Most Colorado Springs dinner plans end at a booth. This one ends in a cabin seat inside a real Boeing that rolled off the line in 1953. The plane never leaves the ground, yet kids race to the cockpit, grown-ups flip switches, and servers show up dressed like flight crew.
It sits on the east side of town, a short hop from the airport, and it has quietly become one of the most talked-about meals in the Pikes Peak region. Thousands of diners have weighed in, and the verdict keeps coming back strong. Below you will find where it is, how the plane got its second career, which seats to ask for, when to avoid the line, and what a family can expect to spend.
Buckle up, because the boarding call starts now.
1. An East Side Hangar on Newport Road
Some restaurants hang a propeller on the wall and call it a theme. The Airplane Restaurant parked the whole aircraft out front.
You will find it at 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, on the east side of the city near the Colorado Springs Airport area. Hotels and motels sit nearby, which explains why so many travelers wander over on foot.
For locals, the drive is easy from almost anywhere along the Powers Boulevard corridor. Folks coming from Denver can make it a day trip down I-25 with a single, very memorable lunch stop.
The setup is simple. A full-size tanker plane connects to a standard dining building, so guests can eat in either space.
Google Maps lists it as an American restaurant, with a 4.2-star average across more than 4,200 opinions. That is a lot of passengers for a plane that has not left the ground in decades.
The menu sticks to familiar American comfort plates, while the real headline sits on the tarmac outside the door. Consider the address your boarding pass, and keep reading to learn what kind of aircraft is waiting at the gate.
2. The Boeing KC-97 Behind the Legend
Here is a bit of trivia worth sharing at the table. The aircraft is a Boeing KC-97, and the restaurant confirms it was built in 1953.
The KC-97 served as an Air Force tanker, a plane designed to refuel other aircraft while in flight. That job gave it a special crew station at the back, which still exists today.
Many guests guess the plane dates to the late 1940s. The owner has politely corrected that more than once, pointing to the 1953 build year.
Retired military aircraft rarely get a second act this social. Most end up in museums or storage yards, while this one now hosts birthday lunches and family road trip stops.
For Colorado Springs, a city tied closely to the Air Force, the plane feels right at home. Neighbors with military backgrounds often appreciate seeing a piece of tanker history kept in public view.
The restaurant also leans into that history with signs and displays throughout the building. It turns a regular meal into a small history lesson, no ticket required.
Next up is the part everyone wants: actually getting inside that fuselage.
3. Dinner Service at Cabin Altitude
Seat selection matters more here than at almost any other restaurant in town. Regulars repeat the same advice: ask for a table inside the actual plane.
The cabin has been fitted with small tables along the fuselage. Couples and small families tend to fit best, since only very small groups can be seated aboard.
Mid-afternoon on a weekday can be a smart window for snagging a cabin table. Some diners have been seated in the plane easily on a Monday afternoon.
There is one honest trade-off. The plane can run warm, and the owner himself jokes that it is occasionally a warm airplane.
On a hot Colorado summer day, a building table may be the more comfortable choice. Guests who sit inside the main dining room can still climb into the plane to explore.
Tables in the cabin are compact, so plan accordingly if you are bringing a big order or lots of bags.
- Best for: pairs and small families
- Tip: request the plane when you check in
- Heads up: warm on hot days
Either way, the boarding experience is part of the fun, and it starts before you even sit down.
4. A Cockpit Open to Curious Hands
Very few cockpits come with a hands-on policy. This one does, and it is easily the most talked-about corner of the property.
Guests can climb up to the flight deck while their food is being prepared. People sit in the pilot seats, touch the controls, and take plenty of photos.
The owner often signs off his replies with a hope that diners got to fly the Boeing KC-97. It has become something of a house catchphrase.
Kids who love airplanes treat the cockpit like the main event. Teenagers enjoy it too, which is no small achievement for any family outing.
Adults are not immune either. Plenty of grown-ups admit they wandered up front for a turn in the captain’s chair before their burgers arrived.
There is another station worth finding. Toward the rear, guests can look at the Boom Operator’s station, where a crew member once guided the refueling boom to other aircraft.
It is a rare chance to see both ends of a working tanker crew setup. Bring your phone fully charged, because the photo opportunities stack up quickly before the main course lands.
5. Memorabilia From Floor to Ceiling
The plane might get top billing, but the building next door deserves its own boarding call. Guests often describe it as an airplane museum that happens to serve lunch.
Walls are covered with aviation photos, Air Force history, and actual airplane parts. Model aircraft add to the collection throughout the room.
Diners are invited to walk around and explore. Some hostesses even give a quick tour on the way to the table.
Many first-timers say there was more to see than they expected. It is easy to spend a good chunk of your wait just reading displays.
For longtime Colorado Springs residents with ties to the bases, the collection can spark real conversation. It is the kind of place where a grandparent might start telling stories at the table.
History buffs and aviation fans tend to rank this part as highly as the plane itself. Even guests who were lukewarm on their meal still call the decor a must-see.
The theme does not stop at the walls, either. A couple of quirky details hide in places most restaurants never think to decorate.
6. Restrooms Cleared for Takeoff
Yes, an entire section about the restrooms. Trust the flight plan on this one.
When guests flush, the restrooms play loud airplane engine sounds. It feels like a jet is about to take off right there.
The effect catches people by surprise in the best way. Groups of friends report coming back to the table laughing about it.
It is a small detail, but it shows how far the theme goes. Very little in the building has been left without an aviation twist.
