Frankfurt Airport Maxi Tour

mosesgun

I was in Frankfurt earlier in the week at a conference. As the evening entertainment, the hosts organised for us to go on a guided tour behind the scenes in Frankfurt Airport. I, as a lover of all things aviation, couldn't believe my luck but tried to conceal my excitement. It is basically a bus that brings you on a tour that lasts about 1.5 hours around the apron, hangars, runways etc The tour guide was as interested in planes as I am and added greatly to the overall experience. The sheer scale of the place is incredible as is the vast array of aircraft coming and going. 777's by the bucket load, A380's, MD11, 747's etc. The bus just pulls up next to the stand of any aircraft that might be of interest and you, if you're like me, gaze out the window in awe while the tour guide tells you facts that in truth you already know but never tire of hearing. They bring you to the hangars where the A380's are maintained and the even larger one where the 747 fleet are maintained. We were on a late tour and it began to get dark half way through which definitely took a bit from the experience. The cost I noticed was only €15 per head. I would highly recommend it to anyone here who has some time to spare in Frankfurt. Does anyone know if other airports offer something similar.

Simon Gruber Says

Munich offers pretty much the same thing also

http://www.munich-airport.de/en/consumer/erlebnis/airporttour/index.jsp

Razor44

Class! Iv to go to Malta at easter next year.... Might just connect via one of those two that sounds like a nice experience

VG31

That's sounds brilliant! I'm glad I went for a four hour layover at FRA instead of one hour now!

mosesgun

Razor44 wrote: »

Class! Iv to go to Malta at easter next year.... Might just connect via one of those two that sounds like a nice experience

yes and Frankfurt also has a brilliant roof terrace in terminal 2. You've to pay €3 to go out to it but it's well worth it. I think the charge is really to ensure that it doesn't get clogged up with people who are looking for fresh air and have little interest in planes.

murphaph

Oh that's interesting about MUC. I'll have to check that out next time I'm down there. I've actually been up in the tower and in the ATC centre there (family is ATC'er in the centre) but had never heard about the general tour.

LXFlyer

The only drawback is that (looking at both airport's websites), the tours are in German only.

Zurich has a somewhat similar trip if I recall correctly. Certainly a limited number can be taken out to a spot near the runway for close up views.

mosesgun

lxflyer wrote: »

The only drawback is that (looking at both airport's websites), the tours are in German only.

Our tour was in English. It started in German but when he realised everyone could undestand English he changed to English. We booked the entire tour so perhaps thats why he was flexible enough to change. I'd imagine if you phoned in advance they'd accomodate and english tour.

murphaph

Went on the special evening tour in MUC yesterday. It's only run during advent. It's interesting because all the big A340s are in or coming in. One turned right in front of our bus, passing almost over us from left to right. Awesome sight. Great views of maintenance in the illuminated hangars too.