Why JetStream Virtual for X-Plane?
Real Airline Schedules Updated Daily
Every flight in JetStream mirrors a real-world route. Fly Delta 89 from Los Angeles to Sydney, Lufthansa 400 from Frankfurt to New York, or Qantas 1 from Sydney to London — complete with the correct callsign, equipment, and timetable. Our schedule database is refreshed daily so you always have current routes.
SimBrief Integration
Generate a full Operational Flight Plan with one click. SimBrief calculates your fuel load, winds-aloft routing, and provides a briefing package you can import directly into X-Plane's FMS or compatible avionics like the Zibo 737, ToLiss A321, or Flight Factor 757/767.
JSV Flight Logger for X-Plane
The JSV Flight Logger connects to X-Plane via the UDP DataRef protocol — the same interface used by X-Plane's own networking and data output system. It detects 12 flight phases, tracks your position in real time on the live map, and files your PIREP automatically when you arrive at the gate.
No Application — VATSIM & IVAO Ready
Other virtual airlines require formal applications and waiting periods. JetStream Virtual is open to everyone — create your account, choose an airline, and fly. Full support for VATSIM (via xPilot) and IVAO (via the IVAO client) means your flights are tracked whether you fly online or offline.
Getting Started with X-Plane on JetStream Virtual
Register Free
Create your JetStream Virtual account in under a minute. There is no application, no interview, and no waiting period. Pick your home airport and choose from 158+ airlines.
Browse & Bid on Flights
Search 227,618+ real-world routes. Filter by departure airport, arrival, airline, distance, or aircraft type. Bid on a flight to reserve it, or simply pick one and go.
Generate Your OFP
Click the SimBrief dispatch button to generate a complete flight plan — fuel, weather, NOTAMs, SID/STAR, and route. Import the plan into X-Plane's FMS or your aircraft's avionics panel.
Install the Logger & Fly
Download the JSV Flight Logger, enable X-Plane's UDP data output, and start your flight. The logger tracks everything — from pushback through taxi, takeoff, cruise, landing, and taxi-in — and files your PIREP automatically.
Review Your Flight
After parking, your PIREP appears on your pilot dashboard. Review your route on the map, check your scoring breakdown, and see how your landing rate, fuel efficiency, and phase timings compare. Over time, your hours accumulate toward rank promotions and awards.
X-Plane 12 Features That Shine with a Virtual Airline
X-Plane 12 introduced a completely overhauled weather engine that models real-world atmospheric conditions with remarkable fidelity. Volumetric clouds, dynamic wind shear, icing, and turbulence all react to altitude, terrain, and time of day. When you fly a JetStream Virtual schedule from London Heathrow to Dubai in X-Plane 12, you encounter realistic weather patterns along the entire route — from low-visibility fog on departure through stratospheric jet streams at cruise altitude to desert thermals on approach.
Scenery & Global Terrain
X-Plane 12's scenery engine renders the entire globe with photorealistic terrain, detailed autogen buildings, seasonal vegetation, and accurate road and waterway data. The simulator ships with over 17,000 airports modelled with 3D terminals, taxiways, and ground markings. For virtual airline pilots, this means that even obscure regional airports on your JetStream schedule — a domestic Indonesian hop or a short Caribbean island run — look convincing and immersive.
Flight Physics & Systems Depth
X-Plane has long been respected for its blade-element flight model, which calculates lift and drag on every surface of the aircraft multiple times per second. X-Plane 12 refines this further with improved ground handling, more realistic prop wash effects, and better turboprop modelling. For a virtual airline, this translates into approaches that feel different at each airport — crosswinds at Innsbruck require different technique than calm conditions at Dubai — and landings that reward precision. The scoring system in JetStream Virtual measures your vertical speed at touchdown, your approach stability, and your taxi behaviour, all of which X-Plane 12 simulates with high accuracy.
UDP DataRef Protocol — How the Logger Connects
Unlike MSFS which uses SimConnect, X-Plane exposes flight data through its UDP DataRef output system. The JSV Flight Logger subscribes to DataRefs such as sim/flightmodel/position/latitude, sim/flightmodel/position/indicated_airspeed, sim/cockpit2/gauges/indicators/altitude_ft_pilot, and sim/flightmodel/position/groundspeed. These values are transmitted over a local UDP socket, which means the logger can run on the same machine or even a different computer on the same network. This architecture makes it compatible with macOS and Linux setups where X-Plane runs natively.
To enable data output, navigate to Settings > Data Output in X-Plane and enable the required data groups. The pilot library includes a step-by-step setup guide with screenshots for both X-Plane 12 and X-Plane 11.
