Boeing Factory tours - Seattle

[eric2011]

Way off in the future, Sept 2017, I am doing an Alaska cruise from Seattle and will be spending a couple of days in Seattle before hand. Like most of the AFF'ers here, a tour of the Boeing factory is on my bucket list and the other added bonus is I have a significant other half which also wants to do it..

From anyone who has actually done the tour, any info would be great. From my research it appears that the normal tour is a 90 minute walk thru which starts every hour, on the hour.

Is this the way to go and any other help.

Thanks,
Mr & Mrs eric

 

[Justinf]

The tour itself is great for the likes of us who love flying/aircraft etc, but I went with my dad and he wasn't that impressed.
The factory is huuuuuuge. The actual museum you wander around before and after the tour is pretty good too.
You get whisked around on a bus. You go inside and there are people on their lunch breaks jogging who are sweating and have been running for kilometres and haven't even turned around to go back yet.
The drive out to Everett is pretty cool too.

 

[AviationNZ]

Rooflyer put together this trip report recently on the Museum of Flight in Seattle which could be something to consider too;

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....s/quick-trip-seattle-museum-flight-70746.html

There are also some suggestions and tips on both the Museum of Flight and the Boeing Factory Tour.

 

[earlyriser]

I enjoyed all that is mentioned here! Highly recommend. Seattle is great - so much to do within a few hours.

 

[mole]

I enjoyed the tour too, booked it online in advance for a morning tour. You aren't allowed to take photos in the factory area but can after the tour in the area where they have interiors of planes etc, there is also a little cafe. Easy drive to get to it and afterwards we continued on to the Seattle Premium Outlets for some retail therapy, about a 20 minute drive from the Boeing Factory.

 

[Denali]

My plan was to take hubby to the Boeing factory and while he was off doing the tour I was going sit at the café and relax.... Im so glad I did the tour!

My tips are:
Book online because they are popular. We actually did it with a small group (12 people) tour so we didn't have to drive - driving in the US stresses both hubby and I out.

Get a locker when you first get there and if you have time before the tour, hit the gift shop. You cant take bags, phones ect on the tour and they must be in lockers and there was about 60 lockers of various sizes for a lot of people. Get a big locker if you are going to shop 1st. After the tour, everyone hits the gift shop so I liked buying before the tour, hubby liked going back to the gift shop for the 2nd shot at shopping.

If you have time, check out the roof viewing area for flight testing, it was actually cool watching them come in and out.

 

[drewbles]

I actually booked myself a ticket for a tour next month, just an hour ago before reading this.

I've done the tour before, and have been lucky enough to have toured the 737 assembly plant too (not open to public tours).

If you have enough time, be sure to head down to The Museum of Flight down near Boeing Field (aka King County International Airport). Boeing do flights between Everet and here for customer a/c undergoing proving and painting. You'll see a plethora of a/c on the ramp (hire a car, drive around and see them from around the field). The Museum there is *excellent* too. It's around $20 from memory. Includes entry to the aircraft museum over the road which includes the first ever 747, a Concorde, and a former Air Force 1 (pre-747 days). The staff there are insanely knowledgeable too.

I probably won't get time to head there again this trip (musem closes too early) but if the light permits, will definitely be calling past to take some happy snaps of a/c on the ramp.

Museum of Flight at Boeing Field: https://www.museumofflight.org/visit

Boeing Factory Tour:Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour ½ Hr N of Seattle ($18USD at present if booked online)

Also, if you're inclined to spend up big on Boeing branded stuff, there's a not-so-public store at Boeing Field. Includes things like Boeing branded hi-viz stuff, and other not-so-mainstream items (as well as some models and things). Not sure if it's open to the public or if they let our group in specifically, but it wasn't in the Museum, it was just outside.

 

[kiwitripper64]

In Seattle you must see the chihuly glassand gardens. Best to try and get there before dusk, see the gardens and watch as the lights come on
Chihuly Garden and Glass | Home

 

[YSSY]

Yes, as a plane lover myself (private pilot and frequent flyer) I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I also agree with above poster that the drive up, absolutely amazing, we love Seattle and , Washington State and of course Mt Rainer. Hoping that your doing the Alaska cruise with Holland America, they are the best cruise line for Alaskan cruises.

 

[eric2011]

Hoping that your doing the Alaska cruise with Holland America, they are the best cruise line for Alaskan cruises.

No, this one will be on the Ruby Princess. I have used the premium Princess boats a few times and find them ok.

Thanks everyone for the Boeing tour information