A380900 From France, joined Dec 2003, 1006 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 1809 times:
I did one in 1993. It was pretty cool. I did one at Airbus in 2002 and it one saw very little. You are farther away from the airplanes also. The way the airplanes are built at Boeing is more spectacular as well.
DL021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 2, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 1794 times:
Boeing does a nice tour at the Everett facility of the 747 line, and they take you out on the flightline as well as give you a good presentation in their theater.
Go to their website for more info.
If you go plan your trip accordingly to see the Museum of Flight which includes a control tower view of Boeing Field, the Red Barn, Concorde and the original 727, 747, 737 and you should see the prototype 757 on the field with its F/A-22 nose. Great spotting there and excellent aircraft collection under the roof. It's a two or three day trip if you do it right. We were lucky enough to get a terrific tour, including the Renton facility, usually closed to the public, thanks to BCAInfosys.
Jdwfloyd From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 837 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 1782 times:
Thanks for the help, I think the biggest problem will be trying to non-rev from PIT to SEA.
Isitsafenow From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 4984 posts, RR: 26 Reply 4, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 1693 times:
At Everett, the tour either goes to the 747 line or 777 line. I have been to both more than once. The retail store at the end of the tour has quite a bit of nice stuff there. I think the store also has a website off the Boeing page.
safe
If two people agree on EVERYTHING, then one isn't necessary.
Jet-lagged From United States of America, joined Mar 2002, 849 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1627 times:
After years of wanting to see it, I did the Boeing Everett factory tour last year. The tour is one hour, and when I was there production was so slow that very little was going on. The big place seemed kinda quiet. I think 2 747s were being built, and outside maybe 1/2 dozen were getting reader for delivery. In fact, I felt a little worried about Boeing, since in photos the place is always packed with planes; but not that time!
It was interesting, but not worth taking a trip just for that. (I was in Seattle anyway). The Museum of flight sounds like something you should add into your schedule. And if possible go when the assembly operations are busy.
LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12329 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1595 times:
I did the Boeing Everett factory tour last late August, when I was on vacation. I went on a Monday Morning, getting to the tour facility just before 8:30 am. By getting there that early, I was able to get on one of the first tour groups at 9:00 am. The tour lasts just over an hour, includeds a movie on Boeing's history, then a shuttle busse to the massive assembly line, where I saw the 747 line; then back on the bus to across from the assembly building for a ride where they do the painting, final interior and external assembly, testing and delivery (from their own airport there, Payne Field (?)) of the larger aircraft. It is like an international airport of your dreams, with aircraft for airlines from Air France to Vietnam Airlines (both cases included 777's when I was there).
Assuming you have a rental car, you can then spend the rest of the day at the Museum of Flight and Boeing Field. I spent at least 3 hours at the Museum. Boeing Field is also where final prep and delivery of 737 and remaining 757's is done. Go to the websites for the tour and the Museum to find out more info about them. Since you must be a fan of airline aircraft, they it will be well worth the time to visit these places. Seattle itself is a fun place too. You can get a pass good for several days and up to 7 visitor places, including the Space Needle, a 1 hour boat tour of Seattle Harbor, the Aquarium and the Museum of flight for about $40. Check tourist sites for Seattle for more info on that deal. Within Seattle, one should park the car on the outer edge of downtown, and use the busses in the central area which are free during business hours (till 7 pm).
Airfinair From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 650 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 1427 times:
UAL747-600 From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 538 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 1372 times:
Airgeek12,
I'm not from the UK so I don't know about factory tours near London. However, I would highly recommend the Museum at Duxford and the RAF Museum at Hendon. Two of the best aviation museums I've ever visited. Duxford is HUGE and includes the 8th Airforce Museum.
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