An unofficial RyanAir simulator created by teenagers in the Metaverse has carried out its millionth journey with hundreds of users flying on the virtual service multiple times a day.
The simulator, which can be found on gaming platform Roblox, is hyper realistic and includes all the staples of a RyanAir journey such as cramped seats, extra charges and arguments between passengers and staff.
The fake virtual company was started by 19-year-old computer science student Sebastian Codling in 2015 and has now grown to have over 80,000 members and several full time staff members.
Speaking to the Times, Mr Codling explained that the idea had initially been a joke but had since taken on an ironic life of its own.
He said: ‘I was young. I had no idea about copyright. But we just suddenly developed an interest in aviation.
An unofficial RyanAir simulator created by teenagers in the Metaverse has carried out its millionth journey
The ultra-realistic game includes all the staples of a RyanAir journey including cramped seats
‘We replicate things that the real airline would do and provide soft skills to people such as web development and teaching them about aviation as well.
‘That means replicating the Ryanair journey.
‘We do things like pack people into the aircraft, little legroom and make them pay for some extras.’
The simulator is ultra realistic and includes some of the more common irritations of using airports including lengthy queues at security, overpriced fast food options and boarding delays.
The unofficial RyanAir company flies all of the companies actual routes with most flights scheduled for after school to maximise the number of seats sold.
In order to buy upgrades, customers must use Roblox’s own currency, Robux, which users buy to pay for accessories and customise avatars.
Roblox takes a cut of games creators’ profits and the company has just been valued at £21.8 billion.
The simulator includes some of the more common irritations of using airports including boarding delays
The unofficial RyanAir company flies all of the companies actual routes with most flights scheduled for after school to maximise the number of seats sold
What started as a one man joke has now ballooned in size and Mr Codling now employs several staff who help him with the management of the company
What started as a one man joke has now ballooned in size and Mr Codling now employs several staff who help him with the management of the company.
They include 16-year-old Rachel Knight who works as the ‘airlines’ human resources manager.
It’s not a job she was able to waltz into however.
She told the Times: ‘It’s a rigorous training process.
‘First of all is safety emergency procedures training, which is four days. And then I did a ten-day training [for cabin crew].
‘[We want to] tackle the stereotype of Ryanair flights not going very well.’
MailOnline has contacted RyanAir for comment.