elvis presley plane tour

Elvis Presley's Graceland Tour with Audio Guide & Airplanes

• Audio-guided Tour of Graceland with orientation film
• Graceland Archives Experience
• Self-Guided tour of Automobile Museum
• Self-guided tour of Elvis: The Entertainer Career Showcase Museum
• Self-guided tour of Elvis Discovery Exhibits
• Full access to state-of-the art visitor entertainment complex
• See Elvis' Two Custom Airplanes
• Audio Guides in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese
• Entry/Admission - Graceland
• Meals and Beverages
• Graceland, Memphis, TN 38116, USA Departure Point: Graceland Tours depart from the Ticket Office located on Elvis Presley Blvd Address: 3765 Elvis Presley Blvd. Memphis, TN, 38116
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• From time to time, certain exhibits at Graceland may be closed to the public due to artifacts being changed out or for cleaning or repairs. These occasions are rare and are strategically planned during slower times of the year
• Guests may take photographs with a regular still camera in all areas of the Graceland complex, inside and out, including the mansion property. Flashes of any kind are not allowed inside the mansion or any museums or attractions. Tripods are not allowed as they present a safety hazard for guests walking by.
• When visiting Graceland, audio and video recording equipment cannot be carried on the Graceland Mansion grounds, inside any museums, attractions or gift shops and are not permitted on the tour shuttles. In addition, video mode on digital cameras and cell phones may not be used inside Graceland, on the Graceland Mansion grounds, inside any museums, attractions or gift shops.
• Wheelchairs are available at no charge for use on the mansion property only. Inquire at the shuttle boarding area or with your shuttle driver for assistance at the mansion property. Graceland also has mansion tour shuttles equipped with a wheelchair lift.
• All gift shops, restaurants and visitor facilities, the automobile museum, and the Sincerely Elvis museum are fully wheelchair accessible. The mansion tour is wheelchair accessible except for two rooms in the basement. The airplanes tour is not wheelchair accessible, but guests who cannot physically take the on-board tour may have free access to the terminal to enjoy the video and free access to the airplane display area to view the plane exteriors and take pictures.
• Mansion tour scripts for hearing impaired guests are available at the Guest Services desk and at the mansion.
• Elvis images(s) used by permission, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at Graceland Memphis, TN 38116, USA Departure Point: Graceland Tours depart from the Ticket Office located on Elvis Presley Blvd Address: 3765 Elvis Presley Blvd. Memphis, TN, 38116 See address & details
• 1 Graceland Stop: 5 hours - Admission included The journey to Graceland begins on Elvis Presley Boulevard at Graceland Plaza. Elvis Experience Tour: Package includes the Graceland Mansion audio-guided tour with orientation film, Elvis' two custom airplanes (if option selected), along with self-guided tours of the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, Elvis The Entertainer Career Showcase Museum, Elvis Discovery Exhibits, and More! Elvis' two custom jets can be added to this tour. All exhibits, except Graceland Mansion are located in the Graceland plaza or at Graceland Crossing. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• doloresj704 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Graceland Archives Ultimate VIP Tour First time at Graceland which was on our bucket list. We splurged and did the Graceland Archives Ultimate VIP Tour. It cost a pretty penny but did not disappoint. It gave us access to everything at Graceland, including the airplanes. I would not say that we are die hard EP fans, but we were fans going in and we did come away with a deeper appreciation of what Elvis' life and home meant to him and to so many other people. I booked the last available time slot of the day and my husband & I were the only ones on the tour. Our tour guide was John, not only very knowledgeable about all things EP but just fun to be with and so kind. We were able to have a private and in person experience with some of the items that are not made available to the general public. We also got to speak to the ladies who handle the archives. It was interesting learning about all they have to do to keep up with the Presley family's memorabilia. The only thing I would do differently is I would book this tour earlier in the day and then go back through on your own for a deeper dive into the Elvis mansion and museums. All in all, it was a fantastic experience and I am glad we did it. Worth every penny. Read more Written May 30, 2024
• michelemH1993SI 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great exhibit I highly recommend going to see this. If you like Elvis, you’ll definitely love this tour. It was a blast from the past from decor to clothing Read more Written May 28, 2024
• Trabo50 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Graceland Wasn’t a massive Elvis fan as such prior to our visit. But I am now. What a Humble guy. He gave everything for his family. Came from nothing to stardom. Spent huge sums of his wealth in his home town of Memphis. You have to visit. My mind was blown away after the visit. Read more Written May 28, 2024
• 327christine0004 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Birthday Gift To My Husband - Graceland VIP Tour Graceland is really a nice place to visit. My husband and I did the VIP tour and were very pleased with the whole experience. Worth seeing. Read more Written May 27, 2024
• jonathanlS8780WN 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles UVIP Tour at Graceland - A Must! Took the UVIP tour with a tour guide named John and it made all the difference. Just 7 of us (tours are limited to 12 people). Clearly John loves his job and more particularly Graceland. In a tour that moved along at a great pace, he gave us all sorts of insider knowledge about Elvis, his family and the estate. I have never been a big Elvis fan but I would say everyone should visit Graceland and take the guided tour. Read more Written May 25, 2024
• Beemoney97 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Must Do! You could easily spend the whole day here. There is so much to see. We are not the biggest Elvis fans, but there was a lot to take in and learn. Read more Written May 24, 2024
• Peter W 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles It's Graceland!! What can I say? It's Graceland! The home is truly iconic. It is so emblematic of the period, yet there was still a feel for home. It was truly moving to stand beside the graves of Elvis, his parents, his daughter, and grandson. We were there when there was supposed to be an alleged bankruptcy sale. It was encouraging to see Riley step up and protect the home. I pray the home stays in the family for a long time. The museums were set up well giving you a good understanding of the man Elvis was and what was important to him. Read more Written May 23, 2024
• juetten44 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend the Ultimate VIP Tour of Graceland Our tour guide, John, was outstanding in his knowledge and handling of our very private 7-person tour. The limit for the Ultimate VIP Tour is 12 people. We felt so special to have an opportunity to visit areas of Graceland and see things that were only available to folks on this Ultimate VIP Tour. It was truly VIP! The actual tour with John lasted 3 hours, but we had total access to any area we wanted to return to after the tour ended. We were also treated to lunch at Vernon's restaurant. Read more Written May 22, 2024
• 465tammyy 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Graceland VIP tour Our VIP tour of Graceland exceeded all of our expectations. The staff was super friendly and so very helpful! There is so much to see. It suggests planning on 4 hours but my friends and I were there for 7 hours and probably did not see everything. We now call it Elvisland! It was fantastic. So worth the money for the VIP tour. Read more Written May 22, 2024
• Zabrian 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles If you enjoy queuing and surly staff this is for you. Elvis had everything, looks, voice charisma and creativity. It is a pity that the Graceland experience does not live up to this reputation. In my opinion none of the staff enjoyed working there and they let the customers know they were unhappy. Their rudeness almost spoiled what had been on my bucket list for years. Read more Written May 22, 2024
• C9956LVpamelam 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Graceland UVIP Your Did the UVIP Tour John Beach was our tour guide. He’s wonderful, knowledgeable, and answered all are questions with so much knowledge. The whole experience was breathtaking. Highly recommend, and if you can request your tour guide, request John, you won’t be disappointed. Read more Written May 20, 2024
• A839EBanitad 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Graceland dream trip/anniversary trip Our tour guide was John Beach, he made the tour so much more than just a tour. He took time and answered questions and made you feel like you were "home". We had an amazing tour and are already making plans to come back. I have loved Elvis since I was a child and this was a dream trip for me and I'm so grateful that we got to tour with John Read more Written May 19, 2024
• lorimI4339YJ 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Graceland Tour We had a VIP Inclusive tour of Graceland and it was all we could have hoped for. Our tour guide was John and he was amazing. He was so knowledgeable and had great stories and answered all our questions. Memories forever!! Thank you John! Read more Written May 16, 2024
• susannet175 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Bucket list fulfilled! This was a bucket list place to visit and it did not disappoint! We had booked VIP tickets; came into the parking lot ($ 10,00 for the day), and walked into the ticket center; will call was done within a minute, then over to the VIP counter; we signed in, were given our passes and within minutes got on the shuttle; preferred entrance to the mansion...it was beautiful and very informative. We had opted to take the I-pad 'tour guide', but abandoned it quickly. Everything the I-pad tells you is available on printed signs. The van took us back to the main grounds and we visited all of the exhibits, which are plentiful (car exhibit, costumes, movie making; lots of fun stuff!). Five hours later we left and learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Totally recommend it! Read more Written May 15, 2024
• vlawson58 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Self Guided Tour We enjoyed the mansion but we felt rushed even though it was a self guided tour. Everyone of the employees was pleasant! Glad we went! All in all it was a very pleasant experience. Read more Written May 13, 2024

