Parabolic flights let you feel real weightlessness by flying special aircraft in a way that removes gravity’s pull for a few thrilling seconds at a time.
Pilots use NASA’s tried-and-true methods, sending modified commercial jets on wild arcs that mimic the zero gravity astronauts get in space.
A parabolic flight uses a heavily modified plane that swoops through carefully mapped-out arcs.
As the aircraft follows its “parabolic arc,” gravity’s grip seems to vanish inside the cabin.
In the U.S., most flights use a Boeing 727-200.
Crews strip out most seats and pad the walls, giving you a 90-foot zone where you can float around.
Here’s how a flight breaks down:
Most flights run through 15 of these parabolic maneuvers.
You get about 7.5 minutes of weightlessness, but it’s split into bursts.
The plane flies between 24,000 and 32,000 feet.
Pilots have to nail the speed and angle every time, or you don’t get that smooth, floating feeling.
NASA cooked up the idea of parabolic flights in the 1950s.
They needed a way to get astronauts ready for weightlessness without actually launching them into space.
At first, military researchers used these flights for experiments, trying to see how stuff behaved in zero gravity.
Those early flights got called the “vomit comet”—not exactly a confidence booster—because people got sick a lot.
Modern flights, though, use better techniques and prep, so motion sickness is way less of an issue now.
Zero Gravity Corporation kicked off the first FAA-approved parabolic flights for the public in 2004.
They took what NASA started and made it something regular folks could try.
They’ve logged over 850 flights and flown more than 22,000 people.
So far, their safety record’s spotless—no serious incidents on any commercial flight.
These days, parabolic flights aren’t just for fun.
Scientists run experiments, aerospace companies test gear, and even filmmakers shoot wild zero gravity scenes.
Weightlessness happens when you’re falling freely, with nothing pushing against you.
Parabolic flights recreate that exact feeling—just like astronauts get in orbit.
Zero gravity flights give you that same weird experience.
You’ll float, your hair sticks up, and water blobs turn into perfect spheres.
Technically, “zero gravity” means no gravitational pull at all.
But during these flights, gravity’s still there; you just don’t feel it because you and the plane are falling together.
Your body reacts right away.
Blood rushes to your head, your face can look puffy, and your inner ear gets confused, which can be a little disorienting.
About 30% of newbies get a bit motion sick.
It’s nothing like a roller coaster or any earthbound ride that claims to simulate weightlessness.
Pilots can also tweak the flight path to mimic lunar gravity (one-sixth Earth’s pull) or Martian gravity (about one-third).
That’s handy for training or research.
Parabolic flights pull off weightlessness by flying a set ballistic path that feels just like free fall.
The plane moves through three phases, and pilots can dial in anything from zero gravity to lunar or Martian gravity.
The parabolic maneuver turns a regular plane into a weightless environment.
Pilots throttle back the engines and follow a ballistic arc, letting the plane act like a giant, unpowered projectile.
That’s what creates the sensation astronauts get in orbit.
This move isn’t easy—it takes a super-coordinated crew.
Three pilots each handle a different job.
One keeps the nose pitched right, another holds the wings level, and a third watches engine power and flight numbers.
This team effort keeps the gravity level within ±0.02 g of true zero.
That precision lets you and any equipment float around just like you’re in space.
Every parabolic maneuver has three parts, and you’ll feel each one.
Pull-up Phase: The plane climbs sharply, nose up to 50 degrees.
You’ll feel almost twice your normal weight for about 20 seconds.
Parabola Phase: At the top, pilots cut engine power and the plane enters free fall for 22 seconds.
That’s when you float.
Pull-out Phase: The nose drops to 42 degrees below horizontal, engines spool back up, and gravity comes roaring back for another 20 seconds.
A research flight might repeat this up to 31 times.
Each round gives you about 22 seconds of weightlessness.
You get a couple of minutes between each parabola to catch your breath.
Pilots can tweak the arc to mimic different worlds.
Zero Gravity (0g): The classic parabola—total weightlessness.
