Learn how to enter an aircraft in MSFS 2024 Career Mode, find the boarding point, use the correct control and fix a missing entry prompt.
To enter an aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Career Mode, approach the mission’s assigned aircraft on foot in Character Mode, stand close to its recognised boarding point, then use the Enter/Exit Aircraft command. On the standard PC keyboard profile this is normally Shift+C; custom and console profiles may differ.
How to board your assigned Career Mode aircraft
- Start the mission and let the aircraft load. Remain in Character Mode rather than switching to the external, Drone or Showcase camera.
- Find the assigned aircraft. Follow the mission marker and objective text. Nearby parked traffic and scenery aircraft may look usable but cannot be boarded.
- Walk to the boarding point. For a small aeroplane this is usually beside the pilot’s door; airliners commonly use a forward entrance, while helicopters may use either cockpit side. Stand very close to the fuselage if no prompt appears.
- Use Enter/Exit Aircraft. Press Shift+C on the standard PC keyboard profile. On Xbox or PlayStation, use the controller binding shown for Enter/Exit Aircraft in the active control profile.
- Check the mission objective. Once seated, wait for the cockpit and objective state to finish loading before operating switches or starting the engine.
You do not normally need to animate the door before using the generic boarding command. Some aircraft have separate interactive doors, stairs or ladders, however; our explanation of how modelled aircraft doors and entry points work covers that distinction.
Why is the Enter Aircraft prompt missing?
A missing boarding prompt usually means the character is outside the entry hotspot, the wrong aircraft has been approached, or Enter/Exit Aircraft is not assigned in the active control profile.
| What happens | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The prompt appears and disappears | You are at the edge of the boarding hotspot | Move closer to the door and approach from a slightly different angle. Uneven ground can put the character outside the recognised area. |
| Shift+C does nothing | The binding was changed, removed or assigned to another device profile | Open Controls, select the device and profile actually in use, then search for Enter/Exit Aircraft and assign it again. |
| The aircraft has no mission marker | It is parked traffic, scenery or the wrong mission aircraft | Return to the marked aircraft rather than trying every aeroplane on the apron. |
| Controls move a camera instead of the character | Drone, external or another camera mode is active | Return to Character Mode, walk into boarding range and use Enter/Exit Aircraft. |
| The correct aircraft remains unresponsive | The aircraft or mission state has not loaded correctly | Allow time for streamed content to finish loading. If it remains stuck, leave the mission and start it again from Career Mode. |
A mistake we see constantly is searching for a clickable cockpit door while standing beside an aircraft that expects the Enter/Exit Aircraft command instead. For deeper fault-finding, use our Character Mode and boarding troubleshooting steps.
Must I complete the walkaround before entering?
You can often enter the cockpit before checking every inspection point, but the mission may still require or score specific pre-flight tasks. Follow the displayed objectives and deal with any modelled chocks, covers, tie-downs or inspection points before departure.
Entering the cockpit does not prove that the walkaround is complete. If the next objective fails to appear, leave the aircraft with the same Enter/Exit Aircraft command, complete the outstanding marked task, then board again.
Can I enter a different aircraft in Career Mode?
No—walking up to another parked aircraft does not let you substitute it for the assigned one. Employee missions provide a particular aircraft, while freelance work uses an eligible company-owned aircraft selected through Career Mode rather than from the apron.
Our overview of aircraft assignment and mission flow in Career Mode explains the employee and freelance distinction. If the real aim is to fly another type, check where aircraft selection happens in MSFS 2024; the normal Free Flight selector is not used after a Career mission has started.