Virtual Northwest Airlines is dedicated to providing a unique environment for the advancement of the virtual aviation experience.

Through our mutual efforts, vNWA partners, pilots and staff continually work to ensure that all of our members feel as part of a family of like-minded enthusiasts who work together to simulate the operations of Northwest Airlines as closely as possible by utilizing the same fleet, routes, and hub structure of the airline before it merged.

In doing this, vNWA staff endevour to provide our pilots with all the tools needed to make their experience as enjoyable and realistic as possible.

James Bishop, vNWA CEO

vNWA VATSIM Activity

smartCARS Live Flights

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Posted by Mark Toler on 11/26/2025

On behalf of the Virtual Northwest Executive Staff we would like wish you and all your Families a very "Happy Thankgiving Holiday"

VATUSA Light up America

Posted by Mark Toler on 11/26/2025

It's a shame that events often fail to provide pilots with an abundance of options. Typically they will feature only a couple airfields, and aviators will only have a couple city-pairs to consider if they want some stellar ATC service. Well on November 28th, you can forget about that problem.

VATUSA will be on this Friday from 2359 to 0400z. We are guaranteeing coverage from coast to coast, sea to sea, border to border, however you want to say it. The hardest part about this event: choosing where to fly. You'll only have four hours of guaranteed coverage, so make the most of it. Our recommendation: do something different. Don't take out the 737 for your classic bored milk runs. Load up a plane that you haven't tried in a while. Visit a part of the country that you haven't seen before. Whatever you do, you know you'll have coverage from VATSIM's best.

Be part of VATUSA's signature event and help us...

Light Up America

Fallin' into Fort Lauderdale

Posted by Mark Toler on 11/26/2025

As the fall season settles in, join Miami ARTCC for "Fallin’ into Fort Lauderdale." This will be an evening of full ATC coverage at FLL, one of South Florida’s busiest airports. While the rest of the country welcomes cooler weather and changing leaves, Fort Lauderdale offers its own seasonal warmth and coastal charm. Come enjoy a fun and relaxed event that captures the spirit of fall aviation in the Sunshine State!

Event Fields: KFLL
Sunday, November 30th, 2025
1800-2200 EST | 2300z-0300z

Cold Start FNO

Posted by Mark Toler on 11/26/2025

Bundle up and fire up those engines — it’s time for the Cold Start FNO!

Kick off Boston Virtual ARTCC’s annual 60-hour winter marathon with a frosty Friday night across the Northeast Corridor. From 0000 to 0400z (1900–2300 ET) on Friday, December 5th, the Boston (ZBW), New York (ZNY), and Washington (ZDC) ARTCCs will team up to bring you wall-to-wall coverage from New England to the Mid-Atlantic.

No featured fields this time — the skies are your playground. Whether you’re flying a quick shuttle hop, an east coast milk run, or a long-haul departure, expect full staffing, heavy traffic, and that signature Northeast energy.

Start your weekend right — with a Cold Start.


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Concurrently, ZBW will be hosting the 60 Hours of BVARTCC event. This is a one-of-a-kind ATC marathon event! Boston Center will be staffed continuously for 60 hours throughout the weekend in December. Please check the event posting for details.

60 Hours of BVARTCC

Posted by Mark Toler on 11/26/2025

Join us for this one of a kind ATC marathon event! Boston Center will be staffed continuously for 60 hours throughout the weekend in December.  As part of this unique tradition, we will also be hosting Friday Night Operations (FNO) to kick off the first night of this amazing weekend. This is one of our favorite events and we look forward to talking to you all throughout the weekend of continuous ATC coverage.

There are no sign-ups or special actions required for pilots to participate: just connect and fly, any time you want, between 11:00am ET on Friday, December 5 through 11:00pm ET on Sunday, December 7. How many flights can you get in before the end of the night on Sunday?

Begins: Friday, December 5th, 11am ET (1600z)
Ends: Sunday, December 7th, 11pm ET (0400z)

Opposite Day in the Bay

Posted by Mark Toler on 11/26/2025

Airports: SFO, OAK, SJC
Date/Time: December 6, 4-8pm PT
Date/Time (zulu): December 6, 2359z - December 6, 0400z

Opposite Day is Back! Join us for our 4th rendition of Opposite Day in the Bay. This is the time of the year when the weather gets weird, it's time to adapt. Fly the STARs only seen in the winter time, some new views to experience. Come and fly the Bay Area during the upside down day!

Wednesday Night at DCA

Posted by Mark Toler on 11/26/2025

Experience the intensity of "A Wednesday Night at Washington National" on December 10th, 2025! This event highlights the unique challenges of Washington Reagan National Airport (KDCA), the bustling commuter hub famous for its compact airspace and proximity to the nation's capital. From 2359z to 0300z, pilots can tackle the airport's signature obstacles—including converging runways, minimal separation, and dense traffic flows—while flying regional jets and narrow-body aircraft. This is your chance to navigate one of VATSIM's most demanding and rewarding environments with ATC support during the critical arrival and departure phases. Sharpen your precision flying skills and connect with the community during a high-paced evening in the iconic, confined skies of Washington D.C.