You’ll float like you’re in space.
Lunar Gravity (0.16g): The plane flies a slightly different arc.
You can walk, but you’ll feel super light, like you’re on the Moon.
Martian Gravity (0.38g): Another tweak, and now you’re feeling Mars-level gravity.
It’s lighter than Earth but not totally floaty.
The plane hits speeds around 810 km/h during these moves.
Flights start at about 6,000 meters before entering the parabolic sequence.
Most flights stick to ocean airspace to dodge turbulence.
They use special flight zones with their own air traffic control, so it’s just you and the sky.
The Boeing 727-200 is the main plane for commercial parabolic flights in the U.S.
Military and research teams use their own specialized aircraft for science missions.
All these planes use precise flight patterns to make you feel like you’re in space.
Zero Gravity Corporation picked the Boeing 727-200 after weighing all their options.
They run G-FORCE ONE, a cargo version they’ve souped up for commercial weightless flights.
The 727-200’s design—engines in the back, T-tail—makes it stable during those crazy arcs.
It meets FAA noise rules and stays within safe limits even during weightless maneuvers.
Here’s what they changed:
G-FORCE ONE flies between 22,000 and 32,000 feet.
It climbs at 45 degrees, then drops at 30 degrees, giving you about 25 seconds of weightlessness at the top of each arc.
NASA and other space agencies use a bunch of different planes for parabolic research.
These flights support science experiments and astronaut training.
Research planes can carry multiple experiments at once.
Big parabolic aircraft might hold ten or more scientific payloads and a few dozen people.
They test space tech and gear before sending it into orbit.
Military and government teams also fly parabolic missions to get astronauts ready for the International Space Station or deep space.
They can simulate Mars or lunar gravity, depending on what the crew needs.
International groups use their own modified commercial jets, often similar to the 727.
Each country has its own fleet for research and commercial zero gravity flights.
Zero Gravity Corporation is the big name in U.S. parabolic flights.
They’re the only FAA-approved commercial provider.
Aurora Aerospace and Training Center focuses more on astronaut prep.
Zero Gravity Corporation is America’s only FAA-approved parabolic flight company.
They operate G-Force One, their tricked-out Boeing 727-200, to give you that floating, zero-G experience.
Here’s what you get:
They started flying in August 2004 after a long haul with FAA certification.
Zero-G follows the same safety rules as big airlines like Delta and Southwest.
NASA now uses Zero-G for their own parabolic flights, since they shut down their in-house program.
That means Zero-G supports both research and astronaut training.
You can catch flights from places like Fort Lauderdale, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kids 8 and up can join, as long as they have a guardian.
Aurora Aerospace and Training Center offers specialized astronaut training that goes hand-in-hand with parabolic flights.
They get civilians ready for commercial space trips with a full training package.
Their programs cover spacecraft basics, emergency drills, and zero-gravity adaptation techniques.
Aurora focuses on the physical and mental prep you’ll need for spaceflight.
They partner with commercial space companies to make sure their training meets industry standards.
Most programs last a few days and mix classroom lessons with hands-on simulations.
Aurora’s all about practical skills.
You’ll practice suit operations, comms, and safety moves you’ll actually use in space.
Prices depend on how long and involved the program is.
You can do a basic intro or go all-in with multi-week prep for orbital missions.
In the U.S., you’ve got two main ways to book a parabolic flight.
You can grab a seat on a public flight, which starts at $8,900.
Or, if you’ve got a group, private charters let you reserve the whole plane for 14 to 28 people.
Either way, you get the same wild zero-G ride.
Public flights make it easy for civilians to get a taste of weightlessness. Zero-G runs the main public flight program in the U.S., selling individual seats on scheduled flights for $8,900 plus tax if you book more than 60 days ahead.
Each flight takes up to 28 passengers who all share the aircraft’s floating zone. Everyone gets 15 parabolic maneuvers, and each one gives you about 30 seconds of floating—so that’s around 7.5 minutes of zero gravity per person.
