Add cabin announcements in MSFS 2024 with built-in audio, Community packages or SimConnect tools, plus console limits and no-sound fixes.
To add cabin announcements in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, use an aircraft’s built-in passenger-audio controls, install a compatible Community-folder sound package, or run an external SimConnect announcement utility. PC supports all three methods; Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 generally depend on aircraft-integrated or in-sim Marketplace content.
Does MSFS 2024 include cabin announcements?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has no simulator-wide switch that adds spoken cabin announcements to every aircraft. Some aircraft provide their own boarding messages, safety briefings and crew chimes, while others produce only a seat-belt chime or no cabin audio at all.
Check the aircraft’s EFB, audio panel, cabin or passenger settings before installing anything. In more detailed airliners, announcements may respond to the boarding state, doors, seat-belt signs or phase of flight.
Which cabin-announcement method should you use?
Choose the method according to your platform, aircraft and preference for manual or automatic playback.
| Method | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in aircraft audio | Simple, aircraft-integrated announcements | Available only when the aircraft developer included it |
| Community-folder package | PC soundboards and aircraft-specific sound replacements | Can stop working after aircraft or simulator updates |
| External SimConnect utility | Automatic flight-stage announcements and custom airline audio | PC only; the separate program must be running |
| Marketplace or aircraft-integrated add-on | Xbox and PlayStation users | Availability and features vary by platform |
How do you install cabin announcements on PC?
On PC, first identify whether the download is an MSFS package or a separate Windows application; installing one as the other is a common cause of failure.
- Close the simulator. Avoid adding or removing packages while Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is scanning installed content.
- Extract the download. Do not leave an MSFS package inside its ZIP or other archive.
- Check the package structure. A normal Community package has files such as
manifest.jsonandlayout.jsonnear the top of its package folder. Avoid placing an extra wrapper folder around it. - Use the correct installation location. Copy an MSFS package into the 2024 Community folder, not the separate folder used by MSFS 2020. Our guide to locating and organising the MSFS 2024 Community folder covers custom, Microsoft Store and Steam installations.
- Install external tools separately. A SimConnect utility normally belongs in its own application folder, not Community. Run its installer or executable and select the correct aircraft profile if one is provided.
- Load a flight and test the triggers. Depending on the add-on, announcements may use toolbar buttons, keyboard shortcuts, an EFB page or automatic events such as door closure, take-off and descent.
Do not overwrite files inside the base simulator or an Official aircraft package unless the add-on has a supported installer designed to do so. Simulator and aircraft updates can restore those files, while encrypted Marketplace aircraft may prevent direct sound replacement entirely.
Aircraft-specific systems need their own setup. For example, our PMDG 737 cabin-audio instructions explain its chimes, profiles and external-announcement options.
Can you add cabin announcements on Xbox or PlayStation?
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro cannot use the Windows Community folder or run external SimConnect programs. Cabin announcements therefore need to be built into the aircraft or supplied through compatible in-sim Marketplace content.
You cannot install a PC ZIP package or import a folder of audio files from USB as a substitute. An add-on offered for PC may also be unavailable on a particular console, so check its listed platform compatibility before obtaining it.
Do cabin announcements play automatically?
Automatic playback depends on the add-on: SimConnect utilities can detect flight stages, while simpler soundboards require a button press for every recording. A seat-belt switch may trigger a chime without triggering a spoken safety briefing.
Automatic systems usually rely on conditions such as electrical power, parking brake position, doors, altitude or aircraft profile. If an announcement fires at the wrong time, correct the selected profile and trigger rules rather than reinstalling the audio files.
Why are my cabin announcements not working?
Most no-sound problems come from an incorrect folder, an incompatible aircraft profile or audio being sent to the wrong output device.
- Wrong Community folder: confirm that the package is in the folder used by MSFS 2024, not MSFS 2020.
- Nested package: move the actual package folder containing
manifest.jsonup one level. - Incompatible add-on: an old FSX package or an unmodified MSFS 2020 sound replacement is not automatically compatible with MSFS 2024.
- No SimConnect connection: start the external utility, load the supported aircraft and confirm that the program reports a simulator connection.
- Wrong aircraft profile: variants of the same airliner can expose different events and controls.
- Trigger not satisfied: check doors, electrical power, seat-belt signs and the phase-of-flight setting.
- Audio routing: make sure the utility and simulator use the intended speakers or headset, especially after entering or leaving VR.
- Package conflict: temporarily remove other sound modifications and keep only one announcement package active while testing.
If announcements play but are drowned out by engines or ATC, use our cockpit callout and crew-volume balancing steps. External utilities may also have a separate volume control that is unaffected by the simulator’s sound sliders.
Can you use your own cabin announcement recordings?
You can use custom recordings when the chosen soundboard or SimConnect utility supports replaceable audio files. Follow its required file format, naming and folder structure rather than copying recordings over the aircraft’s original package.
Keep a backup and use audio you have permission to use, particularly if you intend to share the package. Custom files will not provide automatic timing by themselves; the utility still needs a manual button or configured flight-stage trigger.