Urban Air vs iFLY: Which Indoor Skydiving Experience Is Better?

Ever dreamed of free-falling through the sky but aren’t quite ready to jump out of a perfect airplane? You’re not alone. Indoor skydiving has taken the adventure sports world by storm, offering the rush of human flight without the whole “plummeting toward Earth from 13,000 feet” thing. Two major players dominate this space: Urban Air’s MyFly and iFLY Indoor Skydiving. But which one delivers the better experience? When comparing Urban Air vs iFLY, several key factors must be considered before you book your indoor skydiving adventure.

I’ve researched so you don’t have to. Buckle up (or rather, don’t—there are no seatbelts in wind tunnels) as we compare these two indoor skydiving experiences across everything that matters.

The Sky’s the Limit: Understanding Indoor Skydiving

Before diving into the comparison, let’s quickly break down what indoor skydiving is. The concept is brilliantly simple: powerful vertical wind tunnels create upward airflow strong enough to support the weight of a human body, simulating the sensation of freefall. No planes, no parachutes—just you floating on a column of air.

Both Urban Air and iFLY offer this experience, but their approaches and overall offerings differ significantly. Let’s explore what makes each unique.

Meet the Contenders

Urban Air: The Multi-Attraction Adventure Park

Urban Air Adventure Park positions itself as the “Ultimate Indoor Adventure Park.” Their indoor skydiving experience, called MyFly, is just one attraction among many at their locations. Think of it as the adventure park equivalent of a food court—you’ve got options, and indoor skydiving is just one dish on the menu.

Urban Air emphasizes “Family Fun” and caters to diverse audiences with varying adventure appetites. When you visit Urban Air, you’re not just going for indoor skydiving; you’re entering an entertainment complex with trampolines, ninja courses, climbing walls, and more.

iFLY: The Dedicated Skydiving Specialist

iFLY Indoor Skydiving, on the other hand, has a laser focus. Their tagline “You Can Fly” reflects their singular mission: delivering an authentic indoor skydiving experience. They’re the specialists who have built their entire brand and business model around perfecting the art of the indoor bodyflight.

iFLY boldly claims “INDOOR SKYDIVING IS REAL FLYING” and positions itself as the authority in the space—and with good reason. They’re the inventors of the recirculating wind tunnel technology used for body flight and continue to lead innovation in the field.

The Flight Experience: How Do They Compare?

Urban Air’s MyFly

Urban Air’s MyFly attraction simulates freefall in a vertical wind tunnel available at select locations. The experience doesn’t require harnesses, parachutes, or airplanes, and you don’t need prior skydiving experience.

Urban Air boasts that their indoor skydivers can achieve wind speeds exceeding those of outdoor skydivers, even claiming a record of 193 miles per hour in an indoor setting. The company provides trained flight instructors to ensure safety and guide participants.

Adding a competitive twist, Urban Air implements a MyFly wristband system allowing users to earn points, test agility, and compete on leaderboards.

iFLY’s Wind Tunnel Experience

iFLY’s vertical wind tunnels utilize a recirculating system where four strategically positioned fans drive airflow in an efficient loop. They narrow the airflow below the flying chamber to increase speed and smoothness, optimizing the flight experience.

iFLY welcomes flyers from ages 3 to 103, regardless of physical condition or abilities. Their world-class instructors ensure flying is fun and rewarding for all participants.

The Verdict on Flight Quality

Based on online feedback and reviews, iFLY appears to offer a more refined and consistent flying experience. Their dedicated focus on wind tunnel technology translates to potentially higher quality airflow and a more authentic freefall simulation.

Some Reddit users who’ve tried both noted that Urban Air’s wind tunnel can be “hot, smaller, and low powered” compared to iFLY. However, Urban Air’s gamification element with the wristband system adds an interactive layer that might appeal to younger visitors or groups seeking more than just the sensation of flight.

If you’re curious about what makes for a great indoor skydiving experience in general, factors like tunnel size, airspeed, and instruction quality all play major roles.

Safety First: Who Has Better Protocols?

Urban Air’s Safety Measures

Urban Air emphasizes safety as a top priority, highlighting safety rules and cleaning procedures. MyFly specifically, employs trained professionals to ensure comfort and safety within the wind tunnel, assist with equipment, and provide guidance on body positioning.

