Inside McDonald’s weird plans to expand into TRAVEL as they launched McPlanes, McTrains and McBoats
MCDONALD’S once launched McPlanes, McTrains and McBoats to expand its popular range.
The fast-food chain served Big Macs on planes and trains, and even opened two floating restaurants for Maccies lovers to feast on.
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In 1980, the chain caused a stir with its first water restaurant.
It opened the floating diner in an old-fashioned paddle steamer on the banks of the Mississippi.
The McBoat was a hit, accommodating 134 guests inside and 200 more on the outside decks.
That’s what the real estate manager at McDonald’s said at the time St. Louis Post Dispatch: “We don’t have anything like that anywhere in the world.”
The floating restaurant stayed open for two decades before closing in 2000.
Another boat called “McBarge” opened in 1986 for six months.
MailOnline said the Canadian restaurant was able to seat 1,400 guests on two decks.
In the years that followed, the chain launched a McTrain.
In 1993 they joined forces with Deutsche Bahn and offered moving dining cars.
The gourmet car featured the familiar golden arches, seated 27 people and featured Maccies’ favorite dishes.
Two four-course meals were also offered to first-class passengers, but this was ultimately extended to all.
However, within just two years, the matter was quickly shut down, allegedly failing to attract customers as originally thought.
The following year, McDonald’s teamed up with Swiss private air charter company Crossair and your company Hotelplan to take to the skies.
The aircraft featured red seats and gold arches, while the exterior was bright red.
A trolley service was provided down the aisles and stewardesses handed out Big Macs in a box.
In addition to the Maccies meal, jetsetters received souvenirs, a certificate and toys for the little ones.
Ralf Pieprzyk, who worked for Crossair on the McPlane’s launch, revealed that the meals did not come from a traditional McDonald’s supplier and had to be custom made so they could be “stored and later served on the cruise flight”.
He added: “[It was a] Great idea, our customers and planespotters loved it.”
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