Which Airbus A380s are available in MSFS 2020 and 2024?
See which Airbus A380s work in MSFS 2020 and 2024, including the free A380X, paid options, console limits, installation and compatibility fixes.
No edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024 includes a flyable Airbus A380 by default. On Windows PC, the main option is the free FlyByWire A380X; paid Marketplace aircraft may also be available. Xbox and PlayStation users are limited to A380s specifically distributed for their console through the in-simulator Marketplace.
Airbus A380 options compared
The available choices include one detailed PC freeware aircraft, a simpler paid product and several packages that are often mistaken for native MSFS aircraft.
| Option | MSFS 2020 | MSFS 2024 | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default Microsoft A380 | Not included | Not included | None; AI or scenery models are not flyable aircraft |
| FlyByWire A380X | Supported | Use a package explicitly intended for MSFS 2024 | Windows PC only |
| Bredok3D Airbus A380 | Paid add-on; check the Marketplace listing | Only if the listing names MSFS 2024 | Only on platforms shown in the listing |
| FSX or Prepar3D A380 | Not compatible | Not compatible | Legacy simulators only |
Marketplace catalogues differ between simulator versions and platforms. An aircraft visible on PC may be absent from Xbox or PlayStation, while ownership of an MSFS 2020 product does not prove native MSFS 2024 support.
Is the Airbus A380 free in Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Yes, the FlyByWire A380X is free, but it is a community-built add-on rather than part of Microsoft Flight Simulator. It is a native flyable aircraft with its own cockpit, custom systems and flight model; the simulator and a suitable Windows PC are still required.
Choose A380X for the greatest systems depth without buying the aircraft. It remains an active freeware project, so secondary systems and individual features may change between builds. A paid Marketplace A380 may suit simpler operation or console access, but check its stated systems, platform and simulator-version support before purchasing.
Does the FlyByWire A380X work in MSFS 2024?
Yes, provided you install an A380X package intended for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Select the correct simulator target in the installer, keep the MSFS 2020 and 2024 Community folders separate, and do not copy an obsolete MSFS 2020 installation across manually.
Complex aircraft rely on custom code, displays and simulator interfaces, so compatibility cannot be assumed merely because a simpler add-on transfers. Our MSFS 2020-to-2024 add-on compatibility guide explains the distinction.
Can I install the free A380X on Xbox or PlayStation?
No. Xbox, Xbox Cloud Gaming and PlayStation cannot install the externally distributed A380X or side-load Community packages. Console users must select an A380 offered for their exact platform through the Marketplace. On PS5 and PS5 Pro this applies to MSFS 2024; MSFS 2020 was never released for PlayStation.
How do I install the free A380 on PC?
Use the developer's installer and select the matching simulator profile. Our version-specific A380X installation procedure covers the complete process.
- Confirm the simulator: identify whether you are installing for MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024.
- Remove obsolete copies: delete duplicate or superseded A380X packages before replacing a build or changing release channels.
- Run the installer: select the correct simulator profile and let it use that version's Community folder.
- Restart Microsoft Flight Simulator: open the aircraft selector and search for the A380 after the files have been installed.
Why does the A380 not appear in the aircraft list?
A missing A380 usually means the wrong content, package location or simulator build has been used.
- It is only a livery or AI model: a livery requires the exact base aircraft named by its creator, while an AI-only model cannot be flown from the cockpit.
- The installer targets the wrong simulator: MSFS 2020 and 2024 use separate package locations.
- The package is duplicated or nested: files such as
manifest.jsonandlayout.jsonshould be near the package root, not buried inside extra folders. - The simulator is in Safe Mode: Community add-ons remain disabled until it is restarted normally.
- The build is incompatible: forcing an old package into MSFS 2024 may cause a missing aircraft, blank displays or a loading failure.
Can I install an FSX A380 in Microsoft Flight Simulator?
No. FSX and Prepar3D aircraft use different package structures, models, gauges and flight dynamics, so copying them into an MSFS Community folder does not convert them. Our free A380 package for FSX and Prepar3D, for example, is not compatible with MSFS 2020 or 2024.
The presence of manifest.json and layout.json can help identify a modern package, but those files alone do not guarantee compatibility. We explain the underlying limitations in our guide to using FSX aircraft and add-ons with modern MSFS.