The company requires flyers to demonstrate certain skill levels before flying and imposes restrictions regarding age, weight, and health conditions to ensure participant safety.

iFLY’s Safety Approach

iFLY’s tunnels are specifically designed for safe flight. Before flying, participants receive comprehensive pre-flight briefings covering hand signals for in-tunnel communication, body positioning for controlled flight, and procedures for entering and exiting the tunnel.

What sets iFLY apart is its emphasis on instructor training and certification. Their instructors undergo a specific Flight Instructor Training Program (FITP) and may hold certifications from organizations like the International Bodyflight Association (IBA), demonstrating commitment to high instruction standards.

The Safety Winner

While both companies prioritize safety, iFLY provides more detailed information about instructor qualifications and training. Their standardized approach to instructor certification through recognized bodies like IBA suggests a potentially more rigorous training program.

For those particularly concerned about safety (as you should be when trying a new adventure sport), iFLY’s transparent focus on instructor credentials might provide additional peace of mind.

Accessibility: Who Can Fly Where?

Age and Weight Requirements

Both Urban Air and iFLY welcome flyers as young as three years old and have similar weight restrictions of around 300 pounds. Both advise against participation for pregnant women or those with prior shoulder dislocations.

However, iFLY explicitly addresses accommodation for individuals with various disabilities, suggesting a more inclusive approach. They mention having successfully accommodated flyers with mobility limitations and sensory challenges.

Location Availability

Urban Air has numerous locations across North America, but MyFly isn’t available at every park. You’ll need to check the “My Park Attractions” page for availability at your local venue.

iFLY boasts an extensive network of locations nationwide and internationally. Their facilities are dedicated solely to indoor skydiving, so you’re guaranteed the experience at any iFLY location.

For pure convenience and guaranteed availability of indoor skydiving, iFLY has the edge with its widespread network of specialized facilities.

Price Comparison: What’s Your Dollar Getting You?

Urban Air’s Pricing Model

Urban Air typically integrates MyFly into broader attraction packages. Access varies by location, but here’s a sampling of prices:

• Knoxville, TN: MyFly included in Platinum pass ($36.49), Ultimate pass ($28.99), and Deluxe pass ($22.99)
• Fullerton, CA: Included in Ultimate pass ($49.99) and Deluxe pass ($40.99)
• North Fort Worth, TX: Part of the Ultimate pass ($27.99)

Urban Air often offers “Shorty 40” passes for children under 40 inches tall at reduced prices, plus discounted parent passes.

iFLY’s Pricing Structure

iFLY offers dedicated flight packages including pre-flight training, necessary gear, and a specified number of flights (typically one minute each). Introductory packages with two flights range from $74 to $99 per person, varying based on peak/off-peak times.

They also offer group and family packages for lower per-person costs and additional options like “High Flights” (instructor-assisted dynamic maneuvers) for extra fees. Some locations feature virtual reality-enhanced flights at premium prices.

The Price-Value Equation

For pure indoor skydiving enthusiasts, iFLY’s focused packages make sense despite higher prices. However, if you’re looking for a day of varied entertainment, Urban Air’s model is more economical since you get access to multiple attractions including MyFly.

Urban Air’s pricing strategy with discounted passes for children and parents may also appeal more to families with younger kids.

Beyond the Wind Tunnel: Additional Offerings

Urban Air’s Entertainment Complex

Urban Air is designed as a comprehensive entertainment center featuring trampolines, ninja warrior courses, climbing walls, ropes courses, go-karts, and virtual reality experiences. They provide amenities like on-site cafes, party rooms, and comfortable parent seating areas.

For frequent visitors, Urban Air offers membership options with unlimited visits and discounts. They’re popular for children’s birthday parties and group events.

iFLY’s Specialized Amenities

While iFLY’s primary focus is delivering quality indoor skydiving, they’ve expanded their offerings within this specialty. They provide coaching programs and training sessions for those looking to improve bodyflight skills, including experienced skydivers.

iFLY also hosts STEM field trips and educational programs for students, leveraging the science behind their wind tunnel technology. Like Urban Air, they accommodate birthday parties and group events with dedicated party rooms and offer photo/video packages.

