About SWISS Virtual

SWISS Virtual exists because a group of aviation enthusiasts saw something worth preserving in the Swiss flag carrier's identity -- its commitment to quality, its quiet confidence, and the unmistakable precision that defines Swiss culture. We carry that identity forward in everything we build, from the liveries on our aircraft to the procedures we follow on every flight. Representing SWISS is not simply a branding exercise for us. It is a responsibility we take seriously, and one that shapes every decision we make as an organisation.

Our community has grown to more than 500 active pilots drawn from every corner of the globe. What unites them is not geography but a shared conviction that flight simulation is at its best when it mirrors the discipline and professionalism of real-world aviation. We are entirely volunteer-run, registered as a non-profit association under Swiss law, and governed by the members who make this community what it is. There are no shareholders and no profit motive -- only a collective passion for getting the details right.

That international character is one of our greatest strengths. Pilots in different time zones keep our virtual skies active around the clock, and the diversity of experience within the community means there is always someone willing to help a fellow pilot master a new approach or troubleshoot a challenging procedure. Whether you fly from Zurich, Sydney, or Sao Paulo, you are part of the same crew.

At the heart of SWISS Virtual is our route network -- a faithful recreation of the real SWISS International Air Lines schedule. We operate European short-haul services linking Zurich, Geneva, and Basel to destinations across the continent, alongside long-haul intercontinental flights that connect Switzerland to the rest of the world. Every route in our network is based on actual SWISS operations, giving pilots the satisfaction of flying real city pairs on real-world schedules rather than arbitrary point-to-point legs.

The fleet that serves this network mirrors the diversity of its real-world counterpart. From the compact Airbus A220 working European routes to the widebody Airbus A330 and A340 covering medium- and long-haul sectors, and on to the Boeing 777 connecting Zurich to the farthest reaches of the SWISS network, every aircraft type is available with authentic SWISS liveries. Pilots can specialise in a single type or work their way through the entire fleet as they gain experience, just as a real airline career might unfold.

The A320 family forms the backbone of our European operations, handling the dense network of short-haul flights that keep SWISS connected across the continent. Meanwhile, the A350 represents the newest addition to the fleet, bringing modern long-range capability to our intercontinental services. Each aircraft type offers its own character and its own challenges, and mastering them all is a journey that keeps even our most experienced pilots engaged.

Every flight at SWISS Virtual is tracked through our custom-built ACARS system, purpose-designed for the way our pilots fly. The tracker records your departure, route, and arrival in real time, building a detailed logbook that documents your career from your very first flight. It is not a third-party tool adapted to fit our needs -- it is software built specifically for SWISS Virtual, and it reflects the same attention to detail that defines the rest of our operation.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to manual PIREP review. Every single flight report submitted by our pilots is reviewed by a member of our operations staff. This is not an automated pass-fail check -- it is a human review that considers the full picture of each flight. That process takes more effort than an automated system, but it ensures a level of quality and accuracy that no algorithm can match. It is one of the reasons pilots who join SWISS Virtual tend to stay.

Beyond the flights themselves, our community thrives on Discord, where pilots gather to share experiences, coordinate group flights, and participate in special events. From casual weekend flying sessions to organised events covering specific routes or regions, there is always something happening in our virtual skies. The community is supportive and welcoming -- experienced pilots genuinely enjoy helping newcomers find their footing, and the culture is one of encouragement rather than gatekeeping.

Our motto, "As Real As It Gets," is not marketing copy -- it is a philosophy that guides how we operate. It means that when you file a flight plan with SWISS Virtual, you are flying a route that SWISS actually operates. It means your flight is tracked, reviewed, and recorded to a standard that respects the effort you put in. And it means the procedures, callsigns, and operational culture you encounter here mirror what you would find in a real airline environment, adapted thoughtfully for the simulation context.

That commitment to realism does not come at the expense of accessibility. SWISS Virtual is not a job, and we do not impose rigid schedules or punitive activity requirements. You fly when you want, as often as you want, on your own terms. But when you do fly, the infrastructure is there to make that experience feel genuine and meaningful. The balance between freedom and fidelity is deliberate -- we want every pilot to feel the satisfaction of a well-executed flight without the pressure of artificial obligations.

This philosophy extends to how we build and maintain the organisation itself. Every system, every procedure, and every piece of documentation is crafted with care. We would rather do fewer things well than many things poorly. That discipline has sustained SWISS Virtual for more than two decades, and it is the reason our community continues to grow while maintaining the standards that define us.

Joining SWISS Virtual costs nothing and is open to anyone with a passion for flight simulation, regardless of experience level or simulator platform. Whether you fly Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, or Prepar3D, you are welcome here. The signup process takes just a few minutes, and once you are registered, you will have immediate access to our route network, fleet, and community resources. Your first flight can happen the same day you join.

New pilots are never left to figure things out alone. Our documentation covers everything from installing the ACARS tracker to planning your first route, and the community on Discord is always ready to help with questions. Many of our most active and accomplished pilots started with no virtual airline experience at all -- they simply had a curiosity about what it would be like to fly for SWISS, and they found a community that helped them turn that curiosity into a genuine skill.

If you have ever looked at a SWISS aircraft and felt a spark of something -- admiration for the livery, curiosity about the routes, respect for the professionalism -- then SWISS Virtual is the place where you can explore that feeling from the flight deck. We have been doing this for over twenty years, and we are just getting started.