Inside McDonald’s weird plans to expand into travel as they launched McPlanes, McTrains and McBoats

There was a time when Macca’s dabbled with travel, having launched its own plane and boat — but it didn’t last very long.

McDonald’s once launched a McPlane - serving Big Macs in a box and more. Picture: Rolf Haid

McDonald’s once launched McPlanes, McTrains and McBoats in an attempt to expand its much-loved range.

The fast-food chain served Big Macs on jets and trains, and even opened two floating restaurants for Macca’s lovers to get their fix.

In 1980 the chain made waves with its first water restaurant.

It opened the floating food joint in an old-fashioned paddle steamer on the banks of the Mississippi River, The Sun reports.

The McBoat was a hit and could seat 134 customers inside and 200 more on open-air decks.

At the time, McDonald’s real estate manager told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “We have nothing like this in the whole world.”

The floating restaurant stayed open for two decades before it was closed in 2000.

Another boat, which was dubbed McBarge, opened for six months in 1986.

McDonald’s once launched a McPlane - serving Big Macs in a box and more. Picture: Rolf Haid

The Daily Mail reported the Canadian restaurant was said to have been able to play host to 1400 diners over two decks.

In the years that followed the chain launched a McTrain.

It teamed up with Germany’s rail service and offered moving restaurant carriages in 1993.

The foodie carriage sported the well-known golden arches, could seat 27 people inside and offered Macca’s favourites.

The much-loved chain opened its first McBoat on the Mississippi River in 1980.

It also took to rail in the years that followed, opening restaurant carriages. Picture: Supplied

It also offered two four-course meals to passengers in first class, but that ended up being extended to all.

But it was quickly wrapped up within just two years after failing to bring in as many customers as initially thought.

The following year McDonald’s partnered up with Swiss private air charter company Crossair and Hotelplan to take to the skies.

Flight passengers were treated to some of the all-time favourites.

When the trains were launched they offered four-course meals.

The McBarge was launched in Canada in 1986. Picture: Alamy

The aircraft was kitted out with red seats and the golden arches, while the outside was bright red.

A trolley service was offered up the aisles and flight attendants would hand out Big Macs in a box.

On top of the Macca’s meal, jet setters were given souvenirs, a certificate and toys for youngsters.

Ralf Pieprzyk, who worked for Crossair when the McPlane launched, revealed that the meals were not from a traditional McDonald’s supplier and they had to be custom-made so they could be “stored and served later in cruise flight”.

He added: “[It was a] great idea, our customers and planespotters loved it.”

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission