Airbus A320 flight simulator Frankfurt Airport

The most striking part of this Frankfurt Airport experience is simple: you sit in an authentic Airbus A320 cockpit and control a full-size airliner on a 180-degree spherical screen. You can choose a familiar airport, attempt a foggy instrument landing, or make life difficult at old Kai Tak in Hong Kong.

I like the freedom to choose from 24,000 airports, and I like that the hour in the cockpit is guaranteed rather than swallowed by a long briefing. The main consideration is concentration. As instructor Lars explained to one participant, flying an A320 means handling several tasks at once, and the simulator can react differently than you expect.

Key points to know before you book

• 60 minutes at the A320 controls: Your cockpit time is guaranteed, with takeoffs and landings included.
• Choose your own route: Pick airports such as Frankfurt, New York, Sint Maarten, or the former Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong.
• Weather is part of the challenge: You can select clear skies, fog, thunderstorms, or other conditions.
• A 15 to 20 minute briefing comes first: You receive an introduction to the controls, flight physics, and the A320.
• Companions can watch live: Up to two people may follow the flight on a monitor, with a welcome soft drink included.
• Allow up to 2.5 hours: Your own session lasts at least 1.5 hours, but you may get extra time if another customer is booked on the same shift.

Taking the captain’s seat at Frankfurt Airport

This is not a quick arcade-style flight game. You enter a cockpit built around the Airbus A320, one of the world’s major short and medium-haul airliners, and work through the basic tasks of flying it.

The setting gives the experience its appeal. Instead of looking at a small computer screen, you face a 180-degree spherical projection with three times Full HD resolution. That wide view matters during takeoff and landing, when you need to judge the runway, horizon, and approach path at the same time.

You do not need a pilot’s license or technical background. The session is designed for complete beginners as well as professionals, so you can arrive with nothing more than curiosity. If you already know aircraft systems, the instructor can still guide you through the A320 and help shape the flight around your level.

The activity is based at Frankfurt Airport in Hessen. The precise meeting address is supplied with the booking, and the session ends back at the meeting point.

The 15 to 20 minute briefing with your instructor

Your instructor greets you and starts with the practical basics. You receive an introduction to the A320, its controls, and the flight physics that affect how the aircraft responds.

This briefing is short, but it is not filler. A passenger may understand the broad idea of pushing forward to descend or pulling back to climb, yet an airliner cockpit asks you to monitor several controls and instruments at once. The introduction helps you understand what you are looking at before the aircraft begins moving.

Lars, an experienced traffic plotter, has guided sessions here. His instruction style, based on the available feedback, includes a clear briefing followed by steady support during the flight. That is useful because the simulator is meant to challenge you, not leave you guessing at every switch.

You can also use this time to tell the instructor what kind of session you want. If you prefer a straightforward takeoff and landing in good weather, say so. If you want to test yourself with fog, thunderstorms, or an instrument approach, that can be arranged as part of the scenario.

Your 60 minutes in the Airbus A320

The central promise is 60 minutes of cockpit time, and that time includes training in takeoffs and landings. You are not simply watching a demonstration. You take the controls while the instructor helps you manage the aircraft.

Flying the A320 requires concentration and multitasking. You may be thinking about the runway, keeping the aircraft on its path, watching the instruments, and responding to the changing situation. The plane can also feel less intuitive than you expect, even with technical support beside you.

That is one reason the experience works for both aviation fans and first-time flyers. A beginner gets a clear sense of how demanding airline flying can be, while someone with flight experience can use the session to practise specific approaches or airports.

You should not expect a relaxed sightseeing flight for the full hour. The most enjoyable moments are likely to come when you have to make decisions, correct your course, and manage the final approach. The instructor helps you through those stages, but you still have to stay focused.

The simulator can be set up for a wide range of conditions. You might make a simple departure in good weather, or attempt an instrument landing in dense fog and thunderstorms. The choice lets you match the difficulty to your mood, though harsher weather will make the hour more demanding.

Choosing Frankfurt, New York, Sint Maarten, or Kai Tak

The route is up to you. You can select from approximately 24,000 airports, which gives you plenty of room to build a flight around a place that interests you.

Frankfurt is an obvious choice if you want the session to connect with your surroundings. You can also choose New York for a major international airport setting, or Sint Maarten for the unusual Caribbean approach associated with the island.

For a more historic challenge, try Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong. The airport is closed today, but it remains famous among aviation fans for its difficult approach. Here, the value is not just the destination name. You get to test the A320 against an airport remembered for demanding flying conditions.

You can make the airport choice before the flight or let the instructor shape the program. I would choose one airport for a first session rather than trying to squeeze several routes into one hour. That gives you more time to understand the approach and correct mistakes instead of rushing from one scenario to another.

Weather settings that change the whole session

The weather option is one of the strongest features because it changes the work required from you. Clear conditions allow you to focus on the basic controls and runway alignment. Fog removes visual clues and pushes you toward instrument flying.

Thunderstorms add another layer of difficulty. The information does not specify a detailed list of weather effects, so you should ask the instructor how the chosen setting will affect your flight. The key point is that you can request conditions ranging from easy to highly demanding.

This flexibility also makes the experience repeatable in spirit. A first-time pilot can start with a clear-weather takeoff and landing. Someone returning for another session might choose a different airport or a difficult approach.

The wide screen is especially helpful when visibility changes. A 180-degree view gives you a broad outside reference, while the cockpit instruments remain part of the task. You can see why airline crews train for instrument procedures rather than relying only on what is outside the windows.

