A TECHNOLOGICAL VOYAGE AT THE BOEING FACTORY IN SEATTLE

There is much more to Seattle than just the Space Needle & coffee mega chains….Drive over to the ‘Boeing Factory’ which is good fun and you can’t help admiring this technological marvel.

One can’t reach out and touch a plane that is in the process of being built, but imagine being able to actually see an airplane being built? For any aviation enthusiast, would love this tour. As we all know Boeing is the ‘Number One Aerospace Leader in the World’, so obviously I had to tour the factory where they build and test their aircraft. The factory itself is north of Seattle at Everett is a world full of superlatives (no photos are permitted though). It is the world’s largest single building ... so large that it can hold all of Disneyland and still have room for it to rattle. This is where 747’s, 767’s and 777’s are built. My tour began with a professionally trained driver picking me up from my hotel. It then kicks starts off in the Aviation Center Auditorium where a short film about Boeing is played. Our tour guide also gave us a quick rundown on what we would see, and we were lucky since this was the first day the employees were back at work after the holiday, so lots of activity in the factory. The guide also gave us interesting trivia about cost, payment process, and how planes are tested and delivered. Inside the huge space, we could see cable machinery running along the roofs, sections of planes and the assembly machines, and bikes for employees to get around. The best part, undoubtedly, is seeing the assembly line. Getting to see the various 787s and other aircraft as they trundle on down the line are special. I was able to see how the intricate system of cables carried entire sections of planes and wings throughout the factory and was lucky to score a tour of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Gallery. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the newest aircraft being built by Boeing, with airline deliveries coming soon. The tour ended with a bus tour around the runway area and the parking lots of planes waiting for delivery. We also witnessed an Emirates Airline jet land after a test flight. All in all I could not help but marvel at the sheer elegance and was amazed at how one company gave the world a set of wings.

FAST FACTS

WHERE? : The Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour is located in Mukilteo, Wash., 25 miles north of Seattle. Public tours of Boeing’s Everett factory are available seven days a week.

WHAT DOES THE TOUR INCLUDE?

1.5-hour guided tour of Seattle’s Boeing factory

See 747, 767, 777 and Dreamliner aircraft

Largest building in the world

Future of Flight interpretive center and Boeing Tour

Transfers included from downtown Seattle hotels

FOR RESERVATIONS: call +1 360-756-0086 or toll free, +1 800-464-1476, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time).

CENTER HOURS: - The center is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and 1/2 day on New Year’s Eve

TOUR HOURS: Tours of Boeing is run every hour on the hour from 9 Am to 3Pm daily except holidays

HEIGHT: One must be 4 feet tall to take the factory tour (safety precaution).
PRICE: $15.50 for general Admission; seniors (65+) = $14.00; Children under 15 = $ 8.00.

MUST KNOW-There is NO tour of the inside of any planes being assembled on the factory floor (747-8, 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner) for security reasons.

NOTE: Visitors to the Museum can take a flight around Seattle in a vintage biplane; this is offered during spring and summer only.

TRAVEL PLANNER

VISA & CURRENCY- Indians require a US Visa to enter Seattle and the currency used is the US Dollar (approximately 50 INR)

BEST WAY TO REACH- Emirates has a direct flight to Seattle via Dubai. It is the cheapest and the quickest way to reach from India. A good idea is also to stop at Dubai enroute to make the most of your trip. An economy class flight by Emirates from India to Seattle will cost you approx. INR 54,000 Fares may vary; check on www.emirates.com while making a booking.

BEST PLACE TO STAY-Hotel Sheraton…so you can be the closest to the Downtown.

BEST WAY TO MOVE AROUND- Getting around the city is very easy whether by car or public transportation, so I would definitely recommend exploring Seattle and see where you end up!