In Final Fantasy VII, who pilots the airship Highwind?

In Final Fantasy VII, Cid Highwind pilots the airship Highwind. He is the party’s airship pilot and an accomplished engineer whose skills make the vessel central to the late game.

Cid joins Cloud’s group after the events in Rocket Town. He had hoped to become the first person in space, but Shinra abandoned the rocket program after an attempted launch was halted because his assistant Shera discovered a dangerous oxygen-tank problem. Cid initially blames her, but later recognizes that she was right.

The Highwind becomes available after the party’s escape from Junon and serves as their main means of traveling across the world map. It allows access to locations and optional activities that are unavailable by ordinary routes.

Cid is sometimes confused with Kain Highwind from Final Fantasy IV, a different character with the same surname. Cid Highwind also uses a spear and belongs to Final Fantasy VII’s distinctive tradition of playable Cid characters, each with a different role and personality.