How To Play: Airport

Overview

If you’ve ever wanted to boss people around at an airport without needing a pilot’s license, you’re in the right place. Airport is a board game where you hustle passengers, snag bonus tiles, and block your friends (politely, or not so politely). In this guide, I cover how to play Airport, a quick outline of the rules, and my top tips to crush your rivals and claim victory.

What’s in the box

• 1 game board
• 60 passenger tokens
• 4 player boards
• 16 airplane meeples
• 20 bonus tiles
• 1 rulebook
• 60 route cards
• 8 scoring markers
• 1 start player token

How To Play Airport: Rules Summary

If you’ve always wanted to run an airport but can’t afford the jet fuel, Airport the board game is the next best thing. My friends and I tried it one rainy night, and after plenty of laughs and a few fake pilot announcements, here’s what we learned about the rules. Buckle up!

Setup

1. Lay the airport board in the center of the table.
2. Give each player a set of colored passenger tokens and matching planes.
3. Shuffle and hand out Bonus Tiles face-down to each player.
4. Place the destination cards in a shuffled deck nearby.
5. Everyone chooses a starting gate on the board for their planes.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, draw a destination card to get your next assignment.
2. Move your passenger tokens toward their gates, but beware – other players will do their best to block your way!
3. You can play Bonus Tiles at any time during your turn to use special effects like extra moves or reroutes. This part always made my group start plotting revenge.
4. If you reach your destination, claim your reward! Then, flip a new destination card and keep the action moving.

Winning

1. The first player to deliver all their passengers to their correct gates wins.
2. If you win, you get bragging rights and, in my experience, a round of applause from the losers. Or just a grumpy silence.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If two players block each other, the player who got there first stays put; the other must reroute.
2. Some Bonus Tiles let you move extra spaces or bump another player’s token (cue dramatic sighs).
3. Forgot where you’re going? You can check your destination card any time, so don’t worry if you spaced out thinking about snacks.

Now you know how to play Airport! If you want to master the skies, pay attention to these rules and start plotting your flight path. How To Play airport isn’t just about luck – it takes brains, timing, and a little bit of sneakiness!

Best Airport Strategies

Mastering Passenger Movement in Airport

Start With A Plan

First, always check where your passengers are and where they need to go. My friend Dave once sent his grandmother to the wrong terminal for three turns. She still hasn’t forgiven him.

1. Count available paths to each gate.
2. Identify crowded spots and detours.
3. Think two moves ahead, not just one.

Stay Flexible

If someone blocks your way, don’t panic. Sometimes, I’ve tossed my plan out the window to grab an unexpected shortcut, and it definitely paid off.

1. Watch opponents’ moves closely.
2. Adapt when opportunities pop up.

Maximize Every Move

Every time you move a passenger, try to get closer to multiple goals at once. This keeps you ahead in How To Play airport.

1. Double up on actions efficiently.
2. Use bonus moves wisely.

Claim Victory With Smart Bonus Tile Plays!

Know When To Grab

Bonus tiles look tempting, but snatching them at the wrong moment costs you. Time it right for a big play:

1. Wait until your route is clear.
2. Snag a tile when it blocks an opponent.
3. Grab high-value tiles early if you see an open path.

Plan For Combo Moves

Link bonus tiles into chain reactions for extra points and laughs:

1. Connect a tile to match two routes.
2. Use one tile to finish a passenger and prepare another.

Watch Your Rivals

Steal tiles that your friends eye hungrily. Nothing says ‘How To Play airport’ like ruthless tile snatching!

1. Block their favorite color or route.
2. Pick a tile that ruins their chain.

Shut Down the Runways: Mastering Blockades in Airport!

Spot Your Foes’ Favorite Pathways

First, keep an eye on where your pals are moving. If someone always zips toward the red terminal, that’s their jam. Chart their habits.

1. Watch where they place their meeples.
2. Notice the colored routes getting most action.

Be First to the Block

Next, swoop in and claim those routes before they can finish. Sometimes you gotta act fast!

1. Use turns to claim short but vital connections.
2. Drop a piece right where they’re heading – instant roadblock.

Make Your Blocks Count

Don’t just block for fun. Do it where it hurts them and helps you. Every move should push you towards your own win, not just slow them down.

1. Block only if it puts you closer to your goals.
2. Chain blocks so they’re stuck for several turns.

Bonus: How To Play airport Like a Troll

If you’re feeling spicy, toss in an extra block just to shake things up. But, remember, too much trolling might lose you friends. Or at least invite some serious payback next game.

Ready for Takeoff: Master the Airport Mayhem!

That’s it, folks! After wrestling with baggage, sneaky route blocks, and bonus tiles I’m sure my brain is now TSA-approved. If you follow these Airport strategies, you’ll outfly your friends quicker than a free upgrade to first class. Remember, only one person can brag about being King (or Queen) of the Terminal. So buckle up, use those tips, and enjoy the layover! And don’t forget—How To Play airport can make or break your next game night!

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