AIRWAYS INDUSTRY Boeing Factory Tours : Open Again
Following the extensive hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic , the highly anticipated Boeing Factory Tours are back . Once again , aviation enthusiasts and other inquisitive minds have a golden opportunity to immerse themselves in the intricate process of aircraft production .
SINCE ITS START IN 1968 , the Boeing Factory Tour has been a consistent draw , attracting more than six million visitors from across the globe for an exclusive glimpse into the fascinating realm of aviation . The tour has granted behind-the-scenes access to the assembly line of iconic Boeing aircraft , including the venerable 747 , the 767 , the 777 , and the 787 Dreamliner .
“ We ’ ve been closed for the tour portion of the experience for three and a half years ,” said Christi Medlyn , the General Manager of Boeing Future of Flight , a center for visitors to Boeing ’ s manufacturing complex in Everett , Washington , north of Seattle . “ In the meantime , we invested in this space to give people a great brand experience for Boeing . It ’ s not just about airplane manufacturing ; it ’ s about the full enterprise .”
MORE TO SEE AND DO
In recent years , Boeing has made transformative changes to its Future of Flight location to complement the factory tour . It now presents an immersive experience that delves into various facets of the planemaker ’ s operations , ranging from sustainable fuels and autonomous flight to satellite technology . Amid hands-on activities and STEM learning opportunities , visitors can interact with cutting-edge drones and robots .
Boeing has enhanced the tour itself in discernible ways . A redesigned route guides guests seamlessly from the Boeing Future of Flight Museum to the expansive Everett factory . It ’ s there that thousands of dedicated employees contribute to the intricate process of producing some of the world ’ s most familiar airplanes .
This comprehensive tour lends access to the site ’ s subterranean network of factory tunnels and an observation balcony , offering a panoramic view of the current 777 assembly line . Notably , this line is where Boeing ’ s future flagship , the 777X , is slated for production , with Lufthansa and Emirates set to be the inaugural recipients of this new variant of the Triple Seven .
In addition , visitors take a comfortable bus tour traversing various sections of the airport tarmac . The journey commences where new planes are fueled for the first time and progresses to the spot where Boeing 737 fuselages arrive by train from Wichita , Kansas .
Intriguingly , one may catch sight of brand-new , as yet unpainted Boeing 777s without engines , and rare planes like 767 military tankers as they undergo preparations for delivery . Throughout each leg of the tour , a guide provides detailed explanations and answers questions .
The tour is only one facet of the attraction . The Boeing Future of Flight includes the Boeing Gallery , which showcases nearly 150 past , present , and future Boeing products and services , including the avant-garde Passenger Air Vehicle ( PAV ), also known as the personal flying car .
The Above and Beyond exhibit offers immersive simulations , and visitors can capture memorable moments with the Destiny Module from the International Space Station .
For those seeking a respite with breathtaking views , the open-air Sky Deck provides a sweeping spectacle of Paine Field , the factory , and the picturesque North Cascade Mountains in the distance . It is not uncommon to witness brandnew planes parked on the deck , ready for delivery to their new owners .
www . airwaysmag . com AIRWAYS MAGAZINE MARCH 2024 39