You Can Actually Eat Dinner Inside A Vintage Airplane At This Wild Colorado Restaurant
Dining inside a fully restored aircraft turns dinner into a story worth telling, and that is exactly what waits at The Airplane Restaurant in Colorado Springs.
From the moment you arrive, the experience feels playful and unexpected, blending the excitement of flight with the easygoing appeal of comfort food done right.
Set in the heart of Colorado, this restaurant is built around a real airplane that invites guests to step inside, explore the preserved cockpit, and soak in museum style displays that quietly nod to aviation history.
The menu keeps things familiar and satisfying, making it easy for everyone to find something they like without overthinking the choice.
Families feel especially at home here, thanks to a relaxed atmosphere, lively chatter, and staff members who clearly enjoy leaning into the theme while keeping service warm and approachable.
It never feels forced or over the top, just thoughtfully fun.
Kids are wide eyed, adults are nostalgic, and first time visitors often find themselves snapping photos before they even sit down.
Whether you are a local or passing through Colorado Springs, the restaurant offers more than a meal.
It delivers a memorable setting that turns an ordinary lunch or dinner into something worth talking about long after the plates are cleared. This guide breaks down what to expect so your visit feels smooth, enjoyable, and perfectly timed.
Inside the Boeing KC-97 dining experience
The airplane dining room feels intimate without going dark, with soft overhead lighting reflecting off curved aluminum walls and small windows lining the fuselage. The Airplane Restaurant sits at 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, anchored beside the airport corridor and easy to spot by the gleaming aircraft outside.
Seating is booth style along the narrow aisle, which means knees tuck in and bags do best on laps or under the table.
Sound travels in the metal tube, so a gentle hum of conversation can swell during busy meal times, though it usually stays pleasant and manageable. Temperature control is consistent, and vents make the cabin comfortable through Colorado’s shifting seasons.
The preserved cockpit near the front invites photos and quiet curiosity between courses.
Expect classic American comfort food with steady pacing, though peak hours sometimes bring longer ticket times. Staff move with purpose through the tight space, staying friendly while managing safety in narrow aisles.
For a calm, roomy feel, aim for late lunch on weekdays when the flow slows and the vibe feels unhurried.
How to request a seat inside the plane
Checking in starts at a small host stand where the team tracks plane seating and main dining room availability. The location is The Airplane Restaurant, 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, and the fuselage has limited booths that fill quickly during dinner rush.
A friendly request to sit in the airplane usually works best when arriving right at opening or during late afternoon.
Weekends draw families and aviation fans, so be ready for a waitlist with estimates that adjust as parties finish. Names are called in order, and guests are welcome to look at memorabilia displays without crowding the narrow entry to the plane.
If accessibility needs are part of the plan, the adjacent dining room offers wider aisles and easier movement.
Staff often give a brief orientation and will point out the cockpit for photos after ordering. Parties larger than four fit more comfortably in the building side, with the option to visit the plane between courses.
Keeping requests simple, flexible, and courteous usually leads to the best outcomes, especially during peak hours.
Atmosphere, lighting, and noise comfort
Lighting runs warm and steady, bouncing gently off the aircraft skin and creating a comfortable glow that keeps menus readable without glare. The venue is The Airplane Restaurant, 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, where the combination of aluminum, rivets, and small windows sets a distinctive tone.
Sunlight filters differently through each window during the afternoon, then the cabin light carries the evening with a calmer mood.
Noise sits at a lively hum that rises with weekend crowds inside the fuselage, while the adjacent dining room offers more space and softer volume. The narrow aisle means frequent foot traffic, and servers navigate it smoothly with mindful pacing.
Conversations stay close, so low voices work well and help keep the cabin relaxed.
Booths are lightly padded and upright, which supports good posture during a full meal without feeling stiff. The building side holds two fireplaces that add visual warmth and a slower rhythm.
Choosing late lunch or early dinner on weekdays provides the most relaxed experience for photos, conversation, and a comfortable pace.
Menu snapshot and reliable orders
The menu leans classic and familiar, with burgers, chicken tenders, sandwiches, and hearty plates that arrive in generous portions. The restaurant is located at 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, serving straightforward comfort dishes that focus on consistency rather than flash.
Popular items regularly mentioned by guests include the Bomber burger, chicken tenders, quesadilla, baked spaghetti, and fries cut like thick potato slices.
Expect basics done cleanly, with seasoning that favors approachable flavors and optional sauces on the side. Dietary considerations are best handled by asking the server for guidance and simple swaps, which the team supports when possible.
