Ever eaten inside a plane? Not just any plane—a real KC-97 Air Force tanker.
The Airplane Restaurant in Colorado Springs turns dining into a full-on adventure. Step past the entrance and find yourself inside a historic aircraft, wings stretching out, cockpit gleaming, and every seat a front-row view to aviation history.
The food is comfortingly familiar, with burgers, sandwiches, and hearty plates that satisfy while your imagination soars. Kids stare wide-eyed, adults snap photos, and everyone feels a little like a pilot ready for takeoff.
It’s not just a meal—it’s a story, a memory, a quirky Colorado experience you won’t forget. Between bites, you can explore the plane, peek into the cockpit, and soak in the thrill of dining somewhere you never thought possible.
At The Airplane Restaurant, every lunch or dinner comes with a side of history—and a little bit of awe.
History of the Boeing KC-97 on Site
The star of the show is a genuine Boeing KC-97, a Cold War era air refueling tanker that once supported long range missions. You can feel the aircraft’s scale as you step through the fuselage door and take in the ribbed walls and porthole windows.
It is not just decor, it is a preserved artifact that sets the scene.
Placards, photographs, and uniform displays give quick context to how the KC-97 worked as a flying gas station. If you love aviation, you will appreciate the refueling boom stories and the plane’s service links to the Air Force and Texas Air National Guard.
It is a rare chance to connect dinner with history.
Beyond trivia, there is texture everywhere. Aluminum panels gleam under soft lighting, and the aisle is narrow like an old airliner’s.
Seating feels cozy, so plan for tight quarters and friendly neighbor chatter.
Before you leave, explore the exterior wing that extends into the building and peek at the boom area. Snap a photo by the nose for scale.
The KC-97 makes this restaurant more than a themed stop, it is Colorado Springs aviation heritage on a plate.
How to Get a Seat Inside the Plane
If dining in the fuselage is your goal, timing matters. The restaurant opens at 11 AM most days, and early arrivals have the best shot at a booth inside.
Evenings and weekends fill quickly, so expect a wait and do not be shy about requesting plane seating.
Tell the host you want the aircraft section and be patient. Parties of four usually fit booths best due to space constraints.
Larger groups may be directed to the adjacent dining room, which is still packed with memorabilia and has fireplaces for a cozy vibe.
For families with strollers or high chairs, the main room can be easier to navigate. The aisles in the KC-97 are narrow, and movement feels snug when it is busy.
You can still visit the cockpit for photos no matter where you sit.
Call ahead for current wait times and to confirm hours since the schedule runs 11 AM to 8 PM most days and to 9 PM on Friday and Saturday. If you miss out, do dessert in the plane after your meal.
With a little flexibility, you will still get the immersive experience.
Navigating the Menu and Popular Dishes
The menu leans classic American comfort with burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and big shareable appetizers. Guests often call out the Bomber burger, guacamole burger, and those signature thick cut fries that eat like crispy potato slices.
Portions are generous, so splitting starters is smart.
There are Colorado touches like bison options, including a bison Reuben that locals recommend when available. Steak lovers find reliable medium rare execution, while baked spaghetti surprises with a peppery, sausage loaded profile.
For something lighter, grilled chicken and salads keep things balanced without losing flavor.
Kids are well covered with a friendly menu and easy sides. Tenders, quesadillas, and simple burgers land fast, and the atmosphere keeps young aviation fans entertained.
Ask for Cholula if you want a kick, it is available on request.
Save room for dessert because cheesecake shows up in rave reviews, especially salted caramel on birthday nights. Prices sit in the mid range, fair for the novelty and portion size.
If you are visiting after the National Museum of World War II Aviation, consider an early dinner to beat the rush and enjoy the cockpit without the crowd.
Service, Vibes, and Uniforms
Staff lean into the theme with flight inspired uniforms and upbeat patter that keeps the experience playful. Hosts sometimes share quick history as they walk you past the wing and up into the fuselage.
It feels part diner, part neighborhood spot, part museum tour.
Expect warm greetings and some delays during peak hours. Multiple reviews mention friendly servers who communicate well when the kitchen is backed up.
If something goes sideways, staff and the owner are known to check in and make it right.
The soundtrack includes a humorous surprise in the restrooms where engine sounds rumble like a mock takeoff. Kids crack up, adults do too.
It is the kind of detail that turns dinner into a field trip.
On busy nights, noise levels rise and booths sit close together. That can be lively or cramped depending on your mood.
Either way, the service culture shines, keeping the experience personable, informative, and photo ready from the jetway to the check.
Kid Friendly Highlights and Family Tips
Bring the kids. This place is built for curiosity with an open cockpit you can peek into for photos and pretend pilot moments.
Seating inside the plane is exciting, but the aisles are tight, so families with babies or high chairs do better in the main dining room.
