Chicago-Naperville Indoor Skydiving with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate

Indoor skydiving puts you in a vertical column of air instead of an aircraft. At iFLY Naperville, fans create wind speeds of roughly 130 to 175 mph, enough to hold your body in the air while an instructor guides you from arm’s reach.

I like the two separate 60-second flights, since the first gives you time to get comfortable and the second lets you put the advice to work. I also like the one-on-one instruction, which turns a noisy, high-energy activity into something carefully managed and approachable.

The main drawback is value. At $125 per person, you pay for about two minutes of actual flight time, plus training and equipment. The overall session lasts about 75 minutes, and some first-time sessions may run closer to 90 minutes, but the time in the tunnel is still brief.

Key Points Before You Book

• Two solo flights: You get two 60-second sessions inside the wind tunnel, each with your own instructor.
• No plane or parachute required: The wind column creates the feeling of free flight without a jump from an aircraft.
• Training comes first: Every first-time flyer learns the body position, hand signals, and basic safety rules before entering the chamber.
• Suitable for young children: The minimum age is 3, with no stated upper age limit.
• Plan for the full session: Check-in, training, suiting up, waiting, and flying take roughly 75 to 90 minutes.
• A certificate is included: You receive a personalized certificate of flight achievement after the experience.

Arriving at iFLY Naperville

Your meeting point is iFLY Indoor Skydiving at 1752 Freedom Drive, Naperville, Illinois 60563. The activity begins and ends there, so you arrange your own transportation and do not receive hotel pickup or drop-off.

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. This is not the sort of booking where arriving at the scheduled time gives you much breathing room. You need to check in, complete the required waiver, store loose belongings, and prepare for the session.

The venue groups up to 12 people into a session. That does not mean 12 people fly in the chamber at once. You take turns, and your own time in the air is one-on-one with the instructor. Friends and family can come along to watch from the observation area.

That group setup matters. If you book with children or friends, you share the training and viewing time, but each person receives individual attention during the actual flight. It is a social outing without turning your flight into a crowded activity.

Training Before You Enter the Airflow

Every first-time flyer must attend the training session. An expert flight instructor explains how to position your arms and legs, how to keep your body stable, and how to respond to directions inside the chamber.

The training is not a formality. The wind is strong, and small changes in your body position affect how you move. Your instructor also stays with you during the flight, so you are not expected to remember everything perfectly after a quick briefing.

You will be given a flight suit, helmet, goggles, and other required equipment. Wear casual clothing underneath, preferably pants and a shirt without a collar. Well-fitting lace-up sneakers or running shoes are the best choice.

Remove watches, rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and loose hair accessories. Empty your pockets before flying. Lockers are available, but I would leave valuable items at home instead of carrying them to the venue.

If you wear glasses, larger goggles are available to fit over them. Long hair should be braided and secured in a low bun. These details sound minor, but loose items can become uncomfortable in strong airflow.

What the 800-Horsepower Tunnel Feels Like

The wind tunnel uses powerful fans to pull air through the chamber, compress it, and send it back up through the flight area. The result is a smooth, vertical cushion of air that supports your body from below.

When it is your turn, the operator gradually increases the wind speed until you and your instructor are airborne. You do not leap from a ledge, and there is no sensation of falling from an aircraft. The experience is closer to floating in a very strong, steady current of air.

You can breathe normally through your nose or mouth. The airflow feels somewhat like sticking your head out of a moving car window, though the force across your body is far greater.

The instructor can hold the handles on your flight suit if you need help. That is one reason the suit is required. Your instructor may also help you maintain the correct position, keep you centered, and make small adjustments to your movement.

Your first 60-second flight will likely pass quickly. You are learning how to respond to the air, the instructor, and the hand signals all at once. The second flight is valuable because you have already felt the airflow and can focus more on stability.

Two 60-Second Flights, Not One Long Session

The package includes two flights for one person. Each flight lasts 60 seconds, although the full session includes training, gear, group organization, and time between turns.

That amount of flight time can feel short for $125. One previous rating praised the actual flying but questioned the price compared with the time spent in the chamber. That is a fair concern, especially if you are comparing the cost with a longer attraction or a full-day activity.

Still, the two-flight format has a practical advantage. You are not asked to learn everything in one attempt. The first flight introduces the feeling of being supported by air. The second gives you a chance to make use of the instructor’s corrections.

Do not expect advanced acrobatics on your first visit. Turns and other movements may be possible for some beginners, but flips and tricks are intended for experienced flyers. Ask your instructor how to progress rather than attempting advanced moves on your own.

The best way to judge the value is to think of this as a short, specialized lesson with a physical activity attached. You are paying not only for tunnel time, but also for trained supervision, equipment, instruction, and the chance to try a sport used by professional skydivers.

How Scary Is Indoor Flight?

For most people, the mental hurdle is greater than the physical one. There is no airplane, no open ledge, and no parachute deployment. You step into an enclosed chamber and are supported by a wall-to-wall airflow.

That does not make it completely calm. The wind is loud and forceful, and the first few seconds can feel intense. Your instructor is beside you throughout the flight, which helps keep the activity controlled.

