F.L.Y. is a double launched flying coaster manufactured by Vekoma. The ride is located at Phantasialand in Germany, its closest airport is Cologne-Bonn. A whole new steampunk-esque world of ‘Rookburgh’ was created and F.L.Y. is the only ride within it, though the Charles Lindbergh Hotel and the overall area is an experience in itself!

Phantasialand’s new area debuted as a soft opening from 17th September 2020, with the hotel opening shortly afterwards. We were very fortunate to book a visit at the beginning of October and able to visit whilst the travel corridor between the UK and Germany remained open.

Stepping into the Rookburgh area it successfully immerses you into the steampunk-esque theme and era. Surrounded by towering walls on one side and the hotel on the other, everywhere you look is detailed to perfection, right down to the ‘drain coverings’ pumping out steam. F.L.Y. Is the main centrepiece weaving around the whole area, and even through the hotel, but certainly does not steal the limelight, instead it perfectly compliments Rookburgh. Nowhere else is visible and you really do feel isolated from the outside world which is an impressive feature. It is easily the best themed area at the park, and definitely challenges the rest of the planet.

F.L.Y. has an impressively long queue line, and you do wonder how everything fits in, it’s all a masterpiece of planning. Throughout the queue there are many unique themeing elements, indoor & outdoor sections, including many viewing spots of the ride. Back indoors the main queue meets up with the fast pass queue (which in 2020 was for hotel guests only). Here you see projections, and come face to face with a large scale animatronic.

*MAIN SPOILERS*

Inside the station it splits into 4 lanes, there was no front row queue. The 4 lanes had no relation to where you’d be placed on the ride, it was just a way for the host to be able to find guests easier to batch appropriately to fill all rows. At the airgates you briefly wait for the next train to come which is already empty. Vekoma have created a unique train design where you board the ride straight in front of you and sit facing upright. The vest restraint comes down, and the shin restraints hold your legs in place. The lighting sequences in the station area that are timed with the ride dispatching is a really nice touch.

You start the ride moving sideways whilst still upright (facing outwards). It takes you at a slow pace through a short dark-ride section, where there are a few lighting and themeing features, but we feel there is potential for much, much more here. The unique ride system comes into play here, as before heading outside, the track and seats twist and pivot at the same time, so you are now in the flying position and facing forward.