Best Open-World Games That Let You Fly Planes

Most modern open-world games are celebrated for the variety of options and freedom they offer players. From mounts that make traversing vast maps easier and faster to more modern vehicles like cars, boats, or bikes, the ability to ride or drive something (depending on the game’s setting) is a valuable addition to any open-world title. However, the option to fly planes, unlike more common helicopters, remains relatively rare in the genre.

There are a few reasons for this. First, the game needs to be set in a modern environment to justify including planes. Second, it must feature a truly massive map, as traveling at high speeds in the sky can undermine the sense of scale, making the world feel artificially smaller to players. Below, we’ll explore some of the best open-world games that let players fly planes, whether it’s a full-fledged jet fighter or a more modest but equally thrilling light private jet, utility propeller aircraft, or turboprop plane.

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1

GTA 5

Flying A Plane Is Just As Enjoyable As Driving Any Other Vehicle

Systems

Released

September 17, 2013

Developer(s)

Rockstar North

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Known for its unparalleled freedom, GTA 5 is perhaps the most obvious example of an open-world game featuring a wide variety of planes, from propeller aircraft to jet fighters, that players can pilot across the expansive map of Los Santos. The flight mechanics in Grand Theft Auto 5 are among the best in the genre, delivering a believable and enjoyable experience. This has inspired countless spectacular air maneuvers and trick videos that players frequently share online.

While planes in GTA 5 are accessible in single-player mode for both free-form exploration and certain missions, GTA Online takes it a step further by offering an even more extensive selection for virtual pilots. With over 30 different plane types and models available for purchase, each offers unique handling, speeds, and capabilities.

2

Just Cause 3

Grappling Hook Combined With Weaponized Planes Creates A Recipe For Explosive Fun

Open-World

Third-Person Shooter

Systems

Released

November 30, 2015

The Just Cause series is one of the most over-the-top open-world experiences for players eager to cause chaos from the sky, and Just Cause 3 is arguably the best installment for fans of thrilling plane gameplay. Known for its open mission structure and countless enemy outposts to clear in any way players choose, Just Cause 3 delivers explosive action across one of the largest maps in the genre. Players can steal, pilot, and wreak havoc with various weaponized jets and planes.

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The game’s standout feature is Rico Rodriguez’s versatile grappling hook, which can even be used mid-air to hijack enemy planes during flight. With around a dozen different aircraft to experiment with, Just Cause 3 offers an exciting and endlessly fun sandbox playtime for hours of chaotic enjoyment.

3

Far Cry 5

Introducing Controllable Planes To A Popular FPS Series

Far Cry 5 introduced player-controlled planes to the series’ open-world gameplay, a feature later revisited in Far Cry 6. The protagonist can pilot various propeller planes, some being equipped with miniguns, rockets, and bombs, allowing for thrilling aerial combat against enemies. However, planes aren’t available right from the start and must be unlocked by progressing through the story.

The planes in both Far Cry 5 and Far Cry 6 feature easy-to-master arcade-style controls, making them accessible for casual players. They can effectively serve as either a relaxing diversion or an intense combat option, especially when enemy planes engage the player mid-air in certain encounters.

4

Saints Row: The Third

For Pure, Mindless Aerial Fun, This Is A Perfect Destination

Action

Adventure

Third-Person Shooter

Systems

Released

May 22, 2020

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Since Saints Row 2, players have been able to take to the skies with controllable planes, but Saints Row: The Third arguably delivers the most enjoyable flying experience in the series. True to the game’s lighthearted approach, its flight vehicles perfectly complement the over-the-top chaos, offering truly explosive aerial gameplay. For fast-paced, arcadish plane action brimming with mayhem, Saints Row: The Third can rival even the Just Cause series.

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While some grounded aircraft are available, most of the jets and planes in Saints Row: The Third are entirely fictional, heavily armed, and designed with outrageous features. With their incredible speed, destructive power, and absurdly entertaining designs, they embody the series’ signature style of unrestrained fun.

5

ArmA 3

The Most Grounded And Hardcore Battlefield Featuring Realistic Aircraft

For players seeking a grounded and realistic plane representation in the open-world genre, ArmA 3 is likely the top choice. Renowned for its hardcore appeal and richly detailed open-world battlefields, the game offers an unparalleled military sandbox in both single-player and multiplayer modes. Players have access to dozens of meticulously recreated military vehicles, but mastering the controls to effectively pilot planes and other vehicles requires practice and skill development.

For the ultimate flying experience, the ArmA 3 Jets DLC is a must-have. It introduces several powerful aircraft and jets, along with advanced targeting systems, dynamic plane loadouts, and an overhauled sensor system. These additions significantly enhance handling and combat for hardcore aviation enthusiasts.

6

Ghost Recon Wildlands

A Vast Map That Makes Plane Travel Both Practical And Thrilling

Ghost Recon Wildlands is another Ubisoft open-world game that allows players to pilot various flying vehicles, including helicopters and planes. The expansive and diverse map of Bolivia makes using these aircraft especially useful for saving time and navigating the terrain more efficiently.

The game features several types of controllable planes, with cargo planes being the most common. While primarily intended for transport, these planes can also be used for quick air-drops into enemy territory. In co-op mode, planes add another layer of teamwork to Ghost Recon Wildlands, but helicopters are generally better suited for its combat missions. Choppers allow players to switch between weapon controls, delivering massive damage to enemies from above and providing more tactical options for coordinated attacks.

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