The iconic Iron Maiden tour plane is no more. The heavy metal giants and their painted Boeing 747-400, Ed Force 1, ruled the skies in 2016 and 2017. The plane got its name from Iron Maiden’s scary Eddie the Head, a recurring character in the band’s artwork.
The 747 that became Ed Force 1 had its first flight in 2003 and last flight in 2022. Sadly, it has gone to the scrapyard that waits for us all. But from the plane’s demise comes a rebirth as a rock n’roll aviation memento from Aviationtag.
During the dismantling process for Ed Force 1, Aviationtag, based in Cologne, Germany, turned the skin of the aircraft into a numbered set of 12,000 aviation ‘luggage tags.’ Aviationtag has created similar mementoes of civilian, military and commercial aircraft such as an El Al 747 and the first Emirates Airbus A380.
Now both rock and aviation buffs can own their own special memento of the beloved aircraft. Aviationtag’s new Iron Maiden Edition: Ed Force One luggage tag package is designed to celebrate the storied history of the band’s use of the legendary Boeing 747 as a “flying tour bus.”
The aircraft flew the popular band from gig to gig on its Book of Souls tour. Two million Iron Maiden fans in 36 countries saw the tour, including their debut performances in El Salvador, Lithuania and China. Ed Force One faithfully schlepped the band around six continents, dwarfing pedestrian planes parked on the world’s runways.
In Zurich, for example, the heavy metal aircraft truly stood out. The jets assigned to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande were parked nearby, appearing almost miniature in comparison. Only once was Ed Force One overshadowed, when it parked next to the one-of-a-kind Antonov A225, the largest aircraft in the world until it was destroyed in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The flamboyant Ed Force One captured everyone’s attention. The plane’s larger-than-life presence and rock ‘n’ roll charm set it apart, underscoring why it remains a symbol of global aviation history.
Aviationtag says Ed Force One was not merely a mode of transport. Instead, it became a flying symbol of Iron Maiden’s global touring legacy. The aircraft, a Boeing 747-400 with registration TF-AAK, was instrumental in carrying the band, its crew, and an impressive array of stage equipment on their epic 2016 world tour, “The Book of Souls”.
Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden’s legendary frontman and licensed commercial pilot, was not just the voice of the band. On occasion, he personally took the controls of Ed Force One during the tour.
“She always behaved like the Queen of the Skies that the 747 will always be. There will never be another to occupy her throne,” Dickinson said. “The power, the noise of those four engines, the featherlight touchdowns (not my fault – blame good design) and her airborne elegance put the 747 in a unique category.”
While Ed Force One may be retired, Iron Maiden is not. The band is launching their “Run For Your Lives” World Tour this spring.
As for the Aviationtag x Iron Maiden Edition, it is crafted from upcycled material of the Boeing 747 TF-AAK, which was scrapped in 2024. The tag’s front side proudly displays the legendary Ed Force One logo, while the back features the unmistakable image of Eddie, Iron Maiden’s iconic mascot.
This design celebrates the aircraft’s storied past and bridges the gap between aviation heritage and rock ‘n’ roll culture. It can serve as a key chain, a unique baggage tag, or as a collectible.
Each Ed Force One Aviationtag comes with an illustrated booklet with a detailed interview with Iron Maiden singer and pilot Bruce Dickinson.
The Iron Maiden Ed Force One Aviationtag is priced at 66,66€reference to the band’s famous song “666 – Number of the Beast.” The 66.66 Euro price equals roughly $70 USD, depending on currency exchange rates. The tags can be ordered from Aviationtag’s special Iron Maiden website.
If you can’t wait, Aviationtag says that by shipping with DHL Express, your Iron Maiden luggage tag will be in the US in less than a week.
“We have been working on this project for over two years, and we’re proud to finally present our Aviationtag x Iron Maiden Edition,” says Tobias Richter, Chief Commercial Officer at Aviationtag.
“With this exclusive Aviationtag edition, fans can now hold a tangible piece of aviation and rock history in their hands. Ed Force One is one of the most famous aircraft in the world, and this edition captures its enduring legacy in a truly collectible form.”