# Airline Executive — Airline tycoon: be the CEO! > Ad-free airline management simulation game with historical depth and financial strategy. (iPhone/iPad app by Kjell Verschuren.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airline-executive/id6759562814 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Kjell Verschuren](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879303734) - Category: Games, Simulation, Strategy - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.00/5 from 36 App Store ratings · 29 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.0 · 120 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-03-25 - Data updated: 2026-09-09 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airline-executive/id6759562814/reviews.md ## What is Airline Executive? Build an airline from a single plane into a global empire, across seventy years of real aviation history. No ads. No premium currency. No pay-to-win. Just a genuinely deep airline sim, built to be fair. Start in any era from 1950 to 2020. Fly Constellations and DC-3s in the golden age, ride the first jets into the jet age, or command modern widebodies. Aircraft, engines, airports, and market demand are all true to the year you choose. Every era plays differently. COMPETE AGAINST REAL AIRLINES The part no other airline game does. Your rivals are real-world carriers flying their actual historical fleets and route networks, decade by decade. Take on the airlines that ruled each era, or switch competition off and build at your own pace. BUILD A GLOBAL NETWORK Choose a hub from over 2,000 real airports. Analyze demand, set frequencies, and time your banks so connecting passengers flow through your hub and multiply revenue on every route. Watch profit and loss draw itself across the world map. FLY 100+ AUTHENTIC AIRLINERS Every aircraft is modeled on the real thing: specs, engines, range, capacity, and running costs. Order new and wait for delivery, lease to grow fast, or hunt for deals on the second-hand market. Then design each cabin seat by seat, from first class and lounges to high-density economy. RUN THE WHOLE OPERATION Set fares, manage cash and loans, and track revenue and cost down to a single route. Keep the fleet airworthy through MRO providers and in-house hangars. Earn from belly cargo, or run dedicated freighters on the busiest lanes. Advance a week or a whole month at a time and watch a regional carrier become a global airline. FAIR BY DESIGN Free for your first 5 in-game years or 25 aircraft. One simple purchase unlocks unlimited play, forever. No ads, no timers, no energy, no premium currency. Your airline. Your era. Your empire. Ready for takeoff? ## Key features - Ad-free and no premium currency - Historical aviation eras (1950-2020) - Deep route planning and network building - Fleet management with over 100 aircraft - Detailed financial simulation - Cargo operations - Optional AI competition ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Unlock Full Game | $5.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 29) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airline-executive/id6759562814/reviews.md ### 2/5 — In-depth Airline Management Game *2026-08-25* 24/08/26 Updated: The latest updates addressed several issues related to routes. Previously, I had to purchase numerous planes to accommodate high demand on certain routes, which made them profitable. However, the game has become unplayable due to its excessive lag when accessing the Route tab to view route details, edit schedules, or reassign planes. The lag is so severe that I can’t even change ticket pricing. Despite having the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max, which should provide sufficient power, the game drains my battery and generates excessive heat. Attempting to delete and reset my game data didn’t resolve the problem. This game has really good in-depth execution, and I love how you can play in different eras of aviation! There are a few bugs, and hopefully, the devs will address them soon. It crashes when I try to edit the schedule in the route tab. Sometimes when you add the airplanes into a group later, it forces you to retrofit; although, I know 100% sure they are all the same since I ordered them at the same time, but they have different delivery times. Will we get new airplanes up to date? Like the 359ULR, 350-1000ULR? New updated payload for the 787 lines? **Developer response:** Hey!! Thank you for the feedback, so useful! I’ll look into the crashes and retrofit issue. On the airliners, these are already in the game (A350-100 Sunrise not yet). They are available as MTOW improvements! So an A350-900 in 2026 should have a longer range option than in 2017! ### 5/5 — Update *2026-08-24* W UPDATE CANT WAIT FOR MORE **Developer response:** Thank you for the kind words and feedback. I really like the idea and will add it to the roadmap! ### 3/5 — In-depth Airline Management Game *2026-08-22, version 1.40.1* This game has really good in-depth execution, and I love how you can play in different