More to explore in Memphis

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Elvis Presley's Graceland Tour with Audio Guide & Airplanes provided by Graceland

Simple Flying

The lisa marie: elvis presley's personal narrowbody jetliner.

Elvis knew how to stand out, and there was no exception with his private jet!

• Elvis Presley's private jet fleet included a Convair 880 and two Lockheed JetStars, with the Lisa Marie being one of the most well-known.
• The ex-Delta Airlines jet underwent a complete overhaul before being purchased by Elvis, adding a range of luxurious features.
• Named after Elvis's daughter, Lisa Marie, the aircraft is now on permanent display at Presley's former estate, Graceland.

It's no secret that Elvis Presley had a soft spot for private jets . Hot on the heels of the rock 'n' roll icon's recent biopics, we thought we'd take a look at one of the most familiar planes in his fleet - the Lisa Marie.

What Happened To Elvis Presley's Fleet Of Private Jets?

A complete overhaul.

The Lisa Marie is a former Delta Air Lines Convair 880, with the Atlanta-based carrier taking on the unit in October 1960 as N8809E. The aircraft served with the airline until 1974 when it was repurchased by Boeing. Just over a year later, in April 1975, the jet found its way to Elvis, with the singer keen to get it up in the skies. After its delivery, N8809E was re-registered with the personalized registration, N880EP.

Nicknamed the Hound Dog I, and affectionately dubbed as The Pride of Elvis Presley Airways by the singer himself, this Flying Graceland had plenty to shout about. The Convair 880 was bought for a cool $250,000 (≈$1.2 million today); however, refurbishment costs set the King back over $600,000 (≈$2.9 million today).

N880EP was finally deployed in November 1975. The work paid off, with passengers noticing. Updates included an executive bathroom with gold taps and a penthouse bedroom with a custom queen-size bed.

Love aviation history ? Discover more of our stories here

Personal choice

Elvis' gaudy decor was a noted hit with his friends and family, with a large contingent welcomed onboard for a special flight on Christmas Day in 1975. Elvis Australia outlined the eclectic design choices,

“The plane was in a hangar at Meacham Field in Fort Worth, and for months Elvis took great pleasure in flying friends out to check on progress as the interior of the plane was refurbished to his very specific design requirements.

"Elvis wanted a seating area, a conference room, and a private bedroom on the plane (with space for an in-flight reading library). He picked fabrics, decided on color schemes, chose the on-board audio-visual system, and even Ok'd the gold fixtures in the bathrooms (he counted heavily on some aesthetic input from Priscilla, too).”

With several promising specifications, the aircraft was a robust unit for its time:

Capacity: 28 (after Elvis modified the plane)

Range: 2,600 mi / 4,800 km

Engines: 4 x General Electric CJ-805-3 Pod Mount Jets

Length: 129 ft 4 in (39.42 m)

Height: 36 ft 3.75 in (11.07 m)

Wingspan: 120 ft 0 in (36.58 m)

Cruising speed: 470–534.5 kn (870–990 km/h)

Ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,000 m)

Operating cost in 1976: $404,000

No time to waste

Presley bought another jetliner as he waited for Lisa Marie to hit the air. His Lockheed JetStar "Hound Dog II" was actually more expensive than the Convair 880, trading for $900,000 (≈$4.3 million today). An earlier 1962 JetStar model spent several less than two years in his fleet ; the eight-seater jet was purchased in 1976, before being sold on again in 1977.

