Add animated ground crew in Microsoft Flight Simulator with built-in services or PC add-ons, plus fixes for missing workers, vehicles and menus.
To add animated ground crew in Microsoft Flight Simulator, first enable airport workers and vehicles in the Traffic or Airport Life settings, then request baggage, catering, fuel or pushback from the Ground Services interface. For fuller boarding, baggage-handler and marshalling animations on PC, install a dedicated ground-services add-on such as GSX Pro.
Use the built-in Microsoft Flight Simulator ground crew
The built-in system provides basic ramp workers and service vehicles without another installation, although the detail and availability depend on the simulator version, airport and aircraft.
- Increase airport activity: in MSFS 2020, open the Traffic settings and find the Airport Life controls. Set
Worker Densityabove zero and raiseAirport Vehicle Densityto a sensible level.Ground Aircraft Densitycontrols parked aircraft rather than crew. - Start at a suitable parking position: choose a marked gate or ramp stand rather than a runway. Larger airports are more likely to have working service routes and appropriate parking data.
- Secure the aircraft: apply the parking brake and follow the aircraft's shutdown or turnaround procedure. Some services remain unavailable while engines are running or the aircraft is moving.
- Request the service: use the applicable ATC, toolbar, EFB or aircraft ground-services interface to call baggage, catering, fuel, a jetway or pushback. The exact control differs between MSFS 2020, MSFS 2024 and individual aircraft.
- Operate the correct doors: open the passenger or cargo doors requested by the service. Complex aircraft may manage doors through their own tablet rather than the simulator's standard commands.
MSFS 2024 reorganised parts of the interface and expanded its pre-flight activity. Our built-in MSFS 2024 ground-services procedure explains where to request each service and which animations require no add-on.
Worker density mainly adds ambient ramp staff; it does not create a complete turnaround sequence at every airport. Raising vehicle density also increases airport traffic and may affect performance at busy hubs, so avoid setting every slider to maximum automatically.
Which ground-crew option should you use?
| Option | What it provides | Best choice when |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in services | Basic workers, service vehicles, fuelling, baggage, catering and pushback where supported | You want a simple setup on any supported platform |
| GSX Pro | Detailed handlers, marshalling, boarding, baggage loading, catering and configurable turnarounds | You use a PC and want an interactive airline ground operation |
| Airport scenery animations | Location-specific staff or vehicles, often following fixed animation loops | You want extra activity at one particular airport |
An AI traffic package is not a substitute for ground services: it adds or replaces aircraft traffic, but usually does not provide an animated crew for your own aeroplane.
When should you install GSX Pro?
Install GSX Pro when the default workers feel too limited and you want the crew to perform a coordinated turnaround around your aircraft.
GSX Pro supports Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 on PC. It uses desktop components, so it should be installed and updated through its supplied installer rather than copied into the Community folder like a conventional aircraft repaint. After installation, select your stand from the in-simulator GSX menu and request deboarding, boarding, catering, refuelling or pushback.
Aircraft and airport profiles matter. A mismatched aircraft profile can send loaders to the wrong door, while inaccurate stand data can place a marshaller, stairs or vehicles inside scenery objects. Our GSX Pro setup and operating guide covers profiles, service requests and the usual installation problems. For less complex choices, see our comparison of ground-services add-ons for MSFS 2020.
Why is no animated ground crew appearing?
Missing crew usually comes down to the parking position, airport data, traffic settings or an aircraft profile rather than a failed animation.
- Worker Density is zero: raise it in the simulator's traffic or airport-life settings and reload the flight if workers do not appear.
- You are not on a serviceable stand: move to a designated gate or ramp parking spot. Runway starts and unmarked apron locations often have no ground-service connection.
- The airport lacks service data: some scenery omits vehicle paths or uses an unsuitable parking type. Test the same aircraft at a large default airport to separate an airport problem from an aircraft problem.
- The aircraft is in the wrong state: stop moving, set the parking brake and obey any prompt to stop engines or open a particular door.
- The aircraft profile is wrong: correct door and loading positions in the ground-service add-on instead of repeatedly calling the vehicle.
- Two systems are competing: avoid requesting the same pushback, catering or baggage service from the aircraft tablet, the built-in menu and an add-on simultaneously.
- A PC helper is not running: desktop-based ground-service add-ons need their supporting process active before the in-simulator menu and crew can work.
Can you add animated ground crew on Xbox or PlayStation?
Console users can use Microsoft Flight Simulator's built-in workers and any platform-compatible scenery containing its own animations, but they cannot install PC utilities such as GSX Pro. MSFS 2024 supports Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, while MSFS 2020 remains limited to PC and Xbox.
On console, start with a well-defined gate at a larger airport, increase the available airport-life settings and request services through the simulator or aircraft interface. Scenery-bundled workers may make the ramp look busier, but fixed background animations will not necessarily respond to your aircraft or perform a full turnaround.