Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about playing Tailwinds — the game itself, saving, devices, and the gameplay questions new players ask most.

About the game

Is Tailwinds free to play?

Yes — completely free, in your browser. There's nothing to download, no account to create, and no purchase required to access any part of the game.

Does Tailwinds work on mobile?

Yes. The game runs in any modern browser on desktop, tablet, or phone. On mobile you can install it to your home screen as a progressive web app (your browser will offer "Add to Home Screen"), which gives you a full-screen, app-like experience.

Do I need an account?

No. You pick an airline name, choose a home airport, and start playing. No sign-up, no email, no password. Signing in is only for cloud saves, an optional perk for supporters.

How does saving work?

Progress saves automatically in your browser's storage on the device you play on, and the Save and Load buttons give you three manual slots on top of the auto-save. Because saves are local, clearing your browser data will erase them, and an airline saved in one browser stays in that browser.

Supporters can also keep airlines in cloud saves and carry them between devices: see the next question.

How do cloud saves work? Can I start on my computer and carry on on my phone?

Yes, that is exactly what they are for. Cloud saves are a thank-you for monthly supporters: three slots that any of your devices can reach.

1. On the device you have been playing on, open Save / Load, sign in under Cloud saves with your Headwinds account (Google, Discord or an email link), and choose Upload here on a cloud slot.
2. On the other device, open the game. If there is no game on it yet, the new-game screen has a Load from a save slot or the cloud link; otherwise open Save / Load. Sign in the same way you did on the first device and choose Load.

It is a hand-off, not live sync. Once you load on your phone, you are playing the phone's copy; to take that progress back to your computer, upload it from the phone and load it on the computer. If a cloud slot has changed on another device since you last looked, the game shows you what is in it and asks before replacing anything.

On a phone, sign in from Safari or Chrome with Google or Discord. Email sign-in links often open inside your mail app's own browser, where signing in cannot finish, so open the link in your normal browser. If you have added Tailwinds to your home screen and signing in does not stick there, use the browser instead.

Cloud saves are best effort and not a guarantee: they run on spare capacity on the same hobby servers as Headwinds, and may change or end. The game in your browser is still your main save. If you stop supporting, the cloud saves you already have stay yours to load; only new uploads pause.

How do you win?

A Classic game is open-ended, like the classic tycoon games. The real challenge is building a profitable, respected airline without going bankrupt — and the optional board objectives give you concrete goals, with cash rewards, as your airline grows. Buy out or outlast every AI rival and you get a victory screen. Pick a historical start year instead and the run has an ending: the clock stops at the end of 2050 and you are ranked by market cap against the rivals still flying. Most players also set their own ambitions: a global network, a cargo empire, a fleet of flagships, or simply surviving a fuel crisis with margins intact.

Gameplay

How many aircraft and airports are in the game?

197 real-world aircraft types — from nine-seat utility props to the A380 and Concorde — each with its own economics, and more than 2,000 real airports worldwide. The aircraft guides cover every type with full in-game stats.

Why is my route losing money?

Usually one of four things: the aircraft is too big for the market (check load factor first), the fare is below your cost per seat, the route is new and hasn't matured, or a competitor has moved in. The route economics guide has a full diagnostic checklist.

Should I lease or buy aircraft?

Lease while you're growing — it preserves cash and flexibility. Buy once you're rich and the aircraft serves a route you'll fly for years. The fleet planning guide works through the arithmetic.

What's the best starter aircraft?

There's no single answer — it depends on your hub's geography — but the reliable pattern is a modern turboprop or small regional jet for short routes plus, soon after, one narrow-body workhorse. See the turboprop and regional jet guides for candidates.

What is fuel hedging and should I use it?

Hedging locks a fixed fuel price for a share of your fuel bill over 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks, for a premium that grows with the term. It's insurance against fuel spikes — most valuable when your network is long-haul heavy and a sudden spike would hurt. Because the price is set off the expected average over the term, there's no point trying to time it. Details in the fuel hedging guide.

A competitor moved onto my route. What do I do?

Don't reflexively cut fares. Check what they're beating you on — price, frequency, or quality — and respond on that axis. Frequency, cabin quality, and loyalty are usually cheaper and more durable weapons than a fare war. The competition guide covers the playbook.

Support

I found a bug — where do I report it?

The Tailwinds community on Discord is the best place: bug reports, feature ideas, and strategy talk all live there. See the contact page for the invite link.

Can I play offline?

Partially — as an installed progressive web app, the game can start without a connection once it has been loaded and cached. A connection is recommended for updates.