1. Introduction

Welcome to Virtual Norwegian – and to your virtual flying career with us!

About Norwegian

Virtual Norwegian is based on the real-world low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle, the second-largest airline in Scandinavia and the third-largest low-cost carrier in Europe.

Norwegian was founded in 1993 as a regional operator, taking over several routes in Western Norway following the bankruptcy of Busy Bee. Until 2002, the airline operated Fokker 50 aircraft on a wet-lease agreement for Braathens.

From Regional to Low-Cost Carrier

After Braathens merged with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), the wet-lease agreement was terminated. This forced Norwegian to rethink its strategy—and ultimately led the airline to reinvent itself as a domestic low-cost carrier.

The shift proved successful. Norwegian expanded rapidly throughout the 2000s, including establishing a base in Warsaw, acquiring the Swedish airline FlyNordic in 2007, and entering the Copenhagen market in 2008. That same year, the airline received its first brand-new Boeing 737-800, a type that would become the backbone of its operations.

Long-Haul Operations

In May 2013, Norwegian launched long-haul operations using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Due to delivery delays, the initial flights were operated with leased Airbus A340s from Hi Fly.

Despite ambitious expansion, the long-haul program was discontinued in March 2020.

Norwegian + Widerøe

In July 2023, Norwegian announced its acquisition of Widerøe, Norway’s largest regional airline—marking the first major consolidation in the Norwegian aviation market for decades.

The deal was finalized in January 2024, with Widerøe continuing under its own brand while integrating into the Norwegian Group’s broader network, fleet management, and corporate strategy.

For Virtual Norwegian, this merger expands the virtual route network and aircraft portfolio to include Widerøe’s iconic Dash 8 family as well as the modern Embraer 190-E2, opening the door to new regional operations across Norway and beyond.

Current Fleet

Across Norwegian and Widerøe, the combined fleet currently includes around 150 aircraft, operating over 500 routes across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

This diverse fleet—from 737-800s to turboprops and E-jets—offers a rich and varied virtual flying experience.

Summary

With constant expansion, new aircraft types, and a dynamic network, Norwegian remains one of Europe’s most interesting and fast-moving airlines—both in the real world and here at Virtual Norwegian.

2. A word from the staff

My name is Jan Tore, and together with my excellent team, we work hard to give you the best possible Virtual Airline experience simulating Norwegian Air Shuttle.

In the summer of 2009, I was approached by the former leader of Virtual Norwegian (vNorwegian) and invited to join the staff. Things developed quickly, and I soon stepped into the CEO role. Anders officially took over as CEO on 20 November 2013. The current version of vNorwegian launched in late October 2009.

Virtual Norwegian has existed in various forms since around 2003, with different configurations and staff over the years. My intention from the beginning was to build a VA that could remain stable and continue running smoothly even as team members changed—and I believe we have achieved a solid foundation for long-term stability.

Thanks to Anders Moen, our web developer, we can proudly say that we offer one of the most advanced and user-friendly virtual airline websites available. This includes detailed flight briefings and the excellent LiDo CrewBriefing system, inspired by the tools real Norwegian pilots use to plan their flights.

And with Even as the creator of our flight tracker, we’ve been able to provide a reliable and engaging way for pilots to monitor and follow their flights in real time.

We have a large fleet and a wide selection of exciting destinations.

Welcome aboard!

3. Virtual Norwegian Staff

4. Administration and recruitment policy

4.1 We support the following operating systems and flight simulators:

4.1.1 Operating systems

- Windows: 7, 8, 10, 11

- Linux

- Mac

4.1.2 Flight Simulators

- MS Flight Simulator (2020 & 2024)

- Prepar3D (P3D)

- X-Plane 11/12 (XP)

- Flight Simulator X (FSX / FSX:SE)

4.2 All members must be 13 years or older at the date of application

4.3 All members must submit their real identidy. Only a user's user ID and first name will be shown on any part of the website.

