How to Start a Flight Simulator Business in 2026: A Practical Guide from SIMIUS
Key facts at a glance
| Question | Short answer (planning figures) |
|---|---|
| Room width needed for a Boeing 737 simulator | ≈4.5–5.5 m of unobstructed width |
| Example premises | 7 × 6 m (42 m²) incl. a small reception and waiting area |
| Simulator with computer and visual system | ≈€100,000, depending on configuration |
| Total startup investment | ≈€100,000–€180,000 |
| Average booking price (Central Europe) | ≈€120 including VAT |
| Paid bookings per month | 80–180 |
| Most popular product | 60-minute flight, 2–3 participants |
| Illustrative EBITDA margin | 15–30% of revenue excluding VAT |
| Share of gift vouchers | ≈30–45% of flight purchases |
| Strongest season (Europe) | September/October to April/May |
Starting a flight simulator business can be an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the entertainment and experience-based services market.
A full-scale Boeing 737 simulator offers customers a unique opportunity to experience what it feels like to fly a commercial passenger aircraft, perform takeoffs and landings, and sit in a realistic cockpit under the guidance of an instructor.
At SIMIUS, we specialize in manufacturing Boeing 737 flight simulators and have hands-on experience operating six entertainment simulators across several European countries, including both Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 installations.
This combination gives us a unique perspective. We understand the business not only as an equipment manufacturer but also as an operator dealing with customers, bookings, marketing, maintenance, and everyday operational challenges.
1. Choosing the Right Location and Premises
One of the advantages of a modern entertainment flight simulator is its relatively compact footprint. You do not need an aircraft hangar or an exceptionally large commercial property to install a full-scale Boeing 737 simulator.
Depending on the configuration, a SIMIUS simulator can fit into a space with approximately 4.5–5.5 meters of unobstructed width, without columns interfering with the installation.
The simulator area can accommodate the cockpit, visual system, and an observer area where accompanying visitors can watch the flight experience. Additional space can be allocated for a reception desk, customer waiting area, and other facilities.
Exact room depth, ceiling height, and total space requirements depend on the equipment configuration.
Location Is One of the Most Important Success Factors
From our experience, location is one of the most important decisions when opening a flight simulator business. Our main recommendation is simple:
Unlike many retail businesses, flight simulator experiences are usually planned in advance. Customers book a specific time and intentionally travel to your location.
Therefore, accessibility, parking, public transportation, and reasonable travel time can be more important than the number of people casually walking past your entrance.
What Types of Locations Work Best?
Several types of commercial properties can be suitable:
- Shopping malls: Particularly those with cinemas, family entertainment centers, and other leisure activities.
- City-center commercial premises: An excellent option when rent is reasonable and accessibility is good.
- Retail and commercial complexes: Especially locations with convenient parking and transportation.
- Entertainment destinations: Areas where customers already visit for leisure activities.
- Standalone commercial properties: Potentially cost-effective when they provide good access and sufficient space.
There is no single perfect location type. A well-positioned property on a regular city street can perform better than an expensive shopping mall unit.
What Should You Check Before Signing a Lease?
Consider the following:
- Sufficient unobstructed width and ceiling height.
- Access for delivering large simulator components.
- Electrical infrastructure.
- Ventilation and air conditioning.
- Suitable customer entrance and signage.
- Parking and public transport connections.
- Local regulations and permitted commercial use.
- Renovation requirements.
- Monthly rent and additional property expenses.
- Security deposit requirements.
We have encountered projects where preparing the premises cost almost as much as the flight simulator itself. For this reason, the cheapest monthly rent does not necessarily mean the most economical location.
At SIMIUS, we discuss premises selection in detail during consultations with customers. Our installation and operational experience helps identify technical and financial risks before a lease agreement is signed.
2. How Much Space Does a Boeing 737 Simulator Need?
A well-designed simulator installation does not necessarily require a large room.
For example, consider a rectangular commercial space measuring 7 × 6 meters, providing a total floor area of 42 m². Within this space, it is possible to plan a simulator installation area of approximately 5.5 × 4.5 meters, depending on the exact configuration. The remaining space can be used for a compact customer reception and waiting area.