Public flights include:
The whole flight day takes about 5 hours from check-in to departure. Public flights leave from places like Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Passengers go through regular TSA security before boarding.
Private charters let organizations and groups reserve parabolic flights just for themselves. There are two main charter levels, depending on how many people are flying and how much privacy you want.
Half-plane sections cost $116,000 plus tax and let you reserve up to 14 seats with your own floating zone, separated from other passengers. Groups sometimes use fewer seats to get more space during the weightless parts. You’ll have a dedicated photographer to capture the group’s experience.
Full private flights give you the entire aircraft for $259,000 plus tax if you book more than 60 days in advance. You can bring up to 28 people, and you’ll get the same 15 parabolic maneuvers as public flights.
Corporate events, research teams, and special celebrations often go for private charters when they want a customized experience. The exclusive floating zones and photographer make it easy to film or do research during weightless periods.
Both charter options come with all the standard perks: flight suits, safety training, and the post-flight celebration.
Parabolic flights are the backbone of astronaut preparation and scientific research in microgravity. NASA started these flights decades ago, and they still use them to train crews and support research in all sorts of fields.
NASA kicked off parabolic flight training in the 1950s to get astronauts ready for space. The Reduced Gravity Research Program used modified planes to mimic the weightlessness astronauts would face in orbit.
People started calling the original NASA aircraft the “Vomit Comet” because the early flights made a lot of folks sick. Flight crews eventually figured out how to handle it with better prep and improved flight profiles.
Some of NASA’s training achievements:
NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston ran most of the training flights, using KC-135 aircraft. These planes flew thousands of parabolic arcs to get astronauts ready for Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle missions.
NASA shared its know-how with other space programs around the world. European, Japanese, and Russian astronauts trained on NASA flights before their own agencies set up similar programs.
Modern astronaut training uses more advanced parabolic flights with better planes and refined techniques. NASA now hires commercial providers like Zero-G Corporation for some of its training.
Astronaut candidates go through 15-20 parabolic flights in their two-year training. Each flight usually covers 30-40 parabolas, which means plenty of weightless time for practicing skills.
Training covers essential skills like:
SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Boeing also use parabolic flights to get their crews ready for commercial space missions. Their astronauts practice for spacecraft like Dragon, New Shepard, and Starliner.
Private space companies often tweak the flight profiles to match their own spacecraft’s gravity transitions. This focused training helps crews adapt more quickly during real missions.
Parabolic flights let scientists run experiments in real microgravity without shelling out for orbital missions. Research flights often include 60-80 parabolas per mission, so researchers get maximum experiment time.
Universities and research groups use these flights to study fluid physics, crystal growth, and biological processes. The brief weightless periods—about 20-30 seconds at a time—are just enough for detailed measurements and observations.
Some big research areas:
Medical researchers look at how the human body reacts to weightlessness during short exposures. These studies help predict and prevent health issues during longer missions.
NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program funds a lot of research flights with commercial providers. Scientists get to test equipment and gather data before they commit to expensive space-based experiments.
Zero gravity flights give you 15 parabolic maneuvers, each with about 30 seconds of weightlessness. The full experience includes pre-flight training, a safety briefing, and a post-flight celebration, all adding up to around 5 hours.
You’ll check in with your ID at the facility. The day starts with picking up your flight suit, boarding pass, and maybe some Zero-G swag.
A light breakfast is served before orientation. Flight crews walk you through the parabolic maneuvers and basic weightlessness techniques.
Crews offer optional non-drowsy Dramamine and anti-nausea wearables. Flight coaches explain what causes motion sickness and how to avoid it.
After security screening, you can grab a photo next to the aircraft before boarding.
Professional photographers capture the whole experience. Mounted cameras record every parabola so you can relive the flight later.
You stay seated for takeoff and landing. Once the plane reaches the right airspace, attendants guide everyone to the floating zone.
Everyone lies flat on their backs to get ready for the first parabola. Coaches give real-time instructions for each maneuver.
