Explore Google Earth’s Flight Simulator Directly in Your Browser

On Friday, Google revealed that a lesser-known feature of Google Earth is now available to a broader audience. The desktop version has included a hidden flight simulator mode since 2007, but now you can access it directly through your web browser without needing to download or install anything.

To take off into the virtual skies, head to the Google Earth website and click on the “Explore Earth” button located in the top right corner. From there, you can find the “Flight Simulator” mode as the last option in the Tools section of the top menu bar. For the best experience, start by selecting an interesting location to explore, as my initial flight took me over a vast, empty ocean. Also, be sure to switch Google Earth’s basemap from Map to Satellite for a more photorealistic view.

Google has provided a help page that explains how to use your keyboard or mouse to control your aircraft. While it may not offer the same level of complexity or realism as titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator, the Google Earth simulator still requires some practice to navigate your aircraft without crashing. If you do end up colliding with the ground, the simulator will pause and give you the option to reset your aircraft to a safe altitude.