.AIR File Extension

AIR files exist as 3 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: Adobe AIR Installation Package

To open AIR file, the Adobe AIR runtime must be installed. Download free from Adobe website if not installed. AIR and EXE formats distribute and install applications but have differences. EXE is Windo...

General Information

Title AIR File Extension
Extension .air
Full Form Adobe AIR Installation Package
File Type Application Installation Package
Developer Adobe Systems
MIME Type application/vnd.adobe.air-application-installer-package+zip

File Function

Primary Function Install AIR applications
Additional Functions Package AIR applications
Features Self-contained, Cross-platform

File Characteristics

Quality Highly functional
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency Yes
Editable With tools

Use Cases

Desktop Applications Yes
Games Yes
Rich Internet Apps Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Code execution
Best Practices Signature verification, Update runtime

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 2008
Discontinuation Adobe support ended 2020

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .fla, .swf, .apk, .exe

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Adobe AIR Runtime Free Windows, Mac, Android
Adobe Animate Subscription Windows, Mac
Flash Builder License Windows, Mac

Type 2: M.U.G.E.N Animation File

General Information

Title .AIR File Extension
Extension .air
Full Form M.U.G.E.N Animation File
File Type Game Animation File
Developer Elecbyte
MIME Type text/plain

File Function

Primary Function Store animations
Additional Functions Define character states
Features Text-based, Configurable

File Characteristics

Quality Dependent on sprite
Supports Layers Yes
Supports Transparency Yes
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Character Animation Yes
Game Modding Yes
Game Development Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Script injection
Best Practices Validate sources, Safe editing

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 1999
Latest Version Updates with M.U.G.E.N engine

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .def, .sff, .snd, .cns

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
M.U.G.E.N Free Windows, Linux, macOS
Fighter Factory Free Windows

Type 3: Flight Simulator X Flight Dynamics

General Information

Title AIR File Extension
Extension .air
Full Form Aircraft Performance Data File
File Type Flight Simulator File
Developer Microsoft
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store flight dynamics
Additional Functions Define aircraft behavior
Features Editable, Binary

File Characteristics

Quality High fidelity
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable With tools

Use Cases

Flight Simulation Yes
Aircraft Modding Yes
Educational Purposes Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low
Best Practices Backup, Use trusted tools

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 1982 with FS1
Latest Version FSX (2006)

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .cfg, .mdl, .bgl

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Microsoft Flight Simulator X Commercial Windows
Various Flight Dynamics Editors Free Windows