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Microsoft Flight Simulator Cheats & Cheat Codes for Windows and Xbox Series X/S

A Steam promotional image for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Cheats & Cheat Codes for Windows and Xbox Series X/S

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a 2020 simulation title developed by Asobo Studio and published by Xbox Game Studios. The series is a massive exclusive for Microsoft, so it was only released on PC and Xbox Series X/S. Its massive scale meant it never could have worked on a previous generation console such as the Xbox One.

Microsoft Flight Simulator received rave reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the game currently holds a score of 91, indicating universal acclaim, and updates ever since its release have only improved the experience. To this day, it’s unrivalled in its genre. Because of the work required to create something of this scale, it’s likely that only a new game in the series could even come close.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Premise

A Steam promotional image for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

©Xbox Game Studios

If you described Microsoft Flight Simulator in basic terms, it would sound deceptively simple. You get into an aircraft, and fly anywhere in the world at a whim. However, it’s the depth of the game that really sets it apart from its peers.

Using map data from Bing Maps, the game renders the entirety of Earth in staggering detail. AI is used to simulate height maps from the data, which allows every single street on the planet to be brought to life. Certain major cities and landmarks around the world have been given extra attention to ensure perfect accuracy, with more being added in every update. In some parts of the world, you can even find fully rendered wildlife, a first for the series. It’s a remarkable achievement, with a world database that will surely be used as a base for the series for decades to come.

The world in Microsoft Flight Simulator is undoubtedly the star, but the true depth comes from the gameplay. It isn’t a game that holds your hand in this regard. There are tutorials that help you get to grips with the controls, but you’re still learning to fly a plane in a simulation that does its best to emulate the real thing. Not only do you deal with complex controls, but you’ll also be dealing with difficult weather patterns, which are built to challenge players with the real conditions. Another huge innovation is the use of real-world air traffic through Azure AI. When you’re trying to avoid other planes, you’re dealing with the real aircraft in the sky at that moment.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is made for hardcore fans of the genre and that’s okay. It’s all the better for it, even if it does make the barrier to entry higher initially.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Main Characters

A Steam promotional image for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

©Xbox Game Studios

It should come as no surprise to learn that in Microsoft Flight Simulator, pure simulation comes before everything else. Because of this, there aren’t any characters to meet or play as. It’s all flight, all of the time.

However, the game does feature 62 types of aircraft that you can use to traverse the planet. You choose which one you want to use, so in a way, the aircraft are the main characters of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Because of this, we’ve put together a full list of every single aircraft available in the game, so you know exactly what options are available to you.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Aircraft

Aircraft NameAircraft Type
Airbus A310-300Airliner
Airbus A320neoAirliner
Aviat Pitts Special S-1SPropeller
Aviat Pitts Special S-2SPropeller
Bell Model 407Rotorcraft
Boeing 747-8 IntercontinentalAirliner
Boeing 787-10 DreamlinerAirliner
Boeing F/A-18 Super HornetJet
Cirrus SR22Propeller
CubCrafters NXCubPropeller
CubCrafters XCubPropeller
CubCrafters XCub (floats)Propeller
CubCrafters XCub (skis)Propeller
CubCrafters Xcub Red BullPropeller
Curtiss JN-4 Jenny (1915)Propeller
DG-1001E NeoGlider
DG-LS8 18Glider
Daher TBM 930Turboprop
Diamond DA40 TDIPropeller
Diamond DA40 NGPropeller
Diamond DA62Propeller
Diamond DV20Propeller
Douglas DC-3 (1935)Propeller
Experimental DarkstarJet
EXTRA 330LTPropeller
Flight Design CTSLPropeller
Grumman G-21 Goose (1937)Propeller
Guimbal Cabri G2Rotorcraft
Hughes H-4 Hercules (1947)Other
ICON A5Propeller
JMB VL-3Propeller
D77-TC PelicanJet
Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo PorterTurboprop
Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter G950Turboprop
Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter G950 FloatsTurboprop
Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter SkisTurboprop
Pipistrel Virus SW 121Propeller
Robin CAP 10Propeller
Robin DR400-100 CadetPropeller
Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis (1927)Propeller
Beechcraft Baron G58Propeller
Beechcraft Bonanza G36Propeller
Beechcraft King Air 350iTurboprop
Cessna 152Propeller
Cessna 152 AerobatPropeller
Cessna 172 SkyhawkPropeller
Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000)Propeller
Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000) (floats)Propeller
Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000) (skis)Propeller
Cessna 172 Skyhawk (floats)Propeller
Cessna 172 Skyhawk (skis)Propeller
Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan EXTurboprop
Cessna Citation CJ4Jet
Cessna Citation LongitudeJet
Havilland DHC-2 Beaver (1947)Propeller
DHC-2 Beaver Amphibious FloatplanePropeller
Volocopter VoloCityOther
Wright Flyer (1903)Propeller
Zlin Savage CubPropeller
Zlin Shock UltraPropeller
Zlin Shock Ultra (floats)Propeller
Zlin Shock Ultra (skis)Propeller