This demonstrates how a full-scale Boeing 737 entertainment simulator can fit into a relatively small commercial property. However, these dimensions are an illustrative layout rather than universal minimum installation requirements.
Before selecting premises, it is important to confirm the simulator's actual dimensions, required ceiling height, access routes, and technical clearances.
Example Layout
| Parameter | Example |
|---|---|
| Room dimensions | 7 × 6 m |
| Total floor area | 42 m² |
| Illustrative simulator area | 5.5 × 4.5 m |
| Additional space | Customer waiting area and reception |
The final layout should be verified using the selected simulator configuration and a detailed technical floor plan.
3. How Much Does It Cost to Start a Flight Simulator Business?
The estimated initial investment for a commercial entertainment center with one full-scale Boeing 737 simulator can range from approximately €100,000 to €180,000, depending on the project. This range is intended as a preliminary planning guide rather than a fixed turnkey price.
Flight Simulator Equipment
A SIMIUS Boeing 737 flight simulator, including computer equipment and a visual system, can cost approximately €100,000, depending on its configuration. See the full line-by-line breakdown in our Boeing 737 simulator cost guide.
The final equipment price depends on:
- Boeing 737 NG or MAX configuration (see NG vs MAX: which to choose).
- Cockpit hardware specifications.
- Software solution and integration.
- Computer performance.
- Projection and visual system.
- Additional equipment and options.
Transportation, installation, and commissioning should be considered separately unless included in the quotation.
Other Startup Expenses
Beyond the simulator itself, your budget may include:
- Premises renovation and preparation.
- Rental security deposit.
- Initial rental payments.
- Equipment transportation and installation.
- Website and online booking system.
- Initial marketing campaigns.
- Staff recruitment and training.
- Working capital reserves.
The total investment can vary significantly between locations. A property requiring minimal preparation may help reduce startup costs considerably, while extensive renovation and large rental deposits can increase the investment beyond the estimated range.
Our recommendation is to prepare a detailed project budget before making major financial commitments.
4. Building a Realistic Financial Model
A flight simulator business should be evaluated using realistic assumptions rather than overly optimistic utilization forecasts. For preliminary planning in Central European markets, the following figures can be considered.
| Metric | Planning Assumption |
|---|---|
| Average booking price | €120 including VAT |
| VAT | Approximately 18–25%, depending on the country |
| Monthly paid bookings | 80–180 |
| Most popular experience | 60-minute flight |
| Typical participants in a 60-minute experience | 2–3 people |
| Illustrative EBITDA margin | 15–30% of revenue excluding VAT |
These figures are planning assumptions, not guaranteed business performance.
Monthly Revenue Scenarios
Assuming an average booking price of €120 including VAT:
| Metric | Conservative | Moderate | Higher Utilization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid bookings per month | 80 | 130 | 180 |
| Revenue including VAT | €9,600 | €15,600 | €21,600 |
| Revenue excluding VAT (22% VAT example) | €7,869 | €12,787 | €17,705 |
| EBITDA at 15% | €1,180 | €1,918 | €2,656 |
| EBITDA at 30% | €2,361 | €3,836 | €5,311 |
The table presents illustrative monthly calculations using a hypothetical VAT rate of 22%.
EBITDA measures earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. It should not be confused with net profit or available cash flow. Actual profitability will depend on rent, staffing, marketing, technical maintenance, and other operating expenses. For a deeper look at margins and payback, read our flight simulator business ROI guide.
What Has the Greatest Impact on Profitability?
Based on our experience, three major expense categories deserve particular attention.
- Rent: High fixed rental costs create financial pressure regardless of booking volume.
- Staffing: Every flight requires an instructor, so staffing schedules should reflect actual customer demand.
- Marketing: Customer acquisition requires continuous effort, particularly when introducing the concept to a new market.
5. Marketing: How to Attract Your First Customers
A flight simulator is an exciting product, but simply installing the equipment will not automatically generate bookings. A successful marketing strategy usually combines several channels.
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers are among the most important sales channels for entertainment flight simulator businesses. Based on our experience, gift voucher sales can account for approximately 30–45% of flight purchases.
Flight experiences make memorable birthday, Christmas, anniversary, and special occasion gifts. Your website should allow customers to purchase a gift voucher online quickly and receive it immediately by email.
