Airlines (1990) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Airlines is a board game released in 1990, designed by Christian Schütte. It falls under the categories of Aviation/Flight and Economic games, with gameplay revolving around investment, network and route building, and stock holding. The game is designed for 2 to 6 players, with a playtime of around 90 minutes and recommended for ages 12 and up.

Game Components of Airlines

Game board

Company markers

Airplane tokens

Share cards

License cards

Scoring cards

Victory point tokens

Cash (in-game money)

Stock market deck

How To Setup Airlines

To set up Airlines, place the gameboard in the middle of the table. Each player starts with eight cards from the deck and 8 million euros in cash. Players simultaneously choose two of their stock cards, each from a different airline, and reveal them to form their starting share portfolio. Company markers are placed on the home airport of each airline and on the corresponding spaces on the scoring track. The stock market is initialized by placing the top five cards from the deck on designated spots on the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Actions: Buy licenses, play shares into the portfolio, trade for shares, or take money.

Route Expansion: Players buy licenses to place airplanes on routes connected to an airline’s home city, increasing the stock value of that airline.

Scoring Rounds: The game includes three scoring rounds triggered by specific cards. Players score points based on their share holdings in each airline.

Bonus Connections: Completing specific routes can earn additional bonus points.

Air ABACUS: A special scoring system where players earn points based on their holdings in Air ABACUS, which varies in value across scoring rounds.

Game End: The game ends after the third scoring round or if no airlines can purchase additional licenses. The player with the most victory points wins.

Player Experience

Airlines Europe, the evolved version of the original, emphasizes strategic portfolio management and opportunistic route expansion. Players benefit not only from their own actions but also from the actions of other players, as these can increase the value of their shares. The game requires a balance between focusing on high-value airlines and diversifying to maximize points.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Combines network building with stock management.

Interconnected Gameplay: Actions by one player can benefit others, adding a social element.

Balanced Mechanics: Smaller airlines have special routes to compete with larger ones.

Replayability: Variable setup and player interactions ensure different games each time.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players due to multiple mechanics.

Length: Games can be lengthy, especially with more players.

Economic Management: Requires careful cash and stock management.

Personal Thoughts on Airlines

Airlines is ideal for fans of economic and strategy games who enjoy complex, interconnected mechanics. It’s not a game for casual players due to its depth and the need for strategic planning. However, for those who enjoy games like Union Pacific and other economic strategy titles, Airlines offers a rich and engaging experience. The game’s design encourages players to Think ahead and adapt to the dynamic market and actions of other players, making it a great choice for experienced board game enthusiasts.

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