Here’s how a parabola works:
Flight attendants keep an eye on passenger safety during every parabola. Coaches help you make the most of the weightless time.
You can do somersaults, float objects, or just enjoy the sensation. The floating zone has enough space to move around and try things out.
Every zero gravity flight gives you 15 parabolic maneuvers. Each one lasts about 30 seconds.
You end up with 7.5 minutes of zero gravity—about the same as Alan Shepard had during his first spaceflight.
Flight Timeline:
The plane does parabolas in groups, with short breaks in between. You can rest and grab some water during those pauses.
After landing, everyone celebrates with a champagne toast and gets a flight completion pin. You also get access to your recorded flight experience.
The whole day, from check-in to departure, takes about 5 hours. After landing, you can review flight profile data showing speed and altitude changes.
Parabolic flights follow strict FAA Part 121 airline safety standards. Providers also focus on motion sickness management and health screening for every passenger. Most flights have a minimum age of 8, and medical clearance is needed in some cases.
The FAA requires parabolic flight operators to meet Part 121 safety standards—the same ones that big airlines like Delta and Southwest follow. This certification ensures the highest safety measures in commercial aviation.
ZERO-G Corporation has a perfect safety record after more than 850 flights and 22,000 passengers. Their modified Boeing 727-200 always stays within manufacturer limits, handling forces from -0.1 G to 2.5 G during parabolas.
Engineers install closed hydraulic systems and special cockpit accelerometers in the aircraft. These help pilots track flight paths and keep control during weightless phases.
The plane features a 90-foot padded corridor so passengers can float safely. Crews remove standard seats and add padding throughout to protect everyone.
Experienced test pilots fly these planes. They go through extensive parabolic flight training before taking the controls on commercial flights.
About 30% of first-timers feel some motion sickness during parabolic flights. The old NASA training planes got the “vomit comet” nickname for a reason.
Modern operators use better prep to limit nausea. Passengers get light breakfasts and are told to avoid heavy foods before flying.
Ways to prevent motion sickness:
Flight crews teach you to move slowly in zero gravity. Quick moves or jerky motions can make you feel worse.
Passengers learn to focus on fixed points in the cabin during gravity changes. That helps your inner ear adjust.
Most providers let kids as young as 8 fly with an adult. Children must meet the same health requirements as adults.
Passengers fill out medical questionnaires before booking. If you have a heart condition, are pregnant, or had recent surgery, you’ll need a doctor’s approval.
Common health restrictions:
Providers try to accommodate passengers with disabilities. Modified procedures help keep everyone safe during weightless periods.
Blood pressure and cardiovascular changes happen naturally in zero gravity, but most healthy people handle these short changes just fine during the 30-second floating windows.
Parabolic flights have different price tiers depending on group size and flight type. Most providers ask you to book in advance and follow specific steps to reserve your spot.
Individual seats on public flights cost $8,900 plus tax. That covers 15 parabolic maneuvers and gives you about 7.5 minutes of total weightlessness.
The package includes a Zero-G flight suit, merchandise, a completion pin, and a champagne toast. You also get professional photos and videos of your flight.
Groups can book half-plane sections starting at $116,000 plus tax for up to 14 people. This comes with a dedicated floating zone and a photographer just for your group.
Full private flights cost $259,000 plus tax for exclusive use of the plane. You can bring up to 28 passengers and customize the whole experience.
All packages include the same 15 parabolic arcs, each with roughly 30 seconds of weightlessness.
Discounts are available if you book more than 60 days in advance. You should also budget for travel to departure cities and any hotel stays.
Booking a parabolic flight takes some advance planning—seats go fast. Zero-G runs flights from select US cities, and their schedules are pretty limited throughout the year.
Most companies let you reserve directly through their official sites. You might find payment plans for single seats, but private flights usually mean paying in full or putting down a hefty deposit.
You’ll need to fill out medical clearance forms before flight day. Participants just have to meet basic health requirements—nothing wild, just similar to what airlines want.