4.4 All members must be able to fly:

4.4.1 Within 14 days of registration

4.4.2 Once every 30 days after first flight

4.5 If unable to complete a flight within 30 days, users can set themselves on leave. All users are given 90 days of leave each calendar year.

4.6 Users who are unable to complete a flight within 30 days, and have not themselves on leave, will be set as inactive by the system.

4.7 Users who are part of other virtual airlines that simulate Norwegian will not be accepted.

4.8 Users must be able to show professionalism and maturity in all aspects of Virtual Norwegian operations.

4.9 Data for previous members will be transferred as far as documention exists. It is the users own responsiblity to complete the registration form correctly to retrieve his/hers old user ID and hours back. Once registered it is no longer possible to retrieve old data.

4.10 We do not accept transfer hours from other virtual airlines or networks.

4.11 Any user removed from the roster as a result of an administrational level action, shall be permanently banned from rejoining.

4.12 Pausing during flight should be avoided if possible, but it does not affect flight logging and is therefore allowed. If online on any networks, you must disconnect whilst pausing.

4.13 Sim acceleration is allowed. Note that our pilot client only logs actual flown hours.

4.14 All schedules in our system are available to be flown at any time as long as they're active in our schedules. It is not required to set the correct date and time in your flight simulator.

4.15 Obvious crashes will not be accepted.

5. Operational issues

5.1 Rank Structure

All users accepted into Virtual Norwegian are assigned the rank of Training First Officer, with zero hours and flights.

Exceptions are previous members rejoining Virtual Norwegian.

5.2 Ranks

5.3 Schedules

5.3.1 Schedules are updated directly from Norwegian's own seasonal program.
As all flights are subject to change on short notice, some flights may be missing or have minor errors.

5.3.2 All flights in our schedules can be flown at any time the virtual pilots decides themselves.
There is no requirement to fly at the correct day or time.

5.3.3 Errors in the schedules, missing flights or wrong callsigns must be reported to the staff, preferably through the #help-support channel in our Discord channel.

5.4 Diverting

Flights are to be operated between airports defined by the schedules info. However, from time to time you may need to divert to an alternative airport due to unforeseen circumstances (engine loss, gear failure etc). Should a virtual pilot need to divert, the pilot in command should as far as possible divert to an airport operated by Norwegian.

In order for the flight to be approved when diverting, the virtual pilot must:

•  Add a comment to the diverted flight explaining why and where they diverted
• Start a new flight using the same flight number to complete the flight to its scheduled destination as soon as possible.

If these steps have not been completed within 48 hours (2 days) after submitting the first flight, the flight(s) will be rejected.

6. Fleet

6.1 Current

6.2 Historic

6.3 Fleet rules

6.3.1 It is only possible to use the airframe(s) listed for each specific flight. If a flight is listed with for example B738 and B38M, an A320 cannot be used.

6.3.2 Only exact aircraft types according to the table above can be used (See exceptions below)

6.3.3 Aircraft defined as "heavy" can only be flown by virtual pilots with 10 or more hours and 10 or more flights logged.
This also applies to any wet leased aircraft defined as "heavy" (B757 / A330 and larger)

6.3.4 Exceptions to 6.3.2

• Planned wet leases:
  From time to time, our schedules include aircraft which are not part of the Norwegian or Widerøe fleet. On these flights, you can only use the wet leased aircraft type.
• Unplanned wet leases:
  Sometimes Norwegian or Widerøe uses aircraft types which are not part of our fleet, nor listed in our schedules. In these cases, a virtual pilot is allowed to use the aircraft type which have been used in real life by selecting any of the available airframes to said flight in our system.
  To use an aircraft type not available in our system, the virtual pilot must
  - Fly said flight within 24 hours of the real flight using the same aircraft type
  - Add a comment to your flight within 48 hours after submitting the flight, which must include a valid link directly to the playback at FlightRadar24.com for staff to review the flight details.