Kids find the menu easy, with familiar choices and shareable sides.
Service pace can slow during weekend rushes, so a snack before arrival helps keep everyone comfortable. Sides like broccoli and salads add balance to a heavier order without complicating things.
For timing, earlier meals on weekdays reduce waits and keep the kitchen rhythm smooth, making it easier to enjoy the unique setting.
Cockpit moments and memorabilia walkthrough
The preserved cockpit draws steady attention, with worn yokes, rows of gauges, and switches that hint at flight history without turning the space into a theme park. Inside The Airplane Restaurant at 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, guests are encouraged to look respectfully and snap quick photos between seatings.
Displays across the building show models, uniforms, and aviation pieces that feel curated rather than cluttered.
Traffic moves in short bursts, so giving the next group space keeps the flow easy. Children love the buttons and levers, and adults appreciate placards and details that tie the plane to service life.
Staff offer small nuggets of information during quieter moments, which adds context without slowing the meal.
The memorabilia extends through the lobby and dining room, inviting a lingering lap after paying the check. Lighting remains consistent for photos, and evenings deliver fewer reflections on glass cases.
Quick visits to the cockpit before or after eating help keep pathways open and the atmosphere calm for everyone.
Practical timing, parking, and entry flow
Planning around opening hours helps set relaxed expectations and reduces wait times for the airplane booths. The building is at 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, with on site parking spread around the aircraft and primary entrance.
Arriving near opening on weekdays usually provides smoother seating, while Friday and Saturday dinners draw steady lines.
The host team manages separate lists for fuselage booths and standard tables, and clear communication at check in keeps surprises minimal. The lot is straightforward with standard accessibility spaces near the entrance.
Weather can shift quickly in Colorado, so a light layer makes outdoor waits more comfortable.
Once seated, orders are paced according to kitchen load, and friendly updates are common when the board stacks up. Paying at the table keeps the exit flow simple after photos or a short memorabilia stroll.
A measured approach to timing makes the experience feel easygoing rather than rushed.
Seating comfort, accessibility, and group tips
Booth spacing inside the plane keeps things cozy, so elbows tuck in and bags stay neat to preserve the aisle for servers. The venue is The Airplane Restaurant, 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, and larger groups generally fit better in the main dining room with wider walkways.
High chairs do not fit well in the fuselage aisle, which makes building side seating a more comfortable choice for families with small children.
Accessibility is strongest in the building, where open floor space supports wheelchairs and easier maneuvering. The plane entry has a small step and tighter angles, so communicating needs at the host stand helps the team set a good plan.
Seating surfaces are firm with light padding, supporting longer meals without slouching.
Groups benefit from simple orders that land together and minimize juggling in narrow spaces. After eating, a quick visit to the cockpit gives everyone a turn without creating a bottleneck for other tables.
Splitting checks is handled at the table, and clear requests early on keep the handoff smooth.
Kid friendly details and gentle etiquette
Families find a welcoming rhythm here, with a kids menu of familiar options and a setting that naturally entertains between bites. The Airplane Restaurant at 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, keeps the experience grounded by encouraging short, supervised cockpit visits for quick photos.
Staff are upbeat and patient, and a calm tone helps everyone move easily through tight spaces.
Simple table activities like coloring pages or quiet games work well inside the fuselage, where sound travels and aisles stay active. Restroom audio adds playful airplane engine effects, which usually spark a laugh and a moment of surprise.
Strollers and bulky bags fit better in the main dining room than inside the plane.
Etiquette stays gentle and practical, with clear walkways, soft voices, and short visits to displays to respect the flow. Orders arrive steadily, and sharing plates keeps the pace friendly for smaller appetites.
A quick sweep for dropped crayons and napkins before leaving helps keep the cabin tidy for the next crew.
When to go for the smoothest experience
Timing influences everything from noise level to how easily photos happen without feeling rushed. The address is 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, and weekday openings around 11 AM often deliver the calmest pace with little to no wait for plane seating.
Early dinners Monday through Thursday usually keep conversation soft and service steady.
Friday evenings and weekends bring a cheerful crowd, and patience helps when ticket times stretch and the aisle feels busy. The main dining room stays a dependable fallback when the fuselage list grows long, with fireplaces adding warmth on cooler days.
Staff communicate updates clearly and will invite a quick cockpit visit even if seated in the building.
Plan flexible windows rather than tight schedules, leaving space for a short waitlist and time to explore memorabilia. Comfortable shoes help with standing and light walking before or after the meal.
A relaxed plan makes the aviation setting feel special without forcing the moment.