Business Traveller (Asia-Pacific)
FUTURE OF FLIGHT AVIATION CENTER AND BOEING TOUR
Until 2001, Seattle was the headquarters of aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing. While the company has since moved its corporate offices to Chicago, it still operates individual aeroplane production facilities in Renton (narrow-body) and Everett (widebody), both of which are within an hour’s drive from the downtown Seattle area. While many facilities are off-limits to visitors, Boeing does operate a tour at the Future of Flight Aviation Center – an aviation museum that features an exciting array of products from the famous manufacturer.
Guests can an look forward to seeing a B727 cockpit, complete with switches and controls; a full-sized Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine commonly used on the B787 Dreamliner; and
several informative digital and video presentations. However, the star attraction has to be the Boeing Tour itself, during which guests are brought into the assembly plant to witness aeroplanes at different stages of construction and testing.
Each individual Boeing wide-body aircraft model has its own designated section in the main assembly facility, which holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest building in the world by volume. Visitors can also witness the construction of multiple B787s, all at different stages. For those with an interest in aviation, being able to get up close and personal with half-built aircraft is an unforgettable experience.
The tour ends at the Boeing Store, which sells a wide range of memorabilia, from clothing and aircraft models to collectibles and small souvenirs. Prices are reasonable with T-shirts available from US$14, while the ever-popular aircraft models go for about US$40. For those willing to splurge, a stylish leather pilot jacket can be had for US$249. (Adult ticket US$20; futureofflight.org)