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VATSIM Cross the Pond 2026: Record Attendance and New Oceanic Procedures
By Purima Bhoka · · 2 min read
VATSIM's flagship Cross the Pond event returned last weekend with over 2,000 pilots and 300 controllers. The event showcased new oceanic clearance procedures and saw a surge in transatlantic traffic, testing the network's capacity.
VATSIM's bi-annual Cross the Pond event took place last Saturday, drawing a record 2,150 pilots who flew between North America and Europe. The event, which pairs real-world oceanic procedures with high-density traffic, saw departures from major hubs including KJFK, KEWR, CYYZ, EGLL, EHAM, and LFPG. Controllers from both sides of the Atlantic coordinated via the network's oceanic sectors, using revised clearance delivery procedures that now include full CPDLC logon for equipped aircraft.
This year, VATSIM introduced a new oceanic clearance system that streamlines the process for pilots, allowing them to request and receive clearances via text rather than voice. The system, developed in partnership with Navigraph, integrates with SimBrief flight plans and automatically populates the NAT tracks. Pilots reported smoother operations, though some early adopters encountered issues with logon timing. The event also featured a dedicated Discord channel for real-time coordination and a live stream with commentary from real-world airline pilots.
The success of Cross the Pond 2026 highlights the growing realism of online flying. VATSIM reports that overall traffic has increased 20% year-over-year, with a notable rise in long-haul operations. The next Cross the Pond is scheduled for March 2027, with a focus on Pacific crossings. For those who missed it, the event's flight plans and procedures are available on the VATSIM website.
Tags: VATSIM, Cross the Pond, Online Flying, Oceanic, CPDLC