Age limits are in place. Most companies take passengers eight years and up, but kids under 14 need an adult with them during the flight.
Flight dates can shift thanks to weather or aircraft availability. Providers usually let you reschedule if weather cancels your plans, and they don’t hit you with penalties for that.
Once you’re confirmed, you’ll get detailed pre-flight instructions, including what to eat and how to prep for the weightless experience. They’ll also give you tips on avoiding motion sickness.
Entertainment and marketing companies jump at the chance to use parabolic flights for eye-catching content and memorable brand experiences. These flights create unique filming environments you just can’t fake on the ground.
TV networks and film crews often charter parabolic flights to get shots you literally can’t capture with special effects. The weightlessness lets directors pull off visuals that just aren’t possible in a studio.
Zero Gravity Corporation offers dedicated charters for media projects. They make room for film teams and all their gear during those 20-30 seconds of weightlessness on each parabola.
Music video producers have jumped on board, too, using these flights for some seriously cool visuals. The inside of the aircraft gives performers a safe space to float and move in ways that really grab the audience.
Big-name productions have filmed on these flights—think network TV and big-budget commercials. The tight quarters mean you’ve got to plan carefully and keep your equipment compact.
Production teams usually need several parabolas to get enough footage. Each weightless stretch lasts about 22 seconds, so timing and coordination matter a lot.
Companies love parabolic flights for product launches or wild marketing stunts that grab headlines. Zero gravity just makes for an experience you can’t get anywhere else.
Corporate clients can charter flights starting at $4,500 for special projects or demos. Brands get to show off products in ways that really stand out and make for great social content.
R&D teams sometimes hop on these flights to test products in microgravity, even during marketing events. It’s a win-win: promotion and real-world testing all at once.
Event planners sometimes build parabolic flights into exclusive corporate events. Companies bring small groups for team building or customer appreciation, all while floating weightlessly.
Flights can handle special equipment for product shoots or demos. Companies often pair these flights with events on the ground at nearby spaceports to create bigger campaigns.
Parabolic flights open the door to space tourism, giving regular folks their first taste of weightlessness before they shell out for suborbital or orbital trips. These zero-gravity flights light a spark in the next generation of space fans and help build trust in commercial space travel.
Parabolic flights serve as practice runs for commercial space tourism. Companies like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin actually suggest these flights to help customers get used to weightlessness before their suborbital adventures.
The market for parabolic flight tourism is booming. Industry forecasts say it’ll grow from $39.7 billion in 2025 to $424.1 billion by 2034, all thanks to rising interest in space travel.
Zero Gravity Corporation leads the US market with their customized Boeing 727s. Their flights offer 15 periods of weightlessness, each about 20-30 seconds—pretty close to what you’d get on a Virgin Galactic suborbital flight.
Cost is a big factor. Parabolic flights run about $5,400 per person, way less than the $450,000 price tag for a suborbital ticket. That lower price lets more people try out zero gravity.
Space tourism companies use parabolic flights in their customer prep programs. Blue Origin puts crews through these flights for training. SpaceX does similar zero-G training for Crew Dragon passengers.
Parabolic flights turn participants into space tourism ambassadors. Plenty of people book suborbital flights after floating in zero gravity on a parabolic trip. That’s how the customer base for space companies keeps growing.
Educational programs tap into parabolic flights to get students excited about STEM. In 2024, NASA’s Flight Opportunities program tested over 30 technologies on these flights, giving young researchers hands-on experience in space-related fields.
These flights prove that space experiences aren’t just for astronauts. Participants range from teens to folks in their 80s, showing that space tourism is becoming more accessible for everyone.
Social media takes the inspiration even further. Videos and photos from these flights rack up millions of views, helping make civilian space travel feel normal.
Space tourism companies watch how often parabolic flyers move on to book actual space trips. Virgin Galactic says 40% of their suborbital customers first tried weightlessness on parabolic flights. That’s a pretty convincing case for the “gateway” effect of zero-G.
