The Airbus factories in Toulouse, temples to aeronautics world-wide, fascinate and intrigue both aviation enthusiasts and curious visitors to the pink city. As the birthplace of some of the world's most iconic aircraft, such as the A380 and the A300 family, visiting the Airbus factories offers a unique and immersive experience. In this article, we give you all the secrets behind the scenes of the French aerospace giant. Get ready to dive into the captivating world of Airbus factories, where innovation and expertise come together to shape the future of air travel.
How can I visit the Airbus factories in Toulouse?
The origins of the Airbus group
If you live in Toulouse or the surrounding area, you probably have family or friends who work in the aeronautical industry - it's a tradition in Toulouse!
Airbus Aircraft was set up as an economic interest grouping in 1970 by 4 countries (Germany, the UK, France and Spain) with the aim of creating a European air bus. Today, it is a fully privately-owned international company employing more than 55,000 people worldwide.
How do I book a guided tour of the Airbus factories?
There are 700 hectares of Airbus sites in the Toulouse region, mainly around the landing strips at Toulouse Blagnac airport. You can visit two assembly plants: the FAL for the A350 and the FAL for the A321.
To visit them, you must first make a reservation with the Manatour Group. Several slots are available each week on our dedicated page https://www.manatour.fr/en/airbus and can be booked almost every day during school holidays (zone C) and especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays outside school holidays. Tours are available in several languages: in general, tours in English and French are always available and last 1 hour 30 minutes. For groups, tours in Spanish, German or Chinese are available on request. Please let us know when you make your reservation by e-mail, and depending on the availability of the guides.
Tour slots are booked on a month-by-month basis by the reservations department, so you can book your guided tour in advance.
Your route for a visit to the Airbus A321 factories
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the aeronautical giant's latest addition, the A321, on a 1.5-hour tour! Head to the aeroscopia museum, where the tour starts, to pick up your badges and board the bus that will take you straight to the Jean-Luc Lagardère Final Assembly Line (FAL). Formerly dedicated to the assembly of the A380, this ultra-modern assembly line will reveal the secrets behind the construction of one of the world's most advanced aircraft. Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll explore the different stages of production, from wing assembly to cabin fitting, including the innovations that make this aircraft and this factory so unique. Back at the aeroscopia museum, continue with the next and final part of this tour: the A400M. Climb aboard this emblematic military aircraft designed by Airbus and explore the secrets of this strategic and tactical carrier, equipped with the latest technologies that make it an indispensable asset for military and humanitarian missions.
Your route for a visit to the Airbus A350 factories
To start your visit, go once again to the reception of the aeroscopia museum in Blagnac. You can park your car there and head for the museum entrance (museum opening hours are 9.30am to 6pm excluding zone C school holidays, and 9.30am to 7pm during holiday periods). You will then be given a badge bearing the word ‘visitor’.
Then follow your guide to the bus that will take you to the A350 XWB final assembly line. During the journey, you'll see many new aircraft being delivered, others being tested, prototypes and maybe even a Beluga!
The guided tour continues at the belvedere. This is accessible to all by staircase or lift. Through a glass window, you can watch the A350 XWB being assembled. Your guide will explain all the stages involved in producing an aircraft.
At the end of your visit, you'll take a bus back to the aeroscopia museum.
A little aeronautical vocabulary
During your visit to the Airbus factories, you'll probably hear your guide talk about P20, P40, P59... These are simply the names of the jobs of each person working on an aircraft, so don't panic if you think there are a lot of them - your guide will be there to explain it all to you!
The Airbus Kids tour
Did you know that there is a special tour for children? It's called the ‘Airbus Kids’ tour! The Manatour Group is offering a guided tour tailored to children aged 6 to 12. Just like a classic Airbus tour (1 h 30), your little engineers, aircraft fans or budding pilots can be introduced to the history and vocabulary of aeronautics.
Bring back a small aeronautical souvenir
Don't forget to pop into the aeroscopia museum shop at the end of your visit! You'll find Airbus polo shirts, PARA backpacks, vintage airline posters and the classic goodies: Airbus pens, ‘remove before flight’ key rings, etc. If you haven't had time to come back, you can find most of the products in the museum shop on our online shop: www.boutique-manatour.fr
Getting ready to visit the Airbus factories
What you need to know for a successful visit
To visit the Airbus factories, you'll need a valid identity card or passport (driving licences not accepted, non-EU nationals: passport only), even for your children if you take the Airbus Kids tour! Airbus protocol is followed to the letter. The aeroscopia museum staff will not be able to allow you access to the tour if your ID has expired, even by a single day.
We recommend that you arrive 30 minutes early so that you have time to present your tickets and identity papers at the museum reception desk.
As the Airbus sites are classified as defence-security sites, it is strictly forbidden to take photographs during your guided tour. However, you will be able to take as many photos as you wish in the A400M or in the aeroscopia museum if you wish to take a combined tour.
How much does a guided tour of the Airbus factories cost?
Prices are the same all year round. For a visit to the A350 and Airbus Kids, the price is €16 per person for adults and €13 for children and concessions. For a visit to the FAL A321, the price is €18 per person for adults and €15 for children and reduced-rate visitors.
Good to know: if you work at Airbus, you can benefit from a reduced rate for admission to the museum and a 10% discount on items in the aeroscopia museum shop.
If you're a fan of aeronautics, or you know someone who is, then this visit to the Airbus factories is a must for your trip to Toulouse! And if you want to extend your experience, you can combine the guided tour of the Airbus assembly lines with a visit to the aeroscopia museum. It's the perfect way to spend a 100% aeronautical day in the world capital of aeronautics.
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