A virtual airline (VA) is a dedicated hobby organization that uses flight simulation to model the operations of an airline. Virtual airlines generally have a presence on the internet, similar to a real airline. There are over 100 virtual airlines of significance currently active in the internet (supporting a number of flightsims), with thousands of participants involved at any one time each using different simulator platforms.
Purpose
Virtual airlines were started to give a sense of purpose to activities conducted within a flight simulator. This basic premise has evolved over time, along with available technology, to provide increasing levels of immersion but always with the same core purpose. When combined with increasingly powerful personal computers, advancing flight simulation software, and communications networks, virtual airlines are often able to provide compelling, realistic, experiences similar to operations inside a real airline. Virtual airlines also provide an avenue for members to gain access to additional content, such as aircraft and scenery, for use with their simulator. The appeal varies; for younger members, virtual airlines provide a sandbox environment where they can experience the corporate environment of commercial business in the airline industry, without the risk of financial loss. These organizations also provide an outlet for those who are interested in aviation but unable to fly themselves in real life due to financial, health, or other reasons.
Most of all, its one step closer to enthusiasts feeling more involved in an airline environment and share their interests with others.
Virtual Airlines also benefit the flight simulator community by providing valuable services such as ATC, events, and general help and knowledge.
Common elements
There are several elements that are common across many virtual airlines:
- A website as the focal point of the community
- Internet forum where discussion and social interaction can occur
- Customized livery that users can download together with aircraft and install in their flight simulator
- Route schedules for members to fly in their simulators
- Multiplayer events, often on a game network such as VATSIM or IVAO
- Less common elements include:
- An Online database for recording and reporting flights and membership statistics
- Dedicated game server hosting to provide private areas for members to complete flights
- Award, rank and recognition systems
- Voice over Internet Protocol servers for members to communicate freely by voice
Virtual airlines
Air Europe Virtual |
---|
| | Main hub |
EDDK |
---|
| Established |
May 2013 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
We are looking for pilots |
---|
| History |
We opened this airline in May 2013 on the 8th. We fly in Europe and the USA. |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
A300
A320-family (A318, A319, A320, A321)
737
A340-600
777-200ER
777-300ER |
---|
| Callsign format |
AEVxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum | |
---|
|
|
Binter Canarias Virtual |
---|
| Main hub |
GCLP |
---|
| Established |
2016 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
We are looking for pilots |
---|
| History |
We serve flights in the Canadian Archipelago, Cap Verde, Azores, and Western Africa, as well as Madeira and Europe Capitals |
---|
| Fleet | |
---|
| Callsign format |
IBBxxxx |
---|
| Forum | |
---|
|
|
Brazuka Airlines - Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras |
---|
| Established |
Feb 2017 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active and looking for pilots |
---|
| History |
Founded in Feb 2017. For pilots who want to fly to the most famous operating companies in Brazil: TAM, GOL, AZUL, VARIGLOG. Requirements: Registration in FGTracker, speak / understand Portuguese. |
---|
| Fleet |
ATR72-500 * EMB-190/195 * A330 * A319-100 IAE * 737-800 * 737-700 * A320Neo and more |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
BRT Virtual Airlines |
---|
| | Main hub |
UKBB |
---|
| Established |
Nov 2010 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| History |
Founded in Nov 2010, BRT has strived to achieve excellence in flying in FlightGear, and to create a quality community in flightsims. |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
