MetroAir Virtual Airlines and Fly UK Virtual Airways Announce Historic Partnership

KANSAS CITY, MO - MetroAir Virtual Airlines and Fly UK Virtual Airways announced today a historic codeshare arrangement. Beginning December 1st, 2014, pilots of each airline will have the opportunity to fly select flights in the partner airline’s route network.

MetroAir pilots will have the ability to fly 30 Fly UK routes using Boeing 737-800, Boeing 767-300, and Boeing 747-400 aircraft from Fly UK’s London Heathrow and Manchester hubs. Fly UK pilots will be able to fly Airbus A319 and Bombardier Dash-8 Q400 aircraft on select routes throughout the United States. Pilots of each airline will not be required to join the roster of the codeshare airline to fly the codeshare flights. However, pilots are encouraged to join each others airlines to experience additional routes and aircraft offerings, as long as minimum flight requirements are met for both airlines. Codeshare flights will be duplicated in each airlines’ database under a reserved codeshare flight number. A complete list of active codeshare flights can be found on the Codeshare tab of each airlines Operations pages. Aircraft models and liveries of the codeshare airline will be made available to all pilots.

Matt Calsada, CEO of MetroAir Virtual said, “We are extremely pleased to sign this codeshare agreement with Fly UK, a leader in the virtual aviation industry, to maximize passenger travel opportunities through the vast networks of both airlines. Dedication to excellence is very high on our priority list when considering a partnership of any kind. We are confident that we’ve found a perfect fit with Fly UK.”

Fly UK Virtual Airways (callsign: Skyways [UKV]) was founded in April of 2004 and based their operations out of Leeds – Bradford Airport. Since 2004, Fly UK Virtual Airways has opened hubs at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Birmingham, as well as starting cargo and low cost (fly2) divisions. In ten years of operation, Fly UK’s roster has grown to over 900 pilots from 65 different countries, and a route network of 213 destinations worldwide.

MetroAir Virtual Airlines (callsign: Metro [MET]) was founded in the fall of 2005 and began operations out of their Detroit, Michigan hub, with a hub in Ontario, California opening shortly after. MetroAir now operates hubs at Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Los Angeles Int’l (LAX), and Kansas City (MCI), with headquarters in Kansas City. Since its inception, MetroAir Virtual has been run on the concept of operating as a true airline would, allowing the pilots to grow with the airline. After nearly 10 years of operation, MetroAir Virtual operates a fleet of over 300 aircraft to destinations on five continents, giving pilots never ending opportunities.

Fly UK Virtual operates flights to 15 destinations in the United States, while MetroAir Virtual operates to 3 UK destinations, which include 29 weekly flights to London Heathrow.

Operationally, both airlines will expand their route networks through the codeshare agreement, allowing passengers to transit seamlessly across the world on both carriers. This codeshare agreement will give MetroAir and Fly UK passengers greater access to destinations in Europe and the United States, respectively. The upcoming codeshare has already had a positive impact on MetroAir operations, with the start of daily nostop service to London Heathrow from Kansas City. Passengers wishing to travel to or from London can now do so via MCI.

“The new codeshare agreement will expand MetroAir’s presence in Europe and provide our customers with even more choice and better connections,” said MetroAir COO William Hogarth, ” The biggest benefits that our two airlines will gain from codesharing are the lucrative, but often competitive transatlantic routes. The codeshare will enable us both to strengthen our grip and allow both carriers to minimize empty seats yet maximize profitability and convenience. I am very much looking forward to seeing the new services begin and firmly feel that it will be another great chapter in both airline’s history.”