Order shareables to keep everyone happy while you explore the displays. The say cheese sticks, chicken tenders, and thick fries are reliable crowd pleasers.
Servers are used to little copilots and help pace the meal so you can explore between courses.
Plan for a quick cockpit visit after you order or when the check is on its way. You will beat the line and keep the day flowing.
If the plane section is full, tell the kids they can still climb aboard for photos anytime.
For birthdays, mention the celebration and ask about dessert perks. The salted caramel cheesecake has fans and makes an easy candle moment.
With thoughtful timing and seat selection, you will maximize fun and minimize stress, turning lunch into a memory worth framing.
What To Expect From the Food
Most guests come for the plane and leave pleasantly full. The food hits the comfortable middle ground, more like solid bar and grill than chef driven destination.
That is perfect for a themed spot where portions, predictability, and a few standouts matter most.
Burgers are the safest bet, especially the Bomber and guacamole options, with the fries stealing the show. Steaks surprise in value and execution when ordered medium rare, and fish and chips or salmon can be hit or miss.
If you like hearty plates, the baked spaghetti delivers a nostalgic, saucy pile of comfort.
Prices are mid range, with enough value to justify the experience. Drinks lean casual, and dessert finishes strong with cheesecake variations that please a crowd.
Kids meals are generous and easy to split.
Overall, think reliable classics that fuel a museum like outing. You are paying for an immersive airplane setting plus a satisfying meal, not fine dining.
Walk in with that mindset, and you will be grinning by the time you reach the cockpit.
Best Times, Hours, and Logistics
The Airplane Restaurant operates daily with core hours from 11 AM to 8 PM and extended to 9 PM on Friday and Saturday. Peak waits stack up on weekends and school breaks, especially for the plane.
Aim for early lunch or late afternoon if your priority is sitting in the fuselage.
Located at 1665 Newport Rd near Colorado Springs Airport, the spot is convenient after flights or a visit to the National Museum of World War II Aviation. Parking is straightforward, and the entrance is easy to spot thanks to the aircraft parked outside.
Call +1 719-570-7656 for day of questions.
Budget for $$ pricing and consider splitting large plates. If you are celebrating, mention it to your server at the start.
They are happy to personalize the moment and steer you toward popular items.
Check the website for any updates before you go. Weather rarely affects operations, but big events in town can.
With a flexible plan, you will breeze from the lot to your booth like a smooth taxi to runway.
Nearby Pairings and Itinerary Ideas
Make it a full aviation day by pairing lunch with the National Museum of World War II Aviation just minutes away. The timing works perfectly: museum in the morning, then grab an early table inside the plane at 11 AM.
You will ride the momentum of stories and exhibits straight into your booth.
The restaurant’s airport side location also makes it an easy stop before or after flights. If you are staying at the nearby Radisson, this becomes an effortless dinner.
You can pop over for a late afternoon snack and cockpit photos without planning a long outing.
Not into museums. Consider a stroll at nearby parks or a quick drive to downtown Colorado Springs for coffee after dessert.
The KC-97 still anchors the day with a unique twist.
No matter the schedule, bookend your visit with exterior photos under Colorado skies. The plane’s profile is striking at golden hour.
With smart timing, you will turn a meal into a themed mini adventure.
Is It Worth It
Short answer, yes, especially if you or your crew loves aviation or quirky Americana. The Airplane Restaurant pairs a legit piece of Air Force history with friendly service and satisfying comfort food.
You are buying an experience that sticks long after the check is paid.
Is every plate perfect. Not always, and that is fine if you set the right expectations.
Treat it like a fun themed diner with museum energy, not a white tablecloth destination. The fries and burgers will make you smile, and the cockpit seals the deal.
Families, date nights, and out of town guests all win here. The uniforms, placards, and cockpit interlude create a story you will retell.
Even the engine sounds in the restroom become part of the lore.
Go early, request the plane, and lean into the novelty. You will leave with photos, full bellies, and a new appreciation for the KC-97’s place in aviation history.
For Colorado Springs, it is a must do at least once.
A Quick-Study Guide To The Plane You Are Sitting In
Before you tuck into fries, take a minute to decode the KC-97 around you. It is the tanker variant of Boeing’s Stratofreighter, with that distinctive double-bubble fuselage.
Look for refueling gear references and placards that explain the aircraft’s mission.
Notice how the wing root bulges into the cabin curve, revealing cargo-first engineering. The cockpit’s analog cluster tells a story of altitude, fuel flow, and troubleshooting without screens.
You are basically inside a flying gas station that kept Cold War aircraft aloft.
Scan for maintenance panels and inspection ports along the aisle. Rivet patterns reveal stress paths and repairs.
Those subtle scuffs are time’s fingerprints.
Bring curiosity, not jargon. Read the displayed snippets, then connect them to what you see under your elbow.
You will leave with new appreciation for purposeful design.