Start Free Flight in MSFS 2024: choose an aircraft, airport, gate or runway, then fix greyed-out launch buttons and incorrect spawn points.
To start Free Flight in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, select Free Flight on the main menu, choose an aircraft, set an airport or map point as the departure, and select a gate, parking stand or runway. Adjust the route and conditions if wanted, then use the on-screen flight-start button to load in.
The sequence is broadly the same on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, although button prompts and some labels can differ between platforms and simulator updates.
How do I launch a Free Flight?
The shortest reliable setup is one selected aircraft plus one valid departure point.
- Open Free Flight: return to the top-level main menu if you are inside Career Mode or another activity, then select Free Flight.
- Choose an aircraft: open the aircraft selector, pick the aircraft and livery you want, and confirm the selection before returning to the map.
- Find the departure airport: search by airport name or ICAO code, select the result and mark it as the departure. Merely highlighting an airport does not always assign it.
- Choose the exact starting position: zoom into the airport or open its available positions, then select a gate, parking stand or runway. Leaving only the airport selected may let the simulator choose a default position.
- Add optional details: select a destination if you want an airport-to-airport route, then set the time, weather and other available flight conditions. Our guide to setting departure, destination, route type and cruise altitude covers the fuller planning workflow.
- Start the flight: check that the aircraft and departure are shown in the setup summary, then select the final launch control. Its wording can vary slightly by platform or simulator build.
Should I start at a gate, parking stand or runway?
Choose a gate or parking stand for a full start-up, and choose a runway when you want the aircraft prepared for immediate take-off.
| Starting position | Expected aircraft state | Best used for |
|---|---|---|
| Gate | Normally parked with engines off | Airliners, boarding and pushback |
| Parking stand or ramp | Normally cold-and-dark or parked | General aviation and start-up practice |
| Runway | Usually running and positioned for departure | Skipping start-up and taxi |
| Airport without a specific position | Simulator-selected location | Quick setup when the exact spawn point does not matter |
Aircraft behaviour can differ when an add-on preserves its previous panel state or has its own start-state option. Assistance settings may also start systems that would otherwise be off.
A custom departure away from an airport can place the aircraft in the air. Use the separate instructions for spawning airborne instead of at a gate or runway when that is the intended start.
Can I start Free Flight without a destination?
Yes. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 only needs a valid aircraft and departure to begin Free Flight; a destination and formal flight plan are optional.
This is useful for circuits, sightseeing, aircraft familiarisation or unrestricted VFR flying. You can take off, fly locally and return to the same airport without creating a route.
Why is the Free Flight start button greyed out?
A greyed-out launch control usually means the simulator does not have a confirmed aircraft or valid departure.
- The airport is only highlighted: reopen it and explicitly assign it as the departure.
- No aircraft is confirmed: return to the aircraft selector, apply the selection and check that the chosen aircraft appears on the setup screen.
- The parking position is unsuitable: a large aircraft may not fit the chosen stand. Select a larger gate, another stand or a runway.
- The route contains conflicting points: remove the destination, assign the departure again and then rebuild the route.
- An add-on aircraft is unavailable: test with a standard included aircraft. If that works, the add-on may be disabled, incomplete or incompatible with the installed simulator build.
Why do I spawn in the wrong place or with the engines running?
The selected departure position controls the spawn location and, in most aircraft, the initial operating state.
If you selected only the airport icon, MSFS 2024 may choose a default runway or parking location. Select the precise stand before launching. A runway start normally loads with the engines running; for a cold-and-dark start, choose a gate or parking stand and check the aircraft's own saved-state and assistance options.
Spawning inside a building or with unsuitable ground clearance usually points to inaccurate airport parking data or a stand that is too small. Moving to another stand or using the runway is the quickest workaround.
Can I change the flight plan after loading?
Yes. The Electronic Flight Bag can adjust the route and manage items such as fuel, payload and weather after Free Flight has loaded; see our instructions for using the MSFS 2024 EFB for flight preparation.
Changing the EFB route does not necessarily rewrite every aircraft's flight-management system. Complex aircraft may require the route to be sent, imported or entered through their own avionics workflow.
If this is your first time at the controls, our beginner aircraft and first-flight setup explains which aircraft, weather and runway-start options make the initial flight easier.