See how long flights take in Microsoft Flight Simulator, what affects the ETA, and how to shorten long cruise legs safely with sim rate.
At the normal 1× simulation rate, Microsoft Flight Simulator flights take roughly as long as the equivalent real flight: a 90-minute airborne leg takes about 90 minutes. Total session time varies with route, aircraft, wind, taxiing and start state, ranging from a ten-minute circuit to a 15-hour long-haul flight.
Does Microsoft Flight Simulator run in real time?
Yes—both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 run in real time when the simulation rate is set to 1×. Free Flight has no standard duration or fixed limit; you choose the departure, destination and aircraft.
| Type of flight | Typical time at 1× | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit or landing practice | 10–30 minutes | One or two circuits from a runway start |
| Local general aviation flight | 30–90 minutes | Sightseeing or a short airport-to-airport leg |
| Regional or short-haul flight | 1–3 hours | Turboprop or airliner service between nearby cities |
| Medium-haul flight | 3–6 hours | Longer domestic or international airliner route |
| Long-haul flight | 7–15 hours or more | Intercontinental airliner route |
These are broad planning ranges, not simulator restrictions. A slow light aircraft can take several hours to cover a route that a jet completes in less than one.
How do I estimate flight duration before departure?
Estimate the airborne time from route distance and expected groundspeed, then add time for aircraft preparation, taxiing, climb, descent and parking. The basic calculation is route distance ÷ average groundspeed = approximate airborne time.
For example, 300 nautical miles at an average groundspeed of 150 knots is about two hours before allowing for routing or ground operations. Our guide to checking routes and estimates in the built-in MSFS flight planner explains where aircraft choice, altitude and route distance enter the calculation.
- Use the planned route distance. An IFR airway route, departure procedure, arrival procedure or ATC vectoring may be longer than the direct map distance.
- Use groundspeed, not indicated airspeed. Headwinds reduce progress over the ground, while tailwinds increase it.
- Allow for climb and descent. A jet reaches its advertised cruise speed only after climbing, so cruise speed alone often produces an optimistic estimate on short sectors.
- Add ground time. A runway start is almost immediate; a cold-and-dark gate start adds preparation, pushback and taxi time.
Why can the actual flight take longer than the ETA?
The actual duration changes whenever the flown route, groundspeed or operating conditions differ from the planner's assumptions. Common causes include:
- changing aircraft after creating the flight plan;
- using straight-line distance instead of the complete IFR route;
- strong headwinds or a different cruising altitude;
- long taxi routes at large airports;
- ATC vectors, holding, diversions or a missed approach;
- starting at a parking stand rather than on the runway.
For long ocean crossings, range and fuel stops matter as much as raw speed. Our practical transatlantic planning example shows how routing, aircraft range and reserves shape a long flight.
Can I make a long MSFS flight shorter?
Yes—simulation rate acceleration compresses the wall-clock time without making the aircraft faster relative to the simulated world. At 2× rate, one simulated hour takes roughly 30 minutes; at 4×, it takes roughly 15 minutes if the simulator maintains that rate.
Use acceleration during stable cruise rather than take-off, descent or approach. High rates can cause autopilot oscillation, missed waypoints, overspeed or an unexpectedly late descent, especially in a fast aircraft or turbulent weather. Our safe method for accelerating long cruise segments covers the controls and practical limits.
Return to 1× well before the top of descent. If the rate is unclear or the aircraft seems abnormally fast or slow, follow these steps for restoring normal simulation speed.
Is flight time the same as total session time?
No—airborne time, gate-to-gate time and total time at the simulator are different measurements. Loading the flight, programming avionics, starting engines, pushback, taxiing and shutting down all extend the session beyond the displayed airborne estimate.
A 90-minute route might fit comfortably into a two-hour session from a runway start, but a detailed cold-and-dark airliner departure can require considerably more time. When scheduling a flight, treat the planner's ETA as the airborne estimate and add a realistic allowance for everything you intend to do on the ground.