Flight simulators are super cool experiences. Usually. A few years ago I spent a day in Denver doing nothing but driving participants of the Star MegaDO back and forth between the Grand Hyatt Denver and United’s training center. I don’t think I was supposed to have the security access code there, but there you go.
You don’t actually board a plane, here’s American Airlines simulators in Dallas:
A man built a flight simulator for his 2 year old daughter. And another built one for his son’s bedroom.
EVA Air elite members can redeem miles for flight simulator time. There are some successful reports of status matches and of course Citi ThankYou Rewards points transfer to EVA Air’s Infinity MileageLands program.
EVA’s cost is 100,000 miles. Thai Airways offers a flight simulator redemption for just 12,500 miles and you don’t need to be an elite member. Citi points transfer to Thai’s Royal Orchid Plus program as well. If you have a Citi card and will be in Bangkok this could be an incredible experience.
Here’s a video from someone who redeemed 12,500 miles an hour of Airbus A380 flight simulator time:
If you’re only going to be in London, though, British Airways offers flight simulator time and they’re selling gift vouchers for it at 20% off with promo code SANTA by December 24. (HT: Head for Points)
You can choose from:
- Boeing 767 – £319 for 1 hour (normally £399)
- Boeing 777 – £359 for 1 hour (normally £449)
- Boeing 747 – £359 for 1 hour (normally £449)
Totally naive question, but are flight simulators worthwhile for people without any experience flying aircraft? Do you need to know anything about being a pilot to fully enjoy the experience?
Hey Gary that pic from your oneworld MegaDo is nearly five years old and it isn’t in Dallas. Try to get with the program.
@Josh G – Sorry but that picture is absolutely from Dallas. Get with the program. It was at the American Airlines Flight Academy in Dallas, next to the CR Smith Museum.
What difference does the age of the photo make, it’s simply to make a point to show readers that a simulator doesn’t necessarily look like a plane.
Gary AA isn’t in Dallas.
@Josh G :rolleyes:
That Thai Airways option is a great deal for someone headed to the area. I live right next to the United training center in Denver and drive past their simulators every day, which can be seen through the windows. I’m always trying to figure out how I could get in there some time.
@Josh G. – Get a life.
@Josh G
In other news, I don’t know how people “fly to Washington DC” because both commercial airports that have Washington in the name are located in Virginia.
@Jordan
As a pilot, I’d say it’s worth it. We’d have different experiences for different reasons. For me, I’m looking at the differences (and similarities, ha) between an airliner and my dinky plane. Even flying a CRJ is night and day different than what I trained on, given the advanced avionics. (Back in the day, what was surprising was just how similar a DC-10 was to the dinky thing I fly.)
An Airbus has a completely different control philosophy than a traditional aircraft, so touching the stick for the first time is going to be just as foreign to me as it to you.
You’re going to go in, and get wowed.