There is also no reported falling sensation or motion sickness built into the activity. If you are uneasy about heights, this may be easier than an outdoor jump because you remain inside the building and do not look down from an aircraft.

The biggest challenge is learning to hold the correct body position. Relax your body, follow the instructor’s directions, and avoid trying to fight the airflow. The training session exists to help you do exactly that.

Who Can Fly and Who Should Sit This One Out

The minimum age is 3, and there is no upper age limit listed. Children under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver.

Most people can participate, but the medical restrictions are important. You cannot fly if you are pregnant, wearing a hard cast, or have certain neck, back, or heart conditions. Previous injuries and shoulder dislocations also prevent participation.

The standard weight limit is under 300 pounds. If you weigh between 260 and 300 pounds, local staff must evaluate whether you can fly and if additional limits apply. Note your current weight during booking to reduce delays at check-in.

There is no height restriction. People with physical or cognitive challenges can contact the Naperville location about an All Abilities instructor. That request should be made before arrival so the location can determine how to support the flight safely.

For children, the experience can be exciting without the long wait and height exposure of an outdoor parachute jump. Still, the noise, equipment, and force of the air may feel overwhelming to very young children. A parent should explain that the child will float with an instructor inside a wind tunnel, not jump from a plane.

The Certificate and the Memory of the Day

A personalized certificate of flight achievement is included. It is a small touch, but it gives the experience a clear finish, especially for a child or a first-time flyer.

The certificate does not change the short flight time, but it helps mark the occasion. If you are booking this for a birthday, family outing, or first flying experience, it gives you something tangible to take home.

The activity also works well for people who want the sensation of skydiving without committing to an aircraft jump. You get the body position, the wind, and the feeling of being held aloft, but the setting remains enclosed and closely supervised.

Price, Timing, and Overall Value

The listed price is $125 per person, including two flights, training, equipment, instructor guidance, taxes, fees, and the certificate. Food, drinks, and transportation are not included.

The price is easier to justify if you value instruction and novelty. You are not simply renting time in a machine. A certified instructor is with you, and the facility handles the safety setup, specialized gear, and airflow control.

The price is harder to justify if you measure value by minutes of activity. Two 60-second flights equal only two minutes in the chamber. The rest of the 75-minute session is preparation, instruction, waiting, and group organization.

The current rating is 4.3 from 10 ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience but not universal enthusiasm about the cost. One practical financial detail: a military discount may not be available when you buy online, so contact the location before booking if that discount matters to you.

Reservations are often made about 12 days ahead, so popular time slots may not remain open at the last minute. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

What to Wear and Bring

Keep your clothing simple. Pants and a casual shirt work best, especially a shirt without a collar. Your flight suit goes over your clothes.

Wear snug, lace-up shoes. Running shoes or similar athletic footwear are suitable. Avoid loose jewelry, watches, bracelets, and anything that can flap in the wind.

If you have long hair, braid it and secure it low. Glasses are allowed with larger goggles. Leave unnecessary valuables at home, even though lockers are available.

You do not need prior experience or special athletic ability. The instructor handles the technical side, and the airflow supports your body. You do need to listen carefully and follow the directions inside the chamber.

Who Should Book This Naperville Experience?

I would recommend it to first-time flyers, families with older children, couples looking for an unusual activity, and anyone curious about skydiving but not ready for an aircraft jump.

It is also a good choice for a short special occasion. The experience does not consume an entire day, and the certificate gives a birthday or family outing a clear souvenir.

I would be more cautious if you are very price-sensitive. Two minutes of flight is not a lot, and the total cost can feel high once you account for transportation and any extras you buy separately.

If you have a medical condition, weigh between 260 and 300 pounds, or need an All Abilities instructor, contact iFLY Naperville before reserving. The location may need to evaluate your situation or arrange appropriate support.

Should You Book It?

Book this if you want a carefully supervised taste of free flight, enjoy trying unusual activities, and accept that the actual tunnel time is short. The two flights and one-on-one instruction make the session more useful than a single first attempt.

Skip it if you want a long activity for the money or expect advanced tricks right away. At $125, the value depends on how much you care about the experience of floating in a professional wind tunnel rather than the number of minutes spent airborne.

For most first-time flyers, the strongest reason to go is simple: you get the sensation of skydiving without the plane ride, and an instructor is with you every second you are in the air.

FAQ

How does the Chicago-Naperville indoor skydiving experience work?

Fans move air through a vertical flight chamber at speeds high enough to support your body. You float in the airflow while a certified instructor guides you.

How long is each flight?

Each flight lasts 60 seconds. The package includes two flights for one person.

How long does the full experience take?

The activity takes approximately 75 minutes from start to finish. The first-time flyer experience may take about 90 minutes, depending on the session.

Do I fly alone or with a group?

You take part in a group session of up to 12 people, but you fly one at a time with your instructor inside the chamber.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled start time for check-in and preparation.

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 secured in a low bun.

Are there age or weight restrictions?

The minimum age is 3, and there is no height restriction. Participants must weigh under 300 pounds. Anyone between 260 and 300 pounds requires an evaluation by local staff.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.