Few indoor activities in Calgary are as unusual as flying an airliner. This experience puts you in a Boeing 737 cockpit simulator with a qualified instructor, who explains the instruments and then lets you fly: take off from a real airport, climb, turn and bring the aircraft back down. Screens show a realistic world outside the windscreen, and the controls respond like the real thing, so a smooth landing is genuinely satisfying and a rough one is genuinely funny. No experience is needed, and the instructor adapts the session to your confidence, from a gentle sightseeing flight to a more challenging approach in bad weather. It is a good choice for teenagers, aviation fans and adults looking for something memorable that does not depend on the weather outside.
What to expect
Sessions are offered in different lengths, so choose the one that fits your appetite. A shorter flight is ideal for a first try and gives you time to take off and land once, while a longer session allows you to fly a complete circuit, try different airports or practise approaches in varied conditions.
The instructor sits beside you, answers questions and steps in if you get into trouble, so the atmosphere is supportive rather than stressful. Friends and family can often watch, and many people record the landing on their phone, so ask about spectators when you book.
Practical planning
Bookings are for specific time slots, so reserve ahead, especially at weekends and during school holidays. Arrive a few minutes early to meet your instructor and to settle in. There are usually minimum age or height requirements, so check them before you book for younger children, and mention any mobility needs, since simulator cockpits have steps and narrow doorways.
Wear comfortable clothing, and if you are prone to motion sickness, say so, as the sessions can feel convincing even when the movement is modest. Parking and public transport are straightforward, and the experience takes place indoors, so it works in any weather.
How it fits
The simulator is an excellent wet-weather or cold-weather activity, and it fits neatly into a half day. Pair it with a museum visit such as the Military Museums, whose aviation galleries tell the history of flight, or with an evening meal downtown. Families with teenagers will find that it fills a gap between sightseeing and relaxing, and groups of friends can book consecutive sessions for friendly competition.
If you want a more varied aviation theme, look at whether the same operator offers a fighter-jet simulator as an alternative to the airliner, which makes a very different experience. For a gift or special occasion, it is a distinctive choice.
A few extra tips
Ask the instructor to explain the controls before you start, and do not worry about mistakes, since that is how the session teaches. Choose an airport you know, if the operator allows, because familiar landmarks make the view more satisfying. Try a landing in poor weather if you want a challenge, or a clear-day sightseeing flight if you prefer to relax. Booking a late-morning or early-afternoon slot leaves time for lunch downtown afterwards.
What to expect
The experience
A session in a Boeing 737 cockpit simulator with an instructor, taking off, flying and landing.
Best time
Any time, and especially on a cold or wet day.
How long
About an hour, depending on the session you choose.
Tips
Book a time slot ahead, check age requirements and tell the instructor about motion sickness.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Aviation fans, teenagers and anyone wanting an unusual indoor activity.
- Families
- Great for older children and teens; check minimum age and height.
- Couples
- A fun, memorable change from sightseeing.
- Pair with
- The Military Museums, whose galleries cover aviation history.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
Do I need flying experience?+
No. The instructor guides you through takeoff, flight and landing.
Can I choose the session length?+
Yes, there are shorter and longer sessions, so pick the one that suits you.
Can spectators watch?+
Often yes, but ask when you book.
Is there an age limit?+
Operators usually set a minimum age or height, so check before you book.
Does weather matter?+
No, it is entirely indoors.