eras of aviation! There are a few bugs, and hopefully, the devs will address them soon. It crashes when I try to edit the schedule in the route tab. Sometimes when you add the airplanes into a group later, it forces you to retrofit; although, I know 100% sure they are all the same since I ordered them at the same time, but they have different delivery times. Will we get new airplanes up to date? Like the 359ULR, 350-1000ULR? New updated payload for the 787 lines? ### 3/5 — In-depth Airline Management Game *2026-08-03* This game has really good in-depth execution, and I love how you can play in different eras of aviation! There are a few bugs, and hopefully, the devs will address them soon. It crashes when I try to edit the schedule in the route tab. Sometimes when you add the airplanes into a group later, it forces you to retrofit; although, I know 100% sure they are all the same since I ordered them at the same time, but they have different delivery times. Will we get new airplanes up to date? Like the 359ULR, 350-1000ULR? New updated payload for the 787 lines? ### 4/5 — Good, but can be better *2026-07-24* It is overall a good game but would like a few tweaks. Like for example there is currently no features to the business aspect such as lounges, frequent flyer program, credit cards, etc. Also would be nice to have better scheduling or a better assistant at scheduling routes. Also please make it easier to assign group of planes to different airports. Also please make sure to add more airports to the game if possible. Also would be cool if there was more airlines in the game and even fictional airlines and alliances. Would also be nice to make or join alliances. Also maybe better options and details for the catering and cabin layout sections. Overall the game is good but would be great if it added more real world content or experiences that airlines usually have to the game. Would recommend the game for sure! ### 4/5 — Cargo Route losses *2026-07-22* Love the game, but is there no way to code a flight specifically for cargo? I set up cargo flights and I’m taking losses as much as $20M per weekly sim and that should not be the case especially if the airport being served has excellent cargo demand. Is there anyway to achieve this? ### 4/5 — Good progress *2026-07-17* I enjoy the game and its in-depth nature. However, aspects such as passenger to freight conversion seemingly not working (despite having eligible aircraft) and the freight market aspect not being 100% complete. Overall, a great game and look forward to seeing what happens with it ### 4/5 — Pretty good *2026-07-03, version 1.28.1* I like the game, it takes a little while to learn it, but fun. I can’t work out how to change ticket prices ### 4/5 — Highly potential *2026-06-21, version 1.28.1* I really love the game! But there are a lot of improvements that should be made for me to buy the full game: 1. Better AI competitors. A lot of the competitors have many aircrafts but little to no routes. 2. Ability to differentiate the demand by adjusting ticket price. 3. I love the depth and complexity of the scheduling, especially as it allows for connection flights. But perhaps the process to monitor flight schedule could be easier. 4. More spontaneity. For now, I could play the game just by simulating every week without doing anything. There’s a lack of existential threat such as aforementioned competitors and events that bring depth to the strategy. 5. Ability to manage the staffs. Perhaps it would be more fun if the players could train and manage the labour. ### 5/5 — Very good game *2026-06-17, version 1.28.1* I like this game very much, I even brought the paid version because of how much I like it however I believe it would be better with some of the ideas I’m gonna say 1. Ability to join alliances Now I don’t know if it’s possible since I haven’t found a way to but if it isn’t a function I would like it to be added 2. Bigger impact on events I felt that events such as the 2008 market crash, Covid 19, Gulf War and the events in 2001 had no impact on my airline business. I would like for there to be an actual impact of these events on my airlines and others 3. Airline Competitors Leaderboard While there is a competition tab which shows all my airlines competitors, I feel like it could have more to it. 4. Ability to become flag carriers of nations It would be great if we could represent a nation and even the ability to take over from another airline. 5. Ability to merge airlines I believe that the ability to merge airlines would make the game even greater because I think it would be cool to buy out other airlines that may be struggling. 6. More frequent incidents While it is bad for these to happen, I think that it’s unrealistic that in practically all of my runs, I’ve never experienced an incident or fatal accident. 