The 1962 JetStar aircraft grabbed the headlines in early 2023 when it was put up for auction again, with Presley's ex-wife Priscilla in attendance. It was sold for $234,000 to YouTuber James Webb of Jimmy's World.

Webb tried to deploy the plane in the skies again, but after some research, determined that it would have been a mammoth task. Thus, he is now planning to turn the unit into a very unique RV . In a recent update, Webb shared that the plane had been cut into 3,000 pieces ahead of the conversion.

The Convair's fate

Named after his daughter, Lisa Marie, the 880 remains on permanent display at Graceland. It received a fresh coat of paint in 2018 for the public to experience what it was like on the legend’s personal jet during its heyday.

A tour of the aircraft is included with a trip to the mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. It's a great place to marvel at the history of both the music and aviation industry.

In total, 65 Convair 880s were produced between 1959 and 1962. The aircraft is now retired, but it saw plenty of famous customers, including TWA, Japan Airlines, Swissair, and none other than the King of Rock and Roll.

What are your thoughts about Elvis Presley’s Convair 880? What do you make of the overall features of the aircraft? Let us know what you think of the plane and its operations in the comment section.

Protect Your Trip »

Graceland tours: the best options & what to expect.

Advice for making the most of your time at Elvis' famous home.

The Best Graceland Tours

Andrea Zucker | Courtesy of Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

A visit to Graceland is a popular activity for both Elvis fans and Memphis tourists.

Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

When Elvis Presley was just 22 years old, he purchased Graceland – a 10,266-square-foot mansion that occupied a nearly 14-acre property in Memphis, Tennessee . After the singer's death in 1977, the executors of his estate found that the mansion's exorbitant operating costs proved difficult to maintain, so they decided to open Graceland for tours in 1982. Since then, more than 20 million people from around the world have visited the mansion – which now spans 17,552 square feet – and its surrounding Elvis-themed museums and shops. Read on to plan your Graceland visit.

What is Graceland?

• Where is Graceland located?

Is Graceland open for tours?

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Graceland is a 120-acre institution dedicated to the life and music of Elvis Presley. The main draw is the mansion, but there's more to see than Elvis' former abode. Visitors can stop by Elvis Presley's Memphis, a 200,000-square-foot museum and entertainment complex. This building houses the Presley Motors Automobile Museum and a series of exhibits, such as "Elvis' Tupelo," which explores Elvis' early life in his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. The Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, which displays the entertainer's gold and platinum records, his famous jumpsuits and movie memorabilia, can also be found here. Tourists will also have access to 10 interactive exhibits and games. Located throughout the complex, the interactive features include quizzes, a simulated golf cart ride and photo booths that put travelers on Elvis' movie posters and album covers. Finally, the complex houses two restaurants, a coffee shop, an ice cream parlor and a soundstage where tourists can watch Elvis' movies and attend live music performances.

After you learn all about the King, check out the Graceland Exhibition Center. This 80,000-square-foot venue features a variety of rotating museum exhibits, covering a variety of subjects, including motorcycles, Muhammad Ali and Van Gogh. The complex also boasts a food court, a bar and a separate, rentable event space.

Where is Graceland located?  

Graceland   is located in the Whitehaven community of Memphis, nearly 3 miles west of Memphis International Airport and 10 miles south of downtown.

Yes, Graceland is open for tours.

The cost per person varies depending on which tour experience you choose. Expect to pay about $30 to $200 for children 10 and younger. Adults can expect to pay around $50 to $200 per person. Keep in mind: Higher ticket fees mean a premium experience complete with VIP access, keepsakes, meal vouchers and more.

There are multiple tour options for visiting Graceland.

• Elvis Presley's Memphis + Planes Tour : This is the basic tour option. It grants visitors access to Elvis Presley's Memphis Entertainment Complex and the Elvis' Custom Jets exhibit, but does not include access to the mansion. Tickets for this tour start at $48 for adults, with discounts for children.
• Elvis Experience Tour : Tickets for this tour, which start at $77 per adult, include everything in the above tour, plus access to the mansion complete with an audio tour.
• Elvis Entourage VIP : The Elvis Entourage VIP tour includes everything in both the other tour options, plus skip-the-line access to the mansion, a VIP shuttle to the mansion, access to a special exhibit, and a keepsake pass. Tickets start at $128 per person.
• Ultimate VIP Tour : The Ultimate VIP Tour includes everything in the Elvis Entourage VIP, plus a guided tour of the mansion with an experienced guide, access to a VIP lounge, a meal voucher to an on-site restaurant, an archives show and tell, the chance to buy exclusive souvenirs and a photo-op. Tickets for this experience start at $196 per person; children 2 and younger tour for free.

The mansion tour will take about 90 minutes to complete. Those who decide to tour the rest of Graceland's offerings should budget at least 3 1/2 hours to explore.

Tourgoers can purchase tickets online or at the box office on-site. Tickets purchased online can be printed at home or downloaded on a smartphone (which saves time). You can also choose to pick up your tickets at will call; you must have a photo ID to pick them up. Patrons may also purchase a multiday ticket to access Elvis Presley's Memphis for an additional one, two or three days. Multiday tickets start at $17 per adult and can be purchased on-site only.

Tickets for exhibits at the Graceland Exhibition Center are not included in any Graceland tickets and require additional entrance fees. Tickets for those exhibits can be purchased on Graceland's website.

Which Graceland experience you choose largely depends on your fascination with the King. Graceland visitors mention that even non-Elvis fans will enjoy the tour and the up-close look at the entertainer's famous lifestyle. Visitors also appreciate the audio tour narrated by John Stamos. They recommend upgrading your tour to one of the VIP options, saying it is well worth the additional cost.

