Landed On Time 60 min. Max 1 Person

Take the controls without flight school. This Antwerp session puts you in the captain’s seat of a Boeing 737, then lets you choose virtual airports around the world for takeoffs, landings, and a full flight. I like the freedom to pick your own route and the patient, beginner-friendly instruction from Jeroen. The main caution is practical: one booking attempt ended with a nonworking door code and no response, so confirm the appointment and meeting details before setting out.

The advertised flight time is about 60 minutes, but the full visit can last longer. One detailed account spent roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes at the center because the hour in the pilot’s seat did not include the briefing and extra explanation. At $142.48 per person, that is a fair price for a private, hands-on activity, especially if you are interested in aviation or want a memorable gift. It is less compelling if you expect a polished public attraction with a long program.

Key points at a glance

• Choose airports worldwide: Pick your own departure and arrival points, including routes to places such as Geneva or New York.
• Fly a Boeing 737 cockpit: Learn the basic controls from the captain’s seat rather than simply watching a screen.
• Beginner-friendly guidance: You receive an introduction to aviation, the cockpit, and the controls before taking off.
• Private session: Only your group participates, making this more personal than a shared simulator ride.
• Extra city views may be available: You can optionally request a visual tour over cities such as Hong Kong, Istanbul, or San Francisco.
• Check the practical details carefully: The activity is booked for one person at a time, and the meeting instructions deserve attention.

What this Antwerp simulator actually offers

This is not a sightseeing flight over Antwerp. It is a controlled Boeing 737 flight simulator session where you learn enough of the aircraft’s basic operation to perform several flight tasks.

Your visit begins with an introduction to aviation and the Boeing 737 cockpit. You are shown the controls and given the basic information needed to operate the aircraft. That matters because the cockpit can feel intimidating at first. A Boeing 737 has a large number of switches, instruments, and controls, and an unprepared beginner could spend the whole session simply trying to work out what does what.

After the briefing, you move into takeoff and landing exercises. These short sections give you a chance to get used to the controls without needing to manage an entire flight at once. You can then take on a full flight from an airport you choose to a destination you select.

The ability to choose both ends of the route is the heart of the experience. You could set up a flight between familiar places, try a route connected to a future trip, or choose airports simply because they sound challenging or exciting. The available virtual airport selection is described as numbering in the thousands, so you are not limited to one fixed scenario.

An optional visual tour may also be possible over Hong Kong, Istanbul, or San Francisco. This sounds like the most scenic part of the session, but it is listed as an option rather than a guaranteed feature for every booking. If the city flyover matters to you, ask about it when arranging the experience.

Sitting in the Boeing 737 captain’s seat

The appeal here is physical and practical. You are not just handed a joystick and asked to steer a generic aircraft. You sit in a Boeing 737 cockpit and work with the controls used to represent a commercial airliner.

That distinction is especially important for aviation fans and students. One participant studying for an airline transport pilot qualification found the session useful and enjoyable, while also praising the friendly crew. You should not confuse this with formal pilot training, but the simulator can help you understand how the cockpit is organized and how many steps are involved in a normal flight.

For a first-time flyer, the setting offers a safe way to make mistakes. You can learn what happens when you are too fast, too slow, or not lined up properly without putting anyone at risk. The point is not to produce a qualified pilot in an hour. The point is to give you a real feel for the workload and decision-making involved.

I would arrive ready to ask questions. The session becomes more valuable when you treat it as an introduction rather than a quick amusement ride. Ask about the instruments, the purpose of the main controls, and what you should watch during takeoff and landing. The exact amount of instruction may vary, but the experience is designed for beginners.

The briefing comes before the flight

The opening lesson covers three main subjects: basic aviation, the Boeing 737 cockpit, and the aircraft controls. This part may sound less exciting than the actual flight, but it is what makes the hands-on section work.

You will need some orientation before you can enjoy choosing airports. Without it, the simulator could feel like a wall of equipment. The briefing gives you a way to understand what you are seeing and helps you get your bearings fast once the flight begins.

The strongest praise has gone to the instructor’s manner. Jeroen is described as patient and clear, and one family visit included two flights for an eight-year-old who hoped to become a pilot. That is a useful clue about the tone of the session. It appears suited to curious beginners, not only people who already know aviation terminology.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. A one-hour flying session cannot cover every aircraft system or offer a full pilot-training lesson. You will learn the basics and practice selected tasks. If you already have advanced aviation experience, you may find the introductory material familiar, though the cockpit time can still be enjoyable.

Takeoffs and landings give you quick feedback

The takeoff and landing exercises are likely to be the most satisfying part for someone new to flight simulation. These are recognizable goals, and you can tell quickly when your approach is improving.

Takeoff gives you a chance to manage the first major stage of the flight. Landing demands more attention, since you must line up with the runway and control the aircraft as you descend. The instructor can guide you through the process, which keeps the experience from becoming a confusing trial and error session.

The session includes takeoff and landing practice as well as a full flight. That combination is good value because it lets you repeat key skills before asking you to manage a longer route. You are not simply flying from one screen to another with no explanation.

One account described two flights, one to Geneva and one to New York, during a child’s visit. That suggests the flexible route planning can support more than one short scenario, though you should not assume that every booking includes two complete flights. The advertised format is for one person and about 60 minutes of flight time.

Picking your own route makes the session personal

Many simulator experiences hand you a fixed airport and scenario. This one gives you a stronger sense of control before you even touch the aircraft.

You can choose where to take off and where to land from thousands of virtual airports. A person fascinated by major international hubs can select famous destinations. Someone planning a real trip could use the session to make an upcoming journey feel more familiar. A child can choose a favorite city, while an aviation student may want to compare different airport approaches.

