Boeing has announced that Alaska Airlines has signed a formal licensing agreement for Boeing’s Virtual Airplane training platform during the World Aviation Training Summit in Orlando, Florida.

The agreement follows Alaska Airlines’ role as a key development partner in the creation and testing of the digital pilot training system.

Virtual Airplane Designed To Improve Pilot Readiness

Boeing’s Virtual Airplane is a modular and device-agnostic training platform that allows pilots to practice realistic aircraft procedures outside traditional flight simulators.

The system’s Procedures Trainer application enables pilots to complete high-fidelity procedural training remotely using computers and tablet devices.

The platform also includes a free-play Flight Management System designed to support realistic data entry practice and operational familiarization.

According to Boeing, the technology is intended to help airlines standardize pilot training, reduce simulator familiarization time and accelerate operational readiness.

Alaska Airlines Played Key Role In Development

Alaska Airlines worked closely with Boeing throughout the development of Virtual Airplane, providing operational feedback during testing phases.

Chris Broom, Boeing’s Vice President of Commercial Training Solutions, said Alaska Airlines’ focus on innovation and safety helped shape the final product.

“We are proud to see this partnership evolve as they move from beta testing to full adoption, leveraging Virtual Airplane to enhance pilot training and operational readiness,” Broom said.

Airline Plans Integration Into Ground School Training

Alaska Airlines said the technology will complement existing simulator-based training and become part of its pilot ground school curriculum.

Jeff Severns, Managing Director of Flight Operations Training at Alaska Airlines, said the platform gives pilots more flexibility while improving training effectiveness.

“Our collaboration with Boeing on Virtual Airplane has allowed us to provide our pilots with flexible, realistic training tools that complement traditional simulator sessions,” Severns said.

The airline expects the technology to help improve pilot proficiency and operational preparation.

Boeing Plans Expansion To Additional Aircraft Models

The Procedures Trainer module is currently available for Boeing 737 MAX pilot training.

Boeing said additional aircraft models are expected to be added to the Virtual Airplane platform in the future as the company expands the system’s capabilities.

The agreement forms part of Boeing’s broader strategy to develop scalable digital aviation training solutions for airlines and flight crews worldwide.