Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the next generation of the long-running flight simulation from Asobo Studio and Xbox Game Studios. Alongside free flight around the globe, the 2024 edition puts a comprehensive aviation career with certifications, contracts and specialised roles more into focus for the first time.

The PC and Xbox Series version launched on Nov 19, 2024. The PlayStation 5 version followed on Dec 8, 2025; higher-tier PS5 editions already had early access from Dec 3.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available for Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5/PS5 Pro. The PC version is sold via the Microsoft Store and Steam, among others; on Xbox and PC, the game is integrated into Microsoft's Xbox ecosystem.

The simulator combines worldwide free flight with dynamic missions and a structured career. Activities include medical evacuations, search and rescue operations, cargo flights, firefighting and air racing, among others. Advanced physics and the global digital world model aircraft, weather, terrain and ground operations in detail.

On PC, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 requires at least Windows 10, 16 GB RAM, a Ryzen 5 2600X or Core i7-6800K, and a Radeon RX 5700 or GeForce GTX 970. For the recommended configuration, Microsoft lists 32 GB RAM, Ryzen 7 2700X or Core i7-10700K, and Radeon RX 5700 XT or GeForce RTX 2080. Around 50 GB of storage and a broadband connection are required.

The career starts with qualifications and certifications and then unlocks specialised mission types. These include, among others, rescue flights, air cargo, firefighting, agricultural flights and competitions. The mode is designed as a permanent second pillar alongside free flight.

Since Sim Update 7 on Oct 13, 2026, the National Championship Air Races are permanently part of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Races take place on recreated courses in Reno and Roswell. Alongside four Pylon categories – Unlimited, Jet, T-6 and Biplane – there are STOL drag races with especially short takeoffs and landings.

The racing activities are part of a free expansion for owners of the base game. Time trials can be flown alone; private and open multiplayer races are also planned. Optionally, the game simulates engine wear caused by improper load during a race.

A separately sold Racer Pack 1 adds 40 historic racing aircraft, ten in each of the four Pylon categories. This additional aircraft pack is not required for the basic free races.

Since Oct 26, 2026, the free World Update 23 expands Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with more detailed landscapes and city views. The update improves twelve regions with new photogrammetry and elevation data. Eight are in Poland, two in Lithuania, and one each in Latvia and Estonia. The reworked cities include Warsaw, Gdańsk, Kraków, Vilnius, Kaunas, Riga and Tallinn.

It also includes 77 recreated landmarks and five hand-crafted airfields: Kärdla (EEKA), Jūrmala (EVJA), Palanga (EYPA), Warsaw-Babice (EPBC) and Opole-Kamień Śląski (EPKN).

The 2024 edition adds three discovery flights, four precision landings, a challenge at the Sopot pier, a tour of the Tatra National Park and a rally race. The landscape pack is also available for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020), whose additional landing missions partly differ.