The best flying games for Android fall into three groups: flight simulators such as Infinite Flight and Turboprop Flight Simulator, a rocket builder in Spaceflight Simulator, and helicopter action games. There's also an airport game and a cooking game on a plane. Pick a simulator to learn and a shooter for action.
Flying is one of the oldest dreams in gaming, and Android has more ways to do it than most people realise. You can pilot an airliner, build a rocket, hover a helicopter or keep a whole airport moving.
To put this list together I read each game's Google Play listing and noted the developer, installs, content rating, ads and in-app purchases labels and any offline wording. They aren't ranked, because a rocket builder and a helicopter shooter are aimed at very different players.
Three of the ten are combat games rated Teen or Everyone 10+, so the rating column is worth a look if a child will be playing.
Flying games and their store labels
| Game | Developer | Google Play installs | Ads / in-app purchases | Offline wording on the listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infinite Flight Simulator | Infinite Flight Corporation | 10M+ | No ads label, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Turboprop Flight Simulator | AXgamesoft | 10M+ | Contains ads, no in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Spaceflight Simulator | Team Curiosity ✦ | 10M+ | No ads label, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Helicopter Flight Pilot | Game Pickle | 5M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| World of Airports | Flyboys.Games | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Airplane Chefs - Cooking Game | Nordcurrent Games | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| GUNSHIP BATTLE: Helicopter 3D | JOYCITY Corp. | 100M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Modern War Choppers: Shooter | ForgeGames Mobile | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Both Online and Offline avia game modes' |
| Helicopter Escape 3D | SayGames Ltd | 50M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| HellCopter | SayGames Ltd | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
The ten flying games
Infinite Flight Simulator
The serious flight simulator of the group. Its listing promises the most complete flight simulation on mobile, with high definition scenery from regions around the world, for novices and experienced pilots alike. It shows no Contains ads label.
Turboprop Flight Simulator
A 3D simulator where you fly modern turboprop aircraft, from military planes to passenger airliners, and drive ground vehicles too. It shows ads but no in-app purchases label.
Spaceflight Simulator
You build a rocket from parts and launch it into space, and its listing promises accurate rocket physics and realistically scaled planets. It shows no Contains ads label.
Helicopter Flight Pilot
An open-world helicopter simulator where you fly an open world full of missions and try base jumping. Its listing also mentions random flight problems, such as landing gear trouble, to handle.
World of Airports
You don't fly the planes here, you run the airport. It's a strategy game where you play an air traffic controller and develop international airports rendered in 3D.
Airplane Chefs - Cooking Game
A cooking game from the makers of Cooking Fever, set on your own plane. You cook meals and desserts and serve them in the sky against the clock.
GUNSHIP BATTLE: Helicopter 3D
A combat helicopter game from JOYCITY with more than 100M installs, where you fly missions around the world. It's rated Teen, and its listing's last update was Jun 1, 2021.
Modern War Choppers: Shooter
A helicopter shooter with player battles and a solo campaign. Its listing says it has both online and offline modes, and it's rated Everyone 10+.
Helicopter Escape 3D
A third-person helicopter shooter where you rescue a hostage from waves of enemies below. It's rated Everyone 10+ and has more than 50M installs.
HellCopter
SayGames' helicopter shooting game, where you fly a mission against criminals who've taken over buildings. It's rated Teen.
Simulator, builder or shooter?
Infinite Flight, Turboprop Flight Simulator and Helicopter Flight Pilot are about the flying itself: take-offs, landings and handling. Spaceflight Simulator is a building game that ends with a launch. Gunship Battle, Modern War Choppers, Helicopter Escape and HellCopter are action games where the flying is the way to the fight.
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If you're not sure, try a simulator first. They're the slowest to learn and the most satisfying once a smooth landing clicks.
Two flying games without a cockpit
World of Airports and Airplane Chefs show how wide the theme goes. One puts you in the control tower, juggling arrivals and departures, and the other is a time management cooking game on a plane. Both suit players who love aviation but would rather plan than steer.
Getting your first landing right
- Start with the smallest, slowest aircraft on offer.
- Line up with the runway well before you begin to descend.
- Lower your speed gradually rather than all at once.
- Keep the nose slightly up just before touchdown.
- Practise in clear weather before trying wind or night flights.
Ratings on the helicopter shooters
- Teen: Gunship Battle and HellCopter.
- Everyone 10+: Helicopter Escape 3D and Modern War Choppers.
- Everyone: the simulators, World of Airports, Airplane Chefs and Spaceflight Simulator.
- No ads label: Infinite Flight and Spaceflight Simulator.
Most of these show in-app purchases, so turn on approval for in-app purchases in Google Play on a shared or child's phone.
Flying games for a real flight
Only Modern War Choppers clearly mentions offline modes, so check the rest in airplane mode before you board. My list of free games to play on a plane without Wi-Fi has more that are made for the journey.
If the turbulence is getting to you, a slower game can help, and this piece on what makes a puzzle game relaxing instead of stressful explains why. And for the old arcade shooters that started it all, here's where to play retro games legally.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best flying games for Android?
Infinite Flight Simulator, Turboprop Flight Simulator, Spaceflight Simulator and Helicopter Flight Pilot are strong picks for flying itself.
Is there a realistic flight simulator on Android?
Infinite Flight Simulator's listing describes the most complete flight simulation on mobile devices.
Which flying games work offline?
Modern War Choppers says it has offline modes. The others make no clear offline claim.
Are there flying games without ads?
Infinite Flight Simulator and Spaceflight Simulator show no Contains ads label.
Can I build a rocket in a game?
Yes. Spaceflight Simulator lets you build a rocket from parts and launch it.
Are helicopter games suitable for kids?
Check the rating. Two here are rated Teen and two Everyone 10+, while Helicopter Flight Pilot is rated Everyone.
Is there an airport management game?
World of Airports puts you in charge of an airport as an air traffic controller.
