Microsoft Flight Simulator Updated Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:06:49 GMT 5 min read

How do I save and resume a flight in MSFS?

By Ian StephensEditor-in-Chief

In short

Learn how to save and resume a flight in Microsoft Flight Simulator with .FLT files, plus route-saving steps and fixes for failed restores.

To save and resume a flight in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on PC, pause the flight, open Load/Save and save a .FLT file. Later, open World Map, choose Load/Save, select that file and start the flight. Treat it as a session snapshot, not a guaranteed aircraft-state restore.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and console versions do not expose file-based saving in every mode. Use Load/Save when it appears in Free Flight, but do not expect Career missions, structured activities or platform suspend features to behave like a manual flight save.

How do I save a flight in MSFS 2020?

On PC, save an active Free Flight session from the pause screen using the Load/Save command.

Stabilise the aircraft. Save during level flight or a quiet phase of the flight, rather than during take-off, an approach or rapid autopilot changes.
Pause the flight. Press Esc to open the pause screen.
Open Load/Save. Select the Load/Save control shown along the bottom of the screen; the default PC interface may also show Space as its shortcut.
Choose Save. Enter a recognisable filename and make sure the file type is a flight file with the .FLT extension.
Confirm the file exists. Do not quit the simulator until the save dialog has closed successfully.

Use numbered filenames such as EGLL-KJFK-01.FLT and EGLL-KJFK-02.FLT instead of repeatedly overwriting one file. A corrupt or incomplete save then costs only one checkpoint.

How do I resume a saved flight?

Resume an MSFS 2020 flight by loading its .FLT file from the World Map screen.

Open World Map from the main menu.
Select Load/Save and choose the load option.
Find the saved file and select the .FLT version, not a similarly named .PLN file.
Start the flight after the saved situation has populated the World Map.
Check the aircraft immediately. Verify altitude, fuel, trim, autopilot modes, active waypoint, engine state and the next frequency before continuing.

Our detailed MSFS 2020 flight-loading procedure covers the World Map controls and what to check when the wrong file type opens.

What is the difference between .FLT and .PLN files?

A .FLT file saves the simulator session, while a .PLN file saves only the planned route.

File	What it contains	Use it to resume?
`.FLT`	Aircraft position and the core simulator situation, plus many native flight values	Yes, although complex aircraft systems may not restore completely
`.PLN`	Route, waypoints and associated flight-plan information	No; it creates or restores a route rather than an airborne session

Keep both when the route matters. For externally planned flights, you can preserve and import the SimBrief route separately if the resumed session loses its active leg or FMS sequence.

Why does a saved flight resume incorrectly?

Saved flights most often fail because MSFS records the core simulator state but cannot guarantee every aircraft, avionics, traffic and online-service value.

Complex add-on aircraft: custom electrical, hydraulic, engine and FMS logic may sit outside the standard save system. Use the aircraft's own panel-state or flight-state feature as well, if it provides one.
Autopilot or FMS errors: a restored aircraft may capture the wrong altitude, follow an incorrect leg or load with a mode disengaged. Save in stable flight and verify every annunciated mode after loading.
ATC starts again: clearances, controller context and nearby traffic are not dependable checkpoint data. Rebuild the route if necessary and obtain a fresh clearance through MSFS ATC.
Live services change: weather, traffic and multiplayer aircraft may be regenerated when the session reconnects, so conditions need not match the moment of saving.
Aircraft or add-ons have changed: an update, removal or replacement can make an older save load badly. Restore the required content or start a new flight with the updated aircraft.

Can I save a flight in MSFS 2024 or on console?

Use the manual Load/Save command only when the selected MSFS 2024 mode or console interface provides it.

Free Flight, Career and structured activities have different persistence rules. A Career mission cannot be turned into a normal resumable session merely by creating a flight plan, and some activities must be completed in one session.

Xbox and PlayStation builds do not provide a normal Windows file browser. If Load/Save is available, use the simulator's managed storage; if the command is absent, that mode cannot create a manual .FLT checkpoint. Quick Resume, Rest Mode and leaving the simulator paused are temporary suspension methods, not dependable saved flights.

What is the safest way to preserve a long flight?

The safest method is to combine rolling .FLT saves with a separately stored route and any aircraft-specific state file.

Save after reaching cruise and again before descent.
Keep at least two rotating .FLT files.
Store the route as a .PLN or in the planner used to create it.
Record the active waypoint, cleared altitude, fuel remaining and next frequency.
After loading, remain paused until the aircraft state and autopilot modes have been checked.