Swiftus' Guide for Newbs

[GDK]

Add another point : Being patience and you just need to keep your airline survive in the game. No matter how small you are, your competitors will disappear 1 by 1 till the end of the game and you'll be the winner in that airport.

[swiftus27]

exactly.

But, as much as we all say it in various threads, so many players are impatient with this game.  They are VERY impatient. 

They expect to always be adding routes and making more and more money.   It just doesnt happen that way. 

[ACfly]

ROUTE TYPES:
You have 3 different types of routes that you can make:
1.  A to B (JFK to Heathrow)
2.  A to B to C to A (JFK to Heathrow to Frankfurt to JFK)
3.  A to B to C to B to A (JFK to Heathrow to Frankfurt to Heathrow to JFK)

All of these route types have their merits.  Just remember that all routes must start at your home airport.

Fantastic guide.. One question Options 2 and 3 are only fueling stops, is that correct?  Can airlines pickup passengers on the middle destination?

[ArcherII]

Fantastic guide.. One question Options 2 and 3 are only fueling stops, is that correct?  Can airlines pickup passengers on the middle destination?

Not anymore. That was in version 1.1 I think, but in 1.2 there're only fuel stops. Also you can't make a fuel stop at a pretty big airport, and you don't pick passengers obiously.
So, only option 1 applies nowadays.

[Aeroflot]

Subtypes don't add to maintenance cost (in fleet commonality) is it still true?

I mean in that case having 737-200 Adv  with  2x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17R and another one with JT8D-15 the same as 2 planes with absolutely identical engines?

[swiftus27]

Subtypes don't add to maintenance cost (in fleet commonality) is it still true?

I mean in that case having 737-200 Adv  with  2x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17R and another one with JT8D-15 the same as 2 planes with absolutely identical engines?

you're right, they don't. 

[Andrebr]

ROUTE TYPES:
You have 3 different types of routes that you can make:
1.  A to B (JFK to Heathrow)
2.  A to B to C to A (JFK to Heathrow to Frankfurt to JFK)
3.  A to B to C to B to A (JFK to Heathrow to Frankfurt to Heathrow to JFK)



Is this still correct? I´m new here and I don´t find where I can do

[slither360]

No.

Only A-B-A routes are possible in version 1.2

[swiftus27]

Something to now add to this:

GOING FORWARD WITH 1.3.  I will be editing this throughout experiences after the first few games on 1.3.  Sorry it's been so long.  I haven't felt that one needed to know more about this game from what I discussed above. About all that was left are from what I would call exploits of the system (abusing frequency, for instance).  

Anyway, on to the fray:

Here are the variables that MAY affect load factors:

1.  Pricing:  You should NEVER EVER EVER raise your pricing above expected fares.
2.  Seat Quality:  Under 2 hours, you can get away with HD seating.  I personally never use HD seating on routes over 250nm for propeller planes.  Premium seats really don't appear to attract too many pax away from your opponent.  Only use upgraded seating when absolutely necessary.  Otherwise, you are just wasting space.
3.  Time of Departure/Arrival:  People do not want to take off after 2255 and/or land before 0500.  There is a serious penalty here.
4.  Route Image:  Just get this to 100.  If it is REALLY important, feel free to run a marketing campaign for that route to get it up quick.  Really only good to do that early in the game.
5.  Company Image:  Like the above.  You really need to have a CI in the 60s or higher to really have a chance in the mid game period.
6.  Plane Age/Condition:  There is a modifier out there for this.  There is a minor penalty if you are flying old or plane in poor condition.  The real detriment to having old planes is the maintenance cost.  You can easily get great LFs with old planes.  The penalty is just not that high to warrant new planes early on.
7.  Speed.  Pax do not like to fly in a DC6 when a 707 can get them there much faster.  This is another stat I am very surprised pax don't consider more.
7.  Hotness of the cabin stewardesses (sorry, not coming until 1.4)
8.  Frequent Flyer Programs / 'Presidents' Clubs (who knows when this will come out?)


Feel free to add to this.  I am not always 100% correct.  Don't flame, please.

[Jona L.]

