Seattle - Worth doing both the Boeing Tour and Museum of Flight?

[Febs]

Hi guys,

Little confused and figured I'd ask here as I know others have been to Seattle before.

It seems there's a Boeing Factory Tour, "Future of Flight" centre (both on the same site), and a "Museum of Flight" slightly closer to Seattle. Are they all worth doing?

How much time would you allow? We need to head North anyway, so we were thinking - head to the Museum of Flight, spend 1-2hrs there, then head to Boeing Factory and do the last tour (3pm). That sound reasonable?

Appreciate any advice.

Chers,
- Febs.

 

[mainly tailfirst]

Hi guys,

Little confused and figured I'd ask here as I know others have been to Seattle before.

It seems there's a Boeing Factory Tour, "Future of Flight" centre (both on the same site), and a "Museum of Flight" slightly closer to Seattle. Are they all worth doing?

How much time would you allow? We need to head North anyway, so we were thinking - head to the Museum of Flight, spend 1-2hrs there, then head to Boeing Factory and do the last tour (3pm). That sound reasonable?

Appreciate any advice.

Chers,
- Febs.

One of the best days I've ever had was in late 2001 touring Boeing at Everett and the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
I did the Boeing factory tour (747 line) at first thing 8AM, drove down to King County and then spent the rest of the day the MoF. No cameras allowed on the 747 line unfortunately - it's hard to convey how small 747s look in that building without them.

The 747 tour takes a bit over an hour, but depending on your arrival you may have to wait to join a tour. You may not make the last tour if they've had a busy day. We got there before opening and missed the first (due to the line), but made the second. YMMV

The MoF is far more relaxed, rock up anytime you like. Highlights were sitting in a SR71 coughpit and walking through a VC-135. I spent about 3 hours there - got a cool photo of a BA 777 doing a pre delivery flight next door. They have a Concorde there now, so that's probably taken over as the star attraction.
Anyway I'm sure you'll have fun!

mt

 

[Maca44]

The Boeing Tour is great and if you want to be sure of getting the last tour (3pm) I would purchase tickets online in advance. The tour takes about 90 minutes leaving you plenty of time to get to the boarder if heading north and you would be in Vancouver for dinner (if going that far)
Future of Flight > Plan Your Boeing Tour Visit

 

[straitman]

Febs,

Do them both and allow a whole day. You'll love it all.

My wife reluctantly came along and got a bigger buzz than I did. :shock:

 

[Mal]

Did both about 18 mths ago.

At the time Boeing was taking you through the 777 production line. I suspect they may now take you through the 787 line.

I really enjoyed the Boeing tour. MOF I found ok. Depends on what part of flying you enjoy more really (ie history vs current etc).

 

[Febs]

Thanks guys. Booked in for the 3pm Boeing Tour.

Will aim to get to the Museum of Flight around 10:30am...that should give us enough time to have a look around, walk through the Concorde/AirForce One then head to Boeing. We're staying about 10mi from the Boeing factory so it works out well.

Appreciate the responses.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[trooper]

Great info folks!

Will be doing both on a trip next year....

OK.. so no cameras on the tour.... BUT.. do they sell a book covering the areas/processes the tour views? With "approved" photos?

Even when cameras ARE allowed I personally find that a good option if available... :mrgreen:

 

[serfty]

Did both on the same day June 2006 using a hire car. I spent 4+ hours in Seattle before heading north to Everett. Back then it was 777's only at Boeing.

Enjoy ...

 

[Flying Fox]

Definately worth doing. I did both with the Mrs in 2006. Boeing in the morning (look at the 777 line) and the got back to the city where the Mrs went back to the hotel.

Did MoF solo. Got a bus down there (I think it was no.32) from down town Seattle for $1.50 and you get off right outside. Ticket was good for 3hrs for a free return trip otherwise its another $1.50.

Have a great time!

 

[Febs]

Thanks everyone! Did both today and had a great time.

The MoF was great, but sadly due to weather (extreme cold + snow/ice) both the Concorde and AirForce One were closed.

Spent about 3.5hrs @ MoF then drove to Boeing, arrived just on time and went on the tour.

A bit of a treat - we got to see the last 4 747-400's being built ever! (All freighters). After that, it's all 747-8 (748's?) which use engines, wing designs, material composition and a lot of other ingenuity from the 787 Dreamliner. Should be good for an extra ~34 seats too (in average config) over a 744. Have QF got any orders for these?

We actually got to see three lines on our tour - 744, 777 and 787. Brilliant. Can't get over how big the factory is too (largest building in the world by volume) - they say you can fit Disneyland in there and still have 12 acres left!

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. A great day.

OK.. so no cameras on the tour.... BUT.. do they sell a book covering the areas/processes the tour views? With "approved" photos?

Forgot to specifically look sorry, but there were books on the 787 and 747 which I presume had assembly photos.

Cheers,
- Febs.