iFly First-Time Flyer Guide: What to Expect, Wear, and How Long the Flight Is (2026)

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Quick answer: your iFly visit is about 90 minutes start to finish, with ~2 minutes of actual flight time in the wind tunnel. You’ll arrive 30–45 minutes early, sign a waiver, watch a 10-minute safety video, get fitted into a flight suit + helmet + goggles + earplugs, take a 15-minute pre-flight class with your instructor learning the four hand signals, then fly 2 flights of about 60 seconds each. Wear comfortable workout clothes (no skirts, no loose pockets); leave jewelry, glasses with thin frames, and anything in your pockets at home or in the lockers. The instructor will be in the tunnel with you the entire time, guiding you. Most first-timers find the actual flying easier than they expected — the learning to relax part is the hard one.

This guide walks through what actually happens at your iFly visit, in the order it happens, with tips for getting the most out of your 2 minutes.

Book your first flight at iFly →

The full timeline of your visit

Here’s what to expect, minute by minute. Total time: roughly 90 minutes for the standard 2-flight First-Time Flyer package.

Arrival (15 minutes before your reservation)

Check in at the front desk. Show ID (driver’s license or photo ID).
Sign the waiver — adults sign their own; parents sign for kids under 18.
If you have a Costco voucher, gift card, or promo code, give it to the staff at check-in.
Use the bathroom NOW. You will not want to interrupt the experience to walk out of the tunnel area later.

Safety video (10–15 minutes after arrival)

You’ll watch a short video covering:

The four hand signals (chin up, legs straight, relax, bend your legs)
What to do if you start spinning
What to do if your goggles slip
Body position basics (the “banana” or “X” position)

Pay attention. This video is the foundation for everything that happens in the tunnel. It’s repetitive and low-budget, but the content is exactly what you’ll need 20 minutes from now.

Gear-up (5–10 minutes)

You’ll receive:

A flight suit (a one-piece nylon zip-up that goes over your clothes; long sleeves and long legs)
A helmet (open-face, like a bike helmet)
Goggles (over your eyes, foam-padded edge)
Earplugs (hand them to you with the helmet)
(Optional) Soft shoes if your shoes don’t meet the dress code (see below)

Pre-flight class (15 minutes)

You’ll go to a small training room or stand outside the tunnel where the instructor:

Walks through the four hand signals one more time
Shows you the body position
Has you practice on a padded mat (lying face-down, arms out, legs slightly bent)
Answers questions

This is where you ask anything you didn’t understand from the video.

Flying (2 × ~60 seconds + walking time, ~20 minutes total)

You’ll go into a small staging area next to the tunnel. The instructor goes in first, then you step in one at a time. Each flight is roughly 60 seconds, but it feels much longer than that because you’re learning fast and the experience is novel.

Between flights, you exit the tunnel and the next person flies. You wait, watch, then go back in for your second flight.

After flying (5–15 minutes)

Return your gear to the staff
(Optional) Photo/video purchase — they’ll show you the photos on a screen and ask if you want to buy
Visit the lobby / restroom / shop
Done

Total time: ~90 minutes from arrival to walking out.

What to wear

iFly’s dress code is roughly: comfortable workout clothes, snug-fitting shoes. Specifically:

Clothes ✅

T-shirt and athletic shorts or athletic pants — most common choice
Leggings + athletic top — works well, especially for women
Long sleeves OK, including hoodies (you’ll wear the flight suit over your clothes)
Form-fitting clothing helps — loose clothes flap loudly in the wind

Clothes ❌

Skirts or dresses — they will fly up. Wear pants instead.
Anything with loose pockets — anything in pockets becomes a projectile. Empty them or change.
Excessively baggy clothing — even with the flight suit on, very loose clothing makes the experience uncomfortable
Belt with metal buckle — uncomfortable under the flight suit

Shoes ✅

Snug athletic sneakers with secured laces (tied tight, double-knotted)
Tennis shoes or running shoes with secure heel
Athletic-style sneakers in general

Shoes ❌

Sandals, flip-flops, slip-ons — can come off in the tunnel
Heels — obvious safety issue
Boots — generally too heavy and stiff
Crocs — yes, people try this; no, it doesn’t work

If your shoes don’t pass dress code, iFly typically has loaner indoor shoes you can use (some markets free, some markets a small fee).

Hair / accessories

Long hair: tie it back tightly. Pony-tail or bun. Loose hair gets very tangled.
Glasses: bring them, but contacts are easier. Goggles will go over glasses, but only with thin/wire frames. Thicker frames may not fit. If you wear contacts, leave glasses in the locker.
Jewelry: take it off. Earrings, necklaces, watches, rings (rings are usually fine, others tend to fly off or rip skin). Some markets require all jewelry removed; some just suggest it.
Hats / hoods: take them off. Flight suit zips over.

How long each flight actually lasts

Each flight is approximately 60 seconds. A First-Time Flyer package is 2 flights, so your total tunnel time is roughly 2 minutes.

The math feels deceptive when you read it. In practice, 60 seconds feels meaningfully longer because:

You’re processing intense new sensory input (wind, sound, weightlessness)
You’re concentrating on the four hand signals
The instructor is actively coaching you the entire time
Time perception slows when you’re focused

Some markets and packages offer 2-minute or 3-minute “extended flight” sessions, but the standard First-Time Flyer is 2 × 60-second flights.

If you book the High Flight upgrade, your second flight is the high-altitude one (instructor pulls you up the full 12-meter shaft and back down) — same 60 seconds, more dramatic visual experience.

