Stepping into a Boeing 737 cockpit is the real deal. In Antwerp, you can sit in the captain’s seat and run through takeoff, landing, and a full flight in a modern flight simulator setting. It’s the kind of experience that turns aviation curiosity into hands-on practice, without needing years of training.

I love how beginner-friendly it is, with instructions given before your flight. I also like the freedom you get with virtual airports, letting you pick where you take off from and where you land.

One thing to consider is that this experience has had real-world hiccups in the past, including issues finding the location or getting help when codes or access went wrong. I recommend you arrive a little early, and keep a backup plan for contacting the provider if anything feels off.

Key things to know before you go

• Captain’s seat in a Boeing 737 simulator, built for first-timers and control practice
• Pick your departure and arrival airports, from thousands of virtual options
• Takeoff, landing, and a full-flight session included in the experience flow
• Optional visual tours over cities like Hong Kong, Istanbul, and San Fransisco
• Private setup so it’s just your group, typically with a short max-one-person focus

A 60-Minute Seat in the Boeing 737 Cockpit, Right in Antwerp

If you have ever watched planes overhead and wondered what the cockpit feels like, this is a fun shortcut. You are not studying for a license. You are learning how a Boeing 737 works in a controlled, safe setting, with your seat in the role of captain.

This one runs in Antwerp, Belgium, with the start point at Antwerpen Meirbrug2000 Antwerp. It is near public transportation, which matters in a city where you do not want to burn time figuring out the last few blocks. The session is sold as about 1 hour, and based on real visits, you should also expect extra time on site for pre-flight explanation and details.

The “private tour” part is also a big deal for value and comfort. It means you are not sharing attention with a large crowd. It also tends to make the questions flow easier, which matters when you are learning controls for the first time.

What You Actually Do Inside the Simulator

Here is the practical heart of the experience: you learn the basics of aviation and the Boeing 737 cockpit, then you move to controlling the plane. The format is designed to take you from overview to hands-on work without assuming prior flight experience.

Before you touch the controls, you get a walkthrough. That is the part that makes this work for beginners. You are not just being dropped into a cockpit and told to figure it out. You get an orientation to the main controls and what actions do during takeoff and landing.

Then comes the practice. You do structured sessions that focus on the most important phases of flight: getting the plane moving correctly, getting it up and under control, and then bringing it down for landing. After that, you run a full flight from a virtual departure airport to a selected destination.

It is a good way to understand aviation as a sequence of tasks, not random buttons. And it helps you see why pilots follow checklists and repeat key steps, rather than guessing in the moment.

Choosing Your Departure and Arrival Airports

One of the most fun parts is also the most “player choice” oriented. You get to pick the departure and arrival airports from thousands of virtual airports. That means you can tailor the session to what interests you, not what some fixed route allows.

Why this matters: it keeps the experience personal. If you pick airports that feel familiar to you, you stay more engaged. If you pick locations you have always wanted to see, you get a built-in story for your flight. Either way, it turns the simulator from a generic demo into your own mini itinerary.

In practical terms, this also affects what you will be “doing” during the flight. Different airport environments and approaches can make the landing feel different. You will still follow the same broad skills, but you get variety instead of repeating one identical pattern every time.

Takeoff and Landing Sessions, Plus One Full Flight

The flow you should expect is straightforward and well paced. First, you work through the basics, then you do takeoff and landing sessions, then you complete a full-flight exercise.

Takeoff is where many people get excited, because you get to feel the progression from stationary cockpit work to real motion and control. The best part for beginners is that the instruction happens before you start. You are not left to guess what lever or control comes next.

Landing is the other big confidence builder. It teaches you how approach and landing are planned steps, not just a dramatic moment. You learn how to set the plane up properly and then execute the landing sequence.

Finally, you do a full-flight run from your chosen departure airport to your chosen destination. This ties the skills together. It also helps you see the difference between “learning controls” and “running a flight,” even in a simulator format.

In real visits, people have noted time spent both in the cockpit session and in the explanation beforehand. One account described about 1 hour in the pilot seat, plus more time on site, for a total closer to 1 hour 45 minutes. So I would plan for a longer visit than the headline duration if you want a stress-free schedule.

Optional Visual City Tour From the Cockpit

There is an optional extra: a visual tour over one of several interesting cities, such as Hong Kong, Istanbul, and San Fransisco. If you are there with someone who likes scenery, this is a good way to add emotion to the technical parts.

Even if you are mainly there for controls, these visual segments can help you stay engaged after the basics. They give your brain a payoff. You can connect what you are doing with what you are seeing outside the window.

If you prefer a pure training feel, you can keep it focused on the flight steps. If you want the experience to feel like a mini journey, you can choose the city visual tour as a bonus.

How the Coaching Works, From Jeroen to Frank

The experience leans heavily on good instruction. Multiple visits highlighted friendly, patient guidance. One instructor named Jeroen stood out for being patient and giving clear explanations during the session. Another visit referenced Frank, who explained the basics and made the whole thing feel more exciting than expected.

