Airbus A320 vs Boeing 737 Simulator: Which One Should You Choose in 2026?

At SIMIUS, we manufacture Boeing 737 flight simulators, are developing our own Airbus A320 simulator, and operate flight simulation experience centers with both aircraft types across several European countries.

This gives us the opportunity to compare these aircraft not only from an engineering perspective but also based on our experience in manufacturing, installing, and operating commercial simulators.

Some of the differences are more significant than you might expect.

1. Is the Boeing 737 More Difficult to Fly Than the Airbus A320?

Let's start with one of the most interesting differences: the actual flying experience.

The original Boeing 737 first flew in 1967, while the Airbus A320 made its first flight in 1987 — almost 20 years later. This difference reflects two distinct approaches to aircraft design and flight control philosophy.

Boeing 737: A More Traditional Flying Experience

The Boeing 737 retains a traditional flight control philosophy, featuring control yokes, mechanical linkages, and physical feedback through the flight controls.

During manual flight, pilots must actively manage aircraft attitude, airspeed, vertical speed, and trim. These characteristics become particularly noticeable during approach and landing.

Based on our experience operating entertainment flight simulators, landing a Boeing 737 is generally more challenging for an inexperienced visitor than landing an Airbus A320.

And this challenge is part of what makes the Boeing experience so exciting. Visitors feel that they are actively controlling a large commercial aircraft, and completing a successful landing can be especially rewarding.

Airbus A320: A Different Flight Control Philosophy

The Airbus A320 was designed around a digital Fly-by-Wire flight control system. Instead of a traditional control yoke, pilots use a sidestick.

Flight control computers interpret pilot inputs and, in normal operating law, provide flight envelope protections. This creates a very different flying experience.

During a typical entertainment flight, the Airbus A320 can feel more intuitive and manageable for first-time visitors.

Of course, this does not mean that the Airbus A320 is easier to operate professionally. Both aircraft require extensive pilot training. However, when comparing manual flying experiences in an entertainment simulator, the difference can be quite noticeable.

2. Connected Boeing Yokes vs Independent Airbus Sidesticks

Another important difference is how the captain and first officer interact with the flight controls.

Boeing 737: Both Pilots Can Feel Each Other's Inputs

In the Boeing 737, the captain's and first officer's control yokes are mechanically interconnected during normal operation. When one pilot moves their yoke, the other yoke follows the movement.

This creates direct physical feedback between the two pilots. The first officer can not only observe the captain's control inputs but also feel them through their own controls.

In an entertainment flight simulator, this is particularly useful when a visitor is flying with an instructor. The instructor can demonstrate control movements, and the visitor can physically experience how those movements are performed. This creates an engaging and intuitive learning experience.

Airbus A320: Independent Sidesticks

The Airbus A320 uses two independent sidesticks. When one pilot moves their sidestick, the other sidestick does not move. As a result, pilots cannot feel each other's inputs through the control stick itself.

From our perspective, this is one area where the traditional Boeing control system offers a more intuitive physical connection between pilots.

However, Airbus provides a dual-input warning system and sidestick priority controls to manage simultaneous inputs. This is a difference in design philosophy, not an indication that either aircraft is less safe.

For entertainment flight simulation, both systems offer distinctive and interesting experiences.

3. Cockpit Dimensions: The Airbus A320 Is Wider

One of the most important practical considerations when purchasing a full-scale simulator is the size of the installation space.

The Airbus A320 cockpit is wider than the Boeing 737 cockpit. This difference originates from the dimensions of the actual aircraft fuselages. As a result, a full-scale Airbus A320 simulator generally requires more space in terms of width.

This can be particularly important when installing a simulator inside an existing commercial property. If the simulator includes a curved projection screen and a multi-projector visual system, the overall installation dimensions must be considered — not just the cockpit itself.

Before choosing a location, we recommend checking:

• Cockpit width and external dimensions.
• Required ceiling height.
• Projection screen dimensions.
• Space for technical maintenance.
• Visitor access and emergency exits.
• Access routes for delivering large simulator components.

4. Why Is a Boeing 737 Simulator Heavier Than an Airbus A320?

One of the most important engineering differences between these simulators is almost invisible to visitors. It is located underneath the cockpit floor.

Boeing 737: A Raised Platform and Mechanical Control System

In SIMIUS full-scale Boeing 737 simulators, we use a special raised platform approximately 40 cm high. This platform accommodates the mechanical components that connect the captain's and first officer's control systems.

Inside the structure are the mechanisms required to synchronize the control yokes and rudder pedals. The system must reliably transmit movements between both pilot positions and maintain the correct mechanical behavior of the controls.