737-300 (8)
747-800i (4)
777-200ER (17)
787-800 (8; all grounded)
E190-200 (22)
DHC6-300 (5)
A340-600HGW (5) |
---|
| Has ATC |
Yes, FGCom / FlightGear |
---|
| Callsign format |
BRT<pilot> |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
Century Airlines |
---|
| | Main hub |
SKBO |
---|
| Established |
March 2012 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| History |
Century Airlines was born on March 25, 2012 from an idea to change the system used by the virtual airlines in FlightGear and allow virtual pilots to have more freedom when flying. The airline began with a diffusion through FG community forums (not official), then it began a gradual expansion of a new system for pilots and their way of flying in a virtual airline. On January 25, 2013 Century Airlines got more than 500 reported flights from its virtual pilots. |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
Airbus A330-243 (2)
Airbus A340-600 (2)
Airbus A321-231 (2)
Airbus A320-214 (5)
Airbus A319-111 (4)
Airbus A318-111 (4)
CRJ-700 (9)
787-8 (3)
747-8i (3)
777F (5)
777-200ER (5)
777-200LR (4)
CRJ-200 (1)
Citation X (1)
DHC8-Q300 (3) |
---|
| Has ATC |
FGCom, RaidCall, Mumble |
---|
| Callsign format |
CAxxxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum | |
---|
|
|
Charter Aviation |
---|
| Main hub |
EGLL |
---|
| Established |
November 2013 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| History |
Charter Aviation is a virtual charter service airline. Any aircraft, any route, anytime. Any aircraft you can sim, any route you want to take it, anytime you want to fly. We're the guys who get the aircraft where they need to be. |
---|
| Hubs |
- CYEG - Edmonton
- CYOW - Ottawa
- CYVR - Vancouver
- EDDB - Berlin
- EGLL - Heathrow
- EIDW - Dublin
- FAJS - Oliver Reginald Tambo
- KBOS - Boston Logan
- KSFO - San Francisco
- LFPO - Paris Orly
- LYBE - Belgrade Nikola Tesla
- PHNL - Honolulu
- RJAN - Niijima
- SBGR - Guarulhos Sao Paulo Brazil
- UUDD - Domodedovo Moscow
- YSSY - Sydney
|
---|
| Fleet |
Any and all aircraft |
---|
| Has ATC |
Only if you want |
---|
| Callsign format |
CHTxxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
Cosmo International Airlines |
---|
| Main hub |
KCVG |
---|
| Established |
December 29, 2014 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| Hubs |
- North America - Operated by Cosmo Airlines and Connection:
- KCVG
- KDEN
- KMCO
- KSAN
- KJFK
- KPDX
- KSJU
- PHNL
- Europe - Operated by Cosmo Europe:
- FRA
- FCO
- Africa - Operated by Cosmo Africa:
- NBO
- ACC
- JNB
- NBO
- Asia - Operated by Cosmo China:
- PEK
- TPE
|
---|
| Fleet |
Airbus A380
Boeing 717-200
Boeing 737-300
Boeing 777-200ER
Boeing 777-200LR
Boeing 777-300ER
Boeing 787-800
Embraer ERJ 170 |
---|
| Callsign format |
CSM-xxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
CSJAIR |
---|
| Main hub |
RKSI |
---|
| Established |
3, October, 2014 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
We need pilot |
---|
| History |
Airline in South Korea |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
A320NEO
777-300
777-300ER
777-300F
A330-343
747-8i |
---|
| Callsign format |
CSJxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
Dravion Virtual Airlines |
---|
| | Main hub |
UKKE |
---|
| Established |
Sep 2011 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| History |
Founded in Sep 2011. Restarted her operations in Aug 2014. Is a regional airline in Ukraine. |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
Tu-134 |
---|
| Callsign format |
UR-D.. |
---|
| Website |
none |
---|
| Forum |
none |
---|
|
|
Fly FlightGear Virtual Airline - FFVA |
---|
| | Main hub |
EHAM |
---|
| Established |
February 2014 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Looking FFVA INT. pilots, FFVA CHARTER pilots, FFVA CARGO pilots, ATC, HUB managers. |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
747-8I
787
A319NEO and A320NEO
A330-243
A380
Aerostar-700
Citation Bravo
Citation X |
---|
| Callsign format |
FVAxxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
FlyVenezuela-- A Flying Club |
---|
| Main hub |
SVMI |
---|
| Established |
June 2015 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Opening on June 20th with CaracasWorld |