Parabolic flights cost anywhere from $8,900 for a single seat up to $259,000 for a private charter. The weightless part lasts about 30 seconds per arc, with 15 maneuvers in total.
Flights operate out of major US cities and follow strict safety rules, with pro crews guiding you every step of the way.
ZERO-G Corporation charges $8,900 plus tax for a single seat on commercial flights. That covers the flight experience, training, a flight suit, and a post-flight celebration.
Private group flights cost a lot more. You’ll pay $116,000 plus tax for a half-plane charter for up to 14 people, or $259,000 plus tax for a full plane with up to 28 passengers.
The whole experience takes about five hours from check-in to the end celebration. Passengers get pro photos, videos, a certificate, and a commemorative pin.
You might pay extra for travel to the departure city or for souvenirs. ZERO-G runs flights from Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, Kennedy Space Center, and rotates through cities like Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and DC.
Pilots fly modified Boeing 727-200s in a series of precise parabolic arcs to create weightlessness. They climb sharply to about 45 degrees from 24,000 to 32,000 feet.
At the top, the pilots push the plane into a controlled dive along a parabolic path. Everything inside falls at the same rate, so you get to float—real weightlessness, not a trick.
During the climb, you feel 1.8 times normal gravity. Once the weightless phase starts, you can float in a 90-foot padded cabin for 20 to 30 seconds.
Pilots keep the g-forces between 0 and 2.5 G for safety. They use special cockpit accelerometers to monitor the flight path and keep things smooth.
Each flight has 15 parabolic arcs. The plane flies level between them so you can get ready for the next round.
Anyone from the general public can sign up for a commercial zero gravity flight. ZERO-G is the only FAA-approved company running regular flights in the US.
Kids as young as 8 can join if an adult comes along. You just need to meet basic health requirements—no astronaut-level fitness needed.
You’ll need to book in advance through the company’s website or an authorized agent. Popular cities and dates sell out fast, especially around holidays.
Some medical conditions—heart problems, pregnancy, recent surgery—can keep you from flying. The company asks for health info during booking.
No flight experience required. The crew handles all the training and safety instructions on flight day.
ZERO-G has kept a perfect safety record over 850+ flights and 22,000 passengers. The FAA holds them to strict commercial aviation standards.
Engineers have outfitted the Boeing 727-200s with special safety systems for parabolic flight. Closed hydraulic systems help keep control during weightless periods.
Professional flight crews train extensively for parabolic operations. Certified attendants walk you through safety steps and help out during zero gravity.
The cabin is padded to cut down on bumps and bruises. Passengers get clear instructions on how to float and move to avoid collisions.
You’ll get a safety briefing before takeoff, covering how to float and what to do in an emergency. Medical staff and gear are always on hand during the flight.
ZERO-G runs flights year-round from three main hubs: Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, and Kennedy Space Center.
They also rotate through cities like Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and DC during the year.
Flight schedules depend on the city and season. Las Vegas usually has more flights, while other cities might offer only a few dates.
People travel from all over the US to catch these flights. Some even combine the experience with a vacation.
International travelers often come to the US just for these flights. The company works with them to make sure paperwork and plans are squared away ahead of time.
Each parabolic arc gives you around 20 to 30 seconds of continuous weightlessness.
Standard commercial flights usually run 15 parabolic maneuvers, so you get about 7.5 minutes total to float around.
The full flight experience takes roughly 90 minutes from takeoff to landing.
Only the parabolic parts of the flight actually create that weightless feeling.
Between those moments, passengers feel brief bursts of increased gravity as the plane climbs.
The aircraft flies level between parabolas, giving everyone a chance to catch their breath and get ready for the next one.
Some flights even mix things up with reduced gravity to simulate Mars or the Moon.
Modified parabolas can mimic one-third of Earth’s gravity for Mars, or one-sixth for a lunar vibe.
From check-in to the post-flight celebration, the whole experience stretches out to about five hours.
That covers safety training, the flight itself, and—of course—the champagne celebration when you’re back on the ground.
