Review · ZÜRICH TOURS

Boeing B777 flight simulator in Zurich

★ 5.0 · 25 reviews 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) From $301 Bookable on Viator
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Take the captain’s seat without leaving Zurich. This private Boeing B777 flight simulator gives you a taste of airline flying, with an experienced instructor beside you from briefing to touchdown. I like the one-on-one feel and the fact that the 60-minute flight is separate from the 15 to 20 minute briefing. The main drawback is simple: one hour goes quickly, especially when two people want time at the controls.

I also like the flexible setup for a small group. One or two people can act as pilots while two or three others watch, so nobody has to fly to enjoy the session. The experience is especially handy on a rainy day in Zurich, though you should plan ahead since it is often booked about 63 days in advance.

Key points at a glance

  • A full-size airline experience in Zurich: Learn the basics of piloting a Boeing B777 without leaving the city.
  • Sixty minutes at the controls: The briefing lasts about 15 to 20 minutes and does not reduce your flight time.
  • Private group format: Only your own party takes part, with an instructor focused on your group.
  • Pilot and spectator roles: One or two people fly while two or three accompanying people can watch.
  • Patient, highly praised instruction: Instructors including Sven Amacker, Tony, and Roger have been singled out for clear explanations and patience.
  • Good rainy-day choice: The indoor setting gives you a useful Zurich activity when outdoor plans are less appealing.

Why a Boeing B777 simulator makes a good Zurich activity

A flight simulator gives you something very different from a standard city tour. You are not simply looking at an aircraft or hearing a talk about aviation. You are placed in the role of the person responsible for operating a large passenger jet, with an instructor explaining what to do and why it matters.

That makes this a strong choice for aviation fans, families, and anyone curious about the daily work of a line pilot. You do not need to arrive with technical knowledge. The briefing is designed to help you operate the aircraft safely, and the instructor remains with you throughout the session.

The private format is important. You are not sharing the cockpit with a large class, and the instructor can adjust the pace for your group. If you have a child who wants to ask endless questions, or a companion who is nervous about touching the controls, that personal attention is useful.

I would also treat this as a practical backup plan for Zurich weather. Rain can put a dent in sightseeing, but it does not affect an indoor simulator. You still get an activity connected to travel and aviation, rather than a generic indoor attraction.

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Arriving at Josefstrasse 53 in Zurich

The activity begins at Fly & Race Simulations GmbH, at Josefstrasse 53, 8005 Zürich. The meeting point is near public transportation, which makes it easier to reach without relying on a car.

The experience ends at the same location. That makes your schedule fairly easy to manage, since you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer or find your way to another part of the city afterward.

Parking fees are not included. If you plan to drive, add that cost to your budget and allow time to find parking. Public transportation may be the less complicated choice, particularly if you are fitting the simulator between other Zurich plans.

Bring your paper ticket, and note that the experience is offered in English. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since this activity is often reserved well in advance, I would avoid leaving it until the last day of a short Zurich visit.

The welcome and the 15 to 20 minute briefing

The session starts with a welcome and drinks, including coffee, tea, and soda or pop. It is a small touch, but it helps everyone settle in before the technical part begins.

Next comes the safety and operating briefing. This lasts about 15 to 20 minutes and is separate from the flight itself. That detail matters because you receive a full hour in the simulator rather than losing part of your paid flight time to introductions and instructions.

The briefing is where you learn how to handle the aircraft safely. You can expect guidance on the basic process of operating the Boeing B777, along with an explanation of what the instructor will ask you to do during the flight.

The goal is not to turn you into a qualified pilot in one visit. Instead, you get a clear taste of the decisions, procedures, and concentration involved in airline flying. The instructor leads you through the process, so you can focus on learning rather than worrying about making a mistake.

This is also the best time to ask questions. Past participants especially praised the instructors for taking time to explain details. Sven Amacker was noted for his patient, careful instruction, while Tony was praised for his friendly manner. Roger also received strong praise for answering questions and sharing useful information about flying.

One hour in the Boeing B777 cockpit

After the briefing, you spend about 60 minutes in the simulator. One or two people can take the pilot roles, while two or three accompanying people can watch.

That split works well for families and small groups. A parent and child might share the controls, while other family members observe. A couple can also decide if one person wants the full pilot role while the other watches and asks questions.

The simulator is designed to give you the feel of operating a Boeing B777. The realism has been a major part of the appeal, with strong praise for how convincing the experience feels from start to finish. You should expect the instructor to guide you throughout rather than leave you to work out the cockpit alone.

For a first-time participant, the value is in the combination of controls and explanation. You are not just pressing buttons at random. You are learning how a professional flight environment works, with an instructor helping you understand each stage.

The activity description does not promise a particular route, airport, weather setting, or landing challenge. Those details may depend on the session and instructor, so I would not book it expecting one exact scenario. The reliable part is the aircraft type, the instructor support, and the 60 minutes of simulator time.

A small warning about timing: 60 minutes is generous for one pilot, but it can feel short if two people want equal control time. Decide before you arrive who wants to fly and who is happy to watch. That avoids spending valuable minutes negotiating roles in the cockpit.

