How To Play: Airport
Airport is a game of planning, resource juggling, and cheeky blocking. Always watch your flight paths and keep your supplies in check. Don’t let rivals sneak ahead! Remember, learning How To Play airport well makes you the real air-traffic boss. Play smart, laugh a lot, and enjoy the chaos!

Welcome aboard, folks! If you’ve ever wanted to boss people around at an airport without actually getting arrested, you’re in the right place. Here, I’ll give you an outline of the game rules and spill the beans on the best ways to clinch victory. After losing miserably twice (and then winning once—take that, Terry), I’ve got some pro tips for you!
Overview
What’s in the box
- 1 game board
- 90 flight cards
- 36 airplane tokens
- 4 player boards
- 24 control tower pieces
- 60 currency coins
- 16 runway tiles
- 1 starting player marker
- 1 rulebook
How To Play Airport: Rules Summary
Setup
- Place the game board in the center of your table. Make sure no one tries to eat the runway pieces. Trust me, it happens.
- Give each player a set of colored planes, matching tokens, and a player board. Don’t argue over colors—no one wants to see you fight over yellow again.
- Shuffle the flight cards and deal three to each player. Place the rest in a draw pile beside the board. If you’re holding a “Flight to Nowhere” card, that’s just bad luck.
- Put resource tokens and bonus tiles within everyone’s reach. But not too close to George. He cheats.
Gameplay
- On your turn, draw a flight card and gather resources shown on your player board.
- Play a flight card to send a plane to a city, paying the cost in fuel and snacks. Yes, snacks. Pilots get hungry.
- Build airports or upgrade routes using your resources. Brag loudly about your growing empire.
- Block rivals by reserving runways or outbidding them for bonus tiles. Prepare for payback.
- Refill your hand to three cards and pass the turn. Don’t forget: make airplane noises. It’s mandatory. (Not really.)
Winning
- Keep playing until someone connects all their cities or the flight card deck runs out. This happens quicker than you’d think, unless Steve is playing. Steve overthinks everything.
- Count up points for completed routes, airport upgrades, and unused snacks. Yes, snacks score points. Don’t ask why.
- The player with the most points wins. They get ultimate bragging rights—until the next game night.
Special Rules & Conditions
- If you draw a “Turbulence” card, immediately discard one resource. Make a dramatic whooshing sound for effect.
- Bonus tiles give extra points for speedy connections. Grab them before your friends even blink.
- If two players try to land in the same city, settle it by bidding extra resources. Or rock-paper-scissors if you’re feeling spicy.
- Remember: No actual flying allowed indoors. Paper airplanes don’t count—unless you’re bored during Steve’s turn.
Now you know the basics of How To Play Airport! Play nice, keep your snacks safe, and may your flights always arrive on time!
Best Airport Strategies
Mastering the Art of Flight Path Planning in Airport
Start with a Clear Route
Always check your options before anyone else grabs the best runways. Early planning gives you the upper hand in Airport. Here’s what I do:
- Pick the shortest routes with fewer stops to save time.
- Avoid crowded paths; competition means delays.
Flexibility is Key
Don’t get stuck on one path. When chaos hits (and it will), I keep these moves in mind:
- Have alternative routes ready at all times.
- Watch your opponents and reroute if needed.
Adapt to the Board
Every round looks different. So, I adapt instead of sticking to the same plan. This strategy keeps me in the race to win! Remember, How To Play airport well means reading the board, not just the rulebook.
Master Your Airport: Resource Management That Makes You Soar
Stock Up Wisely
- Always grab fuel and tickets early—you will need them before you know it.
- Don’t get sidetracked by flashy bonuses; focus on must-have supplies.
Balance Spending and Saving
- Spend resources to claim key routes, but don’t empty your tank for one big move.
- Keep a little in reserve for surprise actions later.
Keep an Eye on Others
- Watch what resources your friends hoard and snatch what they need first.
- Starve rivals of key goods whenever you can—it’s cutthroat but it works.
Every time I play, someone gets greedy and goes broke fast. If you want to win Airport, remember these tips! For a smooth victory, learning How To Play airport is just the start—winning is all about smart resources.
Become the Ultimate Airport Blocker!
Spot Their Weakness
First, keep an eye on your friends’ plans. A great way to block is to find their weak spots. When you see a gap, strike.
- Check where they need critical flight paths.
- Notice which resources they gather the most.
Seize Vital Spots
Next, swoop in and grab high-value airport spaces before they do. This move breaks their strategy and gives you the upper hand.
- Claim central locations early.
- Take limited runways that many players want.
Block Resources Like a Pro
Lastly, block resource access. This stops your opponents from getting what they need for key moves. Remember, this is not personal (but it is fun).
- Buy up rare airport upgrades.
- Deny access to the best amenities.
How To Play airport and block your friends? Annoy them just enough to win, but not enough to get uninvited next time!
Ready for Takeoff!
Alright, fellow gatekeepers! That wraps up my Airport strategy guide. After playing about a dozen rounds with my friends (and accidentally sending my imaginary airline into bankruptcy), I can say that mastering Airport takes sharp resource skills and a talent for making new enemies at the table. Remember, keep your eyes on the prize—don’t get too caught up in sabotaging your friends, even if it’s very, very tempting. Balance your flight paths, guard your snacks (seriously, my pal Mark eats anything within arm’s reach), and always double-check your runways. Follow these tips and you’ll be flying first class while everyone else fights over economy seats.
Hope you enjoyed the guide, and if you ever have to emergency land your plane, make Mark hold your pretzels. Safe travels and happy gaming!
(And don’t forget: How To Play airport like a pro? Practice, humor, and maybe a little luck!)
Want to know what we think of Airport? Read our detailed review of Airport here