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If you’ve gone RVing, you’ve probably stared at an Airstream or two pulling into a campground.
There’s something “American” about these travel trailers, and many RVers dream about owning an Airstream at some point. If you are considering buying one of these trailers, consider one of the most popular lines: Airstream Flying Cloud.
This line also offers the most diversity among its floorplans. So, let’s take a look at what makes these units so desirable. Maybe you’ll find one that suits your travel needs. Let’s dive in!
A Brief History of Airstream
Wally Byam founded Airstream in 1931 and opened a small facility in Culver City, California. While the Great Depression and WWI caused many RV companies to close their doors, Airstream survived.
Through the 1940s and early 1950s, Airstream grew, gaining customers and attention. In 1952, Byam bought another factory in Jackson Center, Ohio. This is where Airstreams are still made today.
Most of the company’s focus was on travel trailers, but in 1974, Airstream introduced the Argosy motorhome. Even though the line didn’t last long — it was discontinued in 1979 — it built the foundation for future motorized Airstream RVs.
Airstream was such a successful company that Wade Thompson and Peter Orthwein, founders of Thor Industries, acquired Airstream in 1980. Success continued as “Money” magazine named the Airstream travel trailer as one of “99 Things That, Yes, Americans Make Best” in 1987. Over the decades, Airstream has been an American icon as much as Coca-Cola or McDonald’s.
Read More: Click to learn more about Airstream RV!
What Is Airstream Known for?
Airstream is most known for the silver bullet design of its travel trailers. You might have passed one of these spacecraft-like campers on the highway. The aluminum exterior certainly makes Airstreams stand out from the competition.
But because of their design, these travel trailers are also built with top-quality construction. Airstreams will last for generations.
In fact, “in 2006, 65% of the Airstreams that had been built since Wally Byam’s first trailer were still on the road.” You won’t find many other brands that have the longevity and quality of Airstream.
What Types of RVs Does Airstream Make?
Currently, Airstream produces travel trailers and touring coaches. The travel trailers include the Classic, Globetrotter, International, Flying Cloud, Caravel, Bambi, and Basecamp. There are also specialty editions decked out with Pottery Barn or REI interiors.
The Class B vans are all made on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, except the Rangeline, which is built on a RAM ProMaster chassis. The Class B line includes the Atlas, Interstate 24X, Interstate 24GL, Interstate 24GT, and Interstate 19.
The Airstream Flying Cloud Lineup
The Airstream Flying Cloud is one of the most popular lines because of its diverse floorplans.
It’s also the only line that features bunk beds, making the Airstream Flying Cloud 30FB Bunk a favorite among traveling families. These travel trailers range from 23 feet 9 inches to 30 feet 11 inches and 6,000 to 8,800 pounds.
Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB
Length: 23 feet 11 inches
GVWR: 6,000 pounds
Sleeping Capacity: Four
Features: The smallest Airstream Flying Cloud is the 23FB. It features a front bedroom with a queen bed and a rear full bathroom with a spacious shower and built-in seat. In the center of the unit is the kitchen and dining area. The kitchen has a sink, refrigerator/freezer, oven, and convection microwave.
You can convert a large U-shaped dinette into an additional sleeping area. Even though Airstreams don’t have slides, they have ample storage solutions throughout every unit.
MSRP: Starting at $96,400
Airstream Flying Cloud 25FB
Length: 26 feet 2 inches
GVWR: 7,300 pounds
Sleeping Capacity: Six
Features: The 25FB is about 2 feet longer than the previous model. It features the same front bedroom with a queen bed, but the bathroom now sits next to the bedroom. The toilet and vanity sit separately from the shower on the opposite side of the trailer.
The rear of the Airstream Flying Cloud 25FB has a huge lounge area with a booth dinette and additional seating space. You can also convert this area into another sleeping space. The full kitchen has a sink, refrigerator/freezer, oven, and convection microwave.
MSRP: Starting at $109,00
Airstream Flying Cloud 27FB
Length: 28 feet 2 inches
GVWR: 7,600 pounds
Sleeping Capacity: Six
Features: Another front bedroom option is the Airstream Flying Cloud 27FB. It offers a similar layout as the previous model but with a more spacious interior. There’s a larger pantry in the kitchen and a longer bedroom with the queen bed sitting north-to-south instead of east-to-west.