This requires a strong supporting frame and additional space beneath the cockpit. As a result, the Boeing 737 simulator has a more complex and heavier supporting structure. This also affects manufacturing, transportation, and installation.

Airbus A320: A Simpler Base Structure

The Airbus A320 is fundamentally different. Since the sidesticks are not mechanically connected, there is no need for an extensive underfloor mechanism linking the two pilot control sticks.

The rudder pedals are the main mechanically interconnected flight controls. Their connection can be implemented using shafts and mechanical components positioned above floor level.

Therefore, a full-scale Airbus A320 simulator can be installed directly on the existing floor without the raised platform required by our Boeing 737 design. This offers several advantages:

• Lower structural weight.
• Fewer mechanical components.
• Simpler base construction.
• Easier transportation and installation.
• Reduced overall installation height.

From a manufacturing perspective, this is one of the most significant structural advantages of the Airbus A320 simulator.

5. Which Flight Simulator Is Cheaper to Manufacture?

Many customers assume that simulator pricing depends primarily on the aircraft model or how modern its cockpit looks.

In reality, manufacturing costs depend on the mechanical structure, electronic systems, cockpit components, visual system, and software configuration. Both the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 require complex avionics, cockpit panels, displays, controls, and visual systems.

However, the Boeing 737 requires additional mechanical components to connect the control yokes and reproduce the traditional flight control system. It also requires a strong raised platform to accommodate these mechanisms. The Airbus A320 does not need the same underfloor system for its sidesticks.

The final price, however, depends on the chosen configuration. Factors such as projection systems, cockpit component quality, software licenses, computing hardware, and additional features may have a significant impact on the total project cost.

For an accurate comparison, both simulators should be evaluated with equivalent specifications. For a full itemised breakdown of a Boeing 737 setup, see our Boeing 737 simulator cost guide.

6. Which Aircraft Is More Popular Among Customers: Airbus or Boeing?

There is no universal answer to this question.

Through our experience operating flight simulation centers in several European countries, we have noticed an interesting trend: customer preferences vary significantly between markets. In some countries, the Boeing 737 attracts more attention. In others, including several European markets, the Airbus A320 is more popular among visitors.

We believe this is partly influenced by local airline fleets, aircraft familiarity, and regional aviation preferences. For example, customers who frequently travel on Airbus A320 aircraft may be more interested in experiencing the cockpit of a familiar aircraft. Likewise, Boeing enthusiasts may specifically seek out a Boeing 737 simulator.

When planning a new entertainment flight simulation center, we recommend considering the local market rather than relying on general assumptions about aircraft popularity.

7. Which Simulator Is Better for an Entertainment Flight Simulation Business?

Both aircraft can provide an excellent commercial entertainment experience, but the experience itself is different.

When Do We Recommend the Boeing 737?

The Boeing 737 is particularly attractive for entertainment centers that want to emphasize the challenges and physical sensations of manual flying.

The traditional yoke, the need for precise aircraft control, and the mechanically connected pilot controls create an engaging experience. For customers who want to test their ability to land a commercial aircraft, the Boeing 737 can be an excellent choice.

When Do We Recommend the Airbus A320?

The Airbus A320 can be an attractive option for venues that want to offer a modern cockpit and a flight control experience that is often more approachable for beginners.

Its simpler base structure can also make installation easier and reduce overall structural weight. Airbus is also a natural choice in markets where the A320 family is particularly familiar and popular among passengers.

8. Software Compatibility and Commercial Operation

When choosing a simulator, software compatibility is just as important as the physical cockpit.

Both Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 simulators can be integrated with modern simulation platforms, including X-Plane, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and specialized aircraft systems software. However, compatibility depends on the selected aircraft model, avionics software, hardware interfaces, and integration solution.

For commercial use, the most important considerations include system stability, reliable hardware integration, maintainability, and technical support.

At SIMIUS, we select the software configuration according to the aircraft type and the customer's operational requirements.

9. Final Verdict: Airbus A320 or Boeing 737?

There is no single winner when comparing the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 as entertainment flight simulators. Both offer outstanding experiences, but their engineering and flight control philosophies are different.

Its traditional control yokes and mechanical connections between pilot controls create distinctive physical feedback. However, these features require a heavier supporting structure and additional mechanical components.

Because the sidesticks do not require a complex underfloor mechanical connection, the simulator can be lighter and somewhat less expensive to manufacture. However, its wider cockpit requires additional consideration when selecting the installation space.

From a commercial perspective, both aircraft can be successful. Our experience shows that customer preferences vary between countries and regional markets.

That is why we recommend choosing your simulator based on your business objectives, technical requirements, available space, and target audience.

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