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Key people at iFLY Indoor Skydiving.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving develops and operates vertical wind tunnels, offering simulated freefall experiences. The core product provides the sensation of skydiving within a safe, controlled indoor environment, accessible to many. Their technology creates a stable, powerful column of air, enabling individuals to experience human flight without aircraft or parachutes.
Alan Metni founded the company in 1998, driven by an ambition to make the dream of flight widely accessible. Metni, a former lawyer, saw the potential to adapt vertical wind tunnel technology, traditionally for skydiver training, into a mainstream recreational activity. His vision was to bring the thrill of freefall to the general public.
iFLY serves a broad customer base, from novices and families to seasoned skydivers. It also hosts group events and educational programs. The company’s vision centers on expanding global access to the joy of flight, delivering exhilarating and memorable experiences that foster a connection to aviation for millions worldwide.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving is a leading experiential entertainment company that pioneered modern indoor skydiving through vertical wind tunnels simulating freefall, serving families, thrill-seekers, corporate groups, and educational programs worldwide.[1][2][4] Headquartered in Austin, Texas, it operates over 80 company-owned and franchise locations across 13+ countries, with estimated annual revenues of $128.4 million driven by a scalable franchise model averaging $2.42 million per location and 15% operating margins.[2][3] The company solves accessibility barriers to skydiving by offering safe, weather-independent flights for all ages and abilities, including STEM education, All Abilities nights, and pro-flyer training, having flown over 8 million people.[1][2][4]
Founded in 1998 by Alan Metni, who left a lucrative legal career to pursue human flight innovation, iFLY developed patented wind tunnel technology for stable, wall-to-wall airflow, opening its first facility in 1999.[1][4] Metni's vision transformed skydiving from a high-risk outdoor activity into a reliable indoor experience, quickly expanding to military applications in the U.S., Spain, Brazil, Egypt, and Qatar.[1] Early traction came from franchising partnerships, like the 2010 iFLY Seattle launch, evolving into a global network with over 100 wind tunnels today under leaders like CEO Matt Ryan and board members including Simon Ward.[3][4][5]
iFLY rides the experiential entertainment boom, blending adventure tech with family leisure amid rising demand for immersive, Instagram-worthy activities post-pandemic.[1][2] Its timing leverages vertical wind tunnel innovation—first commercialized in 1999—capitalizing on market forces like tourism recovery and franchise scalability in the $128M+ consumer discretionary sector.[2][3] By fostering STEM education and pro-flyer communities, iFLY influences ecosystems beyond entertainment, inspiring engineering talent and partnering with nonprofits for accessibility, while expanding into high-growth regions like China and Latin America.[1][4][5]
iFLY's momentum—building 22 new tunnels amid 15% margins—positions it for accelerated global dominance in indoor skydiving, potentially surpassing 100 active sites soon.[1][2] Trends like experiential tourism, inclusive tech, and franchise tech stacks will propel growth, with military and education verticals adding resilience against economic pressures.[2][4] Its influence may evolve into a full-spectrum flight ecosystem, from consumer thrills to elite training, redefining accessible adventure as Metni's original dream scales worldwide.[1][4]
Key people at iFLY Indoor Skydiving.
