Chicago-Naperville Indoor Skydiving with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate

The most surprising part of this indoor flight is how quickly a column of air can hold you up. At iFLY Naperville, fans create wind speeds of roughly 130 to 175 mph, letting you float in a glass-sided chamber without an airplane, parachute, or sensation of falling. I like the two separate 60-second flights because the first gives you time to learn, while the second lets you use what your instructor taught you.

I also like the one-on-one instruction and the fact that no previous experience is needed. The main drawback is value: $125 buys a memorable activity, but your actual time in the air totals only two minutes. If you want a long session or a military discount, check the details carefully before booking, since the online price may not include that discount.

Key points at a glance

• Two 60-second flights: You get two solo turns in the wind tunnel, each with your instructor beside you.
• 800-horsepower wind tunnel: A smooth vertical air column keeps you floating without a plane ride or jump.
• Training comes first: You learn the body position, hand signals, and basic safety rules before entering the chamber.
• About 75 to 90 minutes total: The schedule includes check-in, gear, training, group turns, and the two flights.
• Certificate included: You receive a personalized certificate of flight achievement at the end.
• Strict health and weight rules: Past neck, back, heart, or shoulder problems, pregnancy, hard casts, and some weight ranges can prevent participation.

What happens at iFLY Naperville

You meet at iFLY Naperville, 1752 Freedom Drive in Naperville, Illinois. This is a self-guided arrival, so you need to arrange your own transportation. There is no hotel pickup, drop-off, food, or drink included.

Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. The session begins promptly, and arriving late can make the start feel rushed. Your confirmation is issued at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so keep it ready on your phone.

The activity begins with check-in and preparation. You receive a flight suit and the rest of the required gear, then store loose belongings before entering the flight area. Remove watches, rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, hair accessories, and anything else that could come loose in the strong airflow.

Wear comfortable clothing under the suit. Well-fitting lace-up sneakers or running shoes are the best choice. Pants and a shirt without a collar are recommended, and long hair should be braided and tied in a low bun. You may wear glasses, since larger goggles are available to fit over them, but contact lenses or no eyewear may feel simpler.

Your short training class matters

Before you fly, a certified instructor explains how to hold your body in the air. You practice the basic position and learn the hand signals used inside the chamber. This is not filler before the main event. Small changes in your arms, legs, or head position affect how your body moves.

The instructor also explains how to enter and exit safely. Since wind speeds can reach 130 to 175 mph, you should follow instructions rather than try to improvise. Flips and tricks are for experienced flyers, not first-time participants.

The training also takes away some of the mystery. You are not stepping out of a plane, and you are not dropping through empty space. The vertical wind tunnel pushes air upward across the whole chamber, creating a stable column that supports your body.

The first 60-second flight

When it is your turn, you enter the enclosed flight chamber with your instructor. A tunnel operator brings the airflow up to the needed speed, and your instructor helps you find a stable position.

The first few seconds can feel busy. You are adjusting to the wind, remembering the body position, and responding to signals. The instructor stays with you and can use the handles on your flight suit to help guide or steady you.

Once your body settles, the sensation is more like floating in a powerful stream of air than falling. You can breathe normally through your mouth or nose. The wind feels similar to putting your head out of a moving car window, only much stronger.

Your one-minute flight is short, but it gives you enough time to understand the basic sensation. You might manage a small turn or movement if your instructor thinks you are ready, but the goal is controlled flight, not stunts.

The second flight is where the value improves

The second 60-second session is the strongest part of the package. You already know how the air feels, so you can spend less time reacting and more time making small corrections.

That does not mean you suddenly become an expert. It means the second flight can feel more natural, especially if you listened closely during training. Your instructor may help you improve your stability, arm position, or direction of movement.

You still fly one at a time with the instructor. Friends and family can watch from the observation area, and you remain part of a larger scheduled group. The supplied details describe groups of up to six in one section and up to 12 in another, so the exact number can vary. Either way, this is a shared session, not a private tunnel rental.

That group format affects the pace. You may spend time watching other first-time flyers take their turns. I see this as part of the activity rather than wasted time, since watching another person helps you understand the movements before your own turn.

A real thrill without the fear of jumping

The activity is designed for people who want the sensation of human flight but do not want to leap from an aircraft. There is no plane ride, no parachute deployment, and no feeling of dropping through open air.

That makes it a good introduction for cautious adventurers. You still feel the force of the wind and the rush of being supported above the floor, but the enclosed chamber and instructor provide a controlled setting.

It is not completely passive. You need to listen, hold the correct position, and make adjustments. The air is loud and strong, so the instructor uses clear signals while you are in the chamber. You should expect physical effort, even though the session is brief.

There is also no promise that every first-time flyer will perform tricks. Turns and other movements depend on your comfort and your instructor’s judgment. Ask how to progress if you want more than a basic float, but safety remains the priority.

How long does the whole visit take?

