Your year of flying starts here. From quick hops in our Sunday Short Hauls to long-range Overday and Overnight adventures, there’s always something in the skies. Take part in Special Events, explore our Tours, relive aviation history with Historic flights, and close out the year with our Christmas Event – open to all
21
FEB
Hong Kong Overload: 2026 Kai Tak Edition
EGLL – VHHX
VATSIM Hong Kong cordially invites all to join our flagship event Hong Kong Overload, with this time’s focus airport as the now closed legendary Kai Tak International Airport (VHHX).
Known for its iconic checkerboard approach, Kai Tak airport served as the definitive landmark representing the golden era of Hong Kong’s aviation industry.
28
FEB
Tropical Heavy Hopping
MYNN – MBPV – MWCR
Join us for our second edition of Tropical Heavy Hopping! This event is based around the real-world operation of flying a heavy from London Heathrow (EGLL) into Nassau (MYNN), followed by a short island hop to Providenciales (MBPV) or Grand Cayman (MWCR) before returning to Nassau and then back across the Atlantic. Pilots are encouraged to fly their wide-body aircraft in and out of Nassau, with full ATC coverage at and between all featured airports. All traffic is welcome to fly any routing that suits them, including heavies, airliners, regional jets, and GA.
1
MAR
Fjord Run
EGAA – ENBR
The March edition of the BAV Sunday Short Haul will feature a swift rotation across northern Europe where excellent views of the Norwegian fjords and glaciers can be viewed on arrival following a departure from Belfast Aldergrove
20 – 21
MAR
Mississippi Skies
EGLL – KSTL
In April 2026 BA will commence flights from Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) to St. Louis Lambert (STL/KSTL).
A flight to the iconic river city of St Louis, famous for blues music and amazing local barbecues must be on most long haul pilots’ bucket list.
4
APR
26th BAVirtual Birthday Event
EGLL – TBC
26th Birthday of BAVirtual! Fly from Heathrow to a community voted destination!
11
APR
European Overload
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VATUK and VATEUD have invited BAVirtual to join the European Overload event. More details to come.
12
APR
The Turquoise Sea
EGGP – LDDU
BAVirtual invites pilots to fly a charter from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL/EGGP) to Dubrovnik Ruđer Bošković Airport (DBV/LDDU).
For those seeking some early summer sun, the turquoise waters of the Adriatic and stunning coastline of Croatia are always a popular BA destination. But for this charter, we will start the flight from an airport from BA history, Liverpool. Join us on BAV’s April edition of Sunday Short Haul.
24
MAY
Dash to Asturias
EGFF – LEAS
Departing from Cardiff, pilots will head southwest over the Bristol Channel before crossing the northern Spanish coast with views highlighted by the dramatic cliffs along Asturias, glimpses of the Picos de Europa mountains, and coastal approaches into OVD. A compact international hop with scenic surprises and unique terrain, and a taste of northern Spain from the air.
20
JUN
Andean Approach
EGLL – SKBO
Take on the challenge of a high-altitude arrival as we head to the capital of Colombia. High in the Andes, this flight offers stunning scenery and demanding approaches. BAV invites you to join us, flying from London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) or London Gatwick (LGW/EGKK) to Bogotá (BOG/SKBO), with both morning and evening departures available as ever.
5
JUL
The Greek ‘Saint Maarten’
EGGD – LGSK
For this month’s Sunday Short Haul the events team invite you to fly a charter of passengers seeking sea and sand from Bristol (BRS/EGGD) to Skiathos (JSI/LGSK).
Skiathos is often compared to Princess Juliana on Saint Maarten due to its short runway, sea at both ends and spectacular views of the landing aircraft for the public.
Make sure you nail this approach or you will be swimming and having a meeting with the Chief Pilot with no coffee!
16
AUG
Norse Island
EGPH – EKVG
Beginning at one of BA’s big three London bases, pilots will first track up to the Scottish capital from which crews will continue onto Vagar. This sector represents perhaps, the biggest challenge yet on the Europe schedule due to its short runway and steep adjacent cliffs which follow and approach over the North Atlantic. Offset localisers to throw you off!
16-17
OCT
Speedbird24
TBC
Speedbird24, our premier event. For 24 hours straight, pilots, dispatchers, ramp agents and support staff come together to create a fully immersive, global operation that pushes our virtual airline to its limit
19
SEP
Wings Over Borneo
EGLL – WBSB
With a flight of close to 13 hours are you up to the challenge of an extreme long haul flight. Join us for a flight to the land of ancient rainforests and rare wildlife, Borneo is a vast tropical island teeming with biodiversity, where orangutans swing through jungle canopies, mist-shrouded mountains rise above tribal longhouses.
We invite you to fly from Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) to Brunei (BWN/WBSB) with both morning and evening departures.
27
SEP
Jet to Genoa: A Mediterranean Escape
EGNM – LIMJ
For this months Sunday Short Haul, join us as we operate a charter flight from Leeds Bradford (LBA/EGNM) to Genoa Christopher Columbus Airport (GOA/LIMJ) as we fly passengers to Italy’s busiest port for the start of their Mediterranean cruise.
8
NOV
Arctic Finale
EGPE – BGGH
The final Sunday Short Haul of the year will involve a different approach to flying seldom necessary when operating around Europe. At Nuuk, diversion options may be limited, the weather can be interesting to say the least and for many it will be a new destination to plot on the map.
12
DEC
Polar to Paradise
EGLL – PHNL
Capping off the year, BAVirtual is proud to present over day and night Honolulu. Whenever you depart London, you will fly through both day and night, skirting 81 North near the pole before tracking south to the Sunny Isles of Hawaii.
21 – 31
DEC
XMAS Free For All Tour
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The year of 2026 it is almost over and Christmas and New Year are just around the corner. The lull in between Christmas and New Year (if you are not working!) can sometimes be a bit of a strange time, no-man’s land, where the days of the week somehow slip out of our minds. We want to say “thank you” for your membership and ensure you are fully equipped to keep yourself busy if your plans to visit friends and family don’t come together after all – or give you an excuse to seek the solitude of a bit of peace and quiet.
