The Squadron NYC: F-35 Fighter Jet Simulators at 7 World Trade Center

Flight Simulator New York — F-35 Fighter Jet at The Squadron, 7 World Trade Center

New York City has no shortage of extraordinary experiences — but The Squadron occupies a category of its own. Located on the 10th floor of 7 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, The Squadron puts you in the cockpit of a high-fidelity F-35 Lightning II fighter jet simulator, suit you up in a flight suit, briefs you like a real pilot, and sends you on a mission guided by experienced fighter pilot instructors. It is part thrill, part learning, and unlike anything else in the city.

The F-35 Lightning II is the most advanced stealth multirole combat aircraft ever built — and The Squadron’s simulators replicate it with a level of fidelity that has made this venue a favourite not just for aviation enthusiasts but for corporate teams, birthday groups, leadership development programmes, and anyone looking for an experience that genuinely surprises them. Instructors are real fighter pilots and experienced aviation professionals, and the missions are structured to be engaging whether you have never touched a flight simulator before or have thousands of hours in real aircraft.

The F-35 Simulator Experience

The Squadron operates multiple high-fidelity F-35 simulators in a purpose-built facility at one of New York’s most iconic addresses. The simulators are fixed-base — the visuals move while the cockpit remains still — but the immersion level is achieved through the combination of the authentic cockpit environment, the flight suit, the pre-flight briefing, and the mission structure. An accessible F-35 simulator is also available for guests using wheelchairs.

Sessions are available in four individual experience formats:

The Cadet Experience at $95 is the entry-level programme — a structured, confidence-building introduction to high-performance aviation designed specifically for first-timers. Guided instruction, real cockpit, real mission, real debrief.

The Top Gun Experience at $185 is the best-selling package — a full operational mission inside the F-35 simulator, going beyond basic flying into mission execution. This is the complete fighter pilot experience, from catapult launch to mission debrief.

The Winning Team at $145 per person is designed for groups of two or more — shared navigation missions and coordinated decision-making that make this one of the most original team experiences available in Manhattan. Ideal for couples, friends, and small corporate groups.

Personal Aviator Training at $750 is a 1-on-1 session with a senior fighter pilot — controlling your own missions, flights, and challenges, with coaching that extends into personal and professional performance.

Corporate and Team Building

The Squadron has developed a suite of corporate workshop programmes built around the simulator experience — Accelerating Performance, Planning and Execution, Teamwork and Communication, and Succeeding from Failure. These structured half-day and full-day programmes combine the F-35 simulator missions with leadership and performance coaching frameworks drawn from military aviation. Clients include major financial services, technology, and consulting firms in the New York area, attracted by the combination of genuine thrill and serious professional development content.

Top Aces Youth Academy

In summer, The Squadron runs Top Aces — an elite one-week aviation and leadership academy for teenagers aged 12–18, combining F-35 simulator flying with real fighter pilot training methodologies and leadership development. Available across four weekly sessions in July, it is one of the most original summer programmes available in New York City for aviation-minded young people.

Plan Your Visit

The Squadron is located at 7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10007 — directly accessible via Fulton Center (A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, 5 trains) and Cortlandt Street (1 train). The experience is suitable for ages 12 and above. Non-flying observers are welcome at no charge. Group bookings and private events are available with food and drink arrangements on request. Book online at thesquadron.com or call +1 917-488-3144. Use code TG10 for 10% off the Top Gun Experience.