Graceland is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. (depending on the day of the week and time of year). It closes or has abbreviated hours on holidays. The last mansion tour begins at 4 or 5 p.m., depending on the day and time of year.

The best time to visit Graceland depends on what kind of experience you want. Travelers should check out Graceland's events calendar as the complex and its hotel, the Guest House at Graceland, host numerous weekend events, concerts and daytrips to Elvis' hometown throughout the year. Visitors in the mood for a festive atmosphere will want to book a trip in late November, December or early January to see the estate's holiday lights display and decorations.

Andrea Zucker | Courtesy of Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau

• Visit the mansion after 2 p.m. to enjoy fewer crowds and shorter wait times, as this is the slowest time of day. (Multiple travelers note long wait times when arriving before this time). Check Graceland's website for exact opening times; there are certain days and holidays where hours vary.
• You're welcome to bring cameras, but flash photography is not permitted.
• Video cameras cannot be brought into the mansion, attractions or gift shops.
• Note that two rooms in the basement of the mansion and the airplanes are not wheelchair accessible.
• Bring a permanent marker to sign the famous Graceland wall before you leave.

Patrons can reach Graceland by car. On-site parking costs $10. The lot is located next to Elvis Presley's Memphis and the ticket booth. The only way to get to the mansion itself is by shuttle, which is included in your ticket price. The shuttle pickup is across from the ticketing pavilion.

There are also a few public transportation options. The Memphis Hop, a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, makes stops every hour at several attractions in the city, including Graceland. This bus generally runs Wednesday through Saturday (it may not operate on Fridays during select months), and tickets cost approximately $35 for adults and $25 for children ages 4 to 12. Memphis Area Transit Authority No. 42 bus route stops close to Graceland.

Nashville sits about 215 miles northeast of Graceland (an approximately 3 1/2-hour drive).

Yes. You'll find options for tours from Nashville (and more) below:

• Gray Line Tennessee:  Nashville to Memphis with Skip-The-Line Graceland VIP Tour & Sun Studio. View & Book Tickets: Viator | GetYourGuide  
• Graceland:  Elvis Presley's Childhood Home with Lunch & Transportation from Memphis. View & Book Tickets: Viator | GetYourGuide  
• Memphis Best Tours:  Memphis City Tour with Admission to One Memphis Attraction.  View & Book Tickets »
• Blues City Tours: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour. View & Book Tickets »

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Memphis Tours
• The Best Nashville Tours
• The Best Whitewater Rafting in Tennessee
• The Top Things to Do in Tennessee
• The Best Places to Visit in Tennessee

Tags: Elvis Presley , Tennessee , Tours , Vacations , Travel , Tennessee Vacations , US Vacations , Southeast Vacations

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Graceland VIP Tour + Planes

Featuring a stay at The Guest House at Graceland plus two adult Graceland Elvis Entourage VIP Tours. The Elvis Entourage Tours feature everything below, including the privilege of skipping the lines with a VIP shuttle to the mansion, and see an exclusive exhibit for VIPs only.

ELVIS ENTOURAGE VIP TOUR INCLUDES:

• Graceland Mansion Audio-Guided Tour
• Self-guided tour of Exclusive VIP Exhibit
• Self-guided tour of Elvis’ Custom Jets
• Self-guided tour of Presley Motors Automobile Museum
• Self-guided tour of Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum
• Self-guided tours of Elvis Discovery Exhibits
• Immersive and Interactive Experiences – NEW!
• Front-of-the-Line Mansion Access
• Keepsake Backstage Pass

Please note: This package includes Elvis Entourage VIP Tour tickets for two adults. This package does not include the Ultimate VIP (UVIP) Tour. Additional tickets for adults and youth may be purchased on-site upon arrival.

Rooms & Suites

Events & concerts, special offers, photo gallery.

3600 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, USA 901.443.3000 | Reservations: 800.238.2000 or 901.443.3000 | Group Sales: 901.473.6084 GRACELAND.COM | Press Room | Employment | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility

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Elvis Presley planes: the Lisa Marie, the Hound Dog II, and L-1329

Elvis Presley, the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ is recognized as the best-selling solo artist of all time by Guinness World Records. With one million billion sales worldwide, it’s safe to say that Elvis Presley is one of the most recognizable faces – and voices – in music history. 

Like most global superstars, Presley also enjoyed traveling in style, which included taking to the skies in his own fleet of private planes, consisting of a Convair 880 and two Lockheed JetStars. 

But what do we know about the legendary musician’s fleet? And more interestingly, where are these aircraft now? AeroTime investigates. 

From regular passenger plane to flying mansion    

Elvis Presley purchased his first personal plane, a Convair 880 (a competitor of narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 707 and the Douglas DC-8) from Delta Air Lines for $250,000 (roughly $1.2 million today) in April 1975. The plane had served the carrier since 1960.  

Dubbed the ‘Lisa Marie’ after the singer’s only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, the plane, which was configured as a standard passenger cabin, underwent significant refurbishment. The renovations cost the superstar around $800,000, according to Graceland Blog, and took just over six months to complete.  

The music artist finally took to the skies onboard the renewed plane, registration N880EP , on November 27, 1975.  

The plane was so lavish, it could be said that Presley’s goal was to turn his private jet into a flying mansion like his home in Memphis, Tennessee. In fact, his relatives even claimed in their memoirs that the singer had nicknamed the plane the ‘Flying Graceland’ after his 13.8-acre (5.6-hectare) home. 

Flying in style with customized cabin features 

The Lisa Marie’s main role was to fly Presley to destinations across the United States (US) as part of his tour. Customized in a yellow, green, and gold interior, the plane’s updated cabin also featured gold-plated belt buckles, leather-topped tables, and suede sofas. It also included several modern solutions, which were quite rare at the time, such as a sky-to-ground phone and a quadraphonic eight-track stereo system.  

The plane was divided into a few separate areas, including a spacious master bedroom, a guest bedroom, a lounge area, a conference room and two and a half baths complete with gold fixtures. 

