X-Flight Review, Six Flags Great America Bolliger & Mabillard Wing Coaster | Most Underrated Wing

[@Random_Eebs]

holy crap im a massive aviation nerd and coaster enthusiast from chicago and i had no idea the near miss was from the airport. that is insanely cool to me

[@CanobieCoaster]

I only learned that recently.

[@AirtimeProductions]

It’s very underrated for sure and yeah that heart line roll is amazing! This season it has gotten extremely bouncy on the outside back seats making it kinda painful but other than that it’s a great ride and it needs to be talked about more

[@CanobieCoaster]

I always ride on the inside.

[@ThemeParkAvenue]

I’m with you. It is extremely fun and honestly it’s in my top 3 at the park. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful coasters in the world.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is photogenic.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Just when I thought nobody could beat my take of having American eagle 3rd at the park....

[@ThemeParkAvenue]

@@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od American Eagle is awesome so that’s fair.

[@ianm.l.curless]

This ride is at my home park and I honestly forget just how fun it is everytime I go. It's very much overshadowed by the other B&M's in the park

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a great ride.

[@jtwoolley]

i love the penguin singing jazz arrangement on slinky dog dash

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's cute.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

I do think that all B&M wing coasters are very underrated. I'm a huge fan of them. The others run quite smooth, although X Flight can ride a little shaky. It hasn't bothered me though. I like it far more than most enthusiasts do.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I just ride on the inside.

[@omarnoble4788]

The theming looks pretty great for a Six Flags park. The control tower and water feature look really nice and the paint scheme is great.

[@CanobieCoaster]

They do.

[@josephqualtier961]

I feel like great America over the years has been improving visually. The New Orleans area and county fair areas could definitely use some love but the southeast area and the dc area especially are looking pretty great

[@justarandomhuman8784]

one near miss on this ride nobody talks about, because it's only available on a couple seats, is the helix into the breaks, the only seats that get this near miss are the outsides of the right part of the train. You are so close to the ground, that it feels like if you reach out to the ground, your wrist would break. I would recommend checking it out, It is terrifying.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That is a good near-miss.

[@sostitanic6102]

Six Flags Great America is my home theme park and X Flight is in my top 5 favorite roller coasters of Six Flags Great America. So every time I go to this park X Flight is always a must ride roller coaster for me.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@Joypyf]

The head choppers are amazing!! It’s forceful but short and can be shaky. I hate these vests tho

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't mind the vests on non-airtime based rides.

[@denone5327]

Nice review! I had no idea the control tower was an actual tower from O’Hare. That’s really cool. I really like the keyhole elements on this coaster. Also, no mention of the combo drill sergeant / surfer dude on the in-station audio? 😆

[@CanobieCoaster]

That audio is nice!

[@Danrarbc]

A) I've always thought this layout was designed for easy cloning. It does look great in this spot but the ride itself seems to align most of the low points to the same height and it's pretty compact. The most-custom part of it is the shape keeps it between the midway and the ending of Demon. It's actually less 'custom' to the area than Batman. Shame Six Flags went through a transition or I do think we'd have seen more (I also doubt they'd have stopped at 3 Supermen without that transition). B) Great America really needs to rekindle their relationship with B&M and I'm flabbergasted the first Six Flags dive didn't end up here (BTW that looks pretty cloneable too).

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wouldn't be surprised if this layout eventually gets cloned.

[@Willrocs]

I rode this for the first time this year and it had me smiling and laughing the whole way through . It’s a great ride along with Maxx Force which I also had a ton of fun on the launch is unbelievable

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@DanielBlaney]

One of the things that makes wing coasters not attractive to parks is that they require nearly double the staff as you have to have staff for each side.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's true, but they can sometimes have just 1 employee per side.

[@appalachianenthusiast9499]

When talking about the future B&Ms at SF parks, I think Six Flags America needs to be discussed. Imagine a Baron-sized Dive between Ride of Steel and Batwing with SFFT-level theming.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That would be sweet.