Something to now add to this:

GOING FORWARD WITH 1.3.  I will be editing this throughout experiences after the first few games on 1.3.  Sorry it's been so long.  I haven't felt that one needed to know more about this game from what I discussed above. About all that was left are from what I would call exploits of the system (abusing frequency, for instance). 

Anyway, on to the fray:

Here are the variables that MAY affect load factors:

1.  Pricing:  You should NEVER EVER EVER raise your pricing above expected fares.
2.  Seat Quality:  Under 2 hours, you can get away with HD seating.  I personally never use HD seating on routes over 250nm for propeller planes.  Premium seats really don't appear to attract too many pax away from your opponent.  Only use upgraded seating when absolutely necessary.  Otherwise, you are just wasting space.
3.  Time of Departure/Arrival:  People do not want to take off after 2255 and/or land before 0500.  There is a serious penalty here.
4.  Route Image:  Just get this to 100.  If it is REALLY important, feel free to run a marketing campaign for that route to get it up quick.  Really only good to do that early in the game.
5.  Company Image:  Like the above.  You really need to have a CI in the 60s or higher to really have a chance in the mid game period.
6.  Plane Age/Condition:  There is a modifier out there for this.  There is a minor penalty if you are flying old or plane in poor condition.  The real detriment to having old planes is the maintenance cost.  You can easily get great LFs with old planes.  The penalty is just not that high to warrant new planes early on.
7.  Speed.  Pax do not like to fly in a DC6 when a 707 can get them there much faster.  This is another stat I am very surprised pax don't consider more.
7.  Hotness of the cabin stewardesses (sorry, not coming until 1.4)
8.  Frequent Flyer Programs / 'Presidents' Clubs (who knows when this will come out?)


Feel free to add to this.  I am not always 100% correct.  Don't flame, please.

As for 3: These times can highly vary for different airports!!! I had flights after 7AM being penalized over after 8AM ones and I had full flights at 3AM departure (with competition on the route) all on default pricing with standard seats.

As for 4: Don't do the marketing, the cost are not a bit reflected by increased profits.. you just waste money and the RI goes high the same speed: to increase rate of rise have more and regular flights (don't move on random times)

As for 7a): Indeed, speed is WAY too less considered... otherwise I could have better prices on my CONC flights
As for 7b): Definitely worth a Feature Request

As for 8: not before AWS v7.6 or so

Jona L.

[Sanabas]

Something else to add for 1.3: Don't take out a fuel contract when you start your airline. You'll simply be costing yourself money. If you want to check when it's worth starting a contract, just have a quick look at your income statement. Fuel costs for the previous month x % discount for the contract needs to be roughly twice the contract price. If my monthly fuel expenses are $8 million, and the contract gives me a 6% discount, then 6% of $8 million is ~$500k. So if the fuel contract costs more than $250k, you'll be losing money by signing it.

[spaxen]

But how do i plan a type 2 or type 3 route (from chapter 2).
I can only add a technical stopovers, and it dont seems like that passengers jump on my plane on those stops...

[swiftus27]

ABCBA routes are no longer allowed after 1.2 due to being allowed to add bases.  Sami said that he may have a game where we can do those routes again.

[irro]

So is any marketing worth the money?  And how much faster does it increase CI/RI

[alexgv1]

So is any marketing worth the money?  And how much faster does it increase CI/RI

General marketing - yes (but make sure not to spend too much of your income on this, or the costs overtake the benefits in a growing airline).

Route specific marketing - no (although some will argue there is a time and place for it, I would say no if a new player is asking).

With marketing, the more money you spend, the higher the CI will rise (although not sure if it effects rate of growth). Generally the CI growth slows down as it gets higher. Getting CI 100 can take months even when going from 90.

[ksmtornado]

y is all my money goned

[Aerlingus1916]

I am so happy now! My airline is finally making profit (I Think) !!!!!!
I hope my airline becomes a major one. I wonder how long it takes.....

[Zulnex]

Many thanks for the guide Swiftus.

[swiftus27]

Youre welcome.  It is a tad dated but should help most.

[JonathanPine]

How long can it take for a new airline to make a profit in the game?