Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

General sim questions

When is the release date?

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is launching for Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox Cloud Gaming on November 19, 2024. It will be available Day 1 on PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Will Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 be a completely standalone sequel, or will it also be offered as a paid update for existing players? 

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a standalone simulator and the next-generation sequel to Microsoft Flight Simulator that launched in 2020. Current aircraft and airports that are in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020), as well as virtually all Marketplace add-ons, will be supported in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

What are the PC specifications for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?

 Will there be an early release Alpha or Beta build we users can opt into?

We are planning to have a Tech Alpha prior to launch – likely in late October.

In-sim questions

What Aircraft are in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?

For a full text table, check out the Zendesk FAQ here!

Will my Premium or Premium Deluxe Edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) carry over no matter what edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 I purchase?

If you own Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) Deluxe Edition or Premium Deluxe Edition the additional aircraft and airports unique to these editions will automatically work in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

If I have Premium Deluxe Edition of MSFS 2020 on MS Store, and decide to get Standard Edition of MSFS 2024 on Steam, will the Premium Deluxe planes from my MS Store version carry over to my Standard Edition on Steam?

Yes, they will.

Will the missions and activities in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 be like video game missions? 

The missions and activities that are being included in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are authentic re-creations of those performed in real-live aviation fields. We are working with a variety of organizations — such as firefighting, search and rescue, and coast guard organizations — across the planet to make these activities as accurate as possible. 

Can you do career activities (e.g. firefighting, aerial advertising) outside of Career Mode?

All career activities can only be played in Career Mode.

What aircraft will I have access to in Career Mode?

Career Mode is open for all kinds of aircraft that are appropriate for the various aviation activities. Most but not all of the aircraft from the various editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will be utilized in the Career and the system is also open to 3rd parties if they want their aircraft to participate.

technical questions

Will Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 have improved loading times? 

One of the biggest priorities for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is to improve the simulator’s data management. One of the major changes to the simulator’s architecture being made is using Cloud streaming to help ensure that the client becomes thin. When users load into the sim, only the textures, meshes, and map data that they need will be downloaded to avoid unnecessary bandwidth and disk space usage. 

This will keep the minimum specifications of the sim as low as it is now and will also reduce update and load times. 

Will there be improvements to the core simulator technology in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024? 

The development team is improving almost every aspect of the simulator. Some examples include: 

• • Improved multithreading to improve performance 
  • Faster download, load, and installation speeds 
  • Improved aerodynamics and physics simulation 
  • Improved aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel, and hydraulics 
  • New failure and wear & tear system 
  • Deeper and wider avionics systems
  • Cockpit tablet available by default 
  • Worldwide Vertical Obstacles
  • Worldwide Oil Rigs
  • Worldwide Glider Airports
  • Worldwide Heliports

Will there be changes to the scenery and terrain in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024? 

We are improving the global digital twin in three different ways: 

1. 1. Static World:

• • • Improved ground details 
    • 3D tessellated ground materials 
    • Enhanced 3D trees with greatly increased diversity 
    • Improved cliffs 

1. 2. Living World:

• • • Animal herds and migrations 
    • Worldwide live ship traffic 
    • Accurate live air traffic (models, liveries) 
    • Improved vehicle traffic 
    • More diverse character models

1. 3. Dynamic World:

• • • Full seasons 
    • Aurora Borealis / Aurora Australis 
    • Tornados 
    • Storms 

Marketplace Questions

Will all purchases users have made from the Marketplace be transferrable to the new simulator?

With very few exceptions, virtually all add-ons that work in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) today will function in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Add-ons that were purchased from the in-simulator Marketplace will not need to be re-purchased in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

Owned MSFS 2020 Content

• • For any content you purchased outside of the simulator, the Community Folder will continue to work as it did in MSFS 2020. Any content in your MSFS 2020 Community Folder can simply be copied over to the new MSFS 2024 Community Folder, and the vast majority of that content should work in MSFS 2024.
  • For any content you purchased in the Marketplace in MSFS 2020, that content will show up as owned in the Content Manager (in MSFS 2024 called “My Library”) at launch for you to use in MSFS 2024, and the vast majority of that content should work in MSFS 2024. This availability does not require developers to sign off on their content.

Owned MSFS 2020 Content that has been Upgraded* for MSFS 2024

• • For content you already purchased in MSFS 2020, upgrades to Microsoft-produced content (e.g. Reno Air Races, Local Legends, Famous Flyers, Expert Series) will be free to you.
  • For content you already purchased in MSFS 2020, upgrades to all other (non-Microsoft) developers’ content will have two potential options based on each developer’s discretion:
    1. The developer can make the upgrade free.
    2. The developer can choose to charge a fee for the upgrade.

 Non-owned Content: Availability in the MSFS 2024 Marketplace

• • For any content, including existing MSFS 2020 content, developers must sign off that the content is functional for it to appear for sale in the Marketplace.

 *Upgraded = built with the MSFS 2024 SDK, Not Upgraded = built with the MSFS 2020 SDK

With the new Marketplace Gifting feature, will gifting Marketplace content work between Microsoft Store and Steam users?

Yes, Marketplace gifting is cross-compatible between MS Store and Steam.

If I switch platforms from having MSFS 2020 in MS Store to MSFS 2024 on Steam, will my purchases transfer over?

Yes, your purchases will follow you if you sign in using the same Xbox Live account.

Support questions

What kind of support can Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) players expect to see once Flight Simulator 2024 has been released? 

We will continue to deliver our Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) Roadmap which has content ranging from Aircraft and Avionics Updates, Sim Updates, City and World Updates, and also the free Dune DLC. We will continue to support Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) post the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 launch.

How many people are working on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024? 

We have over 500 team members across several teams who are working to make Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 the biggest and most advanced consumer flight simulator ever released. 

What partners are you working with for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?

Announced partners:

• • On March 13, 2024, we announced our partnership with FlightFX and confirmed the following aircraft: Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet and Jetson ONE
  • On March 24, 2024, iniBuilds were announced as our latest partners, and will be creating the Airbus A400M and Airbus BelugaXL for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • On June 5, 2024, we announced three partners, and the aircraft they are creating for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024:
    • Carenado – Cessna 188 AGtruck
    • Blackbird – Erickson S-64 Skycrane
    • DC Designs – Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
  • On June 22, 2024, we confirmed the following list of partners (with more to come):
    • ATSim
    • Aeroplane Heaven
    • Blackbird Simulations
    • Bluemesh
    • Carenado
    • Climax
    • Flight Control Replay
    • FlightFX
    • Gaya Simulations
    • Henrik Nielson (of Global AI Ship Traffic)
    • Got Friends
    • Humain
    • Kai Patrick Kamjunke (of AIG)
    • iniBuilds
    • Maxar Technologies
    • Mike Patey
    • National Championship Air Races
    • Nemeth Designs
    • Orbx
    • Puffin Flight
    • Red Bull
    • S&H
    • Vexcel Imaging
    • Working Title