Landed On Time 60 min. Max 1 Person

Take the captain’s seat without flight school. This Antwerp experience puts you in a Boeing 737 cockpit simulator, where you learn the main controls, practice takeoffs and landings, and fly between airports you choose. I like the freedom to pick both departure and arrival points, and I like that beginners receive guidance before touching the controls. The main caution is practical: one booking issue reports that the advertised location and entry code were no longer working, so I would confirm the current meeting details before setting out.

The advertised price is $142.48 per person for about 60 minutes, with only one person in the simulator at a time. That is not cheap for an hour, but it becomes more reasonable if you value personal instruction and extra time around the cockpit. One session reportedly lasted about 1 hour and 45 minutes once the briefing and flying lessons were included.

Key points before you book

• Choose airports around the world: Pick your own departure and arrival airports instead of following a fixed route.
• Fly a Boeing 737: You sit in the captain’s position and learn the basic cockpit controls.
• Suitable for beginners: Instructions are provided before the flying begins, so you do not need previous aviation training.
• Personal instruction: The session is private, and instructor Jeroen is praised for his patience and clear explanations.
• More than the listed 60 minutes: The stated flight time may not include the briefing, aircraft introduction, and other instruction.
• Check the current location: One booking attempt ended with a nonworking door code and no response, so verify the details before going.

What the Antwerp simulator experience is really like

This is not a sightseeing tour of Antwerp. It is a hands-on aviation session built around the controls and procedures of a Boeing 737. You are not simply watching a screen while someone else flies. The point is to sit in the captain’s seat, understand what the controls do, and try the basic work of getting an aircraft safely into the air and back down again.

The session is designed for beginners, which matters. A commercial jet cockpit can look like a wall of switches, screens, levers, and instruments. Without an instructor, even a keen aviation fan could spend the whole hour wondering where to begin. Here, the plan is to learn the basics first, then put them into practice.

You also get a private setting. Only your group participates, and the booking is limited to one person. That makes this a more focused experience than a public attraction where several people take turns or watch from behind a barrier.

The information provided describes a session of about one hour. In practice, the flying portion may not be the full time you spend at the center. One detailed account describes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes on site, including the instructions and information about flying the 737. I would treat the 60 minutes as the approximate activity time, not necessarily the total time from arrival to departure.

Starting at Meirbrug in central Antwerp

The stated meeting point is Antwerpen Meirbrug, 2000 Antwerp. It is near public transportation, which should make the start fairly easy to reach within the city. The activity ends at the same point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

That simple start and finish is useful if you are fitting the simulator between other Antwerp plans. You can continue sightseeing afterward without collecting luggage or moving to another part of the city. Still, I would allow extra time to find the exact entrance. The meeting information includes a door code and bell details, and one person reported that both the code and the described bell location failed.

This is the one serious logistical concern attached to the experience. A separate booking attempt also reported that nobody answered by phone or through messages. That does not prove every booking has the same problem, but it is enough reason to confirm the address, access instructions, and operating status before you travel across Antwerp for the appointment.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation is supposed to arrive when you book. Keep that confirmation available on your phone. If the meeting instructions seem unclear, contact the provider before the cancellation deadline rather than waiting until you are standing outside.

Learning the Boeing 737 cockpit before takeoff

The first part covers basic aviation, the Boeing 737 cockpit, and the main controls. This briefing is important even if you already know a little about airplanes. The simulator is meant to make you work with the controls, not simply press a button and watch a takeoff animation.

I like this teaching-first approach. You get a chance to understand what you are seeing before the flight begins. For someone who has never handled an aircraft, that can turn a confusing cockpit into a manageable set of tasks.

The experience also suits people who already have some aviation knowledge. One participant who identified as an ATPL student found the session enjoyable and useful. That suggests the instructor can offer more than a novelty ride, although the experience is still aimed at a broad audience rather than professional pilot training.

Expect the instructor to explain the basics and help you find your way around the controls. Jeroen is specifically praised for being friendly, patient, and clear. Those qualities matter here because the fun can disappear quickly if you feel rushed or embarrassed by mistakes.

