Throughout Final Fantasy, airships have become one of the most popular means of transportation in the entire series. Though many will opt to mount an adorable yellow Chocobo to navigate the franchise's harsh landscapes, there is no denying the benefit of exploring a world from the safety of an airship.
Airships are usually unlocked towards the halfway point in a Final Fantasy game. Before gaining access to one, the player is forced to travel the vast world either on foot or by using a less efficient means of traversal. Once obtained, an airship will allow the player to journey to previously unreachable areas, rendering exploration a far less arduous process.
10 Balamb Garden - Final Fantasy 8
One of the most surprising twists in Final Fantasy 8 saw Squall learning of Balamb Garden's true purpose. Introduced as a training center during the game's opening, the Headmaster harbors a shocking secret about the Garden's design that is only revealed to Squall during a moment of desperation.
To escape its attackers, the Headmaster informs Squall that Balamb Garden also functions as an airship. Though it is not nearly as efficient as the Ragnarok unlocked later in the game, Balamb Garden is one of the largest operable airships in the series.
9 The Invincible - Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 9's Invincible houses a frightening level of power. Used primarily as a war machine, the airship contained a large eye capable of destroying everything its gaze fell upon. Garland used the eye's incredibly destructive power to destroy Madain Sari as a means of eradicating the world's summoners.
Helmed by a commander of time and space, the Invincible was capable of traveling between realities and brought devastation wherever it went. Not many airships possess the means of destroying god-like Eidolons, but the Invincible proves to be an exception.
8 The Highwind - Final Fantasy 7
After Tifa and Barret are captured by Shinra, Cid Highwind devises a plot to rescue them from their captors. Thanks to the assistance of some ex-Shinra crewmates, Cid is given the chance to pilot the Highwind, a highly coveted airship in the world of Final Fantasy 7.
The Highwind offers the party the chance to swiftly travel across the globe, a far less limited means of transportation than what they were restricted to with the Tiny Bronco. It can even be used to challenge Ultima Weapon, a god-like force capable of mass destruction.
7 The Celsius - Final Fantasy 10-2
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The Celsius may be one of the most stylish airships present in the Final Fantasy series. Sporting a slick red paint job with intricate blue patterns present all over, the Celsius is a distinguished vessel that houses a variety of unique features.
The Celsius has several floors that reveal its inner workings. Yuna recruits an abundance of different characters to travel with her throughout her journey; all of which can be found spread throughout the ship's interior. Though Brother's constant degrading remarks serve to diminish the ship's potential as a base, it is nonetheless one of the more comfortable airships in the series.
6 The Strahl - Final Fantasy 12
The Strahl offers Vaan the chance to finally experience a small fragment of his dream. Since he was a child, Vaan yearned for the day when he could afford to buy his own airship and escape the city of Rabanastre and, though he eventually got his wish, his first experience in an airship was far from what he imagined it to be.
Vaan happens upon Fran and Balthier during his time in the Royal Palace. Though these elusive sky pirates are skeptical of him at first, they decide to allow the young Vaan to accompany them on their ventures as he has something they want. As the story continues, the Strahl acts as a means of allowing the player to return to previously explored areas.
5 The Tiny Bronco - Final Fantasy 7
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The Tiny Bronco is a humble plane-styled airship unlocked after visiting Rocket Town. Unfortunately, the player never gets to experience the heights the ship could once ascend to as Shinra shoots it down upon taking its first flight.
Acting as a hovercraft for most of its time on-screen, the Tiny Bronco can only explore shallow waters as drifting any further would cause it to sink. Though it is only briefly used, its charming design serves to convey Cid's personality and love of exploration excellently.
4 The Fahrenheit - Final Fantasy 10
Having spent the majority of the game up to this point aimlessly traipsing towards a bitter end, Tidus and his companions are finally given the chance to explore Spira without needing to backtrack to whence they came thanks to the Fahrenheit.
Having unearthed this ancient vessel from the ocean's floor near Baaj Temple at the beginning of the game, the Fahrenheit returns to offer its services to the party as they desperately search for a means of truly defeating Sin. Its introduction in the late game serves to reshape the narrative's approach to the party's already arduous journey.
3 The Sky Fortress Bahamut - Final Fantasy 12
Acting as one of Final Fantasy 12's most challenging dungeons, the Sky Fortress Bahamut is terrifying in more ways than one. Designed by Doctor Cid to be the most powerful airship in the Archadian Empire's fleet, the Bahamut is first seen intimidatingly towering over the city of Rabanastre as it prepares for war.
Unlike other airships, operating the Bahamut results in the formation of a whirlwind due to its ridiculous scale. Though it poses a great threat to those who stand against it, watching it slowly descend on the city of Rabanastre after its engines fail is arguably its most frightening display of power.
2 The Ragnarok - Final Fantasy 8
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Having already obtained the Balamb Garden as a somewhat inefficient means of transportation, the player will find themselves breathing a sigh of relief upon gaining access to the Ragnarok. One of the Ragnarok's best features is its ability to instantly teleport its pilot to any destination of their choosing.
While stranded in space, Squall and Rinoa notice the unmanned Ragarok drifting towards them. Upon entering the ship, the pair are forced to eradicate the Propagators, giving them the chance to fly the vessel back to their home planet. Not many airships are capable of space exploration, making the Ragnarok one of the most useful aircraft in the series.
1 The Airship - Final Fantasy
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Throughout the Final Fantasy series, the concept of an airship has evolved. With the more recent incarnations housing similarities to that of fighter jets and airplanes, many fans long for the day when an airship was nothing more than what its name implied, a sea vessel with rotor blades.
The original Final Fantasy that started it all also marked the first appearance of the series' now-iconic means of transportation. Dubbed "The Airship," its name is as simple as its charming design. The player must conquer the challenges posed by the sea, an ice dungeon, and a desert to obtain this airborne vehicle and, though it can be a difficult task, the reward for doing so is well worth it.