The wait is over – WorldFlight 2026 takes off today!
Over the next seven days, the flight simulation community will come together for one of the biggest events of the year: a continuous journey around the world on the VATSIM network, with teams flying day and night while raising money for charities around the world.
For Fly UK, the adventure begins this evening, Saturday 31 October, with the first leg from Sydney (YSSY) to Makassar (WAAA). The WorldFlight schedule has the first departures taking place between 20:00 and 22:00 UTC, marking the start of seven days of flying before the route eventually returns to Sydney on Saturday 7 November.
We'll be live from the A320 simulator from 20:30 UK time tonight, so whether you're planning to watch the stream, follow our aircraft on SkyTrack or join us in the skies, make sure you're ready for the start of WorldFlight 2026!
What is WorldFlight?
WorldFlight is an annual event that challenges participating teams to fly around the world on VATSIM in just seven days. Beginning in 1999, the event has grown into a major fixture in the flight simulation calendar and has raised more than $1 million for charities around the world.
Fly UK has proudly taken part for several years, bringing our community together for a week of flying while supporting an important cause. You can find out more about this year's event on our dedicated WorldFlight 2026 page.
Flying for Cancer Research UK
This year, Fly UK is once again using WorldFlight to raise money for charity, with our 2026 fundraising supporting Cancer Research UK.
Every donation helps support research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. You can follow our fundraising total and make a donation directly from the Fly UK WorldFlight page.
Whether you donate £5, £10 or simply help us spread the word, every contribution and share helps support the cause.
Two Fly UK teams, one journey
Once again, Fly UK will be represented throughout WorldFlight by multiple teams and callsigns – but 2026 marks an exciting first for Fly UK.
For the first time, one of our official WorldFlight teams will be flying the event from a full-size Airbus A320 flight simulator. Team Alpha will operate from the simulator, with crews rotating through the cockpit throughout the week as they take on the WorldFlight schedule.
Alongside them, Team Bravo will bring together Fly UK members flying from their home simulator setups, giving our community another way to represent Fly UK throughout the event.
Between them, our teams face a demanding week of flights across multiple continents and time zones – including plenty of early starts, late finishes and overnight sectors.
Follow the journey live
You don't need to be in the cockpit to be part of WorldFlight. Throughout the week there are several ways to follow Fly UK's progress.
Our WorldFlight stream will be live from 20:30 UK time tonight, bringing you coverage directly from Team Alpha in the A320 simulator. You can watch the stream through our WorldFlight 2026 page.
You can also follow our aircraft as they make their way around the world using the Fly UK SkyTrack live map.
We'll be sharing updates throughout the event too, so keep an eye on Fly UK during the week.
Fly along with us
Want to do more than watch? You can join us in the skies.
WorldFlight is open to the wider VATSIM community, and pilots are welcome to fly alongside the participating teams throughout the week. Expect some exceptionally busy airspace, plenty of ATC coverage and a unique atmosphere as aircraft make their way around the world together.
For Fly UK members, we've made all of the WorldFlight 2026 legs available as a Class E tour. You don't have to fly the whole journey – whether you want to join us for just one or two legs, follow the teams for part of the route, or take on the complete round-the-world challenge, the choice is yours.
Head to the Fly UK Tours section and join us for as much of the journey as you like.
Just remember, this is a limited-time tour. Tour bookings close at the end of WorldFlight, and all legs must be flown and completed during the event week. Once WorldFlight 2026 comes to an end, the tour will no longer be available to book or complete.
Thank you to our WorldFlight crew
Finally, a huge thank you to every Fly UK member who has volunteered to be part of our official WorldFlight teams this year.
Keeping the operation moving across seven days takes a considerable commitment from everyone involved. From those travelling to fly the A320 simulator with Team Alpha to our Team Bravo pilots flying from home, we couldn't take on WorldFlight without the time and enthusiasm of our members.
Good luck to Team Alpha, Team Bravo and everyone flying alongside us.
WorldFlight 2026 starts today. Sydney awaits – let's go around the world!
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