The session is safe in the obvious sense that you are using a simulator rather than a real aircraft. You can try the controls without the risks, costs, or years of training attached to real flight. That makes it a good introduction for children, aviation fans, and anyone who has wondered what the captain is actually doing during takeoff.

Takeoff practice and the first hands-on flying

After the briefing, you work through takeoff and landing sessions. Takeoff is often the moment people most want to try, but it requires more than pushing the throttles forward. You need to understand the controls, keep the aircraft aligned, and respond to the instructor’s guidance.

For a first-time participant, this is likely to be the most demanding part of the experience. Do not expect to master the aircraft in a single hour. The value comes from seeing how many tasks are involved and getting a real feel for the relationship between the controls and the aircraft’s movement.

The session is described as a chance to execute takeoff and landing sessions, followed by a full flight. That sequence gives you more than one quick attempt. You may be able to learn from an early mistake, adjust your technique, and try again with better control.

This is where private instruction earns its keep. In a larger group, you might get only a few minutes at the controls. With one participant, the instructor can focus on your pace and explain what went wrong. The available feedback describes Jeroen as patient, which is exactly what you want when the runway starts moving toward you and the instruments begin demanding attention.

Families should note that one eight-year-old child was able to take two flights, one to Geneva and one to New York. The information does not set a minimum age, so you should confirm age suitability before booking for a young child. Still, that example shows how the activity can work as a memorable gift for a child who dreams of becoming a pilot.

Flying from your chosen airport to your chosen destination

The most appealing feature is the route selection. You can choose a departure airport and a different arrival airport from thousands of virtual airports around the world. That gives the session a personal angle that a fixed demonstration cannot match.

You might choose a familiar airport, a place you have visited, or an airport known for a tricky approach. The available information specifically mentions routes to Geneva and New York, as well as optional visual tours over Hong Kong, Istanbul, and San Francisco.

The airport choice also changes the feel of the session. A familiar city can make the flight easier to follow, while a famous destination adds a bit of theater. If you want the full flight to feel like a journey rather than a technical exercise, choosing two places with personal meaning is a smart approach.

I would decide on your route before arriving. The session has limited time, and you do not want to spend the first minutes debating destinations. If the instructor offers options, ask which route gives you the best balance of flying practice and interesting views.

The optional city tour may be especially appealing if you are less interested in procedures and more interested in seeing the simulator’s visual system. Hong Kong, Istanbul, and San Francisco are named as possible choices. The information does not promise that every city is available at every session, so treat these as examples rather than guaranteed stops.

What the 60-minute duration includes

The advertised duration is approximately one hour, but the wording separates the flying from the instructions and other details. That distinction is important when you compare the price with other activities.

One account describes 60 minutes in the pilot’s seat, followed by a total visit of about 1 hour and 45 minutes. I would not assume that every appointment lasts exactly that long, but you should allow more than one hour in your schedule. The briefing, cockpit orientation, takeoff practice, landings, full flight, and optional visual tour all take time.

The best use of the appointment depends on your priorities. If you are a first-time flyer, give the instructor room to explain the controls. If you already know the basics, you may want to spend more time on the full route or on a demanding landing.

Do not book this directly before a train, flight, or timed reservation unless you have a generous buffer. The listed hour is an approximation, and the activity may run longer when the instruction is thorough.

Is $142.48 good value?

At $142.48 per person, this is a specialist experience rather than a low-cost casual attraction. The value depends on how much you want personal cockpit time.

For a Boeing fan, aspiring pilot, aviation student, or gift buyer, the price can make sense. You receive instruction, private participation, control of the route, and the chance to repeat key parts of the flight. A person who wants a simple visual show may find it expensive.

The strongest value comes from the one-person format. Your time is not divided among a large group, and the instructor can spend the session helping you. The reported longer visit also improves the calculation, although you should not book on the assumption that every session will last 1 hour and 45 minutes.

