I have $25M. What do I do?

$25M is deliberately not enough for a new narrowbody. Your first aircraft comes from the used market, and that is the intended path, not a setback.

1. Research a city pair first. The Network panel gives you the real distance, the daily demand split by cabin, the fare the market expects, and which aircraft would actually earn on that sector.
2. Buy used. Market → Used aircraft. An older narrowbody on a short sector out of your hub is the standard opening.
3. Open the route, assign the aircraft, advance a day.
4. Read the route card. Load factor and profit tell you whether to add frequency, change the fare, or close it.

Slot fees are not refundable, so the research step is where the game is won or lost.