Top 5 Best Airline Board Games for Airlines Enthusiasts
Whether you're an avgeek, a frequent flyer, or just love a good game with high-stakes decision-making, there's an aviation board game for you.
Below, we round up the best aviation board games on the market—with a special nod to a promising new entrant at the end, our very own Low Cost Airline Manager.
👨✈️👩✈️ 1. Sky Team (2023)
Designer: Luc Rémond
Players: 2 (cooperative)
Play Time: 20–30 minutes
BGG Score: ★ 8.0
Why It's Great:
Sky Team offers a completely different kind of aviation experience: a two-player cooperative game where you and your teammate are a pilot and co-pilot trying to safely land an airplane at various airports around the world. Limited communication and real-time pressure, it’s a tense, thematic game full of adrenaline and trust. It’s a perfect pick for couples or gaming duos looking for something unique.
🔵 2. Pan Am (2020)
Publisher: Funko Games
Players: 2–4
Play Time: 60 minutes
BGG Score: ★ 7.6
Why It's Great:
Pan Am is a gorgeous, historically themed game where players operate upstart airlines trying to outmaneuver and eventually sell to the legendary Pan American World Airways. The mix of route building, bidding, and economic planning wrapped in 1960s retro style makes this a fan favorite for aviation and history buffs alike.
✈️ 🇪🇺 3. Airlines Europe (2011)
Designer: Alan R. Moon
Players: 2–5
Play Time: 60 minutes
BGG Score: ★ 7.2
Why It's Great:
From the creator of Ticket to Ride, Airlines Europe is a refined economic strategy game where players invest in competing airline companies across Europe. It captures the thrill of corporate maneuvering, stock speculation, and route optimization, all in a sleek, accessible format. The rules are elegant, making it great for both seasoned strategists and newer players.
🛩 4. Jet Set (2008)
Designer: Kris Gould
Players: 2–6
Play Time: 90 minutes
BGG Score: ★ 6.7
Why It's Great:
Jet Set puts players in charge of building an international airline network. It emphasizes long-term planning and tactical play, requiring players to balance immediate goals with long-haul ticket strategies.
🛫 5. Aeroplanes: Aviation Ascendant (2012)
Designer: Martin Wallace
Players: 2–4
Play Time: 90 minutes
BGG Score: ★ 6.5
Why It's Great:
Set during the golden age of aviation, Aeroplanes blends route building with business management as players race to expand air travel in the early 20th century. It’s slightly more niche but beloved by those who enjoy Wallace’s signature mix of economics and logistics.
🎖 Honourable Mention: Low Cost Airline Manager (2025)
Publisher: Papaeya
Status: Just launched
BGG Score: N/A (New Release)
Why It Deserves Your Radar:
Our very own Low Cost Airline Manager is a fresh entry with light rules and deep strategy. The game lets players experience the gritty economics of running a low-cost carrier.
🧳 Final Boarding Call
Whether you're drawn to the high-flying glamour of the jet age or the cutthroat strategies of modern airline competition, aviation board games offer something for everyone. They're not just fun—they’re a fantastic way to explore how the airline industry works, with all the tension, ambition, and turbulence that comes with it.
So fasten your seatbelt, shuffle the deck, and prepare for takeoff—game night is about to cruise at 35,000 feet.