The Boeing Tour continues as the only public tour of a commercial jet assembly plant in North America. This is where Boeing 747, 767, 777, and 787 airplanes are assembled. Visitors enjoy viewing what goes on inside the remarkable building. The Guinness Book of World Records says it is the largest building in the world by volume, at 472 million cubic feet of space.
Adjacent to the Boeing plant is the new 73,000 square-foot facility, the Future of Flight Aviation Center, which opened in December 2005. The exceptional interpretive center was developed through the collaboration of The Boeing Company, Future of Flight Foundation, Snohomish County Public Facilities District, and the Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field).
The center engages visitors to explore the wonders of flight. Plan on spending an entire day at this amazing facility.
Boeing Tour Information
Visitors will see airplanes of the 747, 767, 777, and 787 Everett product lines in assorted stages of assembly, manufacture, and flight test for airline customers around the world. Things to remember about these tours are:
- Tours are in English and last 90 minutes
- The length of the tour may be one-third-mile, 21 steep stairs, and an elevator ride.
- Boeing Company does not permit still photos or video cameras at all.
- Children must be at least 4 feet (122 cm) tall to go on the tour.
- Adults may not carry babies on tour. There is no child-care facility and exceptions are not made, because of safety regulations.
- No personal items are allowed on tour at all. Lockers are available on-site for a small fee at the Future of Flight. This includes purses, backpacks, cameras, binoculars, cell phones, etc.
- The tour is accessible to people who use wheelchairs and visitors with physical challenges with advance notice.
- There is no food and drink allowed on the Boeing Tour. There are restroom facilities and a café at the Future of Flight.
Future of Flight Aviation Center
Visitors will be able to design their own commercial jet at several different touch screen computer stations and then pick up their finished product at the Future of Flight Center store. Save some money for educational and fun gift purchases at the store and get a bite to eat at the cafe. All the zones have exhibits and graphics geared for school-age children. Key exhibits to see are as follows:
- Material Zone – Visitors may see and touch sections to see how rivets have been reduced on a barrel section from the testing phase of the new Boeing 787 and an old Boeing 707 fuselage.
- Passenger Experience Zone – See how the passenger experience evolves from the Boeing 707 to the 787 Dreamliner in a narrated video, and actually sit in the initial mock-up of the 787 interior.
- Flight Systems Zone – Learn about the unseen systems of airliners like the flight control, avionics, navigation systems and hydraulics.
- For Young Children – This Children’s Play Area is intentionally placed in the middle of the facility to provide parents a place to rest while the young kids and toddlers play.
- Flight Deck Zone – Experience the “dials and switches” of flight decks from the 727 to the future era of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
- Propulsion / Engines Zone – Learn about the different types of real engines and means of propulsion with video animation.
- Future Concepts Zone – Visitors will see projected advancements and future concepts of aviation.
Visitor Information and Tips for a Boeing Tour
The Future of Flight Center and Boeing Tour (425) 438-8100 opens daily at 8:30 a.m. and is located at 8415 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, WA, north of downtown Seattle. General admission is $15.50 (senior citizen and children's tickets available). Children must be 4 feet or taller to go on the Boeing Tour. Gallery-only tickets are available for $10 to see the Future of Flight Center.
It is recommended to visit during off-peak hours, and to purchase advance tickets during the busier summer months of June through September. It is best to arrive early in the morning or late afternoons. Weekdays are less active.
Spend an affordable day at this must-see Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour located near Seattle, Washington.
Donna West - Donna West is a Writer with an uncanny ability and passion of finding unusual ideas, off the beaten path, even in everyday occurrences.
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