What companions can do while you fly

Up to two people can accompany you and follow the action live on a monitor. That makes this a practical choice for a small group, a couple, or a family with older children who want to watch without taking a turn at the controls.

The accompanying people also receive a welcome soft drink. They do not appear to receive cockpit time as part of the standard booking, so you should think of their role as observers unless an additional arrangement applies.

There is one unusual possibility. If another customer is scheduled during the same shift, you may be offered the chance to act as co-pilot for that person’s additional 60-minute session at no extra cost. This is optional, and you can discuss it with the instructor if you do not want to take part.

That possibility explains why you should allow as much as 2.5 hours, even though your own booked session takes at least 1.5 hours. If you want a tightly timed airport visit, train connection, or evening plan, do not count on finishing at the shortest possible time.

The debriefing and optional flight DVD

After the flight, you receive a five to ten minute debriefing. This is a useful chance to discuss what happened during the takeoffs and landings, especially if you attempted poor weather or a demanding airport.

The debriefing also gives the session a proper ending. You move from the pressure of managing the aircraft back to a calmer discussion of the flight. For a first-time pilot, that short review can help make sense of why the aircraft responded as it did.

You can also buy an optional DVD recording of your flight. It is not included in the price, so decide before booking how important a souvenir is to you. If you are buying the experience as a gift or marking a special occasion, a recording may make the session easier to remember. If you mainly want the cockpit time, you can skip the extra cost.

Is $192 good value for the time?

The listed price is $192 per person. That is a serious price for a 2.5-hour activity, but this is also a specialized private experience rather than a standard airport attraction.

The value rests mainly on three points: the authentic A320 cockpit, the guaranteed 60 minutes at the controls, and the instructor support. The 180-degree screen and broad airport selection add variety, while the weather settings let you choose how difficult the flight becomes.

You also get the briefing, debriefing, takeoff and landing training, a welcome soft drink, and the option to bring up to two companions. The possible extra co-pilot hour, if another customer is booked on the same shift, can add considerable value without an added charge, though you should treat that as a possibility rather than part of the guaranteed booking.

The price is easier to justify if you have a strong interest in aviation, are buying a memorable gift, or want a private activity built around participation rather than sightseeing. It is harder to justify if you only want to look inside an aircraft or try a short novelty game.

The optional DVD costs extra, and the activity price does not include it. You should also allow time for the full session rather than assuming the shortest duration.

Who will enjoy this A320 experience most?

This suits adults and children aged 12 or older who are interested in aircraft and can stay focused through a technical briefing and a full hour of cockpit work.

It is also a good fit for someone who has always wondered what pilots actually do during takeoff and landing. The session shows that airline flying is not just steering a large machine. You must manage several jobs at once, and small corrections matter.

A professional or experienced pilot may appreciate the chance to select airports and weather conditions. The information does not promise formal pilot training or certification, so you should book it as a simulator experience, not as a substitute for flight instruction.

The activity is private, which gives you more control over the pace and the route. Language support is available in German and English. You should note the stated limits: it is not suitable for children under 12, people shorter than 120 centimeters, babies under one year, or people over 135 kilograms.

Practical timing and booking advice

The advertised duration is 2.5 hours, while the included schedule describes a minimum of 1.5 hours and a maximum of 2.5 hours. The difference comes from the briefing, cockpit session, debriefing, and the possible extra co-pilot opportunity.

I would reserve a full 2.5-hour window. That removes pressure and gives you room to accept the extra flight if it becomes available. If you prefer not to act as co-pilot for another customer, tell the instructor.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking, which is useful when your Frankfurt plans are still changing.

Starting times vary, so check availability rather than assuming a fixed departure. The activity returns you to the meeting point, and the meeting location details should be checked carefully before you set out.

Should you book the Frankfurt A320 simulator?

Book it if you want to operate an airliner, not simply see one. The guaranteed hour in the cockpit, choice of airports, adjustable weather, and helpful instruction from Lars give the session real substance.

I would especially recommend it for aviation enthusiasts, milestone gifts, and curious first-timers who enjoy a challenge. Go in expecting concentration and multitasking rather than effortless fun. If you want a simple, short activity or have less than two hours available, this is probably not the right fit.

For the right person, $192 buys a focused and unusual Frankfurt experience with plenty of control over the route and difficulty. Choose your airport in advance, allow the full 2.5 hours, and decide before arrival if you want the optional DVD.

FAQ

Where is the Airbus A320 simulator located?

The simulator is located at Frankfurt Airport in Hessen, Germany. The exact meeting location is provided with the booking information.

How long does the experience take?

Your session lasts at least 1.5 hours and can take up to 2.5 hours. The advertised duration is 2.5 hours, including the briefing, flight, and debriefing.

How much cockpit time is guaranteed?

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

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience is designed for laypeople as well as professionals. A 15 to 20 minute briefing covers the controls, flight physics, and the A320 before you fly.

Can I choose the airport and weather?

Yes. You can choose from about 24,000 airports and select conditions ranging from good weather to fog and thunderstorms. You may also let the instructor guide the program.

Can other people watch the flight?

Yes. Up to two accompanying people can follow the action live on a monitor. Welcome soft drinks are included for the pilot and accompanying people.

What are the age and physical requirements?

The activity is not suitable for children under 12, people under 120 centimeters tall, babies under one year, or people over 135 kilograms.