While sleek and modern on the inside, the Lisa Marie was less ostentatious from the exterior. The plane was painted white and featured a blue and red strap from its nose through the whole fuselage to the tail.  

The tail was daubed in the colors of the US flag and included a special Elvis Presley logo, featuring the acronym TCB which stands for “Taking Care of Business”, a phrase commonly used by the music star in reference to his career.  

Each flight cost around $404,000 to operate.  

What happened to the Lisa Marie?  

After Presley’s death in 1977, the plane was grounded for several years. But in 1984, the aircraft was handed over to Memphis-based OKC Partnership, which set up an agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises to allow the company to publicly display the jet at Graceland in exchange for a percentage of ticket sales.  

However, in 2014, Elvis Presley Enterprises asked OKC Partnership to change the agreement and remove the plane for restoration. In 2018, the Lisa Marie underwent a repaint and was returned to permanent display at Graceland.   

The plane has gone on to be one of the most visited tourist attractions in the US. 

Elvis Presley Airways 

Presley harbored dreams of one day owning his own fleet of aircraft and purchased three planes before his death in 1977. While the Lisa Marie was referred to as “the pride of Elvis Presley Airways”, the singer also flew another jet called ‘ Hound Dog II’ .  

The Hound Dog II was bought in September 1975 while Presley was waiting for renovation work to be completed on the Lisa Marie. The aircraft, a Lockheed JetStar executive business jet, entered service in 1960.  

Presley paid $900,000 for the Hound Dog II, more than three times the amount spent on the Lisa Marie. He took off onboard the aircraft for the first time in October 1975.  

While the 10-seater business jet did not require any major changes, Presley still made some adjustments to the cabin, equipping the aircraft with similar features to the Lisa Marie. The recording artist also changed the color of the cabin seats to yellow, green, and blue.  

The Hound Dog II experienced the fate as the Lisa Marie. After the singer’s death, both planes were sold by Presley’s family, before being repurchased and put on display at Graceland. 

What happened to Elvis Presley’s last plane?  

Presley’s private fleet also included another Lockheed JetStar. Built-in 1962, the Lockheed JetStar L-1329 , registered N440RM, was the third and last jet bought by Presley. It was purchased in 1976, a year before the singer’s death, and was the least flown of all his aircraft.  

When it came to cabin design, Presley’s third jet outshone its predecessors. It featured pink velvet seats, sofas, carpets, and woodwork, and was painted in a vivid red livery.  

#ElvisPresley 1962 Lockheed JetStar L-1329 Private Jet #aviationlovers pic.twitter.com/N1qyFpzcKw — Mickey is Procrastinating (@techfido) August 29, 2022

After Presley’s death, the plane was sent to desert in New Mexico for storage, spending around 35 years before it eventually being sold to a private owner.  

One of just 204 Lockheed JetStar planes manufactured between 1957 and 1978, Presley’s third private plane more than three decades on the ground unmaintained. With its rusty fuselage and missing engines, the aircraft was no longer airworthy.  

However, the jet was put up for auction on several occasions and has garnered a great deal of attention. Despite its unusable condition the starting bid for the aircraft was $10,000. The jet was eventually sold in 2017 to an undisclosed buyer for a whopping $430,000.  

While the fate of the third jet remains unknown, fans of the legendary music star can only hope that the jet will be restored to its former glory. Meanwhile, fans continue to flock to Graceland in their thousands where they can see the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II on full display.  

UPDATE 01-17-2023, 18:00(UTC +3): After spending 40 years in the desert Presley’s last jet, the Lockheed 1329 JetStar, was sold for $260,000 in an auction on January 8, 2023. The buyer was not disclosed.

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'The Lisa Marie': Elvis Presley's Convair 880 Jet Airplane

He immediately rechristened it the Lisa Marie .

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Earlier Elvis had paid a $75,000 deposit on a Boeing 707 but the deal fell through. The previous owner had been Robert Vesco , the fugitive financier who had fled to South America after allegedly embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars from international investment firms. Buying his plane would involve some complicated wrangling with the IRS. And Elvis was warned about another complication: If the plane ever landed in any of the countries Vesco was establishing a base in, there was every reason to believe that he might try to seize it.

The Convair 880 had a clean record and would have no problem flying to any country around the globe.

So that's the plane Elvis purchased.

The plane was in a hangar at Meacham Field in Fort Worth, and for months Elvis took great pleasure in flying friends out to check on progress as the interior of the plane was refurbished to his very specific design requirements (he bought another plane to make those trips - a smaller Lockheed JetStar). Elvis wanted a seating area, a conference room, and a private bedroom on the plane (with space for an in-flight reading library). He picked fabrics, decided on color schemes, chose the on-board audio-visual system, and even Ok'd the gold fixtures in the bathrooms (he counted heavily on some aesthetic input from Priscilla , too).

Elvis was especially excited about the fact that the same design team had previously customized Air Force One . The craft slowly came together as an airworthy mix of modem function and Graceland elegance.

Close in size to a 707, the Lisa Marie was customized with plush sleeping quarters, a penthouse bedroom with a custom-made queen size bed, an executive bathroom with gold faucets and a gold washbasin, a videotape system linked to four TVs and a stereo system with fifty-two speakers, and a conference room finished in teak.

It could hold a maximum of 29 people, but usually there would be about eight or 10. When the final paint job was applied to the exterior, there was a prominent ' TCB ' logo on the tail.

Elvis - Other Airplanes and the first flight of The Lisa Marie 1975

April 17 , Elvis buys an ex Delta Airlines Convair 880 Jet for $250,000.

July , While on tour, Elvis decided to present the Colonel with his own airplane, a Grumman Gulfstream G-1 , which he bought sight unseen. Elvis had it delivered to the Colonel in Vegas on July 26, but the Colonel didn't really take it the way that Elvis had hoped. 'You've got to be kidding', was his first response. And then he turned it down on the grounds that he didn't need a plane and couldn't afford one.

August 3 , Elvis leases a Fairchild F-27 aircraft at $13,000 a month.

