At AviaSim USA, fly a full-scale commercial jet cockpit with an instructor at your side. No experience needed. Just step in, take the controls, and feel what only captains feel.
Our most popular gift: take the controls of an airliner and fly it yourself, from takeoff to touchdown.
Share the cockpit for an experience to remember. Make it a date, a challenge between friends, or an unforgettable moment with your kid.
More time in the air means more fun. Master advanced maneuvers and fly the whole journey, nose to tail.
Ever dreamed of piloting an airliner? Stop imagining and take the captain's seat! At AviaSim USA, step into a realistic cockpit and experience the true thrill of flight. Grip the throttle, feel the acceleration, and take off toward any city you choose. Enjoy the panoramic views and the freedom of the skies. But stay focused—the landing is approaching fast!
Since 2012, AviaSim has welcomed more than 200,000 pilots for a day — across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Step into the captain's seat of a full-scale airliner cockpit and fly a real flight from takeoff to landing, with a professional instructor right beside you. Our immersive adventures are built for aviation fans, future pilots, adrenaline seekers, anyone ready to conquer a fear of flying, and companies chasing a team-building experience they'll actually remember. No experience needed — just you, the controls, and the thrill of the skies. Born from founder Thomas Gasser's lifelong passion for aviation, AviaSim exists to make the magic of flight accessible to everyone and create unforgettable "sky-high" adventures.
“Awesome experience. Wife and I had an absolute blast. We haven't stopped talking about it since we did the sim a few days ago. We'll definitely do this again.”
“The simulation cockpit is exactly like a real one and the pilot explains the instruments, knobs, levers, and dials. You can also pick anywhere in the world to fly around!”
“This was a birthday present for my father (over 70). It was a great surprise and a great chance for the two of us to do something different. Highly recommend the experience.”
“My son just turned 10 and did this to celebrate his birthday with one of his friends. It was incredible. The pilot was patient and friendly, and the boys loved every minute.”
AviaSim lets anyone take the controls of an airliner. You sit in the captain's seat of a full-size cockpit replica, with a flight instructor beside you, and fly the plane yourself from takeoff to landing. You can head to any of 24,000 airports around the world. Our packages range from a one-hour first flight to longer sessions with challenging approaches and in-flight failures.
Not at all. No experience required. A short briefing covers the basics, and your instructor guides you step by step, adapting the session to your level. First-timers and aviation fans fly in the same cockpit, just with different challenges.
There's no strict minimum age. What matters is height: about 3 ft 7 in, so you can see the instruments and reach the controls comfortably. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. For a younger child, the Duo Package is a great option: designed for two people in the same cockpit, whether a couple, friends or a parent and child, it lets an adult fly right alongside them.
No. Our simulators are fixed-base, a deliberate choice for your comfort. Full-motion simulators are costly and mostly built for airline training. Keeping the cockpit fixed means the experience stays comfortable and affordable for everyone, while the full-size cockpit, panoramic visuals and realistic sound do the rest.
Yes, it's one of our most popular gifts. Choose a package and the center, check out, and the boarding pass lands in your inbox right away. It shows no name, date or price, stays valid for three years, and the person receiving it picks their own date. Zero hassle gifting.
After your purchase. Once you have your boarding pass, book your slot on our online booking platform whenever it suits you.
Why after? Picture this: someone buys a flight as a gift and locks in a date without knowing the recipient's plans. If they can't make it, that slot sits empty while another flyer was ready to go. Choosing after purchase keeps the calendar open for people who can actually fly.
Need a specific date? Contact our team before you buy and we'll check with you. For the Pilot Introductory Program, the Pro Package and the Fear of Flying Course, our team books your sessions with you.
Yes. Up to three guests can join the Discovery, Duo, Escape and Extra packages for free. They sit on the sofa at the back of the cockpit, watch the whole flight and can take photos and videos. The Fear of Flying Course, the Pilot Introductory Program and the Pro Package are the exceptions: they're one-on-one with your instructor.
AviaSim has flight simulator centers across the US. You'll find every address and the opening hours on our Locations page.
