Here’s something we don’t say every day: a flight sim add-on is going mobile, and not just to show a route map or stream your live location. flyLAT, the airline management sandbox for Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane users, is getting a full-featured mobile app.
flyLAT|Mobile is currently in testing, and the idea is simple: bring the entire backend of your airline (fleet, finances, AI crew, routes, cargo ops) into your pocket with a native Android and iOS app.
Why a mobile app?
According to Luke, one of the developers behind flyLAT, this wasn’t always the plan. The team already has a web app, which was an experiment, a way to see how users behaved when they weren’t at their desks. What he found was that it became the go-to interface not just for users, but for himself too.
The problem is that the web app had its own logic, servers, and bugs that didn’t align well with the desktop version. So instead of endlessly patching it, they’ve gone back to the drawing board and built the mobile app from scratch, syncing it tightly with flyLAT|Desktop and setting the stage for smoother, faster development across the board.
Even in its early testing phase, flyLAT|Mobile is already quite capable:
- Push notifications (e.g., when your new A320 gets delivered)
- Messaging system for internal airline comms
- Soft notifications for in-app alerts
- AI and employee management
- Approve airline join requests
- Full UI to view your airline and flights in real-time
The roadmap is equally ambitious. Here’s what’s next on the list:
- Account management
- Route planning and fleet control
- Financial oversight
- Cargo contracts
- Custom roles and permissions
- In-app flight logs
Once feature parity with the web app is reached, the web app will be retired, leaving Desktop + Mobile as the core platform. Both will share the same server backend, which not only reduces developer workload, but also ensures a consistent experience for users.
Machine learning, fuel prices, live airport data
Behind the scenes, FlyLAT continues to evolve and it now features machine learning on the server side. Not for AI crew (yet), but for shaping how the economy works. Contracts should now be more dynamic, player-influenced, and customizable than ever. Fuel prices now mirror real-world data, adjusted for balance and player enjoyment. Fuel taxes vary per country.
A revamped web portal is also rolling out, offering:
- A searchable airline and pilot directory
- Real-time airport info, including arrivals, departures, weather, and fuel prices
- Extended management tools for CEOs and fleet managers
Testers welcome
If you’ve got an Android device and want to help shape the future of flyLAT|Mobile, there’s a beta testing program now open. You can sign up for Android testing here. iOS testing will begin once development stabilizes on Android.
It’s important to note that flyLAT is still in early access. The dev team is small. Updates come steadily but not always quickly. Some parts of the UI still feel rough. And if you’re looking for a polished, mature platform like OnAir or A Pilot’s Life, you may find it a bit raw.
But that’s also part of what makes it interesting. This is a project in the sim space that openly embraces the sandbox spirit of just trying things. You can run a fictional budget airline out of the Philippines. Or manage a global cargo empire. Or build something weird and fun with friends. It’s yours to shape. And now… it’s coming to your pocket!
