Learn how to use airport jetways in MSFS, FSX, Prepar3D and X-Plane, with correct parking steps and fixes for bridges that will not connect.
To use an airport jetway in a flight simulator, park at a gate with an animated bridge, align on the stand centreline and stop mark, set the parking brake and trigger the simulator’s jetway command. The bridge must be animated by the airport scenery and able to reach the aircraft’s forward left passenger door.
How to connect an airport jetway
A jetway connects reliably when the simulator recognises the parking position and the aircraft is stopped at the correct point.
- Choose a jetway gate. Select a parking position classified as a gate rather than a ramp, cargo stand or general aviation parking spot. A visible bridge may still be a static scenery object, so its presence does not guarantee that it can move.
- Park accurately. Follow the stand centreline and stop at the correct aircraft marking, visual docking guidance system or marshaller signal. The aircraft’s forward left door, usually L1, should finish within the bridge’s operating range.
- Secure the aircraft. Set the parking brake. Some ground-service systems also require the engines to be shut down and the beacon switched off; keep electrical power available through the APU or ground power if the aircraft needs it.
- Request the jetway once. Use the simulator’s Ground Services menu, assigned jetway command or airport add-on control. Wait for the bridge to finish moving rather than repeating the command, which can make it retract again.
- Open the passenger door. Use the aircraft’s door panel or electronic flight bag if the model includes one. In many default aircraft, the door and jetway animations are independent, so opening the door alone will not call the bridge.
Which jetway control does my simulator use?
The control depends on the simulator and sometimes on the airport scenery or ground-service add-on.
| Simulator | Usual method |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 | At a recognised gate, use the ATC or Ground Services option to request a jetway connection. Our step-by-step MSFS gate and Ground Services procedure covers the simulator-specific details. |
| FSX | Press Ctrl+J at a compatible animated gate. See our FSX walkthrough for parking alignment, Ctrl+J and connection faults. |
| Prepar3D | Many default-style gates respond to Ctrl+J, while custom airports may provide their own scenery menu or control panel. |
| X-Plane 12 | Run or bind the native jetway command where the scenery supports animated bridges. The X-Plane 12 control and scenery-compatibility instructions explain the distinction between working and static jetways. |
| Ground-service add-ons | Use the add-on’s own interface if it replaces the simulator’s default jetway logic. Calling both systems can produce overlapping or reversed animations. |
Why won’t the jetway connect?
A jetway usually fails because the bridge is static, the aircraft is outside the parking trigger area or the door is beyond the bridge’s physical reach.
- Nothing moves: the scenery may contain a static bridge. Test another marked jetway gate, preferably at a default major airport, to separate a scenery limitation from a control problem.
- The command is unavailable: the simulator may not recognise the stand as a gate. Reposition on the centreline, set the parking brake and check that the selected parking spot provides jetway service.
- The bridge moves but stops short: the aircraft is normally too far forward, too far back or off-centre. Repark with the L1 door opposite the bridge head. A custom aircraft can also have incorrect or unsupported door-position data.
- The wrong bridge responds: overlapping parking trigger areas or inaccurate scenery placement can make the simulator select a neighbouring jetway. Reposition precisely or use the airport’s dedicated control system.
- The bridge clips through the aircraft: the stand may be designed for a different aircraft size, or conflicting airport scenery may have displaced the gate. If multiple versions of the same airport are installed, disable the duplicates and reload the scenery.
- It connects and immediately retracts: check for a released parking brake, aircraft movement, a duplicated controller binding or a command that was issued twice.
Do all gates and aircraft support jetways?
No; both the airport stand and aircraft must support a usable passenger-bridge connection.
Remote stands, cargo ramps and many smaller airports use stairs instead. General aviation aircraft, military types and some freighters have no suitable forward passenger door. Multiple bridges at wide-body gates often depend on custom airport scenery or an add-on, and a default simulator may operate only one of them.
Boarding, doors and ground-service add-ons
A connected jetway is often only a visual animation and does not mean that simulated passengers are boarding.
Default ground services may provide basic connection and disconnection commands, while dedicated tools can add boarding times, passenger counts, sounds, marshalling and coordinated pushback. Our explanation of advanced jetway and passenger handling with GSX covers that workflow without duplicating it here.
How do I disconnect the jetway before pushback?
Close the passenger door, request jetway disconnection through the same system used to connect it, and wait until the bridge is fully parked before moving the aircraft.
- Close the L1 door through the aircraft’s door panel or electronic flight bag.
- Request disconnection using Ground Services, the native jetway command or the active ground-handling add-on.
- Wait for full retraction. Do not release the parking brake while the bridge is still moving.
- Clear the remaining services such as ground power, chocks and baggage equipment before starting pushback.