iFLY Milton Keynes Indoor Skydiving — Attraction in Central Milton Keynes

Hopefully this criticism will be taken constructively and not in mean spirit. It's a good activity and I want more people to be able to enjoy it.

This company absolutely needs training in how to work with people who have sensory issues.

I would NOT RECOMMEND this company to people who have anxiety, ADHD or autism.

I'm going to list the sensory issues and how they are currently exacerbated by the lack of training taken by our instructor:

Earplugs: Wearing earplugs is basically mandatory. We asked the instructor if we could go without earplugs and he gave us a vague answer that he "wouldn't recommend it." There are no alternatives posed to people with in ear sensory issues, i.e. a selection of ear shields that don't go into the ear but are secured over the ear and secured by the tightness of the helmet.

Eye shield You are required to wear eye shields and these will become foggy if you are sweating so your vision will be affected. It was a hot day outside, the venue was warm and you're wearing a full body suit so you will likely be affected.

Helmet The helmet will be tight around your head. You're not allowed to wear your helmet until you've moved into the venue, at which point you can't switch because all the helmets are downstairs. When you attempt to put your helmet on for yourself the under chin straps will likely be too tight. The instructor will make these straps looser for you but this isn't pre-explained. I couldn't physically put my chin strap on so I was worrying the entire time that when I did enter the chamber it would be too tight and my breathing would be affected. (Please bear in mind inside the chamber you're wearing earplugs next to a wind tunnel so it's a terrible setting to talk in.) The instructor needs to guarantee everyone is comfortable with their equipment before being allowed to enter the chamber.

Suit You'll try your suit on downstairs so unlike helmets you do have the chance to change it if it's too tight (constraining breathing) or too loose. However this is not encouraged. This entire process of being given your equipment felt very disorganised and rushed, seemingly the instructor would just guess your size and you are not offered the opportunity to switch.

Lack of preparation When we entered the air chamber room there was no one flying inside the chamber. I saw no one demonstrate how to fly. Someone who attended the session said they found the activity difficult because he wasn't told beforehand how to pose his arms when flying.

Lack of sensitivity I entered the chamber last, because of my pre-mentioned issue with the chin strap on my helmet, and was told because I was last to enter that I had to participate first. It should be know at this point I still didn't have my equipment on and this conversation took place with ear plugs in next to an air chamber. I said "I can't go first because I haven't seen anyone else do it" and I was told, no, you have to go first. It was just unprofessional and inconsiderate, sorry. This last in, first go system is obviously a terrible system - those with prior experience (which we did have in our group) should go first if no demonstrations are given. Preferably a short demo should be given by the instructor. A participant did the activity and decided they didn't like it. The instructor then tried to negotiate with them to keep going (again, in a room where no one can hear each other.) They said no. The participant was further negotiated with. They were finally allowed out. They shouldn't have to argue to be let out of an overwhelming environment where no one can hear you.

The instructor needed further training on how to deal with their customers. You need to allot more time to people's comfort and you need training on how to support people with sensory issues and anxiety. I will take this issue further up, as I appreciate it's not the instructors fault they lack training.

I will also reiterate what other reviews have said - high flys should not be offered pre every flight. It's confusing when you can't...

Awful experience and complete con for high flying experience. We were told to arrive 45 minutes early. Did so but 25 minutes queue so then all rushed. Lift didnt work so my husband whose recently deceased dad had bought the kids this experience for christmas couldnt then see it. Instructor very casual about this and said it had been broken for weeks. This should have been said on the website. I went into area with my kids to see them do the experience and facetimed it to husband. Very loud and rushed with a lot of people all on the same time as us. Last minute instructions from instructor were rushed and you couldnt hear as there was the noise from the air tunnel and at this point he said about the extra payment for the high fly if you wanted it. We didnt hear this as putting on ear plugs/goggles/hat. My 2 sons went first. They were asked if they wanted to fly higher so obviously said yes ( what child wouldnt) but didnt realise this would cost. In the chamber, apparently a hand signal from the instructor and a smile from myself meant i was now obliged to pay £20 extra for each child to fly high for no more than 5 SECONDS as part of the minute experience( which was less than 1 minute) we had paid for. Complete con. In what other reputable company does this not get agreed and signed beforehand ? Have left phone messages with the company to discuss but no one bothered to contact back. The next family to us had 3 children and they also were unhappy to find out they had agreed to £60 extra. So wrong. I had thought the instructor was being nice as he knew my husband hadnt been able to see it so we were facetiming him and so when he put his thumb up, I thought this was just him checking my husband could see. I disputed the £40 at the end. He said the sign on the door says this. I went back to check . It is only on 1 side so if you came into the room and moved across to other side you wouldnt see it and it only say about the cost, not how it is agreed. Even going back to look at it would still imply this was something that had been paid for either beforehand or at the end people would be offered this. There was no detail of the fact you would be charged this during the crazy loud 1 minute if as a parent you smiled. So wrong. complete con. Dont waste your money. Equally the videos show people flying effortlessly. In reality, the instructor holds you the whole time ( less than a minute) so you are never actually flying...

This venue is cashless. I frequented ifly yesterday with my daughter, her friend and my friend. Only two were flying as it was a Christmas gift for one of them (plus guest) and two of us were watching. Up to three people per flyer can observe. There aren't that many spaces to sit and watch though so if there is a large group of flyers some observers would have to stand. The place has been refurbished since my last visit but it is still very much the same in many ways. The little room where we did have the pre flight check/chat is now the post flight chat. The pre flight chat now happens in the main waiting area. Which makes it a little hard to hear with all the people hanging around and chatting etc. So PLEASE! Make sure you ACTUALLY watch the video they send in the email prior to your arrival. It will really help your flight!!!! Flight times are 1 minute long and you get two flights in the tunnel. If there is time at the end they will offer you the special opportunity to do the high fly which comes at the additional cost of £10. This is not obligatory but it looks super fun! You can also purchase a superhero suit to fly in, instead of the normal blue ones for an additional £5 when booking. Video and photos range from £10. There is a family package (which was cheaper in my situation) for £35 and this covered all photos and the video of both flights for each person. These get sent (once paid for!) To the email you booked with to download at your leisure. There are also keyrings and fridge magnets to purchase on site of your flight photos should you wish. You can also film and take photos as spectators should you not wish to buy any from ifly. Drinks and snacks available for purchase and drinks allowed into viewing deck. The complex also has golf and ski facilities. Lots of places to eat nearby. Including McDonald's. Thoroughly enjoyed by my daughter and friend. Will be booking again for her birthday in April. Prices are quite high but if you book more flights the prices do come down. I booked this flight during black Friday and it was super cheap compared to...