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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 can be fun if you enjoy aviation, exploring the world, learning aircraft systems, or working through structured flight activities. It is a measured simulation rather than a constant-action game: Free Flight is open-ended, while Career and Challenges give you goals and progression. Its realism comes from modeled aircraft systems, physics, flight planning, weather, and scenery—but Microsoft says the simulator is not approved for FAA flight training and cannot replace flying a real aircraft.
What kind of fun does Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 offer?
The game’s appeal depends more on whether you enjoy its pace and activities than on a universal verdict about whether it is fun. Microsoft presents it for newcomers as well as experienced pilots, with several ways to play.
Free Flight: explore at your own pace
In Free Flight, you can choose an origin anywhere on the globe, select an aircraft, and set conditions such as time, weather, and visibility. That makes it a good fit for players who enjoy planning a route, taking in scenery, or simply seeing what a chosen aircraft feels like to fly. Microsoft’s feature page describes the simulator’s aircraft and world features.
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Career mode adds progression and aviation activities, including passenger transport, medevac, and aerial firefighting. Choose it if you prefer a sequence of tasks and a reason to keep building experience over purely self-directed exploration. Microsoft also describes missions and activities in its accessibility and gameplay information.
#1 Best Overall
![Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Standard Edition (Pre-Purchase/Launch Day) – Play on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51wzIlxO80L._SL160_.jpg)
- CONTENT IS PLAYABLE AT 6AM PST ON NOV-19-2024.**
- MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2024: Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
- STANDARD EDITION: Includes over 65 aircraft and 150 handcrafted airports
- FLY WITH PURPOSE: Pursue your aviation career throughout the world with dynamically generated missions ranging from Medevac and Search & Rescue to Aerial Firefighting and Passenger Transport
- CHALLENGE LEAGUE: Compete against other pilots in the iconic Reno and Red Bull Air Races
Activities and challenges: focused objectives
World Photographer offers location- and wildlife-focused objectives, while challenge activities include races and precision flying. These give players shorter, more defined goals than a free-flight session. They are still centered on aircraft control and aviation tasks, so players looking primarily for rapid combat or uninterrupted action may find the pace less appealing; that is a matter of play-style fit, not a universal measure of quality.
How realistic is the simulator?
“Realistic” is best understood here as a collection of modeled features, not as proof that consumer software reproduces every aspect of real flight. Microsoft says the enhanced physics system uses more than 10,000 rigid-body surfaces and also describes soft-body physics for objects such as ropes and balloons. Its feature list includes electrical, pneumatic, fuel, hydraulic, passenger, payload, and avionics systems, as well as preflight walkarounds, flight planning, dynamic weather, and environmental detail. These are Microsoft’s specifications and descriptions, not independent measurements of real-world fidelity.
Rank #2
![Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Premium Deluxe Edition (Pre-Purchase/Launch Day) – Play on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51p9VlYT7TL._SL160_.jpg)
- CONTENT IS PLAYABLE AT 6AM PST ON NOV-19-2024.**
- MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2024: Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
- PREMIUM DELUXE EDITION: Includes everything from the Standard Edition plus 25 additional aircraft and 10 additional handcrafted international airports
- FLY WITH PURPOSE: Pursue your aviation career throughout the world with dynamically generated missions ranging from Medevac and Search & Rescue to Aerial Firefighting and Passenger Transport
- CHALLENGE LEAGUE: Compete against other pilots in the iconic Reno and Red Bull Air Races
Microsoft’s New Flight Simmer Guide says the simulator is not approved for flight training by the FAA and “cannot replace flight training in a real aircraft.” The guide identifies possible educational uses such as cockpit familiarization, checklist and procedure practice, and geography familiarization. Its statement about educational applications is Microsoft’s description, not an FAA endorsement.
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Can a beginner enjoy it without flight equipment?
Yes. Microsoft’s “All Assists” preset is aimed at newcomers and players who want help controlling parts of the aircraft, and the assistance options can be customized. Microsoft cautions that some assists may not function perfectly with every aircraft, especially during extreme maneuvers. A controller is a valid way to start; a dedicated flight stick, yoke, throttle, or rudder pedals are optional ways to add more tactile controls.