August 7 , Arrangements are made for Linda Thompson and her friend, Jeannie LeMay, to fly with Elvis' chow, Getlow , to Boston, so that the dog can receive treatment for a kidney ailment.

When the dog is too ill to travel on to the West Boylston veterinary hospital where it is scheduled to be treated, the whole party remains at the Ritz for two days before continuing.

August 15 , Elvis cancels the lease on the Fairchild F-27 and buys an Aero Jet Commander for $508,000.

August 27 , Elvis enters into an agreement with Omni Aircraft Sales, who will sell the Gulfstream G-1 and Jet Commander that he purchased two weeks earlier.

September 2 , Elvis buys a Lockheed JetStar aircraft for $899,702.60

October 8 , Milo High, Elvis' personal pilot takes Elvis and five others on a brief one-hour flight in Elvis newly purchased Lockheed JetStar aircraft.

October 9 , Milo High flies Elvis and eight others to Dallas and back.

October 21 , Milo High flies Elvis' aunt, Delta Biggs, and Mike McGregor to Boston to pick up Elvis' chow, Getlow.

Getlow has been recuperating at the New England Institute for Comparative Medicine veterinary hospital in West Boylston for almost three months.

November 10 , The Lisa Marie is delivered to Memphis late in the evening, joining the JetStar and a 1966 Dessault-Falcon , which Elvis has bought for an investment.

Above, The Lisa Marie , the newest craft in Elvis Presley's small air fleet, at Memphis International Airport on November 12, 1975 , getting final touches before being put to use. Beside it is the JetStar. ( Larger image )

November 27 , Ron Strauss takes Elvis on his first real flight in The Lisa Marie , traveling Las Vegas.

December 25 , In the evening Elvis takes everyone up in The Lisa Marie .

July 13, 1976 - Elvis trades the Dessault-Falcon airplane, which he purchased in late 1975 as an investnent, for a second Lockheed JetStar. The first JetStar aircraft will become the center of a long, drawn-out FBI investigation into what appears to be a sophisticated swindle perpetrated on Elvis and Vernon involving the leasing and refurbishing of the aircraft. The case is not concluded until after Elvis' death.

Elwood David was the Captain and pilot of The Lisa Marie. Accompanying him in the cockpit was another pilot, Ron Strauss , and a flight engineer, Jim Manny. Milo High was the pilot of Elvis' 'Hound Dog II' JetStar plane.

After Elvis' death, Captain Elwood David flew to California to pick up Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Presley , Lisa Marie and the actor George Hamilton, a long-time friend of Elvis. He flew them back to California after the funeral, and, in what would be his last flight on the Lisa Marie, returned the plane to Memphis.

Elvis' father, Vernon, sold the plane in 1978 and it changed hands a couple of times. When Graceland opened up to the public in 1982, EPE worked with the owners to try and bring the plane home to Memphis. In 1984, the Lisa Marie was returned to Graceland . It has remained as one of the most popular attractions ever since.

Original Newspaper Articles from 1975

Convair 880

The Convair 880 was a jet airliner produced by the Convair division of General Dynamics. It was designed to compete with the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 by being smaller, faster and safer, a niche that failed to create demand. Only 65 880s were produced over the lifetime of the production run from 1959 to 1962, and General Dynamics eventually withdrew from the airliner market after considering the 880 project a failure. Only 9 of these aircraft are left in the world , none of them is airworthy and only one is preserved properly, Elvis Presley's Lisa Marie .

The Lisa Marie

Crew: Required a crew of four (Elvis always used the same crew). Seating capacity: 28 (after he customized the plane) Tower call name: '880 Echo Pappa' Nickname: "Hound Dog One" Elvis called the plane: 'The Pride of Elvis Presley Airways' and his 'Flying Graceland'. Range: 3,000 miles Horsepower: 44,800 lbs. thrust Engines: Four General Electric CJ-805-3 Pod Mount Jets Length: 129' 4" Wingspan: 120' Tail height from ground: 36' 3" Weight: 87,000 lbs. Maximum weight : 184,000 lbs. Cruising speed: 615 M.P.H. Maximum altitude: 41,000 feet Fuel capacity: 10,770 gallons Fuel consumption: 1,700 gallons per hour; -- take off: 2,200 gallons Operating cost for 1976: $404,000

Manufacturer: Convair Maiden flight: January 27, 1959 Produced: 1959-1962 Number of aircrafts built: 65

The JetStar originated as a private project within Lockheed, with an eye to winning a USAF requirement that was later dropped due to budget cuts. Lockheed decided to continue the project on their own for the business market. Noise regulations in the United States and high fuel consumption led to the development of the 731 JetStar, a modification program which added new Garrett AiResearch TFE731 turbofan engines and redesigned external fuel tanks to original JetStars. The 731 JetStar modification program was so successful that Lockheed produced 40 new JetStars, designated the JetStar II, from 1976 through 1979. The JetStar IIs were factory new aircraft with the turbofan engines and revised external fuel tanks. Both 731 JetStars and JetStar IIs have greatly increased range, reduced noise, and better runway performance compared to the original JetStars.

JetStar production totaled 204 aircraft by final delivery in 1978. Most original JetStars have been retired, but many 731 JetStars and JetStar IIs are still flying in various roles. A JetStar that was owned by Elvis Presley in his later years, named Hound Dog II, is on display at Graceland.

Maufacturer: Lockheed Maiden flight: 4 September 1957 Produced: 1957 - 1978 Number of aircrafts built: 204

Both jets were sold by the family after the death of Elvis, but later they were bought back and parked in Graceland, Memphis Tennessee.

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What Happened To Elvis Presley's Fleet Of Private Jets?

• Elvis Presley, one of the most important musical figures of the 20th century, owned multiple business jets.
• The Convair 880, named "Lisa Marie" after his daughter, was purchased in 1975 and underwent extensive renovations.
• Two Lockheed JetStars were added to Elvis's fleet in 1975 and 1976, respectively.

Did you know that the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, used to have several private jets? Regarded as being one of the most important musical figures of the 20th century, Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. At age 13, Presley and his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where his musical career took off.