7. Airplane customisation and 3d view Lastly, Another cool addition could be the ability to customise our airline liveries and the ability for a 3d view so we can see our airplanes at airports and stuff In conclusion, I believe the game is very good and I enjoy playing it but I think that there can be even more to it. Thank you ## Frequently asked questions about Airline Executive ### Does Airline Executive have ads? No, Airline Executive is completely ad-free. This allows for an uninterrupted and immersive simulation experience without any advertisements interrupting gameplay. ### How does Airline Executive handle monetization? The game is free to play for the first 5 in-game years or 25 aircraft. A one-time purchase unlocks unlimited play, with no timers, energy systems, or pay-to-win mechanics. ### What historical periods can I play in Airline Executive? You can start your airline in any era from 1950 to 2020. This includes the golden age of propeller aircraft, the jet age, and the modern era of widebody jets and low-cost carriers. ### Can I play Airline Executive offline? The provided data does not specify if Airline Executive supports offline play. However, as a simulation game, it is likely designed for single-player experiences that may not require a constant internet connection. ### What kind of aircraft are available in Airline Executive? Airline Executive features over 100 historically accurate aircraft types. These range from early propeller planes to modern widebody jets, each with specific specifications affecting airline performance. ### How does Airline Executive handle competition? You can choose to compete against AI airlines modeled after real-world carriers, or you can turn competitors off entirely to build your airline at your own pace. ### What devices is Airline Executive available on? Airline Executive is available on iPhone and iPad devices, supporting iOS. ### How often is Airline Executive updated? The latest version, 1.28.1, was released on June 17, 2026, indicating active development and regular updates for the game. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.40.2 — 2026-08-26 The Economy Update 1.4; now with bugfixes! The biggest update the game has had: the world now has a real travel market. • Every city pair holds a pool of business, leisure, and family travelers who exist whether you serve them or not, and who choose between every airline, route, and fare in front of them. • Cities, not airports: London to New York is one market whether you fly Heathrow or Gatwick, JFK or Newark. • Markets remember. Low fares grow a market beyond its baseline. Price too high for too long and it quietly shrinks. • Hubs truly sell connections: through fares, arrival waves feeding departure waves, and a Traveler view that shows any journey from the passenger's side, yours and your rivals'. • Two ways to play: Advanced is the full airline. Normal is the same airline with a lighter cockpit. Switch anytime, mid-save. • Money is honest in every era: fares, salaries, fuel, and maintenance all follow their times. A 1960s ticket costs 1960s money. • Every ordered aircraft has its own delivery date, and a big order stretches the production line. • Maintenance rebuilt on real B, C, and D checks, in real shops, taking real days. • Financial history tells the truth: weekly and monthly figures match what actually happened. • A new tutorial that teaches the market first, in whichever mode you play. • Shaped week by week by your feedback saves. Thank you, and keep them coming. ### 1.40.1 — 2026-08-21 The Economy Update 1.4 The biggest update the game has had: the world now has a real travel market. • Every city pair holds a pool of business, leisure, and family travelers who exist whether you serve them or not, and who choose between every airline, route, and fare in front of them. • Cities, not airports: London to New York is one market whether you fly Heathrow or Gatwick, JFK or Newark. • Markets remember. Low fares grow a market beyond its baseline. Price too high for too long and it quietly shrinks. • Hubs truly sell connections: through fares, arrival waves feeding departure waves, and a Traveler view that shows any journey from the passenger's side, yours and your rivals'. • Two ways to play: Advanced is the full airline. Normal is the same airline with a lighter cockpit. Switch anytime, mid-save. • Money is honest in every era: fares, salaries, fuel, and maintenance all follow their times. A 1960s ticket costs 1960s money. • Every ordered aircraft has its own delivery date, and a big order stretches the production line. • Maintenance rebuilt on real B, C, and D checks, in real shops, taking real days. • Financial history tells the truth: weekly and monthly figures match what actually happened. • A new tutorial that teaches the market first, in whichever mode you play. • Shaped week by week by your feedback saves. Thank you, and keep them coming. ### 1.40 — 2026-08-19 The Economy Update 1.4 The biggest update the game has had: the world now has a real travel market. • Every city pair holds a pool of business, leisure, and family travelers who exist whether you serve them or not, and who choose between every airline, route, and fare in front of them. • Cities, not airports: London to New York