Fly UK Takes on the World: WorldFlight 2024

The Globe-Trotting Triumph: Fly UK's Worldflight 2024 Reviewed

Worldflight. The name alone conjures images of epic journeys, endless skies, and the true test of virtual aviation skill. For the flight simulation community, this annual charity marathon is the undisputed highlight of the calendar, and once again, Fly UK soared to new heights in the 2024 edition.

For seven intense days and nights in November, a collective of dedicated virtual pilots circumnavigated the globe, pushing their skills, their aircraft, and their endurance to the limit. The result? Not just a complete route, but an inspiring success story for the entire community and achievements we never expected to make when the idea was first mooted.

Worldflight: The Ultimate Virtual Endurance Test
 

For those unfamiliar, Worldflight is an unparalleled virtual aviation event. It’s a week-long, 24-hour-a-day challenge where official teams, often operating from professional-grade full-size flight deck simulators, fly a continuous, pre-planned route around the world on the VATSIM network. The core mission, beyond the immense logistical challenge, is to raise money for charity. Since its inception in 1999, the event has raised over a million dollars for various global causes.

In 2024, Fly UK participated as an affiliate team, showcasing the spirit of collaboration and excellence that defines the virtual airline. The mission for the Fly UK crew was to complete all designated legs under the callsign "Skyways 20 Yankee," mirroring a real-world airline's commitment to schedule and professional operations.

13 Official teams participate using dedicated full-size flight simulators ranging from Boeing 747s to A320. Joining these dedicated fixed-base teams are Worldflight Affiliate teams. These teams are made up of multiple members, all flying from their own home cockpit setup in a relay through the week, and in 2024, Fly UK was welcomed into the Worldflight Community in recognition of our 20th Anniversary.

The Fly UK Team

Fly UK’s team flew from their own homes, on their own sim setups, each participant contributing as they were able. 

The callsign "Skyways Two Zero Yankee (UKV20Y)” was selected for the relay, using any preferred aircraft from the main Fly UK Fleet. We saw A320's, 787s and 737's used mainly. Our team included 12 Fly UK staff and members eager to take part in this community event, many of whom had always wanted to take part in worldflight but never had the opportunity. The crew, roster and operations were expertly handled by our ops team.

The Route

As is traditional, the event starts and ends in Sydney, Australia and heads westbound, visiting 5 continents. Various airports, both small and large, were visited. 42 legs were flown, totalling 129 hours of flight time. 

As an affiliate team, Fly UK had the honour of joining the official teams in the unique experience of flying in formation on the last leg before a low pass over downtown Sydney and under the Harbour Bridge, not something you get to do every day on Vatsim.

Fly UK’s Success Story: A Smooth(ish) Flight to the Finish

The success of Fly UK's Worldflight 2024 campaign can be measured on two key fronts: operational execution and charitable impact. Lengthy delays on some legs were the only real hiccup to the vent and an ATC-induced go-around. Lack of sleep was a minor challenge.

1. 100% Route Leg Completion

The sheer scale of the 40+ leg journey, spanning over 40,000 nautical miles, is daunting. It demands a round-the-clock roster of pilots, meticulous pre-flight planning, and the ability to handle unexpected issues in real time—all while adhering to the stringent procedures of the VATSIM network.

The Fly UK team rose to the occasion, achieving a 100% completion rate for all assigned event legs. This flawless execution is a testament to the dedication, planning, and teamwork of the entire roster. From complex departures at major hubs to challenging approaches at remote, less-frequently flown airfields, the Fly UK pilots demonstrated exemplary virtual airmanship. The consistent presence on the VATSIM network, interacting with volunteer Air Traffic Controllers around the clock, highlighted the group's dedication and contribution to the realism of the event.

2. Charitable Impact: Flying for a Cause

At the heart of Worldflight is the drive to support charitable causes. In 2024, Fly UK dedicated its efforts to Cancer Research, a cause that resonates deeply with many within the community. Very few of our members have escaped the touch of this diesease be it directly or indirectly, and the commitment shown by the pilots was mirrored in incredible generosity from supporters.

The final tally saw Fly UK raise an impressive £671.40 for Cancer Research. This significant sum, driven by donations from members, friends, and followers tracking their progress, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of "Pilot with Purpose." It proves that virtual adventures can have a tangible, life-changing impact in the real world.

What's Next? Looking Ahead to 2025
 

Worldflight 2024 wasn't just a challenge—it was a definitive triumph for Fly UK. It reaffirmed the virtual airline's reputation for operational excellence and its commitment to community and charity. The collective feeling is one of profound satisfaction and pride.

With the aircraft successfully parked back on the ramp and the donations counted, the planning for next year is already underway. Fly UK is officially set to return as an affiliate team for Worldflight 2025, once again supporting Cancer Research.

If you are a flight simmer looking for a welcoming, organised, and ambitious virtual airline that offers more than just routes, Fly UK is the place to be. As the crew showed in 2024, they don't just fly the route—they own the sky, and they do it for a vital cause.

We'll leave this blog with some images and highlights from the 2024 event,

A packed YSSY as the teams set off for Leg 1.

Skyways 20 Yankee, Line up and wait behind arriving Qantas A380

And we were underway on our westbound circumnavigation

Leg 2, out of Adelaide bound for Perth, GEC MD11 for company.

Dealing with some Indonesian weather cells.

Leg 6 - Out of Bangalore, passing Abu Dhabi into Doha.

In the Doha departure queue, bound for Cairo

Handing over as Team Fly UK continues the World Flight from Cairo. Seven legs complete.

Leg 8 - Cruising over Ethiopia. 

Busy Worldflight ramp in Nairobi with inbounds from Cairo

Leg 10 Cruising over Angola.

Baton handover in Tamanrasset, Tunisia as we leave Africa behind, bound for Lisbon

Skyways 20 Yankee makes landfall in Europe for the first time on the event overhead Malaga.

Leg 19 and a very Busy visit to Saint Petersburg

Making an appearance on Jeff Favignano's live stream, about to depart for Bergen on leg 20

Battling some challenging conditions on the way into St John's, Newfoundland and completion of the transatlantic section.

Daylight retunrs for Leg 25, here holding short for the Ness Aviation Worldflight team and en route to Florida.

Leg 26 saw a not-so-sunny Sunshine state with afternoon storms in Orlando

Time for a "Pilots of the Caribbean" meetup in Punta Cana.

Getting a go-around in Arubu due to a slow departure ahead.

On the dawn leg 31 into Vegas from Mexico. 

Blasting out of KLAS and arriving in Honolulu for leg 32

Over the Pacific and busy sequencing due to high volume arrivals into PHNL.

After a stop in Wake Island, powering out of Tokyo RJTT as the route turns south back towards Australia.

These events are big as demonstrated by this long departure queue from Sam Ratulangi International, Indonesia.

Three legs to go, holding for departure at Darwin with company traffic on finals.

Skyways 20 Yankee gatecrashing the official teams streams.

Shot from the unique final leg from Brisbane to Sydney with all Worldflight teams in group and the Sydney fly-By.

Completing the final landing into YSSY with the CEO at the helm

Back where it all began........ until 2025