Is Infinite Flight a good simulator? Learn how its realism, aircraft, IFR, multiplayer and subscription compare with desktop flight sims.
Infinite Flight is a serious mobile flight simulator for iOS and Android. It is good for portable VFR and IFR practice, airline-style flights and online flying, but its aircraft systems, scenery, add-ons and hardware support do not match leading desktop simulators. It suits convenience-first simmers, not study-level cockpit training.
What exactly is Infinite Flight?
Infinite Flight is a flight simulator designed around phones and tablets rather than desktop PCs. Aircraft are controlled primarily through device tilt and on-screen inputs, with flight planning, navigation, weather, autopilot functions and cockpit instruments presented in a form that remains usable on a small display.
It covers everything from circuits in light aircraft to multi-leg airline operations. Depending on the aircraft, you can work with GPS navigation, radio aids, instrument approaches, autopilot modes and airline-style flight plans. Systems depth varies: not every visible switch works, and complex avionics or failure logic may be simplified.
The online network adds other pilots and community-controlled air traffic control where coverage is available. Access to the full aircraft selection, worldwide flying and network services generally requires an Infinite Flight Pro subscription; the exact package and billing options should always be checked inside the app. Our detailed Infinite Flight review examines its aircraft, flight planning, weather, graphics and overall performance in greater depth.
Is Infinite Flight a good flight simulator?
Infinite Flight is one of the stronger choices for serious mobile flying, provided it is judged against other mobile apps rather than a complete desktop simulator installation.
| Area | Where Infinite Flight works well | Where it compromises |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Quick setup on a phone or tablet, with no gaming PC required | Small screens make instrument scanning and cockpit input harder |
| Flying | Useful handling, navigation, approaches and autopilot practice | Flight and systems modelling are not study-level across every aircraft |
| Online operation | Shared airspace, traffic and community ATC | Requires a suitable connection, subscription access and correct online conduct |
| Visuals | Worldwide terrain and a growing selection of detailed airports | Less dense scenery, ground detail and environmental variety than leading PC simulators |
| Expansion | A self-contained experience requiring little configuration | No comparable third-party aircraft, scenery or utility ecosystem |
| Controls | Tilt and touch controls make portable flying practical | External-controller and home-cockpit support are far narrower than on PC |
Its greatest advantage is availability. A short circuit, approach or route can be flown without setting up a desk, yoke, pedals and several displays. A tablet is particularly helpful for IFR because the larger screen leaves more room for the primary instruments, autopilot panel and flight-plan controls.
Visual quality is the clearest compromise. Airports and terrain can look convincing from normal operating altitudes, but low-level buildings, ground traffic and regional detail do not consistently match modern desktop platforms. Our comparison of flight simulators with the most realistic scenery explains why mobile hardware remains at a disadvantage here.
Is Infinite Flight realistic enough to learn from?
Infinite Flight is realistic enough to reinforce basic flying and procedural habits, but it is not a replacement for flight instruction or an approved training device.
- Useful skills: attitude and power control, trimming, traffic patterns, speed management, navigation, instrument scanning, approach sequencing and basic autopilot use.
- Useful airline habits: planning a route, choosing sensible altitudes, managing a descent and configuring an aircraft progressively for landing.
- Limited areas: detailed electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, abnormal procedures, exact flight-management-computer behaviour and aircraft-specific cockpit flows.
- Non-transferable elements: physical control forces, peripheral vision, turbulence cues, radio workload and the consequences of real weather or traffic.
A common mistake is assuming that completing an ILS approach in the app proves full understanding of IFR flying. The simulator can help rehearse intercepts, stabilised approaches and missed approaches, but the pilot still needs to understand clearances, navigation sources, minima and approach charts. Our guide to practising IFR properly in a flight simulator covers that wider workflow.
What does Infinite Flight Pro add, and can you fly offline?
Infinite Flight Pro generally unlocks the complete experience, including the wider aircraft roster, global operations, live services and multiplayer access.
Do not assume that downloading the app provides permanent access to every aircraft and feature. Entitlements are tied to the plan and account being used, while inclusions can change as the product develops. Check the subscription description before paying, especially if one particular aircraft or online feature is the reason for subscribing.
Offline flying is more limited. Multiplayer and community ATC require an internet connection, while live weather and scenery or data not already available on the device may also depend on connectivity. Before relying on Infinite Flight during travel, place the device in flight mode and confirm that the intended aircraft and area load successfully.
Can a beginner start with Infinite Flight?
A beginner can start successfully with Infinite Flight, and it avoids the cost and complexity of buying a PC, controls and add-ons before learning the basics.
- Choose a light training aircraft at a familiar airport with a long runway, daylight and calm weather.
- Calibrate the controls with the device held in its natural flying position. Reduce sensitivity if small movements produce abrupt pitch or roll changes.
- Practise straight and level flight before using the autopilot. Learn how power, pitch and trim affect speed and altitude.
- Fly circuits until take-off, downwind spacing, speed reduction and final approach feel orderly rather than rushed.
- Add navigation and instrument procedures only after basic aircraft control is consistent.
- Enter multiplayer later. Practise the aircraft and radio-style instructions offline before joining airspace managed by another user.
Our broader beginner flight-simulator setup and first-flight guidance helps with the next decision: staying on mobile or moving to a desktop simulator and physical controls.
Why do the controls, autopilot or performance sometimes feel wrong?
Most apparent control and autopilot faults come from calibration, over-controlling or an incorrectly armed mode rather than a broken flight model.
- Jerky pitch or roll: recalibrate the device, lower control sensitivity and make smaller inputs. Use trim instead of holding constant pressure throughout the approach.
- Aircraft drifts with the device centred: calibrate it in the same position in which it will be held or supported during the flight.
- Autopilot misses the route: confirm that the intended leg is active, the aircraft is on a reasonable intercept and the correct lateral mode is armed. Selecting a target does not necessarily activate the mode needed to reach it.
- Approach mode will not capture: verify the selected runway and approach, intercept from a sensible angle and altitude, and check the active-mode indications rather than relying only on the button state.
- Stutters, heat or heavy battery drain: reduce rendering and traffic settings, close unnecessary background apps and avoid charging-related heat during demanding flights where practical.
- Aircraft or online features are missing: confirm the correct account is signed in, check the subscription entitlement and verify the network connection before treating it as an installation fault.
Who should choose Infinite Flight?
Choose Infinite Flight when portability and fast access matter more than maximum cockpit depth, scenery detail or hardware expansion.
- It is a good fit for phone and tablet users, frequent travellers, beginners, casual airline operations, circuits, navigation practice and short IFR sessions.
- Choose a desktop simulator instead for study-level aircraft, extensive failures, VR, multiple monitors, yokes and pedals, home cockpits, third-party add-ons or the most detailed scenery.
Infinite Flight is therefore a good flight simulator within its intended role. It provides substantially more structure and procedural depth than a casual flying game, while accepting the unavoidable limits of mobile hardware and touch-based control.