In January 1956, RCA Records released Heartbreak Hotel, which immediately became number one in the charts. Television success followed, and Presley made his first movie, "Love Me Tender." In 1958, when aged 21, Presley became eligible for the military draft, serving in a US Army base in Friedberg, Germany. After his military service, Presley picked up his music and film career where he had left off.

Elvis first bought a Convair 880

Like most celebrities, Elvis liked to travel in style and, in 1975, purchased a 15-year-old Convair 880 from Delta Air Lines. Built by the Convair division of General Dynamics, the Convair 880 was designed to compete with the Douglas DC-8 and Boeing 707. Even though it was smaller and faster, it sold poorly.

During its three-year production between 1959 and 1962, only 62 examples were built. Airlines did not like it because of its five-abreast seating and that it was more expensive to purchase and operate than a Boeing 720. After buying the plane, which he called "Lisa Marie" after his daughter, Elvis spent the next six months and hundreds of thousands of dollars having it fitted out the way he wanted.

Elvis wanted to use the aircraft for a United States tour

The plan was to use the aircraft to fly Elvis and his entourage around the United States while he was on tour. Not content to have only one plane while Lisa Marie was being renovated, Elvis purchased a Lockheed JetStar business jet.

Able to accommodate ten passengers, the Lockheed JetStar differed from other private jets as it was powered by four rear-mounted engines and had slipper-style fuel tanks on the wings. Built initially for what Lockheed hoped would be a military contract, when the military had to cut its budget, one of the first things they did was to scrap any plans for the JetStar.

Rather than abandoning the project, Lockheed tried to sell the aircraft to the public. The first JetStar flew in 1960, and a year later, deliveries began. In total, during its production run, Lockheed built 204 planes, with the last one being delivered in 1978. Elvis first flew in the aircraft he had named "Hound Dog II" in October 1975.

Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II are on display at Graceland

Adding to his fleet of three aircraft, Elvis bought another JetStar in 1976, a year before his death on August 16, 1977, aged 42 years old. Following his death, the Convair 880 and the Hound Dog II remained grounded, with the third JetStar being sent to an aircraft storage facility in Roswell, New Mexico.

The Lisa Marie was bought by Memphis-based OKC Partnership, who then signed an agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises to put the plane on display at Graceland. Not long after, Hound Dog II also went on display at Graceland. The third aircraft, now stripped of valuable parts, remained in New Mexico before being auctioned to a private buyer.

Graceland Auction Called Off—The Battle Over Elvis Presley’s Estate, Explained

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A lending company that claimed it had a collateral deed to Elvis Presley’s legendary Graceland estate and announced a foreclosure auction for the property has reportedly withdrawn all of its claims to the mansion hours after a judge in Tennessee temporary halted the auction as a matter of “public interest,” multiple Memphis news stations reported .

Rock and roll singer Elvis Presley strolls the grounds of his Graceland estate circa 1957.

The Graceland mansion, where Elvis lived until his 1977 death, was listed as coming up for auction in a notice released earlier this month that said the mansion and the 14 acres it sits on would be sold "to the highest and best bidder for cash” on the steps of the local courthouse.

The actress Riley Keough, one of three living grandchildren of Elvis, responded to the notice by filing a lawsuit against the company purporting to run the auction, called Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC.

The company, she said in a court filing obtained by CNN , was claiming her mother Lisa Marie Presley, once the sole heir to her father’s estate, had put the mansion up for collateral against a $3.8 million loan before she died, and the loan was never paid back.

Keough’s lawsuit claims her mother never borrowed money from Naussany Investments and never signed over a deed to the property, and also said the Florida-based notary whose name is on the paperwork "never met Lisa Marie Presley nor notarized any document for her," CNN reported.

The lawsuit claimed the signatures on the forms were fake and that Naussany Investments, which could not be found through a search of secretary of state records , is not a real business.

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A judge on Wednesday agreed to halt the sale of the Graceland mansion, in part because of how unique the estate is to the state of Tennessee. Shelby County Chancellor Joe Dae Jenkins called the sale a matter of public interest, multiple outlets reported, adding that the loss of the real estate "would be considered irreparable harm." Shortly after the judge's decision, Naussany Investments withdrew all claims to the estate, according to local news outlets .

Key Background

Elvis Presley purchased the property in 1957, 18 years after it was built, for $100,000, according to the estate's official website . Presley was 22 years old at the time and working on his second film, "Loving You." He lived at Graceland until he died there in 1977, and is buried there, along with his daughter, Lisa Marie, and several other family members. It opened as a museum in 1982. Lisa Marie Presley inherited the estate when she turned 25 in 1993, and when she died last year, the estate was left to her three daughters: Keough and twins Harper and Finley Lockwood, who are 15 years old. Today, the archives of Graceland serve as the official history record of Presley's life, complete with 50,000 photographs, thousands of documents and a collection of memorabilia that includes cars, instruments, awards and other items. An executive told Rolling Stone in 2020 Presley’s estate was worth between $400 million and $500 million.

More than 600,000 visitors tour the museum each year, according to the Graceland website, making it the second-most visited home in the United States (the White House is first).

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Graceland’s self-described scammer takes credit for attempted foreclosure sale of Elvis’ home

By Isabel Rosales and Chris Youd, CNN

(CNN) — In yet another twist in the bizarre story of the dubious foreclosure threat against Elvis Presley’s iconic Memphis home, a person purporting to be involved in a scheme to steal Graceland responded to an email from CNN, claiming responsibility for the scam.

“I didn’t win this one. I’ve stole (sic) many identities and received monies, we don’t win all,” wrote the self-proclaimed scammer in a mixture of English and Luganda, a language spoken by more than 5 million people primarily in Uganda, according to the United Nations .

As with all scammers, it’s unclear whether the person who emailed CNN is actually behind the scheme. But they responded to a CNN request for comment sent to an email address associated with Naussany Investments and Private Lending, a company that tried to foreclose on the famous mansion last week.