[@deluxedoorman]

I love the aesthetic of this ride but the overall experience of gatekeeper I think I like more (I might like wild eagle slightly more as well)

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's fair.

[@williamhoward9121]

Definitely looks better than Swarm. The inline twist is longer, layout a but longer. But the swarms theming is completely nuts.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I take this over Swarm.

[@williamhoward9121]

@@CanobieCoaster You said something about the front row not being amazing, but on Swarm in the front row on a colder day, when I got to the brake run my eyes were watering, view was great, there was a light fog, and I recorded it to go up to 4.2g.

[@rollercoasterheaven2170]

The ending near missed actually freaked me out and I’m sure if someone has long arms they could touch it if they really wanted to

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love the near misses.

[@maxhagenauer24]

X Flight, my home parks B&M Wing. I really do love this thing a lot. It is so unique compared to every wing coaster. I feel like every B&M Wing has something about it that's different and stands out. They each do something better than the others in some category. Gatekeepers is about the big height and speed and out and back layout over the entrance. Wild Eagle is about that mountain setting. Thunderbird os probably the most intense with the launch. Then you have X Flight which I'd about a compact layout with near misses. This is all about the near misses and perfect for those who don't like intense inversions. The in line twist through the tower is so cool and you get so close. Also the vests on this one are A LOT less tight than Gatekeepers.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree this ride has those awesome near-misses.

[@michaeltaylor1603]

These trains are so massive and graceful in the inversions. B&M KING of head & feet "choppers" and showmanship. On a patent for a roller coaster it's called a gravity inclined scenic railway. I'm sure back then it was never conceived the heights, speeds & cRaZy inversions. Also, as a bonus answer I'll for B&M Grand Standing or Showboating!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love the near misses.

[@micoasters]

This is the coaster that got me over my fear of coasters and inversions, it will always have a place in my heart and my top 25. Also did you know the name from six flags world of adventures vekoma Flying Dutchman later known as fire hawk at kings island was reused for this ride

[@CanobieCoaster]

I did. Six Flags Mexico also uses the name for their skycoaster.

[@Gizmo_24]

When I rode The Inversions were smooth and the drop was intense overall rating 9/10

[@CanobieCoaster]

Fun ride!

[@Gizmo_24]

@@CanobieCoasterI Agree

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

I’ve only ridden Gatekeeper and Wild Eagle and I don’t remember the vests being uncomfortable

[@CanobieCoaster]

Wild Eagle's vests were modified in later years. I think GateKeeper's may have too.

[@jasonparkhurst7947]

Hank Salemi (RIP) stated in 2012 at the X-Flight Media Day that the supports directly after the tower near miss were painted in a "yellow jacket" scheme so that the riders world notice the head chopper more.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's a nice touch.

[@mdf3530]

I still pull my feet in going through the base of the tower. One thing I like about it is the theming. I like that they themed it to mechanical flight instead of a bird. I have to ride it in row 4. That's for the larger people like me.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is a cool theme.

[@troublenyc4092]

Cool review! X Flight has always looked like a fun coaster, hopefully the family and I can get it together and head over to that part of the country 👍🏼

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hopefully!

[@bluetomato2184]

This is actually my 2nd favourite wing coaster, nothing will top Fenix though!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Fenix is great!

[@collinparsons3363]

Six Flags started to spend more money on single attractions in 2019 with West Coast Racers and Maxx Force. I read that Maxx Force actually cost more than Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger. Seems like X-Flight had a similar pricetag. I think Discovery Kingdom could be a good fit for a wing coaster if they remove The Flash, since they could put it over the entrance like Gatekeeper.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like the approach of spending a bit more on bigger coasters myself.

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

Hey, Canobie Coaster! I got to ride on the right wing in the front seat!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@jonny-b4954]

4:15 Yeah, B&M needs to stiffen up the support for the seats. Make it a thicker steel plate or something.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Maybe!

[@George_bonnaire]

I wish six flags had built more wing coasters too. I still haven’t been on one yet

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too.