The restrooms also earn points for something more practical. Guests have described the whole restaurant, restrooms included, as spotlessly clean.
Clean facilities can matter a lot for parents with young kids or travelers coming off a long drive. Here, they come with a bonus soundtrack.
Fair warning for the easily startled: the sound is not subtle. Little ones may want a heads-up before their first flight to the restroom.
Once everyone has recovered from the surprise, it is time to meet the crew handling the actual service.
7. Flight Attendants Who Take Orders
Your server may outrank you. Staff wear flight apparel, and servers dress the part of pilots and flight attendants.
Stripes on uniforms are more than costume, too. Staff can earn additional stripes, and loyal fans have even lobbied for their favorite server’s next promotion.
The owner, who signs his replies as Steve, calls standout servers his top flight attendants. That playful tone carries into the dining room.
Friendly, attentive service comes up again and again. Several servers get named and praised for being helpful, patient, and quick with suggestions.
Large groups have been well cared for, especially when they called ahead. One family gathering received an entire section so kids and adults could spread out together.
Things can slow down on packed evenings, and short staffing has stretched waits at times. Management encourages guests to ask for a manager right away if service or food falls behind.
That is useful advice, since a fix is easier before you leave than after. With the crew introduced, let us look at what actually comes off the kitchen line.
8. Comfort Plates on the Flight Menu
Nobody books a seat on a grounded tanker expecting fine dining. The kitchen sticks to classic American comfort food with plenty of variety.
The menu covers burgers, sandwiches, quesadillas, chicken tenders, soups, and steaks. Burgers are cooked over a flame, and fries are cut in a distinctive style many diners remember.
Portions run generous. Several tables have ended up taking leftovers home.
Opinions on the food are honestly mixed. Many guests call it delicious and fresh, while others describe it as average.
Steaks seem to be the riskiest order, with a few reports of doneness missing the mark. Simpler items tend to land more smoothly.
The general consensus is clear enough. The plane is the reason to go, and the food is a solid, filling sidekick.
Diners who keep expectations grounded usually leave happy. If something is not right, the house policy is to flag a manager so it can be corrected on the spot.
Up next, the numbers that matter most for family budgets.
9. Ticket Prices Without the Airfare
Good news for budget watchers: this flight does not cost first-class money. Many diners call the prices reasonable and competitive for the portions.
For reference, chicken tenders have been listed around 15.99 dollars and the quesadilla around 15.95 dollars. Soft drinks and iced tea have run about 3.75 dollars.
Steaks sit at the higher end, with one reported near 27 dollars. Some add-ons, like a soup swap or a kids fruit side, can carry small upcharges.
Menu prices may change, so checking the restaurant website before you go is a smart move. Still, most lunch plates land in a range families can manage.
The real value is the bundle. Dinner comes with a cockpit visit, a museum-style walkthrough, and photo ops at no extra charge.
For grandparents treating the grandkids or parents looking for a cheap outing that feels special, that combination is hard to beat locally.
A modest bill and a big story for the drive home sounds like a fair trade. Timing your visit well can make it even better.
10. Beating the Boarding Line
Popularity has a price, and here it is usually paid in minutes. Busy evenings can bring real waits.
One table arrived early with no wait at all, only to see a 40 minute line by the time they left. Timing clearly makes a difference.
Hours run from 11 AM to 8 PM Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday stretch until 9 PM.
- Monday to Thursday: 11 AM to 8 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM to 8 PM
Weekday lunches and mid-afternoon visits appear to be the calmer windows. Late evenings and weekends tend to fill quickly.
Even the waiting has a theme. Guests wait by a destination voucher before boarding, which makes the whole thing feel like a real departure gate.
Larger groups should call ahead. Even with a reservation, one big party ended up split between tables, so a clear request helps.
Arrive early, ask for the plane, and let the kids head for the cockpit while you wait.
11. Fireplaces, Patio and Hero Parking
Not every seat has to be in the fuselage. The building offers a few options worth knowing about.
Guests can eat inside the main building, where two fireplaces add a cozy touch. There is also an outdoor patio for nicer Colorado days.
That flexibility helps on warm afternoons when the plane gets toasty. It also gives larger groups more room to spread out.
Families with kids appreciate being able to roam. Walking around freely keeps restless little travelers busy without crowding other tables.
The restaurant also offers designated Hero Parking for veterans. In a city with deep military roots, that gesture lands well with many local diners.
It fits the whole spirit of the place, which honors Air Force history from the parking lot to the tail section.
Retirees, military families, and anyone who served may find this especially meaningful. It is a quiet detail that says a lot about the people running the hangar.
So who exactly should put this on the calendar? The passenger list is broader than you might think.
12. Final Approach for Front Range Families
Landing time. Is a grounded 1953 tanker worth the trip?
For kids, teens, aviation fans, and veterans, the answer leans strongly toward yes. Few places in Colorado let you eat lunch and sit at the controls of an Air Force tanker in the same visit.
Grandparents looking for an affordable outing with the grandkids will find plenty to fill an afternoon. Couples celebrating a birthday have also enjoyed the novelty.
Foodies chasing a perfect steak may want to adjust expectations. The kitchen is dependable for comfort plates, while the plane does the heavy lifting.
Guests describe it as a bit cheesy, but in the best way. Even diners who were not thrilled with their meal still say everyone should go at least once.
Go on a weekday afternoon, ask for a cabin table, and save time for the cockpit and the memorabilia. Bring a camera, a hungry crew, and a sense of humor for the restroom soundtrack.
The KC-97 may never fly again, but it still carries a full load of happy passengers home.
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