Airbus A320 flight simulator Frankfurt Airport

At Frankfurt Airport, you can sit in an authentic Airbus A320 cockpit and take control of a large passenger jet without leaving the ground. The simulator gives you 60 guaranteed minutes at the controls, with a 180-degree spherical screen showing airports, weather, and flight conditions in sharp 3x Full HD resolution. You choose the route, or let your instructor shape the session.

I like the careful 15 to 20 minute briefing, which gives first-time pilots a fair chance to understand the controls. I also like the freedom to choose from 24,000 airports, from a straightforward Frankfurt departure to an instrument landing in fog or a try at old Kai Tak in Hong Kong. The main consideration is time: the core experience lasts about 1.5 hours, but a shared session can stretch your visit to 2.5 hours.

Key details before you book

• 60 minutes in the A320 cockpit: Your guaranteed flying time includes practice with takeoffs and landings.
• A full briefing before takeoff: You’ll cover the controls, basic flight physics, and the Airbus A320 before flying.
• Choose your own airport and weather: Pick calm skies, fog, thunderstorms, or another setting available in the simulator.
• A wide 180-degree screen: Three Full HD projectors create a broad view around the cockpit.
• Up to two people can watch: Companions can follow the action live on a monitor and receive a welcome soft drink.
• A possible second hour at no extra cost: If another customer shares the shift, you may act as copilot for another 60 minutes.

Taking the captain’s seat in Frankfurt

The appeal here is simple. You are not sitting in a basic arcade machine with a joystick and a few flashing buttons. You take a seat in an authentic A320 cockpit, surrounded by the controls used to manage a modern passenger aircraft.

That setting matters because flying an airliner is less about pushing one large control and more about handling several tasks at once. You need to watch instruments, manage the aircraft, respond to instructions from your instructor, and keep the approach under control. The simulator lets you feel that workload without the cost or risk of real flight training.

You do not need previous aviation experience. The experience is designed for laypeople as well as professionals, and the instructor starts with the fundamentals. If you already know something about aviation, you can use the time to work on more demanding approaches or weather conditions.

The experience provider is Flugsimulator Frankfurt. Instruction is available in German and English. A previous session was led by Lars, who gave a clear briefing and supported the pilot during the flight. The available instructor may vary, but the format is built around one-to-one guidance in a private group.

The 15 to 20 minute briefing

Your session begins with a short briefing lasting about 15 to 20 minutes. This is not wasted time. The A320 cockpit has plenty of controls, and a quick explanation helps you focus on flying instead of simply trying to find the right switch.

You’ll receive an introduction to the aircraft, its controls, and basic flight physics. The aim is to prepare you for the full hour in the cockpit, not to turn you into a licensed pilot in one afternoon. You should expect practical guidance rather than a long classroom lesson.

The briefing also gives you a chance to discuss the kind of flight you want. You can select a route and airports yourself, or ask the instructor to guide you through the program. If this is your first simulator experience, handing over some of the planning may be wise. You’ll have enough to think about once the aircraft starts moving.

A good briefing also sets realistic expectations. Even with technical support, flying an A320 requires concentration and multitasking. The controls may not react exactly as you imagine, so you should treat the session as a hands-on challenge, not a simple button-pushing game.

Choosing from 24,000 airports

One of the best parts of the experience is the airport menu. You can choose from 24,000 airports, giving the hour a personal touch.

A beginner might choose a familiar airport and concentrate on a clean takeoff and landing. Frankfurt is an obvious option, especially if you are visiting the airport or have a connection to the city. You can also choose New York or Sint Maarten in the Caribbean for a different setting.

Sint Maarten is especially appealing for anyone who likes the idea of a visually memorable approach. The supplied information does not promise a specific runway or flight plan, so your exact session will depend on the instructor and your choices. Still, selecting a destination you recognize makes the hour feel more like your own flight.