Google Ads and Search Engine Optimization
Google Ads can be effective for reaching people actively searching for flight simulator experiences, unusual gifts, or entertainment activities in their city. Organic search traffic is equally valuable in the long term.
A well-optimized website should provide clear information about flight packages, prices, available booking times, gift vouchers, and location.
Gift Experience Marketplaces
Partnerships with gift voucher platforms can provide access to an established customer base. However, operators should consider marketplace commissions when calculating profitability.
Social Media
A full-scale Boeing 737 cockpit offers excellent opportunities for photos and videos. Visitors often enjoy sharing their experiences, including their first takeoff, challenging landings, and photos in the pilot's seat.
Good lighting, attractive interior design, and dedicated photo opportunities — such as a branded aviation photo zone with your logo — can encourage customers to share content on social media.
Corporate Events and Local Partnerships
Corporate entertainment, team-building events, and partnerships with local businesses can provide additional bookings. These opportunities are particularly useful for generating demand during weekdays.
Existing Demand vs Creating a New Market
An important consideration is whether potential customers in your city are already familiar with flight simulator entertainment. In some markets, customers actively search for such experiences. In others, operators must first introduce the concept and educate potential visitors.
This difference can have a significant impact on customer acquisition costs and the speed at which bookings increase after opening.
6. Staffing and Daily Operations
A commercial entertainment flight simulator requires a trained instructor capable of operating the equipment and guiding customers through their experience.
For recreational simulator experiences, instructors do not necessarily need to hold a professional pilot license, subject to applicable local requirements. However, they must understand the simulator, follow operational procedures, and communicate effectively with customers.
A good instructor should be able to adapt the experience to different visitors. Some customers will be complete beginners, while others may already have considerable aviation knowledge.
How Many Employees Are Needed?
A small center can begin with a relatively simple operating structure. The main requirement is having a qualified instructor available during booked sessions.
Administrative tasks such as reservations, customer communication, payments, and gift voucher sales can be partially automated or managed remotely.
Technical support does not necessarily require a full-time technician permanently based at the location. However, reliable remote support and an effective maintenance arrangement should be established before opening.
Technical downtime during busy periods can lead to lost revenue, refunds, and dissatisfied customers.
7. Seasonality: Understanding Customer Demand
Flight simulator entertainment is an indoor leisure activity and is therefore influenced by seasonal demand.
In many European markets, the strongest season generally runs from September or October through April or May. During cooler months, customers tend to spend more time on indoor entertainment activities. Summer can be quieter due to holidays, outdoor recreation, and travel.
However, seasonality differs between markets, particularly in tourist destinations.
Christmas Gift Voucher Sales
Christmas is an important sales period for gift experiences. Customers may purchase large numbers of vouchers in November and December, while the corresponding flight experiences take place months later.
For this reason, operators should distinguish between receiving payment, recognizing revenue, and delivering the service. Effective voucher management and scheduling are essential.
8. How Long Does It Take to Open a Flight Simulator Center?
The project timeline depends on equipment production, property preparation, and local requirements. Several activities can be completed simultaneously.
| Stage | Indicative Timeline |
|---|---|
| Property search and lease negotiation | 2–8 weeks |
| Equipment manufacturing | According to configuration and production schedule |
| Premises preparation | 3–8 weeks |
| Delivery and installation | According to the agreed installation schedule |
| Staff training and test flights | 1–2 weeks |
| Marketing and presales | Ideally before opening |
While the simulator is being manufactured, you can prepare the premises, develop your website, recruit instructors, and begin promoting your upcoming opening.
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Based on our experience, several mistakes can significantly increase costs or delay the successful launch of a flight simulator business.
Choosing the Wrong Premises
Insufficient ceiling height, difficult equipment access, expensive renovations, and inconvenient locations can create serious problems.
Underestimating Initial Investment
The simulator purchase price is only part of the project budget. Rent deposits, renovations, installation, marketing, and working capital must also be considered.
Overestimating Bookings
Available simulator hours should never be confused with paid bookings. Demand fluctuates between weekdays, weekends, and seasons. Financial forecasts should account for these variations.
Neglecting Marketing
Even a highly realistic simulator cannot succeed commercially if customers do not know it exists.
