Airbus A320 flight simulator Frankfurt Airport

The unusual part is simple: you get to fly an Airbus A320 from an authentic cockpit, not just sit in a mock-up and push a few buttons. Your instructor gives you a short lesson, then puts you in charge of takeoffs, landings, navigation, and weather choices across a 180-degree screen showing 24,000 airports.

I like the guaranteed 60 minutes in the cockpit and the freedom to choose your route. I also like that the experience works for beginners, while still giving aviation fans plenty to think about. The one drawback is that flying an airliner is a demanding multitasking job, so the hour may feel less relaxed than you expect.

Key points

• Authentic Airbus A320 cockpit: You sit at the controls of a major short- and medium-haul airliner.
• 60 minutes of guaranteed cockpit time: The session includes takeoffs, landings, and instructor support.
• Choose from 24,000 airports: Try Frankfurt, New York, Sint Maarten, or the former Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong.
• Weather is part of the challenge: Set clear skies, fog, thunderstorms, or other conditions.
• Up to two companions can watch: They follow the flight live on a monitor and receive a soft drink.
• English or German instruction: The total visit lasts about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the session.

Taking the Captain’s Seat at Frankfurt Airport

This experience puts you in the captain’s seat of an Airbus A320, one of the world’s best-known passenger aircraft. You are not simply watching a computer-generated flight. You are handling the controls while an instructor helps you make sense of the aircraft and the information in front of you.

The simulator uses a 180-degree spherical screen with three Full HD projectors. That wide view matters. You can look toward the runway, follow the approach, and get a stronger sense of the visual work involved in flying an airliner.

You do not need professional aviation experience. The session is designed for a first-time flyer as well as for a pilot or aviation enthusiast who wants time in an A320 cockpit. That broad appeal is one of its strengths, though beginners should understand that the controls will not feel instantly simple.

The 15 to 20-Minute Briefing

Your session begins with an instructor briefing lasting about 15 to 20 minutes. You receive an introduction to the Airbus A320, its controls, and basic flight physics. This is important preparation, since you will be dealing with many tasks at once once the aircraft begins moving.

The briefing is not just a formality. A large airliner cockpit has more information and controls than most first-time visitors expect. You will need to concentrate on what the aircraft is doing, what the instruments show, and what your instructor asks you to do next.

Lars is identified as an instructor connected with this experience. His role, like that of the other instructors, is to prepare you for the flight and support you during it. English and German are available, so you can request the language in which you will be most comfortable learning.

If you are booking this as a surprise gift, give the pilot a little warning about the technical nature of the activity. The goal is not simply to sit back and enjoy scenery. The fun comes from trying to control a large aircraft while keeping up with several demands at once.

Choosing a Route From 24,000 Airports

You can choose your route before the flight or let the instructor suggest one. That gives the session a useful personal touch. You might pick airports you know, famous airports you have always wanted to see, or a destination chosen for its difficult approach.

Frankfurt and New York are straightforward choices for people who want major airport settings. Sint Maarten offers a more unusual Caribbean setting, while the former Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong provides a famous challenge from aviation history. Kai Tak is no longer operating, but the simulator lets you try its well-known approach.

The airport choice changes the character of the session. A familiar airport may help you focus on flying the aircraft. An unusual airport can make the hour feel more like a special aviation challenge. If you are uncertain, ask your instructor to guide the program rather than spending your cockpit time trying to decide.

The supplied information does not promise a particular route or number of landings. Your instructor will help shape the session, and the main focus is on takeoffs and landings. If one airport is especially important to you, mention it when booking or at the start of the visit.

What the 60-Minute Flight Feels Like

You receive 60 minutes of guaranteed cockpit time, which is the central value of the experience. The time is long enough to practice rather than rush through a single takeoff and landing, though it is not a full pilot-training course.

Flying an A320 requires concentration. You may need to watch instruments, respond to instructor prompts, manage the aircraft’s direction, and prepare for the next stage of the flight. One useful lesson from the session is that modern aircraft may do much of the technical work, but the person in the cockpit still has to monitor and manage many details.

The experience can feel challenging even with technical support. That is not a flaw, but it is worth knowing before you pay for it. If you expect an easy arcade game, you may find the workload surprising. If you want to understand why airline pilots train repeatedly for basic procedures, this is exactly the point.

Your session includes practice with takeoffs and landings. These are the moments most people want to try, and they also show how much precision is needed. The instructor can help you recover from mistakes, so you are not left alone when the approach becomes difficult.

After the flight, you receive a short debriefing of about five to ten minutes. This gives you a chance to settle the session, ask questions, and think about what went well and what was harder than expected.

Setting Clear Skies, Fog, and Thunderstorms

Weather is one of the best features of the simulator because it lets you control the level of difficulty. You can fly in good weather, select an instrument landing in dense fog, or add thunderstorms for a more demanding session.

For a first visit, clear weather makes sense. You can learn the controls without adding poor visibility to the task. Once you understand the basic handling, harder conditions offer a useful test of concentration and instrument work.

The simulator cannot turn you into a trained airline pilot in one hour, but it can show you why weather changes the job. A runway that looks easy in clear conditions becomes a much more technical task in fog. The option to choose conditions also helps different people enjoy the same booking. One person may want a gentle introduction, while another may want the toughest landing available.

Ask your instructor how much of the flight should be spent on difficult conditions. Since cockpit time is limited, you may prefer to get the basic takeoff and landing practice first before trying a storm or fog scenario.

