This week’s flight takes us across the Alps from Zurich (LSZH) to Bolzano (LIPB) aboard a Bombardier Q400. At only 206 NM, it is a compact regional flight, but the surrounding terrain and arrival into the Adige Valley make it far more interesting than its distance might suggest.
The flight departs Zurich from runway 34 via the DEGE1J SID, climbs to FL170, and continues south across the Alpine terrain. The VIC2H STAR then brings the aircraft toward Bolzano for a landing on runway 01.
Flight plan summary
| Departure | Zurich Airport (LSZH), runway 34 |
| Departure procedure | DEGE1J SID |
| Arrival | Bolzano Airport (LIPB), runway 01 |
| Arrival procedure | VIC2H STAR |
| Aircraft | Bombardier Q400 / DHC-8-400 (DH8D) |
| Distance | 206 NM |
| Estimated duration | 44 minutes |
| Cruise altitude | FL170 |
| Scheduled departure | September 5, 2026 at 15:00 UTC |
Departing from Zurich
The flight begins at Zurich Airport, where we depart from runway 34 and follow the DEGE1J SID. The Q400 quickly settles into the climb, and there is little time to spare before preparing for the Alpine crossing.
The planned cruise altitude is FL170. On a route through mountainous terrain, follow the published procedures and keep a close eye on terrain clearance throughout the flight. Depending on the weather and visibility in your simulator, the central part of the route can offer impressive views of the Swiss and Italian Alps.
Across the Alps in the Q400
The Q400 is a natural choice for this route. Its turboprop performance is well suited to short regional sectors, while its climb, descent and short-runway capabilities make the flight into Bolzano particularly enjoyable.
The cruise phase is brief. After reaching FL170, you will soon need to review the arrival, monitor the terrain and prepare the descent. This makes the route engaging from departure to landing, without a long period of uneventful cruise flight.
A distinctive arrival into Bolzano
Bolzano Airport lies in the Adige Valley, surrounded by high Alpine terrain. According to the airport’s official technical data, its single runway 01/19 is 1,432 metres long, adding another consideration to the arrival and landing.
For this flight, the arrival plan combines the VIC2H STAR with a landing on runway 01. The procedure should be reviewed carefully before departure, especially when flying with realistic weather or limited visibility. Terrain awareness, descent planning and speed management are all important as the Q400 approaches the valley.
Bolzano’s operating environment is sufficiently specialised that real-world IFR procedures require pilot familiarisation and authorisation. Although those operational requirements do not apply to a simulator flight, they illustrate what makes LIPB such an unusual and rewarding destination.
Keep your navigation data consistent
If the SID or STAR shown in your aircraft does not match the downloaded route, check that XPFlightPlanner, X-Plane and the aircraft are using the same AIRAC cycle. The AIRAC update tutorial explains how to install current XPNavData navigation data in X-Plane and import it into XPFlightPlanner.
Download the complete flight plan
The complete flight plan, briefing information and files for compatible aircraft and flight-management systems are available here:
Available downloads include X-Plane FMS files and several formats for popular aircraft and add-ons.
Plan your next X-Plane flight with XPFlightPlanner
XPFlightPlanner makes it easy to generate realistic routes, select SID and STAR procedures, review the flight on an interactive map and export the result to X-Plane or your preferred aircraft.
You can also create a shared briefing page for each route, making it simple to download the required files or share the flight plan with other simulator pilots.
Ready to cross the Alps? Download the route, start the Q400 in Zurich and prepare for a memorable arrival into Bolzano.