Rank #3
- Universal, all-in-one design including throttle quadrant, trim wheel & yoke
- True to life 180° yoke handle rotation with non-contact hall effect sensor
- Modular throttle quadrant with customizable lever handles and buttons
- Integrated rudder and brake controls at your fingertips
- Full color flight management display to learn and configure the system
- On PC, Microsoft’s setup guide calls for a keyboard and mouse plus a gamepad or joystick for aircraft control.
- On Xbox Series X|S, you can begin with an Xbox controller.
- On PS5, you can begin with the DualSense controller.
For a flight-control upgrade, Microsoft’s store page lists the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition as connecting to Xbox Series X|S or PC. Microsoft also lists the T.Flight HOTAS 4 and TFRP rudder pedals for PS5. Check the specific model’s compatibility before buying: Microsoft warns that most PC flight peripherals do not work with Xbox unless the manufacturer says they do. None of these devices is required to enjoy the game or establishes improved real-world piloting ability. See Microsoft’s hardware setup guide and its store listing for current device details.
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Internet connection and platform
Microsoft says Flight Simulator 2024 requires a constant internet connection to stream content and cannot be used offline. The simulator is listed for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5/PS5 Pro, and may also appear through Game Pass offerings. Check the current store and subscription terms for your region before purchasing; catalog availability can change.
Rank #4
- MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2024: Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
- PREMIUM DELUXE STEELBOOK EDITION: Includes the Jumbo SteelBook case, custom pilot's lanyard with Standard Edition digital game code, and a message from the developer.
- FLY WITH PURPOSE: Pursue your aviation career throughout the world with dynamically generated missions ranging from Medevac and Search & Rescue to Aerial Firefighting and Passenger Transport.
- CHALLENGE LEAGUE: Compete against other pilots in the iconic Reno and Red Bull Air Races.
- ADVANCED SIMULATION: Enhanced physics and aircraft systems and a groundbreaking flight planner create an unparalleled simulation experience.
Edition content
Microsoft’s store page, accessed October 7, 2026, listed these aircraft and airport counts. The figures and edition availability can change, so confirm the current listing in your region.
| Edition | Aircraft | Airports | What to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 70 | 150 | Compare the included aircraft and airports with the ones you expect to use. |
| Deluxe | 80 | 155 | Check whether its additional selection matters to you. |
| Premium Deluxe | 95 | 160 | Consider it for its aircraft and airport selection, not simply because it is a higher tier. |
| Aviator | 125 | 160 | Microsoft says it includes Premium Deluxe content plus 30 Microsoft-published Marketplace aircraft developed between 2021 and 2024. |
Counts and Aviator bundle details are from Microsoft’s FAQ and store information. The best edition depends on which aircraft and airports you want, as well as the current price.
Best Value
- Take to the skies and experience the joy of flight in the next generation of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Microsoft Flight Simulator includes 20 highly detailed planes with unique flight models and 30 handcrafted airports.
- Explore the world. Travel the world in amazing detail with over 2 million cities, 1.5 billion buildings, real mountains, roads, trees, rivers, animals, traffic, and more.
- Test your skill. Fly day or night with live real-time weather including accurate wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, rain, and lightning.
- This version only plays on Xbox Series X and is optimized for Xbox Series X. Games optimized for Xbox Series X will showcase unparalleled load-times, heightened visuals, and steadier framerates.
- Get Microsoft Flight Simulator, plus access to over 100 other high-quality games for one low monthly price with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
PC requirements and existing add-ons
Microsoft’s FAQ includes PC minimum, recommended, and ideal specifications, but that material is launch-era. Check the current official requirements for the version and store listing you plan to use rather than treating older figures as current buying advice. Microsoft describes Flight Simulator 2024 as a standalone sequel and says most Marketplace add-ons from the 2020 simulator are supported, with exceptions. If you own add-ons, verify each item’s compatibility instead of assuming your full library carries over.
Quick Recap
Who is most likely to enjoy it?
- A strong fit: You like aviation, careful control, world exploration, or learning how aircraft systems and procedures work.
- Also a good fit: You want structured goals such as Career activities, photography objectives, races, or precision-flying challenges.
- Potentially a poor fit: You want constant action, fast combat, or a game that works offline.
- Worth trying with modest expectations: You are curious about flight but new to simulation; start with the assistance options and a controller before deciding whether extra controls are worthwhile.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
