How To Play: Airlines

Overview

I’ve played Airlines so many times, I’m starting to answer the phone with a pilot voice. If you’re looking to master the skies, you’ve landed in the right place. This guide will help you take off with a quick outline of the game rules and (more importantly) the best strategies for winning. Trust me—after a few games, you’ll be booking first-class seats to Victoryville.

What’s in the box

• 1 game board
• 5 player mats
• 100 airplane tokens
• 60 route cards
• 50 money bills
• 30 event cards
• 10 airport tiles
• 5 scoring markers
• 1 rulebook

How To Play Airlines: Rules Summary

Game Setup

1. Place the game board in the middle of the table. Everyone needs to see it—unless we’re playing blindfolded, which I don’t recommend.
2. Give each player their set of airplanes and money pile. I always try to get the blue planes, but everyone fights for red for some reason.
3. Shuffle the route cards. Deal three cards to each player. The rest go in a stack face-down.
4. Put the airport markers near the board. Someone always knocks these off the table, so keep an eye on them.

Gameplay

1. The youngest player goes first. If there’s a tie, pick the one who boarded a plane last. Or the one who can make the best airplane noise.
2. On your turn, pick a route card and place your plane on the matching route. Pay the bank for the route (the game, not your Uncle Bob, even if he looks trustworthy).
3. Next, draw a new route card so you always have three choices. This keeps things moving.
4. If all route cards stink, you can swap your hand for three new ones—but only once per game, so use that move wisely.
5. Play goes clockwise. Keep taking turns until someone triggers the game end.

Winning the Game

1. The game ends when a player runs out of airplanes or the route deck is gone. Sudden death, just like real air travel (almost).
2. Add up points for all your completed routes and airport bonuses. Don’t forget any leftover money! It counts for tiebreakers.
3. The one with the most points wins! Second place gets a handshake. Maybe.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you block a city completely, other players can’t use it anymore. Prepare for dirty looks across the table.
2. Wild route cards let you pick any open route. Use these when you need to mess with your friends.
3. Some cities score double points if you link them before round five. Watch out—speed pays off here.

Now you know How To Play airlines. Follow the rules, have fun, and don’t try to bribe the bank with Monopoly money—trust me on this one.

Best Airlines Strategies

Mastering Route Selection and Timing for Airlines Victory

Route selection in Airlines makes or breaks your game. Trust me, I once picked a route because it looked pretty, only to get boxed in three turns later. Timing also matters, since routes fill up fast. Below, I’ll show you how to make your choices count every turn, and not just grab whatever’s left. Here’s how to become a route-picking specialist!

1. Prioritize High-Value Routes Early

1. Snag routes that connect major cities. They pay off more and open more options later.
2. Watch what your friends want, and swoop in before they do. It’s cutthroat, but hey, it works.

2. Balance Risk and Reward

1. Don’t leave your planes stranded. Connect routes to build a network, not a patchwork quilt.
2. If a high-paying route looks risky, weigh it against safer, smaller connections.

3. Time Your Expansions Wisely

1. Expand when you have enough cash in hand. Otherwise, you risk getting stuck with no options.
2. Keep an eye on the round count—sometimes waiting one turn lets you block someone or make a better play.

And that’s the trick! After a few games, you’ll spot the best moments for picking and placing, and How To Play airlines will become second nature.

How To Play Airlines: King of the Skies with Fleet Management

Prioritize Flexible Aircraft

1. Pick planes that fit on different routes. This makes you ready for surprises when other players block your plans. Flexibility saves the day.

2. Swap between small and large planes, as needed. Do not get stuck with only jumbo jets or puddle-jumpers.

Time Your Fleet Upgrades

1. Upgrade early if you see a rush for long routes. Fast upgrades may get you the best, biggest routes first.

2. However, sometimes bide your time and wait. Other players may waste money, so you can snag upgrades at a discount later.

Balance Fleet Size and Route Demand

1. Keep enough planes to cover high-demand routes. Having too many grounded planes means you spent money for nothing—trust me, I learned the hard way.

2. Watch what others do. If you see everyone grabbing planes, you may need to hop on the trend—unless you like losing, of course.

After a few epic failures and some accidental wins, I can tell you that smart fleet management is key to victory in How To Play airlines. Choose well, plan ahead, and be ready to change course when the skies get busy!

Master the Art of Opponent Blocking in Airlines

Snatch Key Locations Fast

When you see an opponent eyeing a top city, act quickly! Jump in and claim that route before they can move. You’ll force them to pay more, or to pick a less ideal path.

1. Monitor opponents’ route patterns
2. Claim routes that complete their connections
3. Pick cities they frequently target

Use Cheap Connections as Roadblocks

Sometimes the cheapest route isn’t for you, it’s to frustrate your rivals! Place your marker on low-cost spots that would be easy for them to grab.

1. Identify low-cost city pairs
2. Place your marker to block rival expansion
3. Make rivals waste turns or resources

Watch Their Fleet Capacity

Always keep an eye on how many planes your friends have left. If they run low, you can block routes that require exactly what they need!

1. Track their available planes
2. Secure routes that would finish their network
3. Stop key expansion during their weak moments

Take Off and Soar to Victory!

Well, there you have it—my top tips after way too many late night rounds of Airlines with the gang. If you remember nothing else, just know: block Jeff before he snags that Paris route (again), keep your fleet nimble, and never underestimate the humble two-city hop. So, grab your aviator glasses, buckle up, and show everyone you know How To Play airlines like a boss. Next stop: bragging rights! Safe travels, captain.

Want to know what we think of Airlines? Read our detailed review of Airlines here