[@BlizzardDaPup777]

I rode this on October 3rd. It was my first wing coaster and I thought it was absolutely fantastic and the restraints didn't bother me in fact I rather enjoyed it because I felt secure but I could still move around and feel the forces. 4.5/5. Not exactly sure what I would do to make it better besides make it taller maybe.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a solid ride.

[@uprightdownright]

Can’t believe I’m early to one of your videos! Your videos are awesome, keep up the great work!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks! Will do!

[@supremefan]

It's a smooth fun coaster, but it feels slow the entire time to me. I think I prefer Dollywood's faster version, or gatekeeper. Haven't ridden any other wing coasters yet but excited to try Holiday Worlds soon.

[@CanobieCoaster]

This one isn't a speed demon.

[@jtwoolley]

cool roller coaster. i have been here and rode this. it has the same color as x2.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@mackenziefritz8169]

I give X-Flight a 6.5. The wing over drop and inline twist are both excellent highlights, and I enjoy the theming and headchoppers. However I couldn't fully enjoy the ride due to it's horrendous tight vest restraints, and I didn't feel like the rest of the layout stood out to me. If the vests were updated like they were on Wild Eagle, I think I would enjoy this coaster a lot more

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish the vests were more forgiving too.

[@davidborik3475]

I went to great america on the 4th of july this year and their were not many people especially x flight. We rode like 5 times and the wait was no more than 10 minutes at most. The longest lines were for joker and goliath and that at most was like 20 minutes

[@CanobieCoaster]

Six Flags parks have been surprisingly quiet this year.

[@rollercoasterheaven2170]

This and Raging Bull were quite shaky not sure why but Superman and Batman were pretty smooth though I rode front row on these

[@CanobieCoaster]

Raging Bull has a shake, but I still find it mostly smooth. This is smooth on inside seats for me.

[@clairefunnell8481]

Looks fun and cool. I'd ride this.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is fun.

[@Paolo8772]

I didn't like X- flight as much as I liked Raging Bull in the back row, but I did like it almost as much as I liked Goliath in the back car and I preferred it to Maxx Force. I've only ridden 3 B&M wing coasters: Gatekeeper, Swarm and X flight. Swarm was the best coaster at Thorpe Park and it was the worst of the three B&M wing coasters I've ridden. On average I find the prime ride time of X flight to be better than Gatekeeper, but I think I generally prefer Gatekeeper overall because it's much longer in track length, has a bigger drop, has a bigger top speed and has a bigger prime ride time duration. I prefer the back rows in all three and I think I prefer the left side on the two American B&M wing coasters I've ridden overall but both sides have advantages with not only near misses but also forces as well. However: on Swarm I found that it's imperative to ride on the right side in the back in order to get a decent amount of forces.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I need to reride Swarm. I was limited to one ride due to lines when I was at Thorpe.

[@Paolo8772]

@@CanobieCoaster Remember: right back row. ;)

[@ianmortimer5325]

We will see more B&M Wings coasters in the "new" Six Flags company.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope so.

[@gemmachaos]

Wing coasters are underrated anyway. I loved Flüg der Daemonen, which is another one no one seems to talk about. General consensus seems to favour Fénix but, home park bias be damned, I think FdD is better.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love that one.

[@masoncoastereview9854]

Canobe we’re you there on the 6th and also we’re you on the first run with people i went in the back row it give some hangtime on the drop and I also didn’t pass out

[@CanobieCoaster]

This footage was from a year ago.

[@frostycoasters1606]

I just got off of that because I’m at Great America right now

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@justiceleaguebattleformetr9239]

I prefer X-Flight over Raging Bull

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Raging Bull in the back.

[@noname117spore]

Front row right side all the way, just for the inline twist.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Great visuals!

[@annaqzxo1]

Do you know if it's still red because I'm going there for my birthday on the 19th

[@annaqzxo1]

The 19th I'm going to Canobie Lake Park do you still know if it is red because I want to go on it for my birthday and that is in a few weeks

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes it is.

