Guideline for running your airline.

*PAGE UNDER WORK*

This is a guideline to help you on how to run your airline realistically after our standards. We encourage all members to follow this guideline in the best way they can when playing and representing Universal Alliance.

NOTE! In the start of a game, we will be very lenient with the rules so you get the opportunity to set up and manage your airline properly.

These websites can help you out with information about your airline(s) > Seatguru.com > Seatplans.com > Seatexpert.com

You can also look up seat configurations on an image search engine, just make sure that they are for the plane and airline you're aiming for. Another way to do this is through Wikipedia, which usually lists seat configurations for the aircraft and airline in question.

1. Fleet

You can only use the past, current and future fleet that your airline operates.
You can otherwise use and administrate the fleet in any way you like and find reasonable and profitable.
After most of the airline's real life fleet and network is built up in-game, you can expand to aircraft families and destinations the selected airline doesn't operate in real life, under the condition you expand in a reasonable and realistic way.

Example: Ryanair uses only a streamlined fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircrafts, then you can only use B737-800 if you play as Ryanair - however, if you are in an earlier game world - you can use the past fleet of the airline, such as the 737-200. In addition, the fleet type must be retired when the real-world airline did it in real life. If Ryanair retired their 737-200s in 1997, you must do so (within a few years, of course). Should you find that a fleet type is not working for you, please PM me (Spyrosv), or our adviser (titanicman), and we will work with you on maintaining maximum realism, while turning a profit at the same time.

Example: Qatar Airways operates a fleet of 191 aircraft ( Aircraft on order excluded ) with around 150 destinations. After the specific fleet and destinations are mostly built up in-game, you can expand with other aircraft families ( such as the 747-8I since they already use it in the freighter version ) and other destinations that make sense and could be run in real life, such as Palma de Mallorca.

2. Seat and class configuration

You should set up your seat configuration how your airline has it set up. However, if an airline has a configuration that is far too spacious to remain profitable in your opinion, then make it slightly tighter, but do not add or remove classes from that airline's original fleet plan.

Example: Transaero has a 4-class configuration with First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. Transaero has different class configurations for each aircraft and you must follow them for each aircraft type as close as possible.

NOTE: AIRLINES MAY NOT INTRODUCE NEW CABIN CLASSES THAT WERE NOT ORIGNIALLY INCLUDED IN THAT AIRLINE'S AIRCRAFT TYPE. For example, you may not operate an Avro RJ with first class, and if your airline operated it in all-economy, you must run it that way too. Should you come across an intra-Europe business class product (economy with blocked middle seat), DO NOT count the middle seat as an additional C class seat.

Note! Premium economy is still not included in the game and must be run as economy!

3. Route network and expansion

You must build up most of your airlines exact route network before you can expand your route network to new destinations and markets. If some routes of the original network have too much competition to be run profitably, then you can skip those and move on to creating your own routes. You should use fleet types on routes you think your airline uses that fleet type on. For example, with Japan Airlines, you should be using the domestic 737-800 for domestic routes and the international one for international routes. You should also not be flying 747-400 aircraft on domestic routes. There are exceptions, of course. HND-KIX is very well known for its high amount of 747 service, but this should not get out of hand.

Expansion tips:

Reopening terminated and closed routes can be a good start to expand your airline and its route network.
Partner up and fly to other members hub to generate transferring passengers to both members
Focus on a specific market at a time. Country for country, continent for continent.
Opportunities are endless - have a plan and not just open random routes here and there. Use common sense and everything will be okay.
Once you've opened all the real-world routes of the airline, you can use the "add route" button under the fleet tab for each plane. This lists according to demand, which should be helpful for those wishing to expand according to demand.

4. Utilization

You should have a realistic utilization of your aircrafts and it should not be more than 13 hours or so on average. This varies, however, by aircraft type. Regional aircraft such as the Twin Otter, Beech 1900, Dash-8-100 and others of similar size and range should have no more than 10 hours of daily utilisation. Long-haul aircraft, such as the Boeing 787, can use more hours, as there is less turn time involved - up to around 15 hours a day. Narrow body aircraft, such as the 737 and A320 should be used to about 12-13 hours daily.
Should you have an issue maintaining profitability with these hours, please PM me (Spyrosv) or our adviser, titanicman, or our Vice President (PingPong), and we can help you with maintaining realism and profits.

5. IFS & IFE

IFS (in-flight service) & IFE (in-flight entertainment) service should be equivalent to your real life counterpart.

Example:

Turkish Airlines is known for having some of the best in flight meals is also included in the ticket. This service should be replicated by offering food that is above average and be free of charge for customers.

Emirates is known for having some of the best entertainment systems on board included in the ticket. This service should be replicated by offering top notch IFE free of charge for customers.

On the other hand, Spirit airlines is known for not the greatest quality of service, and no entertainment. Therefore, you can charge for lower-quality food, and you cannot offer entertainment.

Note that you can only charge for food and drink and other in-flight services if your airline does that in real life. Airlines without IFE should not have entertainment systems.

6. You must use the real ...

Name of the airline
Logo
Livery
Slogan
IATA code (unless it`s already taken)
Fleet (until you've built up the real life fleet and network)
Seat Plan
IFS and IFE Configs

Logos and liveries must be of good quality and be visible and recognizable in-game. You can visit the logo and livery library here.

7. Regional subsidiaries

Regional subsidiaries that belongs to a major airline and shares the same name & branding can be run under your main airline.

Examples: KLM & KLM Cityhopper can both be run under the KLM brand. American and American Eagle can do the same, etc.

Do you want to add, remove or change anything? Leave a topic in the Universal Lounge or in the Improvements and Suggestions section and we will discuss your suggestion(s).

Last updated: 15.04.19 15:17 GMT by Wego.