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VATSIM Reports Record Traffic During Cross the Pond 2026, Over 2,500 Aircraft
By Sarah Chen · · 2 min read
VATSIM's Cross the Pond 2026 event saw a record 2,500+ aircraft cross the North Atlantic, with full ATC coverage from Boston to Shannon. The event highlighted improved voice codec and pilot briefing tools.
VATSIM's flagship oceanic event, Cross the Pond, set a new participation record this past weekend with over 2,500 aircraft flying between North America and Europe. The event, which ran from 10:00z to 22:00z, featured full ATC coverage along the North Atlantic tracks, including Gander, Shanwick, and Bodo oceanic control. Controllers reported smooth sequencing despite the volume, crediting the new voice codec introduced earlier this year.
Pilots flew a mix of long-haul types, from the PMDG 777-300ER and iniBuilds A350 to the Fenix A320 and FlightFactor 767. The event also showcased VATSIM's updated pilot briefing system, which now integrates real-world NOTAMs and provides suggested routeings based on current tracks. Several streamers documented their crossings, with many noting the realism of oceanic position reporting.
VATSIM officials expressed satisfaction with the event's technical performance, noting zero major outages. The organization plans to expand its oceanic controller training program in 2027. Next year's Cross the Pond is tentatively scheduled for April, with a possible second event in October. For simmers who missed it, VATSIM offers regular oceanic nights to practice procedural flying.
Tags: VATSIM, Cross the Pond, Oceanic, ATC, Community