That flexibility also helps repeat visits. If you return with family, you can select a different route rather than repeating exactly the same flight. The family account involving an eight-year-old shows how well the concept can work as a special gift, especially for a child who already dreams of flying.

The limitation is that a choice of airports does not necessarily mean every airport offers the same level of challenge or detail. The information provided does not specify which airports are best for beginners, so ask the instructor to recommend a route if you are unsure. A simple flight may be better for your first attempt than an ambitious destination chosen only for its name.

Optional city flyovers add a visual treat

The optional visual tour is a nice extra for people who want more than procedures. Hong Kong, Istanbul, and San Francisco are specifically offered as examples, giving you a chance to see an impressive city from the air in the simulator.

This part may appeal most to families and gift recipients who are more interested in the sensation of flying than technical instruction. It can also break up the concentration required for takeoffs and landings.

Do not build your entire decision around the city tour. It is described as optional, and there is no detailed promise about its length or exact format. Ask whether it can be included during your booking and how it affects the flight time.

Why the private format matters

This is a private activity, so only your group participates. That gives you a better chance to ask questions and receive direct help than you would in a large shared session.

For a nervous beginner, privacy removes some pressure. You do not have to perform in front of strangers, and a child can ask basic questions without feeling self-conscious. The instructor can also adjust explanations to the person in the seat. The account involving the young pilot suggests this flexibility is part of the experience’s appeal.

The phrase one person in the booking information is worth noting. The price is listed per person, but the activity is capped at one person, so check exactly how companions are handled before paying. The supplied details confirm a private format but do not explain whether an accompanying family member may watch from the room.

If you are booking this as a present, confirm the arrangement in advance. A child may be the person flying, but an adult may need to handle the booking and accompany them. Do not assume that every person in your party receives simulator time.

Timing: plan for more than the advertised hour

The listed duration is approximately one hour. That refers to the flight experience, while the actual visit can be longer because instruction and other aviation details come first.

A useful planning estimate is around 1 hour and 45 minutes based on one especially detailed visit. I would leave extra time before and after, particularly if you are fitting the simulator into a day of sightseeing in Antwerp.

The activity starts and ends at the meeting point on Meirbrug, 2000 Antwerp. It is near public transportation, which makes it reasonably easy to reach without a car. The directions deserve careful attention, however. One booking attempt reported that the supplied door code did not work, the bell code location could not be found, and no one responded by phone or message.

That is a serious practical warning, even though the other experiences were positive. Before you go, confirm the address, access code, and a working contact number with Antwerp Flight Simulation Center. Keep your booking confirmation available on your mobile phone, since the ticket is mobile.

Is $142.48 a fair price?

At $142.48 per person, this is not a casual, low-cost activity. The value depends on how much you want personal cockpit time.

I consider the price reasonable for an aviation enthusiast, a student, or someone searching for an unusual gift. You receive instruction, practice takeoffs and landings, a full selected flight, and private use of the experience. The potential visit length of nearly two hours also improves the value, provided your session follows that longer pattern.

For a family, the price can rise quickly if more than one person wants to fly. Since the activity is limited to one person and your group is private, clarify the cost and arrangement for additional participants. The information supplied does not confirm whether each person can take a turn.

This is not the best choice if you only want a quick novelty photograph in a cockpit. It is also not a substitute for professional flight instruction. You are paying for access to the simulator, guidance from an instructor, and the chance to control a Boeing 737 in a structured setting.

The rating shown is 4.2 out of 5, based on five ratings. That is encouraging but a small sample, and the reports are mixed on the practical side. The positive accounts consistently point to friendly staff, useful explanations, patience, and good value. The access problem is the one issue I would take seriously before booking.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the experience to:

• First-time simulator users who want patient instruction
• Children with a strong interest in becoming pilots
• Aviation students who want extra cockpit familiarity
• Couples or families looking for a private activity
• Gift buyers searching for something more memorable than a standard city tour
• Anyone who enjoys choosing destinations and building a route

You may want to skip it if you dislike technical activities, prefer a group attraction with a fixed schedule, or expect formal pilot certification. The session is educational and entertaining, but it remains a short introduction.

Age suitability is not formally stated. However, an eight-year-old successfully took part in a family visit, so the experience can work for a child when arranged appropriately. Ask about the specific participant before booking if age is important to your plans.

Booking and cancellation advice

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile. The experience is near public transportation, but you should still verify the exact entrance details because access instructions have caused trouble for at least one booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time in Antwerp.

The activity also requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That condition is unusual for an indoor simulator, so I would confirm how weather affects your particular appointment before traveling to Antwerp solely for this activity.

Should you book the Antwerp 737 simulator?

Book it if you want real time in a Boeing 737 cockpit, prefer a private session, and like the idea of choosing your own airports. The best reasons to go are the patient instruction, flexible routes, and mix of basic lessons with actual takeoffs, landings, and a full flight.

I would book with one extra step: confirm the address, entry code, appointment, and contact details directly before you leave. With that practical point settled, the experience offers a distinctive way to spend part of your time in Antwerp, especially for an aviation-minded child, student, or first-time pilot at heart.

FAQ

Where does the Boeing 737 simulator experience start?

It starts at Antwerpen Meirbrug, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately one hour. Instruction takes place before the flight, and one detailed visit lasted about 1 hour and 45 minutes in total.

Can beginners participate?

Yes. The session includes an introduction to aviation, the Boeing 737 cockpit, and the aircraft controls before you begin flying.

Can I choose the airports?

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

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates, although the booking information specifies a maximum of one person.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.