Owners can also opt for the two twin bed configuration. But the rest of the floorplan is almost identical to the previous model.
MSRP: Starting at $175,500
Airstream Flying Cloud 28RB
Length: 28 feet 2 inches
GVWR: 7,600 pounds
Sleeping Capacity: Six
Features: Another 28-foot option is the Airstream Flying Cloud 28RB. It moves the bedroom to the rear of the unit and provides space up front for lounging.
The front sofa has plenty of room for entertaining and provides another sleeping space. The kitchen and dining area are next to the living room.
This is the first Airstream Flying Cloud on the list offering two locations for lounging and eating. There’s a separate booth dinette across from the full kitchen. The bathroom is again split to separate the toilet and vanity from the shower.
MSRP: starting at $117,500
Airstream Flying Cloud 30FB Bunk
Length: 31 feet 2 inches
GVWR: 8,800 pounds
Sleeping Capacity: Eight
Features: The only Flying Cloud option with bunk beds is the 30FB Bunk model. It’s also one of the longest trailers in the line. This unit has a front bedroom with a queen bed, a sofa, a U-shaped dinette, and a full kitchen. The full bathroom and the twin bed over queen bed bunks sit in the rear.
This unit also has additional storage, with a wardrobe closet next to the bunk beds. For families, the Airstream Flying Cloud 30FB Bunk is the best option if you don’t want to convert the dinette or sofa into another sleeping space every night.
MSRP: starting at $127,500
Airstream Flying Cloud 30FB Office
Length: 31 feet 2 inches
GVWR: 8,800 pounds
Sleeping Capacity: SIx
Features: One of the most recent additions to the Airstream Flying Cloud lineup is the 30FB Office. This is an ideal option for remote workers. The layout is the same as the previous Bunk unit, but instead of having rear bunk beds, there’s an office.
This dedicated workspace includes an office chair, a desk, and a second corner chair. You can convert this area into an additional sleeping space if needed.
MSRP: starting at $127,500
Airstream Flying Cloud 30RB
Length: 31 feet 2 inches
GVWR: 8,800 pounds
Sleeping Capacity: Six
Features: Finally, the largest unit is the Airstream Flying Cloud 30RB. The bedroom sits in the rear, while the entertaining area sits in the front of the trailer. This model has the same large L-shaped sofa that’s included in the 28RB, except the booth dinette lies next to the sofa instead of on the other side of the trailer.
The full kitchen sits opposite the dinette. The bathroom is again split, with the shower on one side and the toilet and vanity on the other. However, the toilet and vanity room is more spacious than the other units.
MSRP: starting at $124,700
Who Is an Airstream Flying Cloud Good for?
Airstreams are uniquely designed. They have no slides; thus, the interior is smaller than many other travel trailers of the same length. They also have rounded edges, making storage solutions a bit more challenging. And some RVers just don’t like the silver bullet look.
But if you’re looking for a top-quality travel trailer, you have few options in today’s RV market. They make airstreams with superior quality and craftsmanship than other brands.
This is also why they’re much more expensive. So, if you have the budget and want a travel trailer you can pass down to your kids or grandkids, an Airstream is a good choice.
More specifically, the Airstream Flying Cloud is designed for all types of travelers because there are so many options. You might be a single traveler who wants a trailer under 25 feet to get into national park sites.
The Flying Cloud 23FB is a great option. You could also be a young family of four who wants to take a few road trips a year to explore America. The Flying Cloud 30FB Bunk will suit your needs.
With some of the units’ new twin bed configurations, you could even travel comfortably with a best friend or sibling. So, the Airstream Flying Cloud is suitable for all kinds of travelers. However, the expense and limited interior spaces will be the deciding factors for many RVers.
Keep in Mind: Airstreams aren’t cheap! If Airstreams are too expensive for you, here are some great alternatives.
Is this the Right Travel Trailer for You?
The Airstream community is tight-knit. When you buy an Airstream, you have a whole support team at Airstream as well as a host of owners who enjoy being connected to other Airstreamers. Not only are the trailers top quality, but the customer service after the purchase is also top-notch.
So even though you might have fewer problems with your Airstream, when you do encounter an issue, you’ll receive friendly, professional service.
If you’d like to learn more about another trailer option at Airstream, check out our article, “A Breakdown of the Airstream Classic.” This line is the most luxurious of all the Airstream travel trailers!
Is an Airstream purchase in your future?
