Players choose a scenario, select an airline headquarters, and compete with up to three rival companies. The main objective is to grow the carrier and achieve the scenario’s success conditions before the time limit or competitors do.

Routes connect cities across a world map. Players purchase or lease aircraft, set fares, adjust service levels, negotiate landing rights, and respond to passenger demand. Turns advance after decisions are confirmed, producing revenue, expenses, reputation changes, and new events.

Progress depends on balancing profitable routes with fleet capacity and maintenance costs. Different aircraft favor different distances and passenger markets, so expansion requires careful scheduling rather than simply buying the largest planes.

Begin with a small number of routes that have strong demand and manageable operating costs. Avoid spreading aircraft across too many weak connections, and compare route performance after each turn.

Keep cash available for maintenance, new aircraft, and airport negotiations. Use aircraft suited to the distance and demand of each route, and monitor rival expansion before committing to expensive destinations.

A stable domestic or regional network can finance later intercontinental growth. Improving service and reputation is useful, but uncontrolled expansion can leave the airline overextended.