REVIEW · ANTWERP TOURS

Landed On Time 60 min. Max 1 Person

★ 4.0 · 5 reviews From $142 Operated by Antwerp Flight Simulation Center · Bookable on Viator
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Want to feel the 737 controls in minutes? In Antwerp, you take the captain’s seat in a real Boeing 737 simulator and run takeoff and landing, with the freedom to pick thousands of virtual airports to depart and land. It is hands-on aviation fun that still feels structured, not random.

I especially like that it is beginner-friendly, with instruction before you start so you are not guessing where every switch belongs. The main catch is timing: the pilot-seat block is about 60 minutes, but you should plan closer to 1 hour 45 minutes on site once the briefing and full-flight time are added.

Key highlights you will care about

Landed On Time 60 min. Max 1 Person - Key highlights you will care about

  • Boeing 737 captain seat experience with a cockpit-style setup you can actually control
  • Beginner instruction first, so your first takeoff does not feel like a blind jump
  • Pick your virtual departure and arrival airports for a route that matches your curiosity
  • Multiple phases, including takeoff, landing practice, and a full flight
  • Optional city visual tour possibilities over places like Hong Kong, Istanbul, or San Francisco

Boeing 737 Captain Seat in Antwerp: where the fun starts

This is a focused flight simulator session in Antwerp with a simple promise: you get time in the 737 cockpit and you fly. The meeting point is at Antwerpen Meirbrug2000 in Antwerp, and the area is near public transportation, which matters if you are pairing this with Antwerp sightseeing.

Your session is set up as a private tour/activity, so it is just your group in the room. That small setup usually makes a big difference. You get more chances to ask questions, and the instructor can adjust the pace if you are new to cockpit controls.

Also, bring your phone. This experience uses a mobile ticket, which keeps check-in quick if everything is set up correctly.

More things to do in Antwerp:

From briefing to takeoff: what happens during the cockpit time

Landed On Time 60 min. Max 1 Person - From briefing to takeoff: what happens during the cockpit time
The flow is straightforward and very beginner-minded. You start with the basics of aviation and a look at the Boeing 737 cockpit layout, then you get the core controls explained in plain language. After that, you move into flight practice.

Here is what you can expect once you are seated:

  • You learn the basics of the cockpit and what the controls do.
  • You run takeoff and landing sessions, which is where people usually feel the most progress.
  • You then do a full flight from one chosen departure airport to a destination airport.

The experience is advertised at about 1 hour for the flight simulator time, but one key practical detail comes up in real life: the day can feel longer. People have reported spending around 1 hour 45 minutes total at the center, because the time before you are actively flying still counts toward the experience day. So plan your schedule accordingly.

If you only have a tight window, treat this like an on-site activity block, not just a quick hour. You will enjoy it more if you are not rushing to the next thing.

Choosing departure and arrival airports from the virtual world

Landed On Time 60 min. Max 1 Person - Choosing departure and arrival airports from the virtual world
One of the coolest parts is the freedom to pick your own route. You are not locked into one scripted scenario. You get the flexibility to choose your virtual takeoff and landing airports and even swap departure and arrival from the big list of options.

That flexibility is valuable for two reasons:

  1. You can choose something you recognize, which helps you stay engaged while you learn.
  2. You can choose a route that matches the vibe you want, like a short hop versus a longer, more involved session.

If you are going with kids or a family group, this is where you can turn the experience into something personal. Let the person who is most excited pick the departure airport, and the landing airport. It feels like you are building the story together, not just following a demo.

Learning the controls without fear: how the instruction really works

This is not a you figure it out on your own kind of simulator. The experience is designed to be safe and fun for beginners, with instruction before you fly. That sounds basic, but it is the difference between a “cool machine” and a real learning moment.

The teaching style has a strong reputation for patience. In Antwerp sessions, Jeroen is named as an instructor in multiple accounts, and the consistent theme is clear explanations and a calm pace. One report described learning a lot as a student, including good explanations from a friendly crew. Another described an eight-year-old getting taken on two different flights, one to Geneva and another to New York, with the instructor supporting the experience.

That combination tells me something important: this can work on two levels at once. If you are brand new, the instructor helps you get your bearings fast. If you already have interest in aviation, you still get structured guidance rather than a generic show.

If you are an aspiring pilot type, you will likely appreciate the way the session breaks things into manageable parts. Takeoff and landing practice first helps your brain understand what matters before you stack everything into a full flight.

Nearby, and a completely different afternoon:

Takeoff and landing sessions: why this part feels so satisfying

Takeoff and landing are the moments that make simulator sessions feel real. They are also the moments that teach you the most, because they force you to coordinate multiple actions instead of treating the cockpit like a button machine.

