The Dolomites have been rebuilt with geographically based alpine terrain, autumn scenery and residual snow. Combat areas are larger, the topographic minimap has been updated, and spawns follow safer terrain corridors.

The North Sea now features the Heligoland and Düne islands, cliffs, beaches, a harbour, buildings and coastal landmarks, with reworked water and lighting. Entry and respawn positions bring pilots closer to the battle.

Saint-Mihiel has more ground detail, damp-soil variation and vegetation, with improved lighting at low altitude.

Clouds across the available fronts now use varied cumulus, wind-sheared and stratocumulus formations, with lighting that follows the time of day. Up to two temporary clouds can cross the battle area.

AI pilots have more stable flight, improved pursuit and defensive manoeuvres, better stall recovery and greater awareness of terrain.

AI aiming now accounts for the actual gun positions and bullet trajectories, including gravity and moving targets.

AI skill mixes now use a consistent composition for each team's bot count. Skills are preserved through respawns and changes in the number of human pilots.

Hangar and lobby interfaces have clearer aircraft information, selection, prices and livery states, with improved scrolling and room-list updates.

Cockpit view now relies on the aircraft's physical gunsight, with less HUD clutter while retaining hit feedback.

Machine guns now show muzzle flashes at their actual barrel positions and visible barrel heating in the local cockpit.

Aircraft damage and crash effects now include progressive smoke, spiralling falls, engine fire, impact effects and debris. Wrecks can continue falling while the pilot respawns.

Respawns now take about 2.5 seconds, regardless of altitude, and the camera resets for the new life.

Aircraft unlocks have been rebalanced: 14 of the 20 aircraft are free, with one aircraft per nation still unlocked using francs. Eligible purchases of aircraft that became free receive an automatic, one-time refund.

Percheron 14 can now be unlocked with francs. Pilots who already earned its previous 250-kill unlock retain access.

Flight tips appear less frequently, use gentler transitions and no longer play a notification sound. Tips can be turned on or off in settings.