The four hand signals you’ll learn

The instructor uses hand signals because the wind is too loud to talk. Memorize these:

Signal	What it means
Chin up (instructor taps chin)	Lift your head up
Legs straight (instructor straightens their leg)	Straighten your legs
Relax (instructor extends fingers wide)	Loosen up — you’re tensing
Bend your legs (instructor bends their leg)	Slightly bend at the knees

The most common feedback first-timers get: relax. You’ll instinctively tense up; the instructor will signal you to loosen, you’ll relax for 5 seconds, then tense again. This back-and-forth is normal.

Body position basics

The “banana” or “X” position:

Body slightly arched backward (like a banana shape, not a flat plank)
Legs straight, slightly apart, knees relaxed
Arms out to your sides at shoulder height, slightly forward of your shoulders, palms down
Head up, looking forward (not at the floor)
Chin up

The instructor will physically reposition you several times in the tunnel — it’s normal. Don’t fight them.

Common first-time issues and how to handle them

Spinning

If you start spinning, it’s usually because your body isn’t symmetrical (one arm forward, one arm back). The fix: straighten yourself — equal arms, equal legs. The instructor will help.

Goggles fogging

The goggles are anti-fog but can still fog if you breathe heavily. Try to breathe through your nose, not your mouth, during the flight.

Goggles slipping

If your goggles slip during the flight, don’t try to fix them in the tunnel (you’ll lose body position). Wait until you exit, then have the instructor adjust.

Ear pressure

Some people feel ear pressure from the wind. Earplugs (provided) help. If you have ear pressure issues normally (sinus congestion, recent flight, head cold), wait until you’re feeling 100% before flying.

Motion sickness

Some people get a brief sense of motion sickness after the flight (similar to amusement-park ride aftermath). Usually subsides within 15 minutes. Drinking water before flying and avoiding heavy meals 1–2 hours before help. See our iFly safety guide for more.

Photos and videos

You can’t bring your phone into the tunnel. The wind is too strong and the lanyard could be a hazard. Most markets sell a photo/video package add-on (~$20–$30) where iFly’s professional cameras capture your flight from inside the tunnel.

The package typically includes:

~20 still photos of your flight
A 30-60 second video clip of each flight
Digital downloads (link via email or USB drive at venue)

Worth it? Most first-timers say yes — the visuals are the only proof you have, and the photos are genuinely good (the photographers are pros). Some people skip if they’re cost-conscious, knowing they won’t have keepsakes.

Spectators in the lobby can take photos through the glass with their own phones — these are typically lower quality but free.

Tipping etiquette

Should you tip the instructor?

It’s not required. iFly instructors are paid hourly. But many first-timers tip $5–$20 per session if the instructor was particularly helpful. The math: 2 flights × 1 instructor × ~25-minute interaction = a small thank-you for what’s a physically demanding job (they’re in the tunnel with you, with the wind hitting them).

If you’re feeling generous and your instructor was great, $10–$20 is appreciated. If you’re cost-conscious, it’s totally fine to skip — there’s no expectation.

Eating before flying

Brief guidance:

Don’t eat heavy within 1–2 hours of your flight
Don’t fly hung-over or dehydrated
Drink water but not so much you need a bathroom break mid-experience
Skip alcohol in the 6+ hours before — iFly will turn you away if you appear intoxicated

Most people are fine with light food 1–2 hours before. The wind tunnel won’t make you nauseated unless you’re already feeling off.

Should you bring kids?

Kids generally do great at iFly. The minimum age is typically 3 (some markets 4). See our iFly age and weight requirements guide for the full breakdown.

A few notes for parents:

Kids 3–6 sometimes don’t fly the full 60 seconds — instructors can shorten if the child is overwhelmed
The instructor is hands-on with younger kids (they may be guiding the child more directly)
Bring spectator parents — they can watch from the lobby
Toddlers under 3 cannot fly; the safety briefing assumes a comprehension level kids that age don’t yet have

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the iFly experience total?

About 90 minutes from arrival to walking out. Roughly 2 minutes of that is actual tunnel time.

How long is each flight?

About 60 seconds each. First-Time Flyer = 2 flights = ~2 minutes total tunnel time.

Will I throw up?

Most first-timers don’t. A small percentage feel briefly motion-sick afterward, similar to a roller coaster aftermath. See our safety guide for more on motion sickness.

Is it scary?

Most people find it less scary than they expected. The instructor is in the tunnel with you the entire time, the wind is loud but stable (not gusty), and you’re never more than a few feet off the floor unless you upgrade to High Flight.

Will my goggles fog up?

iFly’s goggles are anti-fog. Mild fogging can happen if you breathe through your mouth. Breathe through your nose if you can.

Can I wear my glasses?

Thin-framed glasses fit under most iFly goggles. Thick frames may not. Contacts are easier. If you absolutely need glasses to see, ask staff at check-in to confirm fit before suiting up.

Can I bring my phone or GoPro into the tunnel?

No. Wind is too strong, lanyards are unsafe. Buy the photo/video package if you want footage.

Do I tip the instructor?

It’s optional but appreciated. $5–$20 per session is the typical range if you want to.

What if I can’t keep the body position?

The instructor will physically reposition you. This is normal. You’re not failing — you’re learning.

What if I’m scared once I’m there?

You can stop at any time. Step out of the staging area. The waiver doesn’t require you to fly. Most people who get nervous do fly and are glad they did.

Can I refly the same day if I want more flights?

Yes — you can buy additional flights at the venue if there’s availability. Cost varies but is typically less than the First-Time Flyer per-flight rate (since you’ve already done the safety video and class).

What if my child won’t fly when their turn comes?

iFly typically allows a brief grace period to coax them. If they really won’t fly, most markets will refund or reschedule. Talk to the staff at check-in if you’re worried.

How much does the photo/video package cost?

Typically $20–$30 for the standard package. Premium packages with more photos / longer video can be $40+. Worth it for first-time keepsakes.

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