[@uprightdownright]

The only b&m ive ridden is batman at sfne, i’ll be going on candimonium soon- would you say its a more intense hyper than superman (sfne)?

[@michaelkeehan8094]

B&M Hypers like Candymonium are more graceful, focusing on floater airtime, so most likely no.

[@uprightdownright]

@@michaelkeehan8094 Thanks for letting me know!

[@troublenyc4092]

@@michaelkeehan8094 Completely accurate statement. B&M have some of the most graceful and sustained airtime moments on the planet! Intamin hypers and gigas pack in some surprisingly forceful ejector as well… but everyone knows that RMC are the kings of airtime! From light floater to intense ejector, ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONSTRUCTION has laid its claim to being the reigning champs of every element on the coaster spectrum! Hopefully they just keep getting better and pushing the boundaries as far as they absolutely can! (Keeping safety as the highest priority obviously 🤘🏼)

[@uprightdownright]

@@troublenyc4092 Wicked Cyclone (RMC) is an airtime beast and is by far one of the best coasters ive ever ridden.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Candymonium has more sustained floater airtime than Superman, but I'd say Superman is more intense.

[@dytamic]

i will never undestand how some people manage to call heartline rolls inline twists

[@CanobieCoaster]

I admittedly use them interchangeably sometimes.

[@tdog8600]

This is an inline twist on this coaster. Heartline rolls are typically a quicker inversion and they’re different. Also, a heartline roll on a wing coaster is impossible because of how you’re on the outside of the track.

[@elizabethmones594]

i always thought parrot was underrated

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish I could ride that one.

[@alexkoehler2001]

I just went on that

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@jtwoolley]

I just want to feel this moment by pitbull ft chrisrina aguilera.Listen to it.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've heard that song.

[@jtwoolley]

@@CanobieCoaster isit good

[@upsidedown_]

Tbh this looks like the best wing in America, the others just don't do the wing coaster tricks.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It definitely uses the seating style well.

[@antonytsai6611]

swarm is kinda underrated too the layout is great but nomody cares about it

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish I got more rides on it when I was at Thorpe.

[@antonytsai6611]

@@CanobieCoaster it’s a great ride

[@jtwoolley]

i been on dis

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too.

[@jtwoolley]

would you watch me play at a jazz concert if you could? I'm also a professional jazz pianist.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm not a big jazz fan, but I hope the concert goes well!

[@amusementevents4087]

X-Flight > Gatekeeper

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer GateKeeper.

[@amusementevents4087]

@@CanobieCoaster haha yes like most people I feel like. But cedar point is my home park and still whenever I go to six flags great America I just like the theme and the ride more idk. Maybe I’m just a sucker for the theming on it. All though I’ve been on gatekeeper a lot more recently and I think I just love wing roller coasters in general and flying Dutch coasters I think there called. the flying concept and near misses and the theming they put into some of them is good and it makes the experience more fun then just a typical coaster imo

[@ErikWestcot]

I wasn't a fan of this one. Definitely prefer Thunderbird, Gatekeeper and Wild Eagle

[@CanobieCoaster]

Was it the vests?

[@ErikWestcot]

@@CanobieCoaster The vests were kind of uncomfortable, but the layout just wasn't my favorite. Maybe it was my overall experience with SFGrAm and the setting. The keyhole element and near-misses are cool though. I guess I prefer Thunderbird for the launch, Gatekeeper for the setting and Wild Eagle for the terrain. :)

[@coastercloudy]

I heard this is the weakess of them do u agree

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like it.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

In Canobie Coaster's reviews of rides and roller coasters, there are numbers of rating from 0 to 10, which mean if do you like the ride or not. For example, imagine three similar coasters from the same model, giving one a 7 out of 10, the second an 8 out of 10, and the latter a 9 out of 10. What are the differences between 7, 8, and 9? What do you think, Canobie Coaster?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Good to great to excellent.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

The differences between 7, 8, and 9, on roller coasters in the world, are: 7 is... 8 is... 9 is...

[@CanobieCoaster]

Good, great, excellent