Ignoring Technical Support
Commercial equipment needs reliable maintenance and technical support. Operational interruptions can affect both profitability and customer satisfaction.
10. How Quickly Can a Flight Simulator Business Pay Back?
Payback depends on initial investment, customer demand, average booking revenue, and operating expenses. We do not believe it is appropriate to promise every entrepreneur a specific payback period.
In our experience, there have been successful projects achieving investment payback in approximately one year. However, such results should be considered individual success stories rather than standard expectations. Other projects may take significantly longer to recover the initial investment.
For financial planning, we recommend evaluating multiple scenarios and calculating payback using realistic cash-flow projections rather than EBITDA alone. Our ROI guide walks through an illustrative payback calculation.
11. Why Work with SIMIUS?
SIMIUS is more than a flight simulator equipment manufacturer.
We manufacture Boeing 737 simulators and have practical experience operating six entertainment simulators across several European countries, including both Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 installations.
This combination allows us to understand the challenges of running a simulator business beyond the technical aspects of the equipment itself. We understand the importance of choosing suitable premises, organizing bookings, delivering a positive customer experience, maintaining technical reliability, and attracting customers through effective marketing.
During consultations, we help customers identify potential issues early in the planning process. Our goal is not only to manufacture and deliver a simulator but also to share practical experience that can help entrepreneurs make better-informed decisions. See what our business-launch services include.
Boeing 737 NG specs → Flight simulator for an entertainment venue →
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a flight simulator business?
An initial investment of approximately €100,000–€180,000 can be used as a preliminary planning range, depending on equipment configuration, premises, and other project expenses. A full-scale SIMIUS Boeing 737 simulator with computer equipment and a visual system can cost around €100,000, with additional expenses for premises, installation, marketing, and operations.
What size room is needed for a Boeing 737 flight simulator?
Depending on the configuration, approximately 4.5–5.5 meters of unobstructed width may be required. For example, a 7 × 6 meter room can potentially accommodate a 5.5 × 4.5 meter simulator area together with a compact customer waiting and reception space. Final dimensions must always be confirmed against the technical layout of the selected equipment.
Where is the best place to open a flight simulator business?
The ideal location should be convenient for local residents to reach. Shopping malls, city-center commercial premises, entertainment destinations, and accessible standalone properties can all be suitable. Accessibility, reasonable rent, and premises condition are more important than choosing one specific type of property.
What is the average price of a flight simulator experience?
Pricing varies by market and session duration. For preliminary financial calculations in Central Europe, an average booking price of approximately €120 including VAT can be used.
How many bookings can a simulator generate per month?
An illustrative planning range is 80–180 paid bookings per month. Actual performance depends on customer demand, marketing, location, and seasonality.
What EBITDA margin can a flight simulator business achieve?
An EBITDA margin of approximately 15–30% can be used for financial scenario planning. Actual results vary depending on operating costs and revenue.
What is the most popular flight package?
Based on our experience, the 60-minute flight is generally the most popular format. Two or three participants can typically take turns flying during a one-hour experience.
Do flight simulator instructors need a pilot license?
For recreational simulator experiences, instructors do not necessarily need a professional pilot license, subject to applicable local requirements. They must understand the simulator, follow operating procedures and communicate well with customers.
How long does it take to open a flight simulator center?
It depends on equipment production, premises preparation and local requirements. Typical stages are 2–8 weeks to find and lease premises, 3–8 weeks to prepare them and 1–2 weeks of staff training and test flights, with simulator manufacturing running in parallel.
Does SIMIUS manufacture Airbus A320 simulators?
Our Airbus A320 simulator is currently in development; today SIMIUS manufactures Boeing 737 flight simulators. We already operate Airbus A320 simulators in our entertainment centers, providing us with practical experience across both aircraft types.
Can SIMIUS help with premises selection?
Yes. We advise customers on technical requirements, room dimensions, installation constraints, and important considerations when choosing premises for a new flight simulator center.
Start Your Flight Simulator Business with SIMIUS
Planning to open a commercial Boeing 737 flight simulator experience center? SIMIUS manufactures full-scale Boeing 737 simulators in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and runs entertainment flight simulation businesses in Europe. We can help you select equipment, assess premises requirements, and plan the practical steps of your launch — or email sales@simius.tech.