that promise unforgettable experiences.
At a press conference in Los Angeles, Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky unveiled the inaugural lineup of Icons listings, headlined by this floating house from “Up,” a movie marking its 15th anniversary.
Suspended over the New Mexico desert, this whimsical abode is set to make childhood dreams a reality for lucky guests — primarily thanks to it hovering over the desert terrain with the aid of a colossal crane.
Curiosity naturally arises regarding the logistics of such an unconventional stay.
When queried about plumbing and electricity, Airbnb assured skeptics that the house is “fully functional,” connected to generators and utilities that will be seamlessly managed before and after its flight.
Other Airbnb listings include a two-dimensional replica of the mansion from the “X-Men ’97” cartoon, a stay at the Ferrari Museum in Italy and the Minneapolis house immortalized in Prince’s “Purple Rain.”
While previous fantastical listings were exclusive and rare, Airbnb is aiming for broader appeal this time around, with an expected 4,000 bookings for these Icons listings in 2024 alone.
All of the listings are priced under $100 per guest and will be based on a lottery system.
International markets are also in Airbnb’s sights, with listings like a week-long tour bus stay with Colombian reggaeton artist Feid and an overnight stay hosted by Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor in India.
For Airbnb, these extravagant stays are a strategic move to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive market, drawing attention away from controversies like hidden costs and community disruption.
“Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination — until now,” Chesky said in a statement. “As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world. With Icons, we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth.”
“Most people only ever open our app once or twice a year, and we’ve got to battle to make sure they think of us every single year. So this keeps us top of mind and culturally relevant,” Chesky later added in a separate interview with the New York Times.