is one market whether you fly Heathrow or Gatwick, JFK or Newark. • Markets remember. Low fares grow a market beyond its baseline. Price too high for too long and it quietly shrinks. • Hubs truly sell connections: through fares, arrival waves feeding departure waves, and a Traveler view that shows any journey from the passenger's side, yours and your rivals'. • Two ways to play: Advanced is the full airline. Normal is the same airline with a lighter cockpit. Switch anytime, mid-save. • Money is honest in every era: fares, salaries, fuel, and maintenance all follow their times. A 1960s ticket costs 1960s money. • Every ordered aircraft has its own delivery date, and a big order stretches the production line. • Maintenance rebuilt on real B, C, and D checks, in real shops, taking real days. • Financial history tells the truth: weekly and monthly figures match what actually happened. • A new tutorial that teaches the market first, in whichever mode you play. • Shaped week by week by your feedback saves. Thank you, and keep them coming. ### 1.30.2 — 2026-07-17 This update is built almost entirely from your reports and reviews. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write in. Found a bug or have an idea? Send it any time from the Game Menu using Share Feedback. Cargo and freighters • Passenger to freighter conversions now work from start to finish. A converted aircraft becomes a real freighter and is ready to assign to a cargo fleet group. • Added missing freighter conversions across the MD-11, A310, A320, and ATR families. Scheduling and fleet • Fuel stop routes now offer any aircraft that can fly the longest leg, instead of hiding them. • A route you can schedule can always be reassigned to an equally capable fleet group. • The scheduler now hides fleet groups that cannot use an airport’s runway. • No more false “aircraft busy” or fleet shortage warnings when spare aircraft are actually free. • Suspending a flight now suspends its return leg too. • Parked aircraft now show as parked, and moving an aircraft with a different cabin into a group offers to refit it. • Maintenance now routes checks to a hangar with space instead of piling onto one facility. Map and routes • Fuel stop routes now show their intermediate stop on the world map and the flight card. • On iPhone, the Booked Passengers panel stacks the map and route list so nothing is cut off. Finances and pricing • Pay off a loan early from the Finances screen when you have the cash. • Max Revenue pricing is never lower than Fill Seats. • Ticket pricing is now at the top of each route’s settings. Tutorial • New players no longer run out of money or get stuck waiting on a delivery. • The tutorial explains that a second route can reuse your existing aircraft, and Skip is easier to find. More fixes and polish • The staffing page now scrolls so every crew row is tappable. • Cargo only airlines now show their flight crew. • Turnaround times keep the value you set and adjust in simpler steps. • Fixed duplicate manufacturers on the buy screen and an aircraft timeline that could show a plane busy all day. ### 1.3 — 2026-07-13 The Hub Planner arrives, everything runs faster, and managing your fleet gets a lot easier. THE HUB PLANNER • Plan a whole hub of connecting flights at once. • Pick destinations on the globe and let the planner build your banks. • See each bank's flights, legal connections, and passenger mix. • Spot which feeder flights fill every departure before you book. FASTER • Views open up to 6x faster the first time, even with 400 or more aircraft. • Advancing a week is now about 3x faster. • The Cargo tab loads quickly on large networks. • Startup is smooth and no longer stalls. FLEET AND SCHEDULING • Create a fleet group for any aircraft type you own or have on order, empty groups included. • Select several aircraft at once to reassign, park, transfer, or sell. • Long press a route to reassign it or open its details. • New flights spread across each bank instead of stacking at the same time. • Flight numbers now follow a clean standard: international from 1, domestic from 2000. • A new economics tab shows real revenue, cost, and margin for each group. MORE • Advance a full month in one step, or fast forward three months. • More aircraft offer weight variants with extra range and payload. • Open Skies mode lets you turn off cabotage restrictions. • A refreshed tutorial welcomes new players with clear goals and a helpful advisor. POLISH AND FIXES • Fleet seat counts and performance figures are now accurate. • Screens stay steady while a week or month advances. • Route details and airport taps work better on iPhone. Thank you for playing. Keep the feedback coming. ## More apps by Kjell Verschuren - [Vokabo](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vokabo/id6782673298) All apps by Kjell Verschuren: https://appshunter.io/developer/1879303734 ## Related topics [airline manager game](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/airline-manager-game) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-09.*