Bringing Family or Friends Into the Session

Up to two accompanying people can watch the flight live on a monitor. They are not sitting in the cockpit with you, but they can follow the action and see how the pilot handles the session.

That makes this a better shared activity than a standard individual simulator booking. A partner, friend, or family member can watch, then take part in the conversation during the debriefing. Each pilot and accompanying person also receives a welcome soft drink.

The information does not say that companions receive their own cockpit time as part of the standard booking. However, if another customer is scheduled on the same shift, you may be offered the chance to act as co-pilot for that person’s additional 60 minutes at no extra cost. This is why you should allow up to 2.5 hours rather than planning to leave exactly one hour after arrival.

If you do not want to use that extra co-pilot option, discuss it with the instructor. It is an optional arrangement, not a guaranteed part of every booking.

How Long to Allow at the Simulator

The listed duration is 2.5 hours, while the included program takes at least 1.5 hours. The difference depends on the schedule and on whether you are given the chance to join another customer’s flight.

A typical visit includes:

• A welcome and 15 to 20-minute briefing
• 60 minutes of cockpit time
• A five to ten-minute debriefing
• Possible extra time as a co-pilot for another customer
• A welcome soft drink for the pilot and up to two companions

Plan your day around the maximum time. This is especially important if you are fitting the simulator around a flight from Frankfurt Airport or another appointment. The activity ends back at the meeting point, but the exact starting time must be checked when you book.

The location is given as Frankfurt Airport in Hesse, Germany. The supplied details do not provide a more exact street address, so check the confirmed meeting instructions carefully before setting out.

Is $192 a Good Value?

At $192 per person, this is not a casual airport attraction. It is a specialist experience built around a full hour in a professional-style Airbus cockpit, instructor support, and a large projection system.

The value is strongest if you care about aviation, want a memorable gift, or have always wondered what it feels like to handle an airliner. Sixty minutes is enough time to move beyond a brief photo opportunity and practice more than one procedure.

The price is harder to justify if you only want a quick novelty activity. You also need to remember that the optional flight DVD costs extra. If recording the session matters to you, include that added cost in your budget rather than assuming it comes with the booking.

The possible extra co-pilot hour can improve the value for a couple or small group, but it depends on another customer being booked during the same shift. Treat it as a useful possibility, not part of the guaranteed package.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this for adults and older children who already have an interest in aircraft, flight simulation, or unusual technical experiences. It suits someone who likes learning by doing and does not mind a little pressure when several tasks arrive at once.

It is also a good gift for a frequent flyer. Passengers who spend their time looking into the cockpit will finally get a clearer sense of the work involved in getting a large aircraft safely off the ground and back down again.

Children under 12 are not permitted. The experience is also not suitable for anyone under 120 centimeters, anyone over 135 kilograms, or babies under one year old. These limits are practical booking conditions, so check them before paying.

You do not need to be a professional pilot. The briefing is designed to prepare a layperson, and the instructor remains available during the flight. Still, you should choose this over a lighter entertainment activity only if you want to concentrate and follow instructions.

Practical Tips Before You Book

Choose your airport and weather plan in advance if you already know what you want to try. That lets you spend more of the cockpit hour flying instead of making decisions after the briefing.

For a first session, I would start with a clear-weather takeoff and landing. You can then ask for fog, thunderstorms, or another demanding condition if time allows. This approach gives you a fair chance to learn the basic controls before raising the difficulty.

Bring up to two companions if you want the experience to feel social. They can watch live on the monitor, but only the booked pilot is guaranteed the 60-minute cockpit session.

Ask about the DVD before the flight if you want a recording. It is an optional purchase, and it is easier to decide before takeoff than after the session has ended.

The experience offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful if your Frankfurt plans are still changing, but you should still check the available start times before committing.

Should You Book the Airbus A320 Simulator?

Book it if you want a hands-on aviation experience rather than a passive airport attraction. The strongest reasons are the authentic A320 cockpit, the guaranteed hour at the controls, the choice of 24,000 airports, and weather settings that let you set your own challenge.

I would be more cautious if you dislike technical instruction or expect an effortless flight. The aircraft demands focus, and even with an instructor helping you, multitasking can be harder than it looks.

For the right person, $192 buys a memorable attempt at one of aviation’s most demanding jobs. Pick a route, start with sensible weather, listen closely to the briefing, and leave room in your schedule for the possible extra co-pilot session.

FAQ

Where is the Airbus A320 flight simulator located?

The experience takes place at Frankfurt Airport in Hesse, Germany. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is at least 1.5 hours and can run up to 2.5 hours. The booking information lists 2.5 hours, so you should allow the full amount of time.

How much cockpit time is guaranteed?

You receive 60 minutes of guaranteed cockpit time in the Airbus A320 simulator.

Is instruction provided for beginners?

Yes. The session starts with a 15 to 20-minute briefing covering the controls, flight physics, and the Airbus A320. The experience is suitable for laypeople and professionals.

Can I choose the airport and weather?

Yes. You can choose your route from 24,000 airports and select weather conditions. Options range from clear weather to dense fog and thunderstorms.

Can friends or family watch?

Yes. Up to two accompanying people can follow the flight live on a monitor. Pilots and accompanying people receive a welcome soft drink.

Is a flight recording included?

No. A DVD recording of the flight is optional and can be purchased separately.