What that means for you: do not be shy about questions. This format is built for beginners, and the whole point is to help you build a basic mental model of how cockpit actions relate to flight results.

It also helps to think of the instructor’s job as translating complexity into steps you can try right away. If you remember nothing else, you are meant to leave understanding the basics and feeling more confident than when you arrived.

Timing, Meeting Point, and What to Plan for on Arrival

Your start point is Antwerpen Meirbrug2000 Antwerp. The activity ends back at the meeting point. It is close enough to public transport to make it practical, but do not treat that as permission to arrive at the last second.

This is partly because the session includes pre-flight instruction, and partly because access details have been an issue for at least one past visitor. One review described trouble finding the place and trouble with an access code, and they reported that they could not reach anyone by phone or message when problems happened.

That story does not mean it will happen to you. It does mean you should show up a little early, double-check the meeting point, and have the provider’s contact info ready. If you arrive calm, you will get into the cockpit mood faster.

Also keep this in mind: the experience is listed with a mobile ticket, so have it ready on your phone. Bring a fully charged device, just in case.

Price and Value Compared to Other Pilot Experiences

At $142.48 per person, this experience is not a bargain, but it is also not priced like a luxury flight day. The value comes from what you get: a Boeing 737 cockpit session, real takeoff and landing practice, a full-flight exercise, and the option for extra visual city content.

Where you feel the value:

• You are not just watching. You are controlling, at least during key segments.
• You get a structured experience designed for beginners, not a technical test.
• You can choose airports, so the session has variety and stays personal.
• You get a private setup, which usually means less waiting and more attention.

Potential value red flags to watch:

• If you expect only 60 minutes total from start to finish, plan for longer on site. One visit described nearly 1 hour 45 minutes total.
• If your main goal is professional-grade training content, this is still an introductory experience. It is built for fun and basics, not certification.

I think it hits a sweet spot for people who want a memorable, hands-on aviation moment in a short window, and who like learning with coaching.

Who This Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Different)

This is a strong match for:

• Beginners who want instructions before they take control
• Parents and kids who love the idea of flying, especially those with a child who dreams about becoming a pilot
• Aviation fans who want to learn the basics of a Boeing 737 cockpit
• Anyone who likes the idea of picking airports from thousands of options

A visit with a child described two different flights, one to Geneva and one to New York. That kind of flexibility can be appealing if you are planning a longer day or want to maximize excitement.

Who might want to rethink the choice:

• People who need a fully guaranteed, trouble-free location experience down to the access details. Access codes and entry instructions matter.
• Anyone who wants a long, multi-hour simulation. This is about an hour of flight-session time, and you should expect additional time on site.

If you want a short, guided taste of real cockpit control, this makes sense.

Potential Downsides and How to Avoid Hassles

Let’s talk honestly about the only real concern that shows up in the information you have: the experience location and access details have caused problems for at least one visitor in the past. They reported that the place did not seem to exist as expected, the door code did not work, and they got no response when trying to reach the provider.

You can reduce risk with two simple moves:

1. Arrive early and verify you are at the correct Antwerpen Meirbrug2000 address area.
2. Keep the booking confirmation and any provider contact instructions handy, so you can act quickly if access feels wrong.

Another consideration is weather. This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, you should expect rescheduling or a full refund. Since it is a simulator, that may sound strange, but it is still a stated requirement, so build a little flexibility into your day.

Finally, if your expectations are too narrow, you might feel underwhelmed. The goal is the basics, plus takeoff, landing, and a full flight in a guided simulator setting. It is not billed as advanced training.

Should You Book the Antwerp Boeing 737 Simulator Experience?

I would book it if you want a high-interest activity that is practical, beginner-friendly, and genuinely hands-on. The captain’s seat setup, guided instructions, and the chance to pick departure and arrival airports make it more engaging than most “look-but-don’t-do” activities.

Skip it or at least be cautious if you have tight timing and zero flexibility. Plan for pre-flight instruction time on site, and consider arriving early so you are not stressed about access.

If your group includes a child, this is one of the better options because it is designed for first-timers and includes coaching. And if you are an aviation nerd, the Boeing 737 cockpit focus gives you a specific airplane to sink your curiosity into, instead of generic flight controls.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Boeing 737 flight simulator experience in Antwerp?

The experience is listed as about 1 hour, and it includes time before you fly for instructions. Some visitors report additional time on site, so plan for a longer visit than the headline duration.

How many people is in the group?

It is a private tour or activity, and the listing also indicates a max of 1 person.

Where does the experience start and where does it end?

It starts at Antwerpen Meirbrug2000 Antwerp, Belgium and ends back at the same meeting point.

What does the flight simulator session include?

You learn the basics of aviation and the Boeing 737 cockpit and controls, then you complete take-off and landing sessions and a full-flight from one selected virtual airport to another.

Can I choose the departure and arrival airports?

Yes. You can take off from and land at a variety of virtual airports, and you can choose your departure and arrival airports.

Is there an optional extra during the session?

There is an optional visual tour over cities such as Hong Kong, Istanbul, or San Fransisco.

How much does it cost?

The price is $142.48 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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

How flexible is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.