What the instructor adds to the experience

The instructor is the difference between a basic simulator session and a useful aviation lesson. You receive guidance from an experienced pilot, captain, or flight instructor, and the instructor stays with you during the simulator portion.

That support makes the activity suitable for people who have never touched aircraft controls. You can ask questions as they arise, and you do not need to pretend you understand aviation terminology. The strongest praise has focused on patience, friendliness, and the willingness to explain each part carefully.

Sven Amacker has been specifically praised for creating a smooth and enjoyable session while explaining the simulation in detail. Tony was described as patient and friendly, with the experience becoming a special memory for a young family member. Roger was also praised for answering questions and spending extra time with a group after a delayed start.

That last detail is encouraging, but you should not assume every session will run beyond its scheduled time. The listed duration is approximately one hour and 20 minutes, including the briefing. Plan around that stated duration rather than counting on extra minutes.

The private booking means the instructor’s attention stays with your group. This is particularly valuable if you have mixed interests. A keen aviation fan can ask technical questions, while a first-time participant can receive a slower explanation without feeling rushed by strangers.

Who gets the most from the private format

The experience is best for a small group of up to four people. The price is listed per group rather than per person, which makes the arrangement more appealing when you fill the available places.

The setup allows one or two people to act as pilots and two or three people to accompany them as spectators. The exact arrangement should fit within the stated maximum group size of four, so a group of four could include two pilots and two spectators.

Families are a natural fit. A parent can fly with a child, while other family members watch and take part in the discussion. The strong response from families suggests that the session works well for younger aviation fans, although the supplied information does not give a minimum age.

It also suits couples and friends who want a shared activity with a clear focus. If only one person in your party cares about aviation, that person can fly while the others still take part as spectators.

You should be comfortable with the fact that this is an instructional experience, not a free-play arcade game. The instructor will guide the session, and the focus is on learning to operate the aircraft safely.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. A maximum weight of 120 kilograms applies, so check that requirement before booking if it affects anyone in your party.

Is the $301.76 group price good value?

The listed price is $301.76 for a group of up to four. At the full group size, that works out to about $75.44 per person. For two people, it is about $150.88 each, so the value depends heavily on how many people share the booking.

The price makes the most sense for a full small group, especially because the booking is private and includes a 60-minute simulator session plus the briefing and drinks. You are paying for personal instruction, not just access to a machine.

For one person, the cost is harder to justify unless the Boeing B777 itself is a long-held interest. For two aviation fans, it can still be worthwhile because both can take a pilot role. For four people, the spectator option helps spread the cost across the group.

The included coffee, tea, and soft drinks are pleasant but should not affect your decision much. The main value comes from the instructor’s time, the private format, and the hour in the simulator.

I would compare it with the cost of other paid Zurich activities, but I would also remember that this is a specialist experience. You are paying for something unusual, indoors, and closely tied to the work of a commercial pilot.

Practical tips before you book

Book early if this is important to your Zurich schedule. The activity is often booked around 63 days ahead, and confirmation remains subject to availability.

Think about group roles before arrival. If two people want to fly, agree on how to share the 60 minutes. If only one person wants the controls, the others can watch and ask questions without needing to operate the aircraft.

Allow about one hour and 20 minutes for the full visit. The flight itself lasts 60 minutes, while the briefing takes another 15 to 20 minutes. Add a little extra time for arrival and departure so you are not rushing into the session.

Use public transportation if convenient, since the location is near public transit. If you drive, remember that parking fees are not included.

The experience is offered in English. That makes it practical for English-speaking visitors, but you should keep the language requirement in mind if everyone in your group is not comfortable following an English briefing.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cutoff follows local Zurich time.

My call: Should you book it?

I would book this Boeing B777 simulator if you want a private, practical aviation experience and can share the price with at least one other person. It is especially appealing for families, aviation enthusiasts, and rainy-day planners who want more than a passive museum visit.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the private setting, the full hour of simulator time, and the instructors’ patient approach. Sven Amacker, Tony, and Roger have each been praised for making the session clear, friendly, and enjoyable.

I would hesitate if your group wants a large sightseeing activity, a fixed flight route, or a low-cost attraction for one person. The 60 minutes can also pass quickly when two people are sharing the pilot role.

For the right group, though, this is a memorable Zurich change of pace. You leave the city streets for the cockpit, learn how a major passenger aircraft is handled, and get a direct sense of the focus required in airline flying.

FAQ

Where does the Boeing B777 simulator experience begin?

It begins at Fly & Race Simulations GmbH, Josefstrasse 53, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland.

Where does the activity end?

The experience ends back at the same meeting point in Zurich.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is approximately one hour and 20 minutes. This includes a briefing of about 15 to 20 minutes and 60 minutes in the simulator.

Does the briefing reduce the 60 minutes of flight time?

No. The briefing does not count toward the simulator flight time.

How many people can take part?

The activity is priced for a private group of up to four people. One or two people can act as pilots, while two or three can attend as accompanying spectators.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is parking included?

No. Parking fees are not included in the price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

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