There is a tool hidden within Google Earth that very few people know about, and when you discover it you can't stop using it. It is a completely free flight simulator that allows you to take off from virtually any point on the planet and fly over landscapes, cities, mountains and oceans with real satellite images. Yes, exactly what it sounds like. And the best of all is that you don't need to install anything at all.

For years, this mode was treated almost like a well-kept secret, an Easter egg that Google included on its platform since 2007 and that few users bothered to look for. But in June 2026, Google made it official and accessible directly from the browser, without having to download the desktop application. This changed everything, because now anyone with a computer and an internet connection can become a virtual pilot in a matter of seconds.

What exactly is the Google Earth flight simulator

Imagine being able to put yourself at the controls of a plane and take off right above your hometown, or the Eiffel Tower, or the beaches of Cancun. That is precisely what this mode offers. The Google Earth flight simulator uses real satellite images of the platform as terrain, making each flight a visually stunning and almost hypnotic experience.

The simulator gives you the option to pilot two types of aircraft. One is the F-16, the high-speed military fighter, ideal for those who want to cover long distances and feel the adrenaline of flying fast. The other option is the Cirrus SR22, a much quieter propeller plane, perfect for exploring smaller regions calmly and appreciating every detail of the landscape. Neither option requires prior experience, although at first it may seem a bit chaotic until you get the hang of the controls.

What makes this tool really special is that you can fly over any place in the world that has been mapped by Google. From the skyscrapers of Manhattan to the volcanoes of Iceland, from the canals of Venice to the African savanna. If Google has photographed it from the satellite, you can fly over it.

How to access the simulator step by step

Entering the simulator is easier than it seems, and doesn't take more than a minute. The first thing is to open your browser and go to earth.google.com. If you see a welcome screen instead of the map when you enter, simply click Explore Earth to go directly to the globe view.

Once inside, find the area of ​​the world you want to fly over before activating the simulator, since the flight mode will start exactly in the area you are viewing at that moment. You can type the name of a city in the search engine or manually navigate the map. For a more immersive experience, Google recommends activating Satellite view instead of the conventional map view.

When you are positioned in the place you want to explore, click on the down arrow that appears in the right corner of the top bar to display the full menu. The Tools tab will appear there, and within it you will find the Flight Simulator option. One click and that's it, you're already in the air.

There is also a keyboard shortcut for the most impatient. On Windows, just press Ctrl Alt A and on Mac the combination is ⌘ Option A to directly access the simulator without having to navigate through the menus.

How to control the plane without crashing on the first try

This is where many users give up too soon, but the controls are actually quite intuitive once you get the hang of them. The plane is mainly operated with the keyboard or mouse, and if you have a joystick connected to your computer, you can use that too.

Using the keyboard, the directional arrows control the orientation of the plane, tilting it up, down, left and right. To gain speed you must press the Page Up key, and to reduce the engine power you use Page Down. If you prefer the mouse, moving it replaces the keyboard arrows to turn the aircraft, while the mouse buttons control acceleration.

To pause the flight at any time, the space bar is your best ally. One touch stops it and another restarts it. And if you suddenly lose control and the plane crashes into a mountain or a building, absolutely nothing happens. The simulator simply asks you if you want to start over, without consequences or frustration.

When you're done exploring, exiting the simulator is just as simple. The Exit Flight Simulator button appears in the upper right corner, or you can use the same keyboard shortcut you used to enter.

Google Earth has been a window to the world for decades, but with this flight simulator it takes a huge leap towards a much more immersive experience. It's not Microsoft Flight Simulator nor does it pretend to be, but it has something those games can't offer: the sensation of flying over the real world, with the same images you would use to find your house on the map.