Dream Aero opens, Cookie Dough & Co. closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Dream Aero, an authentic Boeing 737NG flight simulator, has opened for business at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The realism is incredible, but be prepared for sticker shock. A departure on the shortest 30 minute flight will set you back a whopping $165 through October 30. Multi-session training courses are available, as well.

There's no TSA checkpoint to worry about here. Upon entering, you'll be greeted by a man in a full airline pilot uniform. Before leaving, there is an assortment of souvenir gifts available for purchase.

Hold on to your wallet - this sim is likely
only for those whose billfolds are too large
to qualify as carry-on luggage

It quickly becomes apparent that this is not going to be an arcade game for kids after a movie at ArcLight Cinemas down the hall, but more of a professional training device. For aspiring pilots, this could be a convenient first step to earning your wings.

While Dream Aero has successfully taken off, Cookie Dough & Co. is the latest mall tenant to crash land. Their kiosk, which opened in August 2017, has closed and been cleared out.

Flight sim installed at Dream Aero at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

The actual flight simulator has arrived at Dream Aero, which will soon begin offering authentic flight experiences from the cockpit of a Boeing 737 NG (not the Max, for those who were worried!) on the third level above the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall. A reception desk is also in place. The pilot and co-pilot's coffees were standing by atop it.

Dream Aero flight simulator construction update - Montgomery Mall

Dream Aero is a highly-realistic flight simulator coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, on a third level above the Dining Terrace. Construction is now underway, and I have confirmed the type of Boeing 737 that will be simulated - it is the Boeing 737 NG ("next generation"). The NG has been in the skies since 1997, according to Boeing, and the Dream Aero simulator uses the latest cockpit controls and switches one would find in the real plane today. Dream Aero will open in 2020.