From Seattle: Boeing Factory and Future of Flight Tour
About This Experience
This is the Boeing Everett factory tour with the hard part solved. The factory sits 25 miles north of downtown Seattle at Paine Field in Mukilteo, and there is no practical public-transport route to it, which is why most visitors without a car end up on a tour like this one rather than buying admission direct.
A coach collects you downtown and runs north up I-5. The 45 minutes each way are not dead time: your guide covers William Boeing's 1916 start on Lake Union, why the company built the world's largest building out here in the 1960s rather than in the city, and what is currently moving down each assembly line.
At the Future of Flight Aviation Center you join a Boeing guide for the factory tour itself, roughly 80 minutes inside the building, looking down on 767, 777 and 777X aircraft in assembly and 787 Dreamliners in finishing. Afterwards there is time in the gallery and on the Strato Deck above the Paine Field flight line before the coach heads back.
One thing to plan for: nothing comes onto the factory floor with you. No phone, no camera, no bag, not even water. On this tour you leave it locked on the coach, which is simpler than the locker queue drivers face.
Highlights
- Round-trip coach from downtown Seattle - no car, no parking, no 50-mile round trip to drive
- Boeing Everett factory admission included, with a Boeing guide inside the building
- Watch 767, 777 and 777X jets in assembly inside the largest building on earth by volume
- Guided commentary on Boeing's Seattle history for the 45 minutes each way
- Time in the Future of Flight gallery and on the Strato Deck over the Paine Field flight line
What's Included
- ✓ Pickup and drop-off at a central downtown Seattle location
- ✓ Round-trip transport in an air-conditioned coach
- ✓ Guide on board for the journey each way
- ✓ Boeing Everett factory tour admission
- ✓ Boeing guide inside the factory
- ✓ Entry to the Future of Flight Aviation Center gallery
- ✓ Gratuities
Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup outside the downtown meeting point
What to Bring
- Photo ID
- Comfortable walking shoes - about 500 m of walking and 21 stairs
- A jacket: the factory floor is not heated to room temperature
Good to Know & Caveats
- No photography or video anywhere on the factory tour, and no phones, cameras, bags, purses or backpacks may be carried onto the floor at all. Leave them locked on the coach.
- Every visitor on the factory portion must be at least 4 feet (48 in / 122 cm) tall. This is enforced at the door.
- The factory walk covers roughly 1,600 feet (500 m) and includes 21 stairs.
- The tour runs about 4.5 hours door to door; the factory portion itself is around 80 minutes.
- What is on the assembly line varies day to day - Boeing does not guarantee which aircraft will be in view.
- The 747 line closed in 2022, so despite what some older tour descriptions say, you will not see a 747 being built.
Not Suitable For
- Children under 4 feet (122 cm) tall
- Babies and infants
- Wheelchair users should contact the operator first to confirm the factory route
Meeting Point
Charter bus zone beside the Hyatt Regency, east side of 8th Avenue between Olive and Stewart Streets, downtown Seattle. Arrive 15 minutes before departure - the coach does not wait.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.6/5 by 541 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
James did a very good Tour, can highly recommend him. He has a lot of knowledge and can answer every question. He is very much taking care of all the guests.
— Bettina, August
Marc is a great guide. We left on time and came back on time. All was clear and transparent. Quick transport. Marc is a good guide, good speaker ! Lots of interesting facts. He showed us a bit of Seattle’s suburbs at the end which was cool. And the factory…mind blowing ! Must see !!
— Kamil, August
It was fantastic. Matthew was the best guide we could have asked for. He answered all our questions and nothing was too much trouble. He even sang for us on the way back!
— Pauline, August
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this tour depart from?
The charter bus zone beside the Hyatt Regency on the east side of 8th Avenue, between Olive and Stewart Streets in downtown Seattle. Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time - the coach leaves on schedule and there is no later run to join.
Can I take my phone or camera on the factory tour?
No. Photography and video are prohibited for the whole factory tour, and personal items including phones, cameras, bags and backpacks cannot be carried onto the floor. On this tour you leave everything locked on the coach. Photography is permitted in the Future of Flight gallery and on the Strato Deck.
How tall does my child need to be?
At least 4 feet (48 inches / 122 cm) to enter the factory. There is no height limit for the gallery, but a shorter child cannot join the factory portion, so check before you book.
How long does the whole thing take?
About 4.5 hours from downtown pickup to downtown return. The factory tour itself is roughly 80 minutes; the rest is the 25 miles each way and time in the gallery.
Which aircraft will I see?
The Everett factory currently assembles the 767, 777 and 777X and finishes 787 Dreamliners. Exactly what is in view depends on where each aircraft is in its build cycle on the day you visit.
Can I cancel?
Yes - free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, with instant confirmation when you book.