I would compare the cost with your own interest level. If you have always wanted to know what happens in a 737 cockpit, this offers something a standard museum visit cannot. If you are only mildly curious, $142.48 may be better spent on several lower-cost Antwerp activities.

The price is also easier to justify as a special occasion. The experience has the feel of a personalized gift, especially for a child who wants to become a pilot. The example of an eight-year-old flying two routes shows how the session can become a story the family remembers.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time participants who want a guided introduction to flying
• Aviation students seeking extra cockpit practice
• Children with a serious interest in aircraft, subject to age confirmation
• Couples, families, or friends booking a private activity for one participant
• Boeing 737 fans who want to choose their own route
• Gift buyers looking for something more personal than a standard attraction

The experience may be less suitable if you expect a fully realistic professional training session. It teaches the basics and gives you practical simulator time, but the supplied information does not describe it as an official qualification or certified pilot course.

It may also disappoint you if you want a large group activity where everyone flies. The booking is for one person, and only that participant gets the captain’s seat. Your group can attend, but the format centers on the booked pilot.

How to prepare for a smoother visit

Choose your departure and arrival airports before the appointment. Geneva and New York have already been used as routes, while Hong Kong, Istanbul, and San Francisco are mentioned as possible visual tour locations. Having a plan helps you spend more time flying.

Arrive with your mobile ticket and confirmation ready. Since there has been a reported access problem, double-check the exact address and entry instructions in advance. If you cannot confirm the door code or bell location, contact the provider before the 24-hour cancellation cut-off.

Allow at least 90 minutes in your day, and preferably more. The official duration is about 60 minutes, but instruction and cockpit discussion can extend the visit.

You do not need to arrive with aviation knowledge. The experience specifically includes instructions before the flight, and the positive comments about the instructor’s patience suggest that beginners are not expected to know the controls in advance.

The activity requires good weather. That condition may seem surprising for an indoor simulator, but it is part of the booking terms. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Booking, cancellation, and the current availability warning

Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Canceling less than 24 hours ahead means you will not receive a refund, and changes made within that period are not accepted.

The cut-off uses local Antwerp time. If your plans are uncertain, make changes early rather than waiting until the day before.

The larger concern is the conflicting evidence about availability. One person arrived to find that the place appeared not to exist, the door code failed, the bell information was unavailable, and no one answered messages or calls. Other bookings describe successful sessions with friendly instruction, including flights to Geneva and New York.

Because of that mix, I would verify the activity shortly before your appointment. Make sure the provider confirms the meeting point and access instructions. This is especially important if you are planning it as a Christmas present, traveling from outside Antwerp, or arranging the session around a tight schedule.

My verdict on the Antwerp 737 simulator

I like the core idea. You get the captain’s seat, a real introduction to Boeing 737 controls, guided takeoff and landing practice, and the freedom to choose a route from thousands of airports. The private format and patient instruction from Jeroen add real value, especially for beginners and children.

The price is high, and the advertised hour may not tell the whole story. The location and communication problem also deserves serious attention. Confirm that the center is operating and that the entry instructions work before you commit your day.

Book it if flying a 737 is a long-held interest, you want a distinctive gift, or you value one-on-one instruction. Skip it if you want a cheap activity, a group attraction, or a guaranteed sightseeing stop without any need to check current access details.

FAQ

Where does the flight simulator experience begin?

It begins at Antwerpen Meirbrug, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is approximately one hour. The time may be longer when the briefing, cockpit introduction, and other flight information are included.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $142.48 per person.

How many people participate?

This is a private activity, and the booking allows one person to participate in the simulator.

Do beginners need aviation experience?

No. Instructions are provided before the flight, and the experience teaches the basics of aviation, the Boeing 737 cockpit, and its controls.

Can I choose the airports?

Yes. You can choose a departure airport and an arrival airport from thousands of virtual airports around the world.

Can I practice takeoffs and landings?

Yes. The session includes takeoff and landing practice, followed by a full flight.

Is public transportation available near the meeting point?

Yes. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund.

What happens if poor weather cancels the activity?

You are offered a different date or a full refund.