Boeing Factory and Future of Flight Aviation Center Tour
You can take the virtual tour online at: http://www.boeing.com/company/about-bca/renton-tour/index.page
Boeing’s 737 factory at the Renton, Washington, site leads the industry as the most efficient airplane factory in the world. More than 11,600 commercial airplanes (707, 727, 737, and 757) or about 30 percent of the worldwide fleet flying today were built in Renton. According the Guinness World Records, the 737 is the “most produced large commercial jet” in aviation history. Covering 1.1 million square feet of factory space, the 737 program rolls out 42 airplanes a month and is expected to increase the rate to 47 a month in 2017 and 52 in 2018. From the time a fuselage enters the factory, it takes 10 days to complete an airplane. The final assembly building has two moving lines producing Next-Generation 737s and a third that will initially produce the 737 MAX beginning in 2015. The P-8, a Navy submarine hunter and maritime patrol aircraft, and a military derivative of the 737-800, is also built at Renton.
History
The Renton Site is synonymous with aviation history, with its roots dating back to WWII. Originally built by the Navy in 1941 to manufacture the PB2B Sea Ranger bomber, the Air Force bought the site in 1943 and constructed the adjacent Renton airfield to build the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. In 1954, the factory produced one of the most important airplanes in aviation history — the Boeing Dash 80. The Dash 80 led to the Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker (first military jet tanker) and the 707 – the world’s first commercial airplane that ushered in the jet age and opened the gateway to international travel. The 707 paved the way for the most successful selling commercial jet in history – the 737 in 1965. Renton went on to produce the 737 family (Initial Model, Classic, and Next Generation), the 757, the 767, and the Navy’s P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft. The newest family member, the737 MAX will begin production in 2015.
Tour Info
Get a behind-the-scenes look at airplane design and manufacturing on a 4.5-hour Boeing factory tour that includes the Future of Flight Aviation Center, and round-trip transport from Seattle, SeaTac, and Renton hotels. Watch the factory floor and flight line from above, get a virtual tour of a 787 flight deck, then use a simulator to design and test your own airplane.
Trip Advisor Reviews:
Another highlight of Seattle…a must see
Well worth the money to see the Boeing Factory. I organised with my concierge to see this at the very last minute and a shuttle bus came and picked me up first thing the next morning (it is probably about 30 minutes out of Seattle but I had no access to a car). The factory tour was fabulous and very informative – it’s amazing to see (especially just before you fly one home) how these planes are built.There were a few stairs (I wouldn’t call them steep – I believe the tour guide said that there was 22 of them in total although I could be wrong) but I wouldn’t say they were steep and a little bit of walking to do. The bus took us around too. Very glad I got to see this and well worth the money.
Incredible Experience, one of the best attractions in America
This was amazing, totally suited for families and aviation fans. A must do in town. I was happening to hit a 3-mountain day, where you can see the whole mountain range in the backdrop. The buildings are gigantic, you tour around in coaches since the proportions are ENORMOUS. They make plenty of jokes and give you tons of facts. Then you can get cool souvenirs or do some other activities like run into the exhibition or check into some movie display on site. Amazing, I was totally blown away and I have been to many air museum and NASA sites. One of the best attractions in the whole country. No pictures allowed inside due to heavy security measures. You should visit the Boeing Museum after this, also really cool.