About Us
Welcome to Southwest Virtual Airlines!
Welcome to Southwest Virtual Airlines (SVA), where passion meets innovation in the virtual aviation world! Inspired by the real-world operations of Southwest Airlines, we offer an immersive, community-driven environment for flight simulation enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Who We Are
Founded in 2008 by a small group of pilots with a vision to make a difference, SVA was built on the principle of being a virtual airline run by pilots, for pilots. Over the years, we have grown from a handful of dedicated members into a thriving community of over 1,500 active pilots—and we're still climbing!
With 12 crew bases across the United States, a talented team of staff and volunteers, and an unwavering commitment to operational realism, SVA is more than a virtual airline; it's your gateway to connecting, learning, and soaring to new heights.
Come experience the Heart of Virtual Aviation at Southwest Virtual Airlines!
To become the world's most loved, most flown, and most enjoyable virtual airline.
Fly with a vast network of real-world schedules, utilizing our state-of-the-art LUVCARS system for dispatch releases, payload data, and an interactive co-pilot to enhance your journey.
Our History
- 2025
New Website Released
Southwest Virtual Airlines launched a new website. The airline currently has over 1,800 active pilots.
- 2024
Release of Interactive Co-Pilot
SVA unveiled its Interactive Co-Pilot feature within LUVCARS 5 and surpassed 1,800 active members, solidifying its position as a leader in the virtual aviation community.
- 2023
LUVCARS 5 Released
The release of LUVCARS 5 introduced enhanced dispatch and pilot support tools in April. SVA grew to over 1,500 active members.
- 2022
SVALife Launched
Membership exceeded 1,000 active pilots, and the innovative SVALife program was launched to enhance the member experience.
- 2021
Training Department
The Training Department was established, and SVA became an Authorized Training Organization (ATO) with VATSIM. It became the only North American VA to offer training from Private Pilot License (PPL) to Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) ratings, surpassing 850 active members.
- 2017
New Website
A new website launch marked a milestone year, with SVA growing to over 500 active pilots.
- 2014
New Partners
SVA updated its branding to reflect Southwest Airlines' real-world rebranding. This included updated liveries and a revamped website, boosting membership to 350 pilots.
- 2008
Foundation
Southwest Virtual Airlines (SVA) was founded by Ryan Flynn, Steve Cocks, Tony Pitt, and Kevin Hornaday. Their vision was to create a virtual airline designed for pilots, prioritizing community and collaboration over competition. Within its first year, SVA welcomed 75 pilots.