Learn how to add AI traffic in Microsoft Flight Simulator using built-in live or offline traffic, plus PC injectors, model libraries and fixes.
To add AI aircraft traffic in Microsoft Flight Simulator, enable either built-in offline AI or real-time online traffic in the simulator’s Traffic settings. On PC, you can instead install a compatible traffic injector and model library. Use only one traffic source at a time, or you may get duplicates and poor performance.
Which AI traffic method should you use?
Built-in traffic is the simplest option, while a PC traffic injector gives you more control over airline models, liveries and schedules.
| Traffic method | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Offline AI | Generated traffic without a live-data connection | Flights do not represent real-world services |
| Real-time online traffic | Aircraft based on real flight data | Coverage, model matching and traffic volume vary |
| External traffic injector | More airline models, liveries and configuration options | Normally requires PC software and a separate model library |
Real-time traffic is not multiplayer. It uses flight data to create AI-controlled aircraft, while multiplayer displays other simmers. The two systems can operate together, but busy airports may become cluttered.
How do I enable built-in AI traffic?
Select one aircraft traffic source in Microsoft Flight Simulator’s general Traffic settings, then adjust its density without relying on the parked-aircraft slider to create flights.
- Open the Traffic settings. In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, look under General Options and Traffic. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 uses similar general and online traffic controls, although labels can change between simulator updates.
- Choose offline or real-time traffic. Select offline AI for generated flights, or the real-time online option for traffic based on live flight data. Do not enable competing aircraft traffic sources.
- Enable online services when using live traffic. Online functionality and real-world traffic data must be allowed. Account privacy settings, connection problems or unavailable online services can otherwise leave the skies empty.
- Set sensible density values. Start conservatively at a large hub because AI traffic consumes processor time. Increase it only after checking frame rate and ground movement.
- Load at an active airport and wait. Traffic may take several minutes to populate after a flight loads. A quiet regional airport at the wrong time of day is not a useful test.
The Ground Aircraft Density setting is commonly misunderstood. It mainly adds parked aircraft and does not create a complete schedule of departures and arrivals. High values can occupy gates needed by active AI traffic, so keep it low if aircraft are becoming stuck or spawning away from terminals.
For release-specific instructions, use our MSFS 2024 traffic and injector setup or the separate explanation of setting up real-world traffic in MSFS 2020.
How do I install an AI traffic injector on PC?
A PC traffic add-on normally needs two components: an injector that creates flights and a model library containing the aircraft and liveries used to display them.
- Choose a compatible traffic package. Check that both its injector and model library support your exact simulator release. Our comparison of AI traffic add-ons explains which approach suits live flights, offline schedules and performance-sensitive systems.
- Install the model library. Follow the package installer’s instructions and confirm that it points to the Community folder used by the simulator. A PC can have more than one Community folder after a custom package-location change or a second simulator installation.
- Disable competing in-sim traffic. Turn off built-in aircraft traffic before injecting external flights. Set generic parked-aircraft density low or to zero if the add-on supplies its own static or parked traffic.
- Load into the simulator first. Start a flight at an airport, then run or activate the injector as its documentation requires. Allow time for models and flight plans to appear.
- Tune the injector. Reduce the number of active aircraft, injection radius or parked traffic if a busy terminal causes stutters, long main-thread times or taxiway congestion.
Installing only the model library will not generate flights. Conversely, an injector without its required models may show generic aircraft, incorrect types or nothing at all.
Why is AI traffic missing, generic or duplicated?
Most AI traffic problems come from an inactive traffic source, missing model package or two traffic systems running together.
- No aircraft: Check online functionality, the selected traffic type and whether the external injector is actually connected. Test at a major airport and allow several minutes for injection.
- Generic models or wrong liveries: The live flight has no matching installed model, or the model library is incomplete or in the wrong Community folder.
- Duplicate aircraft: Built-in live or offline traffic is running alongside an external injector. Disable one source rather than lowering both.
- Full gates but no departures: Ground Aircraft Density has filled the stands with static or inactive aircraft. Reduce that setting.
- Heavy stuttering: Lower active traffic and parked-aircraft counts. Large hubs with complex scenery, road traffic and airport vehicles can already be limited by the processor.
If built-in real-time aircraft still fail to appear, follow our checks for online-service and live-traffic failures.
Can you add AI traffic on Xbox or PlayStation 5?
Console editions can use Microsoft Flight Simulator’s built-in offline and real-time traffic, but they cannot run the separate Windows executables used by PC traffic injectors.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is available on PC and Xbox only. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Console users are limited to built-in traffic and any compatible add-ons distributed through the simulator’s approved marketplace; manually copying an injector or model library into a Community folder is a PC procedure.