Reinforcing with planes

If this is discussed elsewhere, please excuse. I looked around but couldn't find anything about this subject.

It feels very unbalanced to me that you cannot reinforce other alliance members with planes unless they have a runway and enough slots to hold your planes. Attackers can bring as many planes as they have, yet defenders can only send the number of planes that the runway can accommodate. If an alliance member has not researched and/or built runways, they cannot be reinforced with planes -- and these are the very members who need that reinforcement the most! There is not one other unit in the game where this logic applies.

I hope you consider a change to this, but if you won't, then please give us the ability to know if another alliance member has a runway and at what level -- similar to towers, wall, lighthouse, tavern.

I agree. I would like at least to be able to see who has a runway in their town and if there are any slots available.  I have sent planes to reinforce only to have them return because there was no runway in the town.

We will make runway visible to alliance commanders in the next update, just like towers and walls.

Thanks for this. It will be helpful.

However, I would like an explanation of why there has to be a runway and enough slots for the planes in order to reinforce. We can defend with ships even if the person being attacked hasn't built a harbor. Or doesn't have the harbor upgraded enough to hold the number of ships sent. We can send tanks even if the person being attacked doesn't have the structure. We can send horsemen even if the person being attacked doesn't have a stable. I don't understand why the planes function this way.

However, I would like an explanation of why there has to be a runway and enough slots for the planes in order to reinforce. We can defend with ships even if the person being attacked hasn't built a harbor. Or doesn't have the harbor upgraded enough to hold the number of ships sent. We can send tanks even if the person being attacked doesn't have the structure. We can send horsemen even if the person being attacked doesn't have a stable. I don't understand why the planes function this way.

I think it's because planes are flying and these can't stay in air without refilling fuel? 

Too much realism in that explanation? 

However, I would like an explanation of why there has to be a runway and enough slots for the planes in order to reinforce. We can defend with ships even if the person being attacked hasn't built a harbor. Or doesn't have the harbor upgraded enough to hold the number of ships sent. We can send tanks even if the person being attacked doesn't have the structure. We can send horsemen even if the person being attacked doesn't have a stable. I don't understand why the planes function this way.

I think it's because planes are flying and these can't stay in air without refilling fuel? 

Too much realism in that explanation? 

If that were true, wouldn't it also be true for the attacking planes?

Attacking planes don't land.  In the real world they fly over, drop their bombs and fly off.  Only here do they wait for the rest of the army to follow lol.

I guess reinforcing planes have to have a runway to take off from once the attackers appear.  Until that time they are waiting on the tarmac idle.  No tarmac or runway no reinforcing planes.

We will make runway visible to alliance commanders in the next update, just like towers and walls.

Thanks for this. It will be helpful.

However, I would like an explanation of why there has to be a runway and enough slots for the planes in order to reinforce. We can defend with ships even if the person being attacked hasn't built a harbor. Or doesn't have the harbor upgraded enough to hold the number of ships sent. We can send tanks even if the person being attacked doesn't have the structure. We can send horsemen even if the person being attacked doesn't have a stable. I don't understand why the planes function this way.

Ships can anchor out to sea. Horses can be tied to a tree. But planes must have a runway, or circle above. And real life bombers carry fuel for the round trip. But circling, will burn fuel and have to have something to return on. The game only computes the fuel for the round trip and not for idling or circling. Eating off the food of the hosting kingdom. Unless you have a refueling plane, no way to refuel without landing.