18 replies to this topic

[Limskj]

How do you make money? I mean like, I have a route that makes me 56k/day. But I saw the wiki reccommend at least $25M in bank to start leasing aircraft. How am I suppose to get there with such a small profit??? I tried to lease an aircraft but the fuel consumption is so high I cant make a profit.

[lshlarson]

You should have a more profitable route. If you can get one that offers 100k, do it.

[Limskj]

Don't you have a route suggestion system like in Air Mogul? Its really hard to find a profitable route with so many available destinations.

[Moldova96]

Look on the world map at gate prices and that should give you a good idea of demand and also it may be because you are in a anew game and based at LHR where the competition is very high that you are struggling.

[Limskj]

Look on the world map at gate prices and that should give you a good idea of demand and also it may be because you are in a anew game and based at LHR where the competition is very high that you are struggling.

So where is a good place to start? I tried to start at Singapore but traffic is very limited there.

[lshlarson]

Try a smaller city. For example, in China, don't start with Beijing, Shanghai, etc., start with Shenzhen, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Xian, Urumqi or another smaller city.
Also, in terms of fuel consumption, you will want to use newer aircraft (i.e. an A320 has much better economy than a Trident even though it's more expensive) so keep that in mind, and try to stick with newer types.

[Limskj]

So what is a good aircraft to start with? I used a Bombardier Q300 mainly because its fuel flow rate is very low compared to others. The other alternative, the ATR-42, has a better fuel economy but a poorer range so I don't use it.

Also, in the early stages, which aircraft is it better to lease? I just leased a brand new Q300 because there isn't a used one up for sale/lease (It cost me about $1M in down payment and nearly $200k per month).

[lshlarson]

So what is a good aircraft to start with? I used a Bombardier Q300 mainly because its fuel flow rate is very low compared to others. The other alternative, the ATR-42, has a better fuel economy but a poorer range so I don't use it.

Also, in the early stages, which aircraft is it better to lease? I just leased a brand new Q300 because there isn't a used one up for sale/lease (It cost me about $1M in down payment and nearly $200k per month).

I would suggest either the Q300 or ATR. When you operate many of these types, and make profit, you can introduce new types.

[Clutch Airball]

Don't you have a route suggestion system like in Air Mogul? Its really hard to find a profitable route with so many available destinations.

Select an aircraft that already flies a few routes. Then, scroll down and hit route suggestions. It only suggests routes, though, that use gates you have (e.g you have gates at BWN and SIN, routes between them will be suggested, if you dont have gates at one of these airports, it will not be displayed in the route suggestions).

[Limskj]

So.. when is a good time to start thinking about long haul flights? I am thinking about leasing an A320 to fly between London Heathrow and Quebec. The lease is half a million a month, 3M down payment, 16k fuel flow. Is it worth?

[Clutch Airball]

So.. when is a good time to start thinking about long haul flights? I am thinking about leasing an A320 to fly between London Heathrow and Quebec. The lease is half a million a month, 3M down payment, 16k fuel flow. Is it worth?

If the range for the route works, go for it! However, the route may not make profit If it does make profit, it is long-term beneficial.

[Limskj]

If the range for the route works, go for it! However, the route may not make profit If it does make profit, it is long-term beneficial.

Last I checked, no one has had a flight on that route.

[sviridovt]

Here is my guide:

start in a city that is not too big (EX. New York, LAX etc) but also not too small (EX. small town in a middle of nowhere). In my opinion the perfect size is cities like Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, Indianapolis etc.

As far as planes go, get one regional one (should be one of the default ones) and one long range one (try to get it used) avoid getting many different types of planes until your airline is a decent size. Also dont have 3 or 4 types of planes that fly the same range (EX. B738 and A320) Also consider having same type of plane with different variation (EX. B738, B7339, B736 etc)

As far as creating routes, use your planes to full capacity (range wise) and dont have a 777 flying a 100 mile route. Trust me, if you use your planes to their range, you make more profit. Also dont start on a competitive routes, start with demanding routes that are not flooded (they could sometimes be tricky to find).

[porter12]

Open some routes

For a demo check my airline

[bolli]

I always (or at least unless the world has just started) start by leasing some old a320s off of the used market.
theres usually plenty around and they earn quite a lot.
or if its an older world the 732ADV works well.

[Clutch Airball]

But I saw the wiki reccommend at least $25M in bank to start leasing aircraft

Yeah, well. I wrote that topic in the wiki, whilst I was working on improving it If you can't get there, don't worry. $10-$15 mil is fine.
I didn't realise that when I first read the topic, but now I remember (vaguely )

[porter12]

To get a idea how to get cash check out my airline!!

[Thiago Castro]

It's kind of funny but if you ask me how my airline got to where it is I don't think I'll be able to respond you but now the profit is in 70 milion +.

My airline is in Sweden so basically I only have two major cities (Gothenburg and Stockholm)... I started with the canadian jet... then started using DC-9's for regional flights and leased a MD-11 for a Tokyo route that was profitable. Started with older planes but as you get money get rid of the old ones and either lease or buy newer ones so your routes can be more profitable.

I believe that a key is to have a profitable international route to keep the company growing.

[porter12]

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