How do I load a saved flight in MSFS 2020?

To load a saved flight in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on PC, open the World Map, select Load/Save, choose Load from this PC, and open the saved .FLT file. Let the simulator restore the session, then select Fly if it returns you to the World Map instead of entering the cockpit automatically.

How do I open a saved .FLT file?

A saved session is loaded through the World Map using its .FLT file, not through the Logbook.

1. Open the World Map from the Welcome screen.
2. Select Load/Save in the lower command bar. Expand that bar first if your interface layout has hidden it.
3. Choose Load from this PC to open the file picker.
4. Select the saved flight with the .FLT extension. If the save produced companion files with the same name, leave them in the same folder.
5. Allow the flight to load. Select Fly if MSFS returns to the World Map after reading the file.
6. Check the restored aircraft as soon as the cockpit appears. Confirm the throttle, trim, autopilot, fuel, position and flight plan before continuing.

A Logbook entry is only a record of a completed or interrupted flight; it cannot be opened as a saved session. You need a save created through the simulator’s Load/Save function while the flight was running.

Should I load a .FLT or .PLN file?

Load .FLT to resume a saved session; load .PLN when you only want the route.

Opening a .PLN file will not put the aircraft back at the saved altitude or restore its cockpit. For route-only files, follow our explanation of loading and checking a route in the built-in flight planner before selecting Fly.

Why can’t MSFS 2020 find or open my saved flight?

Most saved-flight failures come from selecting the wrong file type, losing a referenced file or loading a save that depends on unavailable add-on content.

• The save is not listed: change the file picker’s filter to saved-flight files or all supported files, then look for *.flt. Renaming a .PLN file to .FLT does not convert it.
• You cannot find the folder: MSFS normally saves to the location selected in the Windows file picker rather than one compulsory folder. Search Windows for the exact filename or *.flt.
• The route is missing: keep any companion .PLN file created with the save beside the .FLT. If necessary, load the route separately through the World Map.
• The aircraft or scenery is missing: reinstall or enable the content used when the flight was saved. A save referencing a removed aircraft, livery or airport may fail, substitute content or restore incompletely.
• Only this save crashes or hangs: test a simple new flight first. If that works, try Safe Mode when offered after a crash or temporarily disable suspect Community add-ons. A save that still fails may be damaged or incompatible and usually has to be recreated.

If new flights and saved flights are both taking an unusually long time, work through our MSFS 2020 slow-loading checks rather than treating the .FLT file as the sole cause.

Does a saved flight restore everything exactly?

No. An MSFS 2020 saved flight restores the broad situation, but it is not a perfect suspend-state snapshot.

Position, altitude, aircraft selection, route and many standard controls are usually retained. Live weather, traffic, multiplayer state and ATC may be rebuilt when the session opens, while complex add-on avionics, custom FMS data and aircraft-specific systems may not serialise completely. Use an aircraft’s own panel-state feature as well if it provides one.

For a dependable mid-flight save, use straight-and-level flight with generous terrain clearance. Be ready to pause after loading and verify power, trim, autopilot modes and navigation before letting the aircraft continue. On Xbox Series X|S, PC .FLT files cannot be imported through a Windows-style file browser, and Quick Resume should not be treated as a permanent saved-flight backup.