[4] While the facility was projected to open by the end of 2002 with the Museum of Flight managing it, lack of approval by the latter's board directors over funding delayed construction, which did not start until November 2004 under the supervision of Howard S. Wright Companies; a 102-room Hilton Garden Inn hotel was built alongside the facility.

[4][3] The initial name was intended for temporary use during the campaign for supporting and funding the museum; a lengthy naming process culminated in the county council's unanimous approval to rename the facility as the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour on December 9, 2004.

Boeing also started charging for visits to the observation deck, which was previously free to visitors under the Institute of Flight.

[citation needed] The tour was suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed October 2023; during the reopening of the museum, it was replaced by a 45-minute documentary.

There is a separate Future of Flight store next to it, selling many more traditional Pacific Northwest gift shop items, including foodstuffs.