X-Plane vs MSFS — JetStream Virtual Works with Both
Choosing between X-Plane and MSFS is a matter of personal preference. The good news is that JetStream Virtual fully supports both simulators, so you never have to choose a different virtual airline if you switch platforms.
| Feature | X-Plane 12 | MSFS 2024 | JetStream Virtual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Model | Blade-element theory | Asobo physics engine | Tracks both equally |
| Weather Engine | Volumetric, real-world data | Volumetric, real-world data | Weather-independent tracking |
| Platform | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, Xbox | Cross-platform logger |
| Logger Connection | UDP DataRef protocol | SimConnect API | Both supported |
| SimBrief Import | FMS / avionics plugins | Native & EFB | One-click OFP |
| VATSIM Client | xPilot | vPilot | Network-agnostic |
| Airlines & Routes | Same schedules regardless of sim | 158+ airlines | |
| Cost | Paid ($59.99) | Paid / Game Pass | Free |
Many JetStream Virtual pilots fly both simulators. You might prefer X-Plane 12 for its study-level aircraft like the Zibo 737-800 or ToLiss A321neo, and switch to MSFS for its photogrammetry scenery on VFR flights. Your JetStream account, flight history, rank, and statistics carry across both platforms seamlessly — just use the same JSV Flight Logger with whichever sim you launch.
Still Flying X-Plane 11? Fully Supported
X-Plane 11 remains one of the most popular flight simulators in the community, and JetStream Virtual has no plans to drop support. The JSV Flight Logger works identically with X-Plane 11 — the same UDP DataRef protocol, the same data groups, and the same automatic PIREP filing. If you are not ready to upgrade to X-Plane 12, or if your hardware runs X-Plane 11 more smoothly, you can fly every route in the JetStream schedule without limitation.
X-Plane 11 also has an enormous ecosystem of high-quality freeware and payware aircraft — the IXEG 737, JARDesign A320, and FlightFactor A350 are still popular choices for airline operations. All of these work seamlessly with JetStream Virtual's tracking and scoring system because the Flight Logger reads standard X-Plane DataRefs that are consistent across both simulator versions and all aircraft add-ons.
Frequently Asked Questions — X-Plane Virtual Airlines
Is JetStream Virtual free for X-Plane pilots?
Yes. JetStream Virtual is completely free to join and fly. There are no paid tiers, no application process, and no monthly fees. Register an account and you can start flying within minutes. All 158 airlines and 227,618+ routes are available to every pilot from day one — whether you fly X-Plane 12, X-Plane 11, or both.
Does the JSV Flight Logger work with X-Plane 12?
Yes. The JSV Flight Logger connects to X-Plane 12 using the UDP DataRef protocol. It reads flight data including position, speed, altitude, flap configuration, gear state, and engine parameters. The logger automatically detects 12 flight phases — from preflight through taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, approach, landing, and taxi-in — and files your PIREP when you park at the gate.
How do I set up X-Plane's data output for the logger?
In X-Plane, go to Settings > Data Output and enable the required data groups for UDP output. The exact groups and port configuration are documented in the pilot library with step-by-step instructions and screenshots. Setup takes about two minutes and only needs to be done once.
Can I fly on VATSIM with X-Plane and JetStream Virtual?
Absolutely. X-Plane pilots connect to VATSIM using xPilot and to IVAO using the official IVAO client. The JSV Flight Logger operates independently of your network client, so your flight is tracked and your PIREP is filed regardless of whether you fly on a network, offline, or switch between them mid-flight. Learn more on our VATSIM & IVAO page.
Does JetStream Virtual work on macOS and Linux with X-Plane?
Yes. X-Plane runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The JSV Flight Logger communicates via the standard UDP protocol, which is platform-independent. Whether you run X-Plane on a Mac, a Linux workstation, or a Windows PC, the logger receives flight data over the local network and tracks your flight identically across all platforms.
Can I use SimBrief with X-Plane on JetStream Virtual?
Yes. Every JetStream Virtual flight includes a one-click SimBrief dispatch button that generates a complete Operational Flight Plan with fuel calculations, winds-aloft routing, SID/STAR selection, and NOTAMs. You can import the generated flight plan into X-Plane's default FMS, or into aircraft-specific avionics like the Zibo 737's CDU, the ToLiss A321's MCDU, or the Flight Factor 767's FMC. Read more about SimBrief OFP integration.
Ready to Fly Real Airline Routes in X-Plane?
Join 152 pilots already flying 158+ airlines on JetStream Virtual. Registration takes under a minute — whether you fly X-Plane 12, X-Plane 11, or both.
Also available for MSFS 2024 and Prepar3D • MSFS virtual airline • Real airline schedules • VATSIM & IVAO • Best virtual airline guide • Blog