Please note that our schedules may list multiple flights with the same flight number, but with different aircraft types and departure days/time.
Please select your flight accordingly to prevent rejected flights.

7. Pilot Client / Logging

Client:

The only allowed logging client in vNorwegian is our own flight tracker: Virtual Norwegian Pilot Client (VNPC).

It is only possible to submit flights manually by uploading the auto generated .pirep file created by VNPC.

If a virtual pilot, for any reason, forgot to start recording using VNPC, it is not possible to submit said flight.

Dual logging:

Logging for another virtual airline on the same flight is not accepted, and will result in the flight being rejected.

If it happens multiple times, vNorwegian Staff may remove a virtual pilot's account.

Please note that logbook type sites are excluded from this rule, such as Volanta, FsPassengers, projectFLY, FSCaptain etc. If there are any doubts, please reach out to a staff member through email or our Discord server.

8. General conduct

8.1 Use of the Virtual Norwegian website

Virtual pilots making an application to join the vNorwegian society are referred to as virtual pilots, users or pilots. This in no way certifies or qualifies an individual as a pilot for real-world air transport beyond the simulated environment of MS Flight Simulator, Lockheed Martin P3D, or Laminar X-Plane.

While using the vNorwegian website (including Facebook, X, Twitch, Discord etc), all virtual pilots are subjected to monitoring, and any offensive posting are liable to be deleted, without notice, by vNorwegian staff.

8.2 General conducts

Offensive comments will result in immediate dismissal by vNorwegian staff, without prior notice.

8.3 vNorwegian Forum, Discord and other apps

Pilots are reminded that foul or obscene language is strictly prohibited, and engaging in offensive disputes of any kind is not allowed. Those unable to conduct themselves appropriately are respectfully asked to refrain from posting in the vNorwegian forum, Discord, Facebook, or other platforms.

The following items are considered unacceptable within vNorwegian:

8.3.1 Offensive language of any sort

8.3.2 Pornographic links or materials

8.3.3 Advertising of other Virtual Airlines

8.3.4 Advertising of online streams that are not related to Virtual Norwegian operations

8.3.5 Any debates or remarks which may offend anyone

8.3.6 References or links to illegal software

8.3.7 Posts that are of a political nature

8.3.8 Content shall always be related Virtual Norwegian operations

8.4 Online flying conduct

When using online Air Traffic Simulation networks (VATSIM, IVAO, PilotEdge, etc.), pilots represent Virtual Norwegian when flying under any Norwegian callsign. As ambassadors of vNorwegian, pilots must conduct themselves professionally, exercise good manners, and refrain from engaging in arguments over the network.

Additionally, vNorwegian pilots must not use the UNICOM channel as a chat room and are expected to properly announce all intentions when operating near other traffic.

8.5 Application information

Providing false information in a Virtual Norwegian application is strictly prohibited.

If a pilot's identity is called into question at any time, the vNorwegian administration reserves the right to conduct its own verification to confirm the pilot's true identity.

Pilots found to have supplied incorrect or false information to gain admission may be dismissed without notice and could face a permanent ban.

9. Privacy

Subject to the provisions of this policy, any information collected from your use of the vNorwegian website will be treated as confidential. A more detailed privacy policy can be found here..

9.1 By using the vNorwegian website, you accept this policy as part of the website’s terms of use.

9.2 This privacy policy applies solely to the vNorwegian website and does not extend to any third-party websites linked via hypertext links.

9.3 We do not share your personal information with third parties, except with your consent or as required by law.

9.4 This privacy policy may be updated periodically. If significant changes are made, we will notify users through our website.

9.5 Full names are required as we only allow one account per person. Last name will only be shown to staff members.

9.6 Email addresses are used exclusively for vNorwegian communications, such as news and account updates. They are never shared with other members or non-members. 

9.7 If a member no longer wishes to remain active, they can set their account to inactive at any time. Additionally, members may delete their accounts if they wish to remove their data from vNorwegian.

10. Revisions

2025-02-16

Rewritten