How do I use jetways in Microsoft Flight Simulator?
To use a jetway in Microsoft Flight Simulator, park at a gate fitted with an animated bridge, align the aircraft on the stand, set the parking brake, then open the ATC or ground-services menu and request a jetway connection. Retract it through the same menu before requesting pushback.
How do I connect a jetway in MSFS?
A jetway connects reliably only when the simulator recognises your parking position as a gate and the aircraft is within the bridge's operating range.
- Choose a proper gate. On the flight-planning map, select a numbered gate rather than a runway, ramp or general-aviation parking position. After landing, taxi to an assigned gate equipped with a movable jetway.
- Park on the stand centreline. Follow the marshaller, docking guidance or painted markings. Stop at the position intended for your aircraft size; parking too far forward, aft or sideways is the most common cause of a missed connection.
- Secure the aircraft. Set the parking brake. For realistic ground handling, shut down the engines and turn off the beacon before bringing equipment close to the aircraft.
- Request the jetway. Open the simulator's ATC or communications panel, select
Ground Services, then chooseRequest Jetway Connectionor the similarly named option. - Wait for the animation to finish. Do not move the aircraft or issue the command repeatedly while the bridge is extending.
- Open the passenger door separately. Use the aircraft's cockpit controls, tablet or door page if that model supports operable doors.
The precise panel layout differs between Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but the command is normally grouped with ground services. You can also search Controls Options for jetway and assign the available command to your active keyboard or controller profile. For help reaching and using ground-service options, see our explanation of the ATC and communications controls in Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Can every aircraft and parking stand use a jetway?
No; the stand must contain an animated jetway, and the aircraft's passenger door must be within its supported height and reach.
- Gate parking normally provides a jetway, although some scenery uses static bridges that cannot move.
- Remote and ramp stands usually use stairs instead of a jetway.
- Small aircraft and unusual freighters may not have a compatible door position, even when parked at an airline gate.
- Multiple jetways depend on the airport scenery and aircraft. The default ground-service command may operate only one bridge rather than letting you select each jetway independently.
Does the jetway open the aircraft door?
No; jetway movement and aircraft doors are separate systems in Microsoft Flight Simulator. A bridge can connect while the door remains visibly closed, and some simplified aircraft do not provide an interactive passenger door at all. A closed door does not by itself mean the jetway has failed.
Why won't the jetway connect?
Most jetway failures come from incorrect parking, a static scenery object or an incompatible aircraft-door position.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No jetway option appears | The position is not recognised as a serviced gate | Move to a numbered airline gate with a visible movable bridge. |
| The bridge moves but misses the door | The aircraft is outside its reach or stopped at the wrong point | Disconnect it, reposition on the centreline and stop at the correct marker. |
| The jetway never moves | It may be a static scenery model | Try another gate. If only one airport is affected, the limitation is probably in that airport's scenery. |
| The bridge stops or behaves erratically | Commands were repeated, or conflicting airport packages are loaded | Allow it to retract fully and try again. On PC, check for two packages replacing the same airport. |
| It works with one aircraft but not another | The second model has different door coordinates or dimensions | Use a larger stand, adjust the stopping position or test another compatible gate. |
If correct parking does not solve it, work through our detailed jetway positioning and failure checklist.
How do I disconnect the jetway before pushback?
Use the ground-services menu to request jetway disconnection, then wait until the bridge is fully retracted before moving the aircraft.
Close the passenger door, confirm the jetway and other equipment are clear, start the beacon when appropriate, and only then request pushback. Our step-by-step pushback procedure covers the next stage without duplicating or conflicting with ground-service commands.