What Suits Your Style?

The difference here comes down to purpose. If you want a one-stop entertainment destination with variety, Urban Air delivers. If you’re specifically interested in indoor skydiving and potentially developing skills in this sport, iFLY’s specialized approach makes more sense.

For fans of indoor skydiving who want to progress beyond a first-timer experience, iFLY’s coaching programs offer a clear path forward.

The Verdict: Customer Reviews and Experiences

Customer feedback for Urban Air’s MyFly is somewhat limited, with most reviews focusing on the general appeal of Urban Air as a family entertainment venue. However, some Reddit users who’ve experienced both notes that Urban Air’s wind tunnel can be hot and may be smaller and less powerful compared to dedicated facilities like iFLY.

iFLY reviews often describe the experience as exhilarating and unforgettable, though some mention flight times feeling short relative to cost. Many praise the professionalism of iFLY instructors, highlighting their role in making the experience enjoyable and safe.

iFLY’s more abundant specific feedback suggests a stronger brand presence and reputation specifically within the indoor skydiving community.

The Final Decision: Which Should You Choose?

After examining every aspect of these two indoor skydiving experiences, here’s my take on who should choose which option:

Choose Urban Air’s MyFly if:

• You want to make indoor skydiving part of a larger entertainment day
• You’re budget-conscious and want access to multiple attractions
• You’re bringing kids who might enjoy the gamification element
• You specifically have an Urban Air with MyFly near you

Choose iFLY if:

• You’re primarily interested in a high-quality indoor skydiving experience
• You value instructor expertise and specialized technology
• You might want to develop body flight skills over time
• You appreciate a more powerful wind tunnel experience
• You have accessibility needs that require accommodation

Ultimately, both offer paths to experiencing the thrill of human flight. Urban Air provides a more economical, multi-activity approach, while iFLY delivers a focused, potentially higher-quality indoor skydiving experience at a premium price.

If you’re serious about indoor skydiving as an activity or potential sport, iFLY likely offers a better experience. If you’re looking for a fun addition to a day of varied entertainment, Urban Air’s MyFly could be the perfect fit.

Whichever you choose, you’ll be experiencing one of the most unique sensations available on solid ground—the feeling of flight without wings. And that’s pretty damn cool no matter how you slice it.

FAQ: Urban Air vs iFLY Indoor Skydiving

1. What’s the main difference between Urban Air’s MyFly and iFLY?

Urban Air offers MyFly as one attraction among many in their adventure parks, while iFLY is dedicated exclusively to providing a premium indoor skydiving experience. iFLY specializes in wind tunnel technology and focuses solely on body flight, whereas Urban Air provides a multi-attraction entertainment model where indoor skydiving is just one option.

2. Which is more affordable, Urban Air or iFLY?

Urban Air is typically more affordable, with access to MyFly included in attraction passes ranging from approximately $20-$50. iFLY’s introductory packages cost between $74-$99 for two one-minute flights. However, Urban Air requires purchasing access to multiple attractions, while iFLY offers dedicated indoor skydiving packages.

3. Are there age or weight restrictions for indoor skydiving?

Both Urban Air and iFLY have similar requirements. The minimum age for both is three years old, and the maximum weight limit is around 300 pounds. Both companies advise against participation for pregnant women or people with previous shoulder dislocations. iFLY explicitly mentions accommodating individuals with various disabilities.

4. Which company has better wind tunnels for indoor skydiving?

Based on user reviews and information about their technology, iFLY appears to offer more powerful and refined wind tunnels. Some experienced users have noted that Urban Air’s tunnels can be “hot, smaller, and low powered” compared to iFLY’s. iFLY’s focus on recirculating wind tunnel technology (which they invented) suggests a potentially higher-quality flight experience.

5. Do I need previous experience to try indoor skydiving?

No, neither Urban Air nor iFLY requires previous skydiving experience. Both companies provide pre-flight training and have instructors who guide first-time flyers through the experience. iFLY emphasizes its instructor certification process through recognized bodies like the International Bodyflight Association, suggesting a potentially more standardized training approach.