Microsoft Flight Simulator Titles in the Series

A Steam promotional image for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

©Xbox Game Studios

It might come as a surprise to many that Microsoft Flight Simulator is one of the longest-running franchises in all of gaming, with the first iteration coming all the way back in 1982 for the IBM PC. Over the course of its run, Microsoft Flight Simulator has established itself as the ultimate simulator for accurate flight gameplay, with arguably the most realistic depiction of Earth’s landscape ever put into a video game.

Until 2006’s Microsoft Flight Simulator X, the series was relatively frequent with its releases. Updates were made every few years, as the technology came along quickly. However, it would be 14 years before another iteration was released, with 2020’s Microsoft Flight Simulator. It was by far the biggest technological leap in the series’ history, with over two petabytes of map data taken to produce a near-perfect replica of our planet.

With another release planned for 2024, Microsoft Flight Simulator isn’t going anywhere any time soon. And alongside the constant leaps in technology, we’re excited to see how far the series can go.

  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0 (1982)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.0 (1984)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 (1988)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 (1989)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 (1993)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.1 (1995)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator for Windows 95 (1996)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 (1997)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 (1999)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 (2001)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight (2003)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator X (2006)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (2024)

Microsoft Flight Simulator Cheat Codes

A Steam promotional image for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

©Xbox Game Studios

Unfortunately, Microsoft Flight Simulator cheats are hard to come by. Impossible, in fact. They just don’t exist, as Microsoft strangely never put them into the game.

However, if you still want an easy ride, there is one route you can take: autopilot. If you just to cruise around the world and see the sights, you can put your plane into autopilot and it will take care of the work for you. It’s not a direct cheat code, but it sure feels like one.

As with everything in Microsoft Flight Simulator, even the autopilot feature has a ton of depth. That’s why we’ve put together this list of shortcuts for autopilot controls, to make sure you have a smooth time with the feature. After all, what is autopilot for if not to make life easier?

Autopilot ControlShortcut
Autopilot OnAlt+Z
Autopilot OffShift+ALT+Z
Autopilot NAV1 HoldCtrl+N
Increase Autopilot N1 ReferenceCtrl+Home
Increase Autopilot Reference AirspeedShift+Ctrl+Insert
Increase Autopilot Reference AltitudeCtrl+PgUp
Decrease Autopilot Reference AltitudeCtrl+PgDn
Increase Autopilot Reference VsCtrl+Home
Decrease Autopilot Reference VsCtrl+End
Toggle Autopilot Approach HoldCtrl+A
Toggle Autopilot Mach HoldCtrl+M
Toggle Autopilot Attitude HoldCtrl+T
Toggle Autopilot Localizer HoldCtrl+O
Toggle Autopilot MasterZ
Toggle Autopilot Wind LevellerCtrl+V
Autopilot Airspeed HoldAlt+R
Autopilot N1 HoldCTRL+S
Decrease Autopilot N1 ReferenceCtrl+END
Decrease Autopilot Reference AirspeedShift+Ctrl+Del

Microsoft Flight Simulator Cheat Code FAQ

A Steam promotional image for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

©Xbox Game Studios

How Do You Get Unlimited Fuel in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

To get unlimited fuel in Microsoft Flight Simulator, it’s as simple as changing a single setting. Follow these steps:

  • Head to the Options > Assistance > Piloting menu
  • Ensure the Unlimited Fuel option is turned on

It’s as easy as that. Luckily, the game doesn’t particularly put any obstacles in your way in this regard.

