A virtual airline is an Internet organization dedicated to the hobby of flight simulation. A hobby is a spare-time recreational pursuit. ... Interior Cockpit of a modern Flight Simulator A flight simulator is a system that tries to replicate, or simulate, the experience of flying an aircraft as closely and realistically as possible. ...

Virtual airlines are usually non-profit organizations, although some attempt to replicate real airlines in terms of organizational structure. The most common organizational structure often includes one or more of the following positions: CEO, COO, President, Vice-President, Customer Relationship director, Operations director, and virtual pilots. A non-profit organization (often called non-profit org or simply non-profit or not-for-profit) can be seen as an organization that doesnt have a goal to make a profit. ... Alternative meaning: Organisation (band). ... An airline is an organization providing aviation services to passengers and/or cargo. ... A chief executive officer (CEO), or chief executive, is the highest-ranking corporate officer or executive officer of a corporation, or agency. ... A Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a corporate officer responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the corporation. ...

While a wide variety of virtual airlines are fictional in name and operation, other virtual airlines take the name of a real-world airline (with approval from the actual corporate entity to which they virtually represent). Some real-world airlines, like United Airlines have encouraged creation of it's virtual prototype; the real-world United Airlines provided web hosting and a united.com subdomain for its virtual counterpart. United "dropped" the virtual counterpart from their server suddenly, due to cost cutting measures. British Airways Virtual (http://www.bavirtual.co.uk/) is also operating in virtual skies and fully approved by real-world British Airways. Additionally, there are virtual airline conglomerates that run several more or less independent virtual airlines under a common brand, site design, or name. Corporate redirects here. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Conglomerate is: A large company; see conglomerate (company). ...

"Pilots" who "work" for these "companies" must have a flight simulator and other computer equipment in order to perform. Usually, the airline's website keeps a record of the hours "flown" by each "pilot" and sometimes even "pay" them virtually for the flight.

Many virtual airlines allow you to fly online on organizations such as VATSIM or IVAO. Online flying increases dramatically the realism of flight simulator by introducing realistic and live air traffic control. Most virtual airlines regularly host online events where virtual pilots can participate in group flights with hundreds of other virtual airline pilots. Technology has vastly improved since the introduction of BBS-operated virtual airlines, allowing a wider variety of tools and resources available to virtual pilots, thus enhancing realism of flight simulation. With the new 'out of the box' VATSIM Style gameplay in Microsoft Flight Simulator X, more people are joining virtual airlines. The Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network (VATSIM) is an organization whose purpose is the simulation of worldwide air traffic by means of flight simulation and air traffic control software. ... IVAO, or the International Virtual Aviation Organisation, is an Internet-based flight simulation network. ... Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs) at Amsterdams Schiphol Airport (Netherlands) Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. ... Ward Christensen and the computer that ran the first public Bulletin Board System, CBBS A Bulletin Board System or BBS is a computer system running software that allows users to dial into the system over a phone line and, using a terminal program, perform functions such as downloading software and...

In essence, virtual airlines are not real, however, they are considered a serious hobby that has appeal among a very wide age range of participants. Some even simulate real-world airlines to the point where flight dispatching and virtual salary are part of the virtual airline's basic operations. It has been argued that virtual airlines provide a sandbox environment where younger members can experience the corporate environment of commercial business in the airline industry, without the risk of financial loss. They 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. Look up sandbox in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the business concept. ... Wall Street, Manhattan is the location of the New York Stock Exchange and is often used as a symbol for the world of business. ... Aviation refers to flying using aircraft, machines designed by humans for atmospheric flight. ...

Other types of virtual airlines include Virtual VFR Clubs.

Trivia

A Virtual airline named Jetstar International Airlines threatened legal action against Jetstar Airways claiming the Qantas subsidiary stole their name and livery.[1] This is the first ever case of a real world airline using a virtual airlines trademarks and intellectual property. No court records exist about this case so it can be assumed that two parties settled out of court. Did you also know one of the best virtual airlines is Hindustan Airlines? http://www.HindustanVA.com

See also

• IVAO
• VATSIM

IVAO, or the International Virtual Aviation Organisation, is an on-line Internet non-profit organisation dedicated to providing flight simulator enthusiasts from around the globe with access to servers that allow them to fly online, using real weather and air traffic control IVAO creates an on-line virtual world of... The Virtual Air Traffic Flight Simulation Network (VATSIM) is a world-wide network for virtual air traffic simulation. ...

External links

• VATSIM approved airlines
• AVSIM's List of Virtual Airlines