Your Flyover Questions Answered

We get it: You have questions. For those who have never been to Flyover, understanding exactly what the experience entails can be difficult. Is it a movie? A flying film? Is it like IMAX? Or 3D? Is it a ride?

And for those who have been, a bunch of new questions replace previous ones. Questions like: How did you film it? How does it work? How do you choose the locations of your films? Why don’t you make it longer?

Below, we provide answers to some of the most common questions we get from guests.
 

What exactly is Flyover?

We call it an immersive flying theatre experience, which means you sit suspended, feet dangling, in front of a 65-foot spherical screen. The seats move and combine with wind, mist and scents to create pure joy and awe. The experience surrounds you, making it feel like you truly are flying. 



At Flyover, you're not simply watching a movie on a screen—you're surrounded by it. The immersive dome experience features a state-of-the-art projection system, ultra-high resolution, and a seamless circular screen, all among the best in the world. The film unfolds in front of you, below you, and even above you, fully immersing you in the environment. 

It rekindles that childhood dream of flying, letting you experience the magic of flight firsthand. This immersive experience lifts you off the ground, gliding, rolling, and soaring through breathtaking landscapes, as if you're truly taking to the skies.
For more information, take a look at this recent article. 
 

Why don’t you make it longer?

We’re often asked why the flying experience isn’t longer. We are delighted to hear that so many people wish the Flyover experience would last longer. Unfortunately, however, there are physiological human limits that prevent us from prolonging the experience. Industry research shows that a significant percentage of the population experiences discomfort on motion rides that last longer than nine or 10 minutes.

So, to ensure guests have a pleasant experience, we stick to those recommended limits. What we can say is that Flyover’s immersive journeys are currently the longest experience of their kind — and we’re always looking for ways to improve the guest experience in any way we can.  
 

How do you choose the locations of your films?

One of the hardest—and most exciting—parts of creating a Flyover experience is choosing where to go next. With so many incredible places around the world, the possibilities seem endless. But the decision-making process is more complex than simply picking a spot on the map.

Each Flyover film takes roughly two years to scout, plan, and shoot. That means we need to select locations that are accessible enough for our team to visit multiple times and where we can secure the necessary permits and local support. Logistical feasibility is key.
But that’s just the beginning.



We also look for projects that feel fresh, exciting and creatively challenging. After capturing the raw natural beauty of Canada and Iceland in our early films, we wanted to push the boundaries by doing something completely different. Believe Chicago is a perfect example. Instead of remote wilderness, we set our sights on an urban environment—and not just any city, but one known for its bold spirit and vibrant energy.

To bring that vision to life, we leaned into cutting-edge techniques, including extensive use of FPV drones. It was a technical and creative challenge—and that’s exactly why we did it. Our goal was to show a familiar place in a way no one had seen before.
At the heart of every Flyover film is storytelling. A location may be visually stunning, but that’s not enough. We want to dig deeper, to uncover and share the soul of a place and the stories of its people. That’s what makes the experience meaningful—and what drives every decision we make.
 

How do you capture the footage? And is any of it CGI?

The footage is not CGI, although it’s understandable that some people would assume that parts of it are computer generated. After all, how do you film at the tops of inaccessible mountains or in amongst skyscrapers in the middle of Chicago and Toronto? We use helicopters and heavy-lift drones and work with the best pilots in the business, who are able to take us incredibly close to the action.

To make things even trickier, the spherical Flyover screen forces us to film with fisheye lenses, which means you can’t zoom in. So, if you want an object to be large on the screen, you have to get close to it.



Then there’s the planning, permitting and weather conditions that all add complexity. Getting a few seconds of footage can require weeks of planning and patience – and when it comes to the weather – just pure luck. When filming the Bluenose II off the shores of Novia Scotia, the sun peeked through the clouds just as the day was coming to an end, which allowed us to capture the perfect golden hour shot.  
 

I’ve been on flying rides before. Why did Flyover feel so different?

We’re incredibly proud of how just how good our immersive flying theater experience is—and we believe that it’s the best in the industry. Our creative, construction and entertainment technology teams work hard to ensure every aspect of the experience is optimized to make is as immersive and awe-inspiring as possible. Countless things need to be taken into consideration. For example, the mechanical technology, designed to mimic the smooth, free-flowing flight of a bird, must be precisely synchronized with the visuals. If not done perfectly, the experience won’t be as good. It's the same with the scents, the spray and the sound. If it's not accurate and perfectly timed, the experience won't be as immersive.