What is simulated
Systems
A simulation can promise anything. This page says what actually exists in the prototype today.
In the prototype works in the prototype and is covered by tests. Partly built exists in a thin form. Planned is designed but not built.
Demand and network
Itinerary level demand
Passengers choose complete journeys: nonstop, one stop on one airline, or interline across two. A fare cut on one leg moves passengers onto connecting legs of other airlines.
In the prototype
Surface competition
Ships, trains and ferries compete with air on the routes where they exist.
In the prototype
Seasonality and growth
Tourist markets peak in summer. Air travel grows over time and recessions bite.
In the prototype
Interline groups
Found a group, invite other airlines, and connections between members count as one ticket with shorter connection times. Codeshare and global alliances are planned for the later eras.
Partly built
Bases, hubs and banks
Set up bases where crews and aircraft are domiciled: flying from a base is cheaper and flying from an outstation costs more. Connecting hubs with timed banks arrive with the later eras, because no airport in 1958 to 1963 can host one.
Partly built
Aircraft and technology
Jet stream and range
Westerly winds change block time and range in each direction. Aircraft that cannot cross the Atlantic nonstop stop at Gander, Shannon, Prestwick or the Azores.
In the prototype
New, used and leased aircraft
Order with deposits and delivery queues, buy and sell used airframes, lease in and out, store, and part out for spares.
In the prototype
Manufacturer variants and exclusivity
Larger airlines can ask for a variant and hold it exclusively for two years. A launch customer can reserve early deliveries.
Partly built
Technology investment
Funding a technology brings it forward within a window of plausible dates. Neglect lets it slip.
Partly built
Groundings of types
A regulator can restrict a whole type. Scripted for one historical case in the prototype.
Partly built
Weather and closures
Cancellations by airport and month, and scripted closures such as the severe winter of 1962 to 1963.
In the prototype
Business
Accounts and finance
A full ledger, loans, depreciation, tax, insolvency, and sometimes a government rescue.
In the prototype
Subsidy and public service contracts
A lifeline operator earns a guaranteed margin only while it meets its service obligations.
In the prototype
Charter contracts
Seasonal seat contracts with tour operators, with penalties for missed flights.
In the prototype
Advertising and service level
Spending builds awareness and reputation with diminishing returns.
Partly built
Pay and strikes
Set crew pay against the going rate. Higher pay costs more and keeps the peace, lower pay invites disputes that stop flying for weeks. Unions, work rules and training are planned.
Partly built
Lobbying
Spend political capital to move a rule. Odds are shown and never certain.
Partly built
Investors, stakes and secondary businesses
Sell shares to outside investors and pay them dividends, hold stakes in other airlines, and own hotels and tour operators that feed your flights. Share prices, boards and takeovers are planned.
Partly built
Insurance, support and supply contracts
Three levels of insurance, rare accidents that pay out according to cover and raise premiums afterwards, and through life support contracts that make breakdowns rarer, and framework deals with a manufacturer that trade a commitment for a discount. Exclusive supply arrangements are planned.
Partly built
Politics and the world
Regulation by era
A fare corridor, bilateral frequency caps and a licence that limits an independent. Each is a data driven rule.
In the prototype
Scripted real events
Dated events from the period, each flagged until sourced.
Partly built
Chance events
Fog and snow spells, strikes, fuel price jumps and early problems on new aircraft types, drawn from seeded random streams so a game can be replayed.
Partly built
Traffic rights
You may fly between your home country and others, never inside another country, and between two foreign countries only with rights that continue a service from home. Rights can be won by lobbying. Rights that improve by date, sanctions and diversions around events are planned.
Partly built
Security regimes and airport experience
Crowding and passenger experience at each airport, which you can improve with check-in halls, lounges, boarding bridges and terminal extensions. Screening regimes over the decades are planned.
Partly built
Computer controlled airlines
AI airlines with personalities
Rivals use the same rules and commands as you. They re-equip, open and close routes, lease, sell and fail.
In the prototype
Seasonal rostering
Routes can run for part of the year, and aircraft from a route that is out of season move to one that needs them.
Partly built
Delegation
Managers you can hand a division to.
Planned