The session includes practice for both:

  • Takeoff session(s), where you learn the fundamentals of getting the airplane rolling and stable.
  • Landing session(s), where you learn how approach and control feel as you come in.

Even if you do not walk away feeling like a professional pilot, you will probably leave with something practical: a clearer sense of how control inputs relate to flight behavior. That is the big value of learning in a cockpit simulator. It is not just watching screens, you are actively responding.

The optional city visual tour: when to add it

There is an optional visual tour component, where your experience can include visuals over exciting cities such as Hong Kong, Istanbul, or San Fransisco (spelled that way in the listing). This is a nice add-on if you want the flight to feel more like travel and less like pure training.

When this is a good idea:

  • You are going with people who enjoy seeing where flights go, not just learning controls.
  • You want a souvenir memory that goes beyond the cockpit itself.

When you might skip it: if you feel you already have your hands full mastering takeoff, landing, and the full route. In that case, you can treat the main flight portion as the “main event,” and let the visual tour be a bonus only if it fits naturally.

Time, value, and what $142.48 buys you in Antwerp

The price is $142.48 per person. On paper, the simulator is about an hour, but once you factor in briefing and the full flight progression, it becomes a longer, more complete experience.

What makes it feel like reasonable value is that you are not just watching a demonstration. You get time in the captain’s seat, instructions geared toward beginners, and multiple segments (takeoff, landing practice, and a full flight). Plus, you have a private setup, so the instructor can focus on your group rather than moving on to another party in the same slot.

It also tends to be a strong value for families. One person even described bringing a child who really wanted to be a pilot, and the instructor supported the experience with two separate flights. If your group is looking for a memorable activity that does not require aviation experience, this is one of those rare “everyone participates” ideas.

If your expectation is an airline-style simulator training course with advanced procedures, you might feel the scope is more playful and introductory. But if you want a real cockpit experience that teaches you the basics and gives you meaningful control time, the price feels more aligned.

Getting to Antwerpen Meirbrug2000 and making check-in smooth

The meeting point is Antwerpen Meirbrug2000, Antwerp, and the location is near public transportation. That helps because you do not need a car to make it work.

One practical note: a past booking had issues with door access and communication, including a non-working code and no response through the usual channels. I do not treat that as guaranteed to happen, but it does suggest a smart habit. Before you go, double-check the exact address details in your confirmation, and make sure you know how the entry is supposed to work.

Also, arrive a little early. Even if everything is smooth, you will settle faster, get briefed better, and enjoy the session more.

Who this is best for in Antwerp

I would put this experience on the list for:

  • Beginners who want to learn the Boeing 737 cockpit basics without pressure
  • People who like hands-on activities rather than “stand and watch”
  • Families with kids who love planes, especially when you can let them pick airports
  • Aviation-curious adults, including people with some background who still want a guided cockpit feel

The reviews support a wide range of ages and experience levels, from a child doing flights to an adult student learning a lot from a friendly instructor. That range matters because it means the session is adaptable. You can come for fun and leave with new understanding.

Weather and scheduling: a small detail that matters

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. That is a key planning detail in Belgium when you are building a day.

If you are visiting in a season with changeable conditions, treat this like an activity you schedule with flexibility. Build in buffer time around it so you are not stuck if your date gets shifted.

Should you book this Antwerp Boeing 737 simulator?

Book it if you want a real captain’s seat experience in Antwerp, you like the idea of learning cockpit basics first, and you care that you can choose your own departure and arrival airports. You will likely enjoy the way takeoff and landing practice leads into a full flight, especially if you are new to aviation.

Skip it only if your goal is advanced training or if you need a very precise time commitment. The pilot-seat time is about an hour, but the whole session day can run longer, around 1 hour 45 minutes total. Also, because it depends on good weather, keep a flexible plan.

If you are looking for a high-impact, beginner-friendly activity with a strong chance of fun, this Boeing 737 simulator session is a solid pick.

FAQ

How long is the flight simulator experience in Antwerp?

The experience is about 1 hour. You should also plan for extra time on site, since instruction and other details before and during the flight can bring the total time to around 1 hour 45 minutes.

Where does the experience start?

The meeting point is Antwerpen Meirbrug2000, Antwerp, Belgium, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is this a private session?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Do I need to be a pilot to join?

No. Most travelers can participate, and instructions are given before your flight, making it suitable for beginners.

Can I choose which airports I depart from and land at?

Yes. You can choose your departure and arrival airports from thousands of virtual airports, and you can pick a different airport for landing too.

What if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

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