London’s exhilarating The O2 welcomed iFLY in March 2023. The giant entertainment center in England’s capital city, sitting on the Greenwich peninsula, attracts approximately 9 million visitors annually. Guests come for various bustling bars, restaurants, and popular outlet shops. It’s also a top pick for fun family activities since it has a Cineworld movie theater, an Oxygen Freejumping trampoline park, and a thrilling vertical wind tunnel — iFLY.
“The O2 is proud to welcome iFLY to London, adding to our unrivaled day-to-night leisure offering that already houses a buzzing entertainment district that includes Toca Social and Boom Battle Bar, plus an unrivaled outlet shopping experience with brands including Levi’s, Nike, Superdry and more,” stated Janine Constantin-Russell, managing director at Icon Outlet at The O2, and the entertainment district at The O2.
CEO Matt Ryan added The O2 “is an iconic location for iFLY.” It’s right on brand for the family entertainment business. Ryan says the company “historically focuses on high-visibility locations.” The massive entertainment center fits the bill. The timing is perfect, too.
“We’re thrilled that we are opening at The O2 in time for Mother’s Day and the busy Easter holidays; the gift of flight is ideal for loved ones,” stated Terry Raymond, the general manager at iFLY London at The O2.
Exciting New Opportunity To Take to the Air
“We’re thrilled to be bringing the experience to [London] and even more excited to be hosted at the world’s most iconic leisure and entertainment destination, The O2,” stated Simon Ward, CEO at iFLY International. The 4.3-meter-wide vertical wind tunnel is the company’s first in London and fourth in the UK.
Ward continued, “We believe everyone, at any age or ability, should have the opportunity to experience the pure unadulterated joy of human flight. Opening the experience to Londoners is the next step in our mission to deliver the dream of flight to everyone.”
More than 19 million people have experienced the excitement of floating on a cushion of air inside the company’s proprietary vertical wind tunnels. iFLY prides itself on having world-class certified instructors guide each flying session in any of the over 90 tunnels worldwide and operating over 40 locations throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and France.
Raymond stated, “Indoor skydiving is an exciting activity that all ages and abilities can enjoy. We’re delighted to bring this sport to London in no better location than the world’s most popular music, entertainment, and leisure venue.”
The O2 and iFLY Elevate Entertainment in Europe
The O2 is owned and operated by AEG and Crosstree Real Estate. It’s expanding throughout 2023. Besides the addition of the vertical wind tunnel, the popular spot celebrated the opening of a Wetherspoon pub called The Stargazer, which includes a 3,800-square-foot beer garden and views across Canary Wharf and the River Thames. It’s adjacent to the immersive entertainment experience Mama Mia! The Party. The JD Wetherspoon pub and hotel company invested $3.6 million into the new venue.
Constantin-Russell stated, “The Stargazer is a fantastic addition to our [food and beverage] lineup here at The O2. Wetherspoon’s extensive investment in this space emphasizes the importance of our location and the opportunities that we can provide for brands, whether that be independents or household names. Following the recent arrival of iFLY indoor skydiving, the entertainment district is really thriving, and there is no doubt that Wetherspoon will add to its continued success.”
The O2 will host 10 nights of Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour. And it features a monthly residency with comedian Peter Kay. Now, the spectacular entertainment space is equally thrilled to host the ninth generation of the vertical wind tunnels that feature a new modular design, which results in faster build times with lower costs and can generate speeds of up to 150 mph.
“The O2 is all about experiences, and we’re constantly exploring ways to keep our offering exciting, fresh, and enticing for visitors to The O2, come day or night, and I believe iFLY does exactly this,” stated Constantin-Russell.
She continued, “It is an entirely unique leisure experience and one which brings excitement for all age groups. I can think of no better place to launch London’s first indoor skydiving experience than a destination which is known to raise the roof on a daily basis.”
Located just 15 minutes from central London, the new vertical wind tunnel provides an unforgettable experience, replicating free fall, to guests age 3 and up, and of varying abilities, at The O2.
Thrill seekers can enjoy a session, which lasts up to 60 minutes, guided by world-class instructors. It also includes a preflight briefing with instructor training and an awe-inspiring flight demo by an instructor. Spectators who prefer to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground can enjoy the spectacle from a 360-degree viewing platform.
For anyone interested in floating inside the vertical wind tunnel at The O2, CEO Ryan says, “Come with your eyes wide open, ready for an incredible experience, and iFLY will take care of the rest.”
