VaerolyHow to start a virtual airline
A virtual airline is a group of flight simulator pilots who fly a shared schedule under one name, with ranks, events and a crew centre that keeps track of every flight. Here is how to open one, step by step. It's free.
What you need
- A flight simulator: MSFS 2020 or 2024, X-Plane 11 or 12, or Prepar3D.
- A name and a three-letter ICAO-style code for your callsigns.
- A crew centre: the website where pilots book flights and their flights are recorded. That's what Vaeroly is, so there's nothing to host or install.
- Optionally, a Discord server where your pilots talk to each other.
1. Pick a name, a code and a style
Model your airline on a real one or invent your own. Either way, say clearly that it's for flight simulation and not the real airline. Choose a three-letter code for your flight numbers, and a style: relaxed (fly what you like, from anywhere), realistic (aircraft stay where they landed, maintenance checks) or career (exams, rosters and airline finances). You can change every setting later.
2. Add hubs and a fleet
Add your hubs by ICAO code (about 19,000 airports are already known), then the aircraft types you fly, with registrations if you want pilots to fly real tails. See Setting up your airline.
3. Build the schedule
Import routes from real-world schedules or a spreadsheet, start from a template another airline shares, or add them one by one. Already running an airline somewhere else? Move it here with its fleet, routes, pilots and flight history.
4. Set ranks and scoring
Ranks reward pilots by hours, points or flights, and can unlock aircraft as pilots climb. Scoring rules decide what a good flight is: landing rate, approach checks, fuel and more. See Ranks and points.
5. Track flights with ACARS
Your pilots download the Vaeroly app for Windows, Mac or Linux. It finds their booked flight, records it from the simulator (phases, landing rate, the whole track) and files the flight report when they park, so nobody types in hours by hand.
6. Open applications and welcome pilots
Decide who can join: anyone straight away, or after staff approve an application. Tick “We're recruiting” and your airline shows as hiring in the airline directory, where pilots filter by simulator, language, network and region.
7. Keep pilots flying
Connect your Discord server so pilots' nicknames become their pilot IDs and flights are posted for you (Discord setup). Run events and tours, join events with other airlines, and fly online on VATSIM or IVAO with correct callsigns.
Questions
How much does it cost?
Nothing. Vaeroly is free for pilots and airlines, with every feature included and no limit on pilots or flights.
Do I need my own website or server?
No. Your airline gets its own pages, with your colours and logo, and Vaeroly hosts, updates and backs them up.
How many pilots do I need to start?
Just you. Many airlines start with a few friends and grow from the directory and Discord.
Can I look around first?
Yes: the demo airline lets you try the crew centre as a pilot or as staff, with no account.