The Future of Flight Aviation Center is a public-private venture of the Snohomish County Public Facilities District, Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field), The Boeing Company and the Future of Flight Foundation.
The center will include an Aviation Gallery with interactive exhibits and displays, rooftop observation deck overlooking Paine Field Airport, new tour center for the nearby manufacturing plant in which Boeing currently assembles the 747, 767, and 777 airplanes, and will assemble the new 787 DreamLiner and 747-8.
First flight of the 787 airplane will occur in 2007 and deliveries to customers begin in 2008. Boeing is also working on a freighter version of the 777 airplane which will deliver to customers in 2008 as well. The new 747-8 is slated for delivery to customers in 2009. If you are lucky you might get to visit the center and go on the Boeing tour on a day when the unique Large Cargo Freighter is unloading large parts for the new 787 Dreamliner.
The Future of Flight Center also includes, conference and special event spaces, a 240-seat theater, café, Future of Flight Store and Boeing Store.
It is anticipated to draw more than 200,000 visitors per year — compared to the approximately 100,000 annual visitors who now visit the current Boeing Boeing Tour Center and generate an additional $3.5 million annually of tourism spending in Snohomish County.
The $23 million Future of Flight will contain interactive exhibits and displays designed to provide visitors with an understanding and appreciation of technology as applied to the science of flight. For example, visitors can design their own jet and then pick up a print of it in the Future of Flight Store to take home. They can try out the next generation of in-flight entertainment systems, touch the high-tech "skin" of the new Boeing 787 and learn how technology and aviation can serve as change agents to connect people and cultures across the globe.
The new Hilton Garden Inn, a 102-room hotel, is adjacent to the Future of Flight. Designed for both business travelers and families, it will feature suites with high-speed Internet access and secure remote printing, 4,000 square-feet of flexible, high-tech meeting space, 24-hour business center, work-out facility, indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, on-site guest laundry and full-service restaurant with catering capability for the Aviation Center.
The lead architectural firm for the Future of Flight and Boeing Tour is Freiheit & Ho of Bellevue and the design architect is Krei Architecture of Seattle.
The Future of Flight is located in the northwest corner of Paine Field at the intersection of 84th St SW and Paine Field Boulevard, Mukilteo, Washington.
From Interstate 5 North or South, take Exit 189 to State Highway 526 West. Drive for about 3 and 1/2 miles and then follow the signs to the Future of Flight Aviation Center. You can't miss it. You'll see the largest building by volume on your right where the 747/767/777/787 airplanes are built and as you head up the hill Paine Field and the Future of Flight Aviation Center will be on your left.
This would make a great jumping off point for a vacation. The city of Mukilteo, with beautiful beaches, a Washington State Ferry Terminal and good restaurants, is a few miles away. You can head north to the San Juan Islands, South to Seattle or just explore the City of Everett and surrounding areas of Snohomish County.