---|
| History |
This is a new flying club based in Venezuela. Join us in our events! |
---|
| Fleet | |
---|
| Callsign format |
YV-xxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum |
In the site |
---|
|
|
Global Virtual Airlines |
---|
| | Main hub |
EDDF |
---|
| Established |
April 2010 (as Atlas Virtual Airlines) |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
737-300
737-900
747-8i
777-200ER
787-8
B1900D
CRJ700LR
DHC6-300
DHC8-400Q
Il-96-400
MD-81 |
---|
| Has ATC |
YES, FGCom |
---|
| Callsign format |
GVAxxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum | |
---|
|
|
The Kiwi Company |
---|
| Main hub |
KEWR |
---|
| Established |
July 2015 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
727-230
737-400
737-300
757-200
A320-200 |
---|
| Has ATC |
No |
---|
| Callsign format |
KIAxxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum | |
---|
|
|
Merlion Virtual Airlines |
---|
| | Main hub |
WSSS (MIA/MCA) |
---|
| Established |
November 2010 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| Hubs |
- WSSS (MIA Hub)
- KLAX (MIA Hub)
- EGKK (MIA Hub)
- ELLX (MCA Hub)
- KMEM (MCA Hub)
|
---|
| Fleet | |
---|
| Callsign format |
MIAxxxx (Merlion Intl.), MCAxxxx (Merlion CARGO) |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum |
A part of the website. |
---|
|
|
MLD Virtual Airlines |
---|
| Main hub |
EGLL |
---|
| Established |
May 2014 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
We are looking for pilots |
---|
| History |
We opened this airline in May 2014 we fly in Europe an america. |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
A320 A321
757
777-200ER
777-300ER |
---|
| Callsign format |
EIxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
RSA Virtual Airline |
---|
| Main hub |
LQBK |
---|
| Established |
April, 2015 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Inactive |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
ATR-72-500
CRJ-900
A320neo
757-200
A330-200/300 |
---|
| Has ATC |
No |
---|
| Callsign format |
RSxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
StarJet Air Virtual |
---|
| | Main hub |
YVR Vancouver International |
---|
| Established |
Early November 2014 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| History |
This airline opened on November the 13th, 2014. It has been through dramatic changes, the most recent Project Canadair. |
---|
| Hubs |
Gatwick Airport London |
---|
| Fleet | |
---|
| Callsign format |
SRJxxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum |
N/A |
---|
|
|
Swanair |
---|
| | Main hub |
ENVA, Trondheim Vaernes, Norway |
---|
| Established |
November 2013 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| History |
Swanair is a small virtual airline, mainly flying on Flightgear Flight-Simulator. It offers prestige flights all over the world. Singapore, New York, or much more ! Swanair operates all kind of aircraft, 777, A330, A320, 787, 747..., connects the whole globe and lavish its pilots. You always dreamt to sit in First class isn't it ? So, Join us ! It'll change the way you fly forever. |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
Beechcraft B1900D
Boeing 737-900ER
Boeing 747-8i
Boeing 772
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Airbus A322
Airbus A320neo
Airbus A332
Airbus A333
Airbus A380 ! |
---|
| Callsign format |
SWNxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
Visayan Airways |
---|
| Main hub |
RPVM |
---|
| Established |
Janurary 2015 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Currently looking for pilots |
---|
| History |
A Virtual Airline from the Philippines, a new virtual airline in the Asian FlightGear skies |
---|
| Hubs | |
---|
| Fleet |
ATR 72-500
Airbus A320Neo
Boeing 717-200
Airbus A330-200
Boeing 747-8i |
---|
| Callsign format |
VIS**** |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum | |
---|
|
|
World Jet Airlines |
---|
| Main hub |
EGKK |
---|
| Established |
January 2016 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active and Looking For Pilots |
---|
| History |
A worldwide virtual airlines where you can fly any destination, request ATC services, and fly in VA events. |
---|
| Hubs |
- EGKK
- EDDF
- EHAM
