How do I add real-world AI traffic to MSFS 2020?
To add real-world AI traffic to MSFS 2020, either select Real-Time Online as the Aircraft Traffic Type for Microsoft's built-in live traffic or, on PC, install FSLTL with its aircraft model pack and injector. Disable the simulator's own AI traffic when using an injector, or duplicate aircraft will appear.
Which real-world traffic option should I use?
Use MSFS 2020's built-in traffic for the simplest setup; choose FSLTL on PC when accurate airline models and liveries matter more.
| Option | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Real-Time Online traffic | Quick setup on PC or Xbox Series X|S | Often substitutes generic aircraft and liveries |
| FSLTL injector and base models | Better model matching, liveries and airport activity on PC | Uses more processor resources and requires an external injector |
| AI Offline traffic | Traffic without a live data connection | Generates fictional flights rather than tracking real aircraft |
Neither live option reproduces every flight perfectly. Data can be delayed or filtered, an unsupported aircraft may receive a substitute model, and MSFS can remove traffic when parking positions or simulator resources run out. Our explanation of how MSFS uses live flight data provides more background on the distinction between live and offline AI.
How do I enable built-in live traffic in MSFS 2020?
Enable the simulator's online services, then select Real-Time Online traffic instead of AI Offline.
- Open the Data options. Turn on Online Functionality and the separate live real-world air traffic option if it is shown.
- Open the Traffic options. Set Aircraft Traffic Type to Real-Time Online.
- Reduce static aircraft if necessary. Ground Aircraft Density creates parked scenery aircraft rather than live flights. Lower it if gates are full or you see too many generic aeroplanes.
- Load a flight and wait. A busy airport may take several minutes to populate while traffic data and models load.
This is the only practical real-world traffic method on Xbox. External injectors require a Windows executable and Community-folder packages, which MSFS 2020 on Xbox cannot use.
How do I install FSLTL traffic in MSFS 2020?
On PC, install both FSLTL Traffic Base Models and the FSLTL Traffic Injector, then run the injector after the flight has loaded.
- Install both FSLTL components. Use the FlyByWire Installer and confirm that the base models and injector point to the Community folder used by your active MSFS installation.
- Prevent competing traffic. In MSFS, set Aircraft Traffic Type to Off. Set Ground Aircraft Density to zero, and disable the native live-traffic option if it remains active.
- Disable generic AI models. If your Traffic settings include Use Generic Plane Models (AI Traffic), turn it off so FSLTL can display its matched models.
- Load into an airport. Once the cockpit and scenery have finished loading, start the injector through its installed launcher or in-sim panel, depending on the package version.
- Adjust traffic gradually. Begin with moderate active-aircraft, parked-aircraft and injection-radius settings. Increase them only if performance remains stable.
The installer normally handles package placement. If MSFS does not detect the models, use our Community-folder installation and path checks to identify a wrong folder, incomplete extraction or nested package directory.
Do not run FSLTL alongside another traffic injector. Multiple injectors can compete for parking positions, create duplicate flights and add unnecessary main-thread load.
Why is AI traffic missing, generic or duplicated?
Most traffic problems come from disabled online services, incorrect Community-folder paths, competing traffic systems or missing model-matching packages.
- No built-in live traffic: confirm Online Functionality and live traffic data are enabled, select Real-Time Online rather than AI Offline, and test at a busy airport. A quiet live feed is not necessarily a fault.
- FSLTL shows no aircraft: start the injector after entering the flight and check that it reports a connection to MSFS through SimConnect. Confirm that both FSLTL packages are installed and enabled.
- Duplicate aircraft: switch off native live traffic, AI Offline traffic and any second injector. Set Ground Aircraft Density to zero because static aircraft can resemble duplicates at occupied stands.
- Generic or incorrect aircraft: verify that the base-model package is present. A substitute is still expected when the exact aircraft type or airline livery is unavailable.
- Empty gates or disappearing aircraft: the airport scenery may have too few correctly defined parking positions. The live feed, injector radius and parked-aircraft limits also affect what remains visible.
- Stutters near airports: reduce parked aircraft first, followed by the maximum active traffic and injection radius. AI pathfinding and ground movement are often processor-limited.
If the injector connects but airports remain empty, follow our FSLTL-specific no-traffic checklist for package conflicts, model installation and injector diagnostics.