You can also try Kai Tak in Hong Kong, the famous airport that is now closed. This gives the experience a small piece of aviation history without requiring a museum visit. It is a good choice if you want a challenge and like unusual airport approaches.

The freedom to choose is valuable, but do not feel pressure to pick the most difficult option. A basic takeoff and landing can be satisfying, especially when you are learning the cockpit layout. You can always increase the difficulty once you understand how the aircraft responds.

Weather that changes the challenge

The simulator lets you choose current weather or set your own preferred conditions. That means you can keep the sky clear for a relaxed introduction, or make the flight harder with fog, thunderstorms, and an instrument landing.

This choice changes the nature of the experience. In good weather, you can look outside through the wide screen and use visual references during takeoff and landing. In poor visibility, you must rely more heavily on the aircraft instruments and the instructor’s help.

I like this feature because it lets you match the session to your experience. Someone buying this as a first aviation experience may want a calm start. A pilot, aviation enthusiast, or returning customer may prefer a harder approach.

Still, difficult weather can take up a large share of the hour. If your main goal is to enjoy the sensation of flying the aircraft, begin with manageable conditions. If your goal is to test your concentration, fog or thunderstorms provide a clear step up.

The simulator’s 180-degree spherical screen helps create a broad outside view. Three Full HD projectors provide the image, with 3x Full HD resolution listed for the system. This should give you more useful visual information than a single flat monitor, particularly during takeoff and landing.

What happens during the 60-minute flight

You receive 60 minutes of guaranteed cockpit time. The flight includes training in takeoffs and landings, with the instructor helping you manage the aircraft.

The exact sequence is flexible because you select the route and airports, or let the instructor decide. You might spend time learning the departure, then practice one or more approaches. The information does not promise a fixed number of takeoffs or landings, so the amount of practice will depend on your choices, pace, and the instructor’s plan.

Expect the first part of the flight to feel busy. The A320 is a large commercial aircraft, and the cockpit responds differently from a small recreational aircraft or a simple home simulator. One person who flew with instructor Lars found that the aircraft still reacted differently than expected and that multitasking required real concentration. That is useful advice: the session is fun, but it is not effortless.

The instructor’s role is important. You will not be left alone to guess what to do, and the briefing prepares you for the main controls. At the same time, you should expect to do the work yourself. The fun comes from trying to keep everything together, correcting mistakes, and getting the aircraft onto the runway.

After landing, there is a short debriefing of about five to ten minutes. This gives you a natural end to the session and lets you review what happened before leaving the cockpit.

The possible bonus hour as copilot

A useful detail can change the length of your visit. If another customer is booked on the same shift, you may be able to act as copilot for another 60 minutes at no extra cost.

This is not guaranteed, and it can bring the total time up to about 2.5 hours. If you want to take part, plan your day around the longer visit. If you do not want the additional hour, discuss that with your instructor.

The copilot option is particularly good for couples, friends, or family members who want to share the experience. It gives you a chance to watch someone else handle the aircraft, compare approaches, and pick up ideas before or after your own flight.

It can also be a drawback if you have a tight airport connection or another appointment. The listed duration ranges from a minimum of 1.5 hours to a maximum of 2.5 hours, so do not schedule this too close to a flight departure or other fixed activity.

Bringing friends to watch

Up to two accompanying people can follow the action live on a monitor. They are not simply waiting outside with nothing to do. They can watch the flight as it unfolds and receive a welcome soft drink along with the pilot.

This makes the experience easier to share. A partner or friend who does not want to fly can still see the takeoffs, landings, and cockpit work. It also works well as a gift, since the pilot gets the hands-on role while companions remain part of the occasion.

The cockpit time is guaranteed for the person who books the experience. The accompanying people are there to watch, unless the optional shared shift allows one of them to act as copilot. Confirm the arrangements with the instructor if the second hour is important to your plans.

Is $192 a fair price?