Graceland was set to go up for auction under the pretext that the late singer’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, who died in 2023, failed to pay back a $3.8 million loan she’d secured from  Naussany Investments before her passing, and had used Graceland as collateral, according to court documents.

But actress Riley Keough, Elvis’ granddaughter and heir, sued to protect the estate from the auction block, alleging fraud and saying Naussany didn’t exist and had no rights to the property.

The foreclosure sale was ultimately blocked , and Naussany Investments dropped its foreclosure efforts.

A self-proclaimed scam artist

CNN reached out to the email address listed as the company representative in Keough’s lawsuit for comment. That person said his company had no claims against anyone affiliated with Graceland and directed CNN to a different email address – [email protected] – supposedly belonging to a person named Gregory Naussany, who responded when contacted by CNN.

Other news outlets, including the New York Times , which first reported on the alleged scammer’s admission Tuesday, received similar messages from the same email address.

A Luganda-speaking native translated and reviewed the email for CNN. When asked whether the self-proclaimed scammer appeared to be a native speaker or was perhaps using a tool like Google Translate to pose as one, the translator found that while the apparent scammer knew the language, their writing style showed they were not entirely fluent.

CNN has been unable to find any evidence to prove the company actually exists.

The phone number listed in court documents was not in service. The business was listed in a court document as being located in Kimberling City, Missouri. But the secretary of state had no record of a business by that name when contacted by CNN.

The Shelby County Registrar told CNN in an email that “Naussany Investments & Private Lending, LLC, does not have any filings in the Office of the Shelby County Register of Deeds pertaining to Graceland/Elvis Presley.”

The self-identified scammer told the New York Times they are based in Nigeria and targeted groups including the dead and elderly. They especially went after victims in Florida and California, using sensitive documents like birth certificates to facilitate their schemes, according to the Times article.

“We use innocents and we steal identity,” said the scammer in an email to CNN.

What would lead a scammer to go after the second most visited residence in the US behind the White House remains unknown.

“We figure out how to steal,” the scammer told the Times. “That’s what we do.”

It was a mistake to target Graceland, said Mark Sunderman, a real estate professor at the University of Memphis.

“Why they went after such a high-profile piece of property, that was just very stupid,” he said. “You know, in terms of Memphis, I can’t think of anything more high profile other than if they tried to go after the Civil Rights Museum.”

Court documents show Naussany Investments offered to settle its claimed debt with the Presley estate for $2.85 million, a reduction of $950,000 from the original loan.  Sunderman believes that quick payoff may have been the scammer’s goal, not a successful foreclosure on Graceland.

“If they had gone through the foreclosure sale, they would have had much, much greater risk to get caught and had less payoff to them in the long run,” he said.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti last Thursday said he was looking into possible fraud involving the matter.

The Shelby County District Attorney did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on any possible criminal case.

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Thursday , January 14 , 2021

Graceland virtual live tours now available.

We're excited to announce that, for the first time ever, we will now offer a limited number of Graceland Virtual Live Tours! Tickets are on sale now HERE .

The Graceland Virtual Live Tours will provide behind the scenes and never before seen highlights of the Mansion, the Lisa Marie jet and Elvis Presley’s Memphis exhibit and entertainment complex.

The two-hour guided tour will offer a behind the ropes look at the Mansion, a tour of the Lisa Marie jet and a walk through Elvis Presley’s Memphis exhibit and entertainment complex, where guests will see various artifacts, including Elvis’ cars, jumpsuits, gold records and movie memorabilia.

Hosted by one of the world’s foremost experts on all-things Elvis Presley, Vice President of Graceland Archives and Exhibits Angie Marchese, the Virtual Live Tours will provide guests a VIP experience with an in-depth look into Elvis’ life. The artifacts spotlighted and stories told will vary from tour to tour making each experience unique, and viewers will have the opportunity to ask Angie questions throughout the event. The Mansion aspect of the tour will begin at Graceland’s front door and conclude with a quiet moment in the Meditation Garden. Guests will enjoy touring the same rooms inside Graceland Mansion, but will get a special perspective, as the camera goes behind the ropes offering rare insights with intriguing commentary. The experience also includes a look onboard the Lisa Marie airplane, the Convair 880 jet, nicknamed the "Flying Graceland" by Elvis, featuring two half-baths, a lounge area, a conference room, sitting room and a master bedroom. Following that viewers will visit Elvis Presley’s Memphis and continue their tour through 200,000 square feet of Elvis-themed exhibits where Angie will highlight and discuss many of the unique archives including Elvis’ spectacular outfits, awards, automobiles, motorcycles and more. 

“We are thrilled to now offer Graceland Virtual Live Tours to Elvis fans around the world,“ stated Debbie Miller, CMO, Elvis Presley Enterprises. In a typical year, Graceland hosts visitors from over 125 countries and from all 50 states. And, although Graceland remains open for limited capacity in-person tours, now, more than ever, people are looking for quality entertainment experiences they can enjoy from the comfort of their own home. For those who have always wanted to visit Graceland but never had the chance, to those who’ve been here many times and are looking for a bespoke Graceland experience, this tour is for them.”  

Graceland Virtual Live Tours are $100 and begin at 8:00am CST on the following dates:  

• Wednesday, January 27, 2021 -  PURCHASE HERE    
• Thursday, February 25, 2021 -  PURCHASE HERE
• Thursday, March 25, 2021 -  PURCHASE HERE

*Additional dates will continue to be added.

The tours will be presented live through a private, closed Facebook Group and will be archived for 72 hours following the live event so that guests can watch again as many times as they’d like. The 72-hour window will accommodate guests in all time zones to enjoy the tour at their convenience.            

Graceland Virtual Live Tour tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online HERE  or by calling 800-238-2000 or 901-332-3322.                      

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With a newly enhanced exhibit celebrating the life of Lisa Marie Presley, a concert calendar full of familiar favorites and rising stars, a patriotic fireworks spectacular and the annual, ultimate Elvis festival, this is the summer to visit Graceland.