The main description gives an approximate total of 75 minutes. The FAQ gives a longer estimate of about 90 minutes for the first-time flyer session. I would plan for the longer figure, especially if your group is full or the schedule runs slowly.

Your visit includes:

• Early arrival and check-in
• Suiting up and storing loose items
• The safety and technique class
• Waiting while other people take turns
• Two one-minute flights
• Removal of gear and the certificate process

The two flights total only 120 seconds in the air. That is the key timing detail to understand before you pay. You are buying instruction, equipment, staff support, the wind tunnel setup, and the novelty of the activity, not a long period of free flight.

At the same time, the two-flight format is better than a single short turn. The first flight can feel like an introduction, while the second gives you a chance to apply the corrections you just learned.

Is $125 a fair price?

At $125 per person, this is a special-occasion activity rather than a cheap way to fill an afternoon. The price covers two flights, training, all required gear, a certified instructor, the certificate, taxes, and handling charges.

The value depends on what you want. If you judge the cost by minutes in the air, it is expensive. If you value professional instruction, the equipment, and an unusual activity that does not require a full day, the price becomes easier to justify.

I would book it for a birthday, family outing, first adventure, or a one-time treat. I would not choose it for someone who expects extended airtime or a full lesson in advanced flight skills.

Check discounts before paying. An online booking may not accept a military discount, so contact the location directly if that matters to you. The listed price is also per person, so a family or group outing can become costly quickly.

Who can fly, and who should skip it?

The minimum age is three, and there is no stated upper age limit. Children under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver. Height is not restricted.

The health rules are important. You cannot fly if you are pregnant, wearing a hard cast, or have certain past or current problems involving your neck, back, heart, injuries, or shoulder dislocations.

Weight limits also require attention. People over 300 pounds cannot be accommodated. If you weigh between 260 and 300 pounds, local staff must evaluate you at check-in, and extra limits may apply. You should note your current weight during checkout to avoid delays.

If you have physical or cognitive challenges, contact the Naperville location ahead of time and request a certified instructor for an All Abilities flight. Do not wait until arrival if you need a specific accommodation.

Practical ways to make the session easier

Arrive early, wear secure shoes, and leave valuables at home. Lockers are available, but there is no reason to bring jewelry or fragile items into an activity built around high-speed air.

Eat and drink before or after rather than expecting refreshments at the facility, since food and drinks are not included. The supplied information does not give a meal break, so plan around the full 75 to 90-minute visit.

If you are nervous, watch the training closely and copy the body position exactly. Keep your movements small. Most first-time progress comes from relaxing and making gentle corrections, not from fighting the airflow.

Bring friends or family if you want photographs, moral support, or a shared outing. Nonparticipants may accompany you and watch from the observation area.

The certificate and the lasting memory

At the end, you receive a personalized certificate of flight achievement. It is a small touch, but it gives the activity a clear finish and makes the outing feel more complete.

The certificate will not change the short airtime, but it is useful for a birthday or family occasion. It also gives children something tangible to take home after an activity that can otherwise feel over quickly.

The strongest memory is likely to be the first moment the air supports your body. The certificate helps preserve that moment, especially for a child or a first-time flyer who wants proof of the unusual thing they just accomplished.

Should you book the Naperville indoor flight?

Book it if you want a safe, carefully supervised introduction to human flight and you are happy paying for a compact, high-impact activity. The two instructor-led flights are more useful than a single turn, and the training makes the session approachable for beginners.

Think twice if you are focused on value by the minute, need a military discount, or want a long period in the tunnel. Also confirm your medical eligibility and weight requirements before booking.

For most suitable participants, I would treat this as a memorable add-on to a Chicago-area day rather than the main event. Go in expecting two short flights, a group schedule, strong wind, clear instruction, and a certificate. With those expectations, iFLY Naperville offers a lively taste of skydiving without the airplane.

FAQ

How does the Chicago-Naperville indoor flight experience work?

Fans move air through a vertical chamber at high speed. The smooth column of air supports your body and allows you to float while an instructor guides you.

How safe is the indoor flight experience?

The wind tunnel creates a wall-to-wall column of air, and a certified instructor stays with you during your flight. You also complete required training before entering the chamber.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled start time so you can check in and prepare. The session begins promptly.

How long is each flight?

Each flight lasts 60 seconds. You receive two flights, for two minutes of total tunnel time.

How long does the entire activity take?

The experience is advertised as approximately 75 minutes, while the first-time flyer FAQ gives an estimate of about 90 minutes. Plan for roughly 75 to 90 minutes.

Do I fly alone or with a group?

You take part in a group session, but you fly one at a time with your instructor in the chamber. The supplied details describe group sizes of up to six in one place and up to 12 in another.

Can friends and family watch?

Yes. Friends and family may accompany you and watch from the observation area.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothes, preferably pants and a shirt without a collar, along with well-fitting lace-up sneakers or running shoes. Long hair should be braided and tied in a low bun.

Can children participate?

Yes. The minimum age is three. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the waiver.