At $192 per person, this is a special-interest experience rather than a low-cost airport activity. The value depends on how much you care about flying an airliner from a real cockpit setup.

You are paying for a private group format, instructor time, a full briefing, 60 minutes of cockpit use, and a large projection system with a wide field of view. You also have control over the airport and weather, which makes the session more personal than a fixed demonstration.

The possible extra copilot hour improves the value if another customer is scheduled and you want to stay. The free second hour is not assured, so do not book on the assumption that you will receive two hours of flying.

The optional DVD recording costs extra. It may be worthwhile if this is a birthday gift, a first flight in a simulator, or a family event you want to remember. If you are mainly interested in the experience itself, you can skip it and keep the price to the advertised booking cost.

I would compare this with the cost of other aviation attractions in the Frankfurt area, but the information provided does not give prices for alternatives. The clearest value is for someone who has always wanted to handle a passenger aircraft and wants focused time with an instructor rather than a quick public display.

Who will enjoy this most?

This suits adults and children aged 12 or older who are interested in aviation and can concentrate during instruction. You do not need professional knowledge, and the German or English format makes it accessible to speakers of either language.

It is a particularly good fit for:

• A person who dreams of flying a commercial aircraft
• An aviation fan who wants to try a difficult airport approach
• Someone seeking a birthday or special-occasion activity
• A pilot or aviation professional looking for simulator practice
• Friends or family members who want to watch and share the session

It may be less suitable if you want a relaxed sightseeing activity. The cockpit demands attention, and the aircraft can react differently from what you expect. It is also not suitable for children under 12, people shorter than 120 centimeters, babies under one year, or anyone over 135 kilograms.

The private group setup helps keep the focus on your session. You are not being moved through a large public attraction. The experience is built around your chosen flight, your instructor, and the people you bring with you.

Practical timing and cancellation advice

Plan on at least 1.5 hours, even if you do not take part in the possible second shift. The normal structure includes the briefing, 60 minutes of flying, and the debriefing. Allow up to 2.5 hours if another customer is booked and you want the additional copilot time.

The activity begins and ends at the meeting point. The information supplied identifies the setting as Frankfurt Airport in Hesse, but it does not provide a detailed street address or transport directions, so check the exact meeting details before setting out.

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

Should you book the Frankfurt A320 simulator?

Book it if you want active cockpit time, not just a look inside an aircraft. The 15 to 20 minute briefing, 60 minutes of flying, instructor support, airport choice, and adjustable weather give you a real task to work through.

I would especially recommend it to aviation fans, gift buyers, and first-time pilots who want a guided introduction. Choose clear weather and a familiar airport if you want to enjoy the basics. Choose fog, thunderstorms, Sint Maarten, or Kai Tak if you want a tougher session.

Skip it if your schedule cannot handle a possible 2.5-hour visit, or if $192 feels high for a simulator. The experience is a strong match for the right person, but it is not a general sightseeing stop. For someone who has always wondered what it takes to land an A320, this is a practical way to find out.

FAQ

Where is the Airbus A320 flight simulator located?

The simulator is located at Frankfurt Airport in Hesse, Germany. The activity begins and ends at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is listed as a minimum of 1.5 hours and a maximum of 2.5 hours. Check availability for the starting times.

How much cockpit time is guaranteed?

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

Is instruction included?

Yes. The experience includes a 15 to 20 minute briefing, support during the flight, and a five to ten minute debriefing.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. The activity is designed for laypeople as well as professionals. The instructor explains the controls, flight physics, and the Airbus A320 before the flight.

Which languages are available?

Instruction is available in German and English.

Can I choose the airport and weather?

Yes. You can select your preferred airports from a choice of 24,000 airports and choose current or preferred weather conditions. You can also let the instructor guide the program.

Can someone accompany me?

Up to two accompanying people can watch the flight live on a monitor and receive a welcome soft drink. If another customer is booked on the same shift, you may also have the chance to act as copilot for another 60 minutes at no additional cost.