- KJFK
- KATL
- KLAX
- PHNL
- TNCM
- LKPR
|
---|
| Fleet |
MD-88
Cessna Citation X
Boeing 777
Airbus A330-200
Boeing 747-8i
Boeing 787-8
Concorde
Boeing 707 |
---|
| Callsign format |
WJTxxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum | |
---|
|
|
Worldwide Airways Virtual |
---|
| | Main hub |
KSFO |
---|
| Established |
September 2016 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active and Looking For Pilots |
---|
| History |
A worldwide virtual Airline to fly on a lot of country in the world, and based at San Francisco and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. |
---|
| Hubs |
LFPG |
---|
| Fleet |
- Boeing 747-8i
- Boeing 757-200
- Boeing 777-300Er
- Airbus A380-800
- Airbus A340-313X
- Airbus A330-303
- Airbus A318
- Airbus A320
- Concorde
|
---|
| Callsign format |
WWAxxxx |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
Virtual Airline alliances
Flight Unlimited |
---|
| Established |
2012 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
SkyTeam Virtual Alliance |
---|
| Established |
June 20. 2013. |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum | |
---|
|
|
Virtual Star Alliance (VSA) |
---|
| Established |
April 26, 2009. |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Merged with Merlion |
---|
| Website | |
---|
|
|
WorldLine Alliance |
---|
| Established |
May 2013 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Closed - December 2014 |
---|
|
|
Virtual Air Forces
The European Air Force |
---|
| | Main hub | |
---|
| Established |
June 2011 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| Fleet | |
---|
| Has ATC |
Has ATC |
---|
| Callsign format |
EAFxxx, LCG-XXX |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum |
On our group. |
---|
|
|
Global Amity Virtual Airforce |
---|
| Established |
April 2015 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Currently Active |
---|
| Fleet |
- We do not restrict what aircraft you can fly with us.
|
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum | |
---|
|
|
Helldiver Squadron Offensive Tactical Force |
---|
| Main hub |
Düsseldorf Mönchengladbach Airport (EDLN) |
---|
| Established |
January 2013 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| Fleet | |
---|
| Has ATC |
Has ATC |
---|
| Callsign format | |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum |
In Development, Visit Our Site |
---|
|
|
International Air Force |
---|
| Established |
Comming soon |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Has ATC |
Yes, Provided by fgvao |
---|
| Callsign format |
(any ideas i have none) |
---|
|
|
Op Red Flag (OPRF) |
---|
| | Main hub | |
---|
| Established |
November 2015 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Active |
---|
| Hubs |
KXTA, KTNX, KINS, KSUU, KNID, KBAB, KEDW, KNFL. |
---|
| Fleet |
- F-14A/B
- F-15C/D
- M2000-5
- Saab 37 Viggen (all versions)
- (707 and variants)
- SR-71 and variants
- KC-137R and variants
- A-10
- B-1B
- KC-10A
- MQ-9 (all versions)
- Typhoon
- CH-53E
- SH-60J and UH-60J
- MiG-21-bis
- UH-1 and variants.
|
---|
| Has ATC |
No |
---|
| Callsign format |
{Your callsign}-1; {Your callsign}-2; OPFORxx . |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum | |
---|
|
|
Royal Canadian Air Force |
---|
| Main hub |
CYTR CFB Trenton |
---|
| Established |
November 11 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Operational but needs to hire more Pilots |
---|
| Hubs |
CYMJ, CYQQ |
---|
| Callsign format |
RCAFXXX |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum |
Coming Soon |
---|
|
|
Team Militare "36° Stormo virtuale" |
---|
| Main hub | |
---|
| Established |
September 2012 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Currently Inactive |
---|
| Hubs |
LIBN, LICZ, LIRA, LIPS, LIPI. |
---|
| Fleet |
- Panavia Tornado
- F-16/F-16CJ
- Mirage 2000
- EF2000/Eurofighter Typhoon
- F-14B
- AC-130
|
---|
| Has ATC |
Not yet. |
---|
| Callsign format |
Your callsign, (FGIT-xx) |
---|
| Website | |
---|
| Forum |
On our group. |
---|
|
|
Ukrainian Virtual Air Force (7TH SQD) |
---|
| | Main hub |
UKKK |
---|
| Established |
September 2014 |
---|
|
Airline details |
---|
| Status |
Operational |
---|
| Callsign format |
UVAF |
---|
| Website |
Coming Soon |
---|
|
|