Are There Any Achievements in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

Yes. It’s a Microsoft game, so it would be rather strange for it to forgo achievements. We’ve put together the full list, so you know what it takes to collect all of the gamerscore in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Achievements

Achievement nameHow To Unlock
Challenge AcceptedComplete any activity.
Fill ‘er up!Refuel at any ground fuel station.
RubberneckUse the Smart Cam to view a star landmark for 3 seconds, from a distance of 550 yards or less.
Mother NatureUtilize pre-flight Pushback Service to move aircraft, for a total distance of 1 mile.
Start Me UpManually start the Airbus A320neo’s engines, without using Assistance.
By the BookRequest landing clearance from ATC at a towered airport, without using ATC assistance.
In the WildUse the Smart Cam to view animals for 3 seconds, from a distance of 550 yards or less.
Service with a SmileRequest each type of pre-flight Ground Service while at an appropriate airport gate.
Back-up PlanUtilitze pre-flight Pushback Service to move aircraft, for a total distance of 1 mile.
Job ShadowingCreate a flight plan based on a Live Traffic aircraft, then fly the route without assistance.
Wheels Up, Wheels DownComplete a non-stop flight of at least 300 miles from take-off to landing.
Look Ma, No Hands!Utilise autopilot for a total of 600 miles.
Light ChopLand at an airport where windspeeds are in excess of 5 knots, without using any assistance.
On the GreenLand on a grass runway, without using any assistance.
Stay on TargetUse the Instrument Landing System (ILS) to complete a landing.
My WayComplete a non-stop 300+ mile flight from parking to parking spot, without assistance.
Deadstick LandingAfter receiving landing clearance, switch off engines and successfully land on the runway.
Working for the WeekendComplete a weekly activity.
Frequent Flyer MilesFly from LFBD airport near Asbo Studio to KSEA airport near Microsoft HQ.
Road TripTaxi aircraft for a total distance of 10 miles.
A Few BumpsLand at an airport where windspeeds are in excess of 15 knots, without using any assistance.
Short StuffLand on a runway shorter than 2,000 feet, without using any assistance or bypassing any travel.
Uphill ClimbLand on a runway that has at least a 12 degree incline, without using any assistance.
Fire and IceComplete the Patagonia Bush Trip, without using any navigation assistance.
AnemoiComplete the Balkans Bush Trip, without using any navigation assistance.
GoldrushComplete the Nevada Bush Trip, without using any navigation assistance.
Tour GuideUse the Smart Cam to view 25 star landmarks, from a distance of 550 yards or less.
Pilot ProgramAccumulate 50 hours of flight time in a single pilot profile.
GreasedComplete every Landing Challenge.
HydroplaningAccumulate 50 hours of light in rainy weather.
Flights of FancyComplete flights of at least 300 miles using a prop, jet and airliner.
Saddle SoreComplete a flight of at least 8 hours with a propeller or turbo-prop aircraft.
Century ClubAccumulate 100 hours of flight time in a single pilot profile.
Night OwlAccumulate 50 hours of flight time at night.
InstrumentalAccumulate 50 hours of IFR flight time, including at least one take-off and landing.
DecathlonComplete 10 weekly activities.
CompletionistComplete every activity.
Sids and StarsLand at 25 different star airports shown on the World Map.
Landmarks the SpotUse the Smart Cam to view 100 star landmarks, from a distance of 500 yards or less.
World TravellerLand successfully at 500 different airports.
Jack of all PlanesComplete a 300+ mile flight with every aircraft in the standard edition of Flight Simulator.
JourneymanAccumulate 500 hours of flight time in a single pilot profile.
Wing CommanderAccumulate 1,000 hours of flight time in a single pilot profile.
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