Elvis Presley’s Jet: A High-Flying Relic of Rock ’n’ Roll Royalty
For decades, it rested in the New Mexico desert, sun-bleached and enigmatic, a silent testament to Elvis Presley’s legendary taste for extravagance. Locals shared hushed stories, tourists paused to snap photos, and devoted fans imagined stepping inside the King’s airborne palace.
Now, after years of sitting quietly under the desert sky, Elvis’s personal jet has finally found a new owner — its velvet-lined interior perhaps as iconic as the man who once called it home. But was this sale simply a transaction, or does it carry a story as rich and layered as Elvis himself?
A Plane Fit for a King
Elvis Presley was no ordinary entertainer. Beyond his groundbreaking music and magnetic charisma, he possessed a flair for indulgence that extended from fashion to food — and yes, even to interior design. Nowhere is this more apparent than in his 1962 Lockheed Jetstar.
The plane was custom-designed to reflect the King’s unique style: rich crimson velvet seats, polished wood-paneled walls, and plush carpeting that transformed the cabin into a rolling suite. It was more than a mode of transportation; it was a sanctuary of luxury.
Elvis owned it for nearly fifteen years, until his death in 1977, after which it was relocated to Roswell, New Mexico, where it remained largely untouched for decades, a roadside relic of rock ’n’ roll history.
The Sale and Its Legacy
On January 8, the aircraft changed hands at the Mecum Kissimmee Collector Vehicle Auction in Florida. An anonymous telephone bidder, reportedly an Elvis superfan, won the jet for $260,000. Though the exterior shows the patina of time and desert exposure, the interior remains a striking time capsule — a snapshot of Elvis’s personal tastes frozen in crimson velvet and polished wood.
Inside, the cabin exudes comfort and whimsy. Ample legroom, luxurious seating, a vintage kitchenette, and a restroom accented with velvet make it easy to picture Elvis himself, perhaps crafting one of his famously indulgent peanut butter, banana, bacon, and mayonnaise sandwiches mid-flight. Every detail speaks to his penchant for mixing showmanship with everyday comfort.
More Than a Jet
This sale is more than just a collector’s milestone — it’s a tangible piece of rock ’n’ roll history. From its desert-worn fuselage to its plush interiors, the jet embodies the King’s legacy of excess, charm, and individuality. For fans and historians alike, it’s a rare opportunity to glimpse the personal world of one of music’s most iconic figures.
In the end, Elvis’s Lockheed Jetstar is not just an aircraft. It’s a capsule of lifestyle, a symbol of a bygone era, and a flying monument to the King’s enduring influence on music, style, and popular culture.