Which aircraft are best in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020?
Find the best aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 for training, airliners, bush flying and realism, with default, free and payware picks.
The best aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 are the Cessna 172 G1000 for learning, Daher TBM 930 for fast IFR touring, FlyByWire A32NX for a free airliner, Fenix A320 or PMDG 737 for airline operations, A2A Comanche for piston realism, and SimWorks Studios Kodiak 100 for bush flying.
Best MSFS 2020 aircraft by flying style
No aircraft wins every category. A detailed airliner can be excellent for cockpit procedures but a poor choice for a quick sightseeing flight, while a forgiving trainer will not satisfy someone wanting realistic airline dispatch and systems management.
| Flying goal | Best pick | Why it stands out | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning VFR | Cessna 172 G1000 | Stable handling, familiar layout and useful Garmin avionics | Included |
| Fast IFR touring | Daher TBM 930 | Combines turboprop performance with manageable systems | Included |
| Business-jet IFR | Cessna Citation CJ4 | Capable avionics and a sensible introduction to jet procedures | Included |
| Free airline operations | FlyByWire A32NX | Substantially deeper systems than the original default A320neo | Freeware; PC only |
| Detailed Airbus operations | Fenix A320 | High systems depth and strong A320ceo procedure modelling | Payware; PC only |
| Detailed Boeing operations | PMDG 737 | Deep 737 systems and several separately sold variants | Payware; check platform |
| Piston GA realism | A2A Comanche 250 | Detailed engine behaviour, wear and aircraft ownership | Payware; check platform |
| Bush and utility flying | SimWorks Studios Kodiak 100 | Strong short-field performance with more depth than a default bush aircraft | Payware; check platform |
| Long-haul airline flying | PMDG 777 | Detailed Boeing wide-body procedures and systems | Payware; check platform |
Which default MSFS 2020 aircraft are best?
The Cessna 172 G1000 is the best included aircraft for most beginners, while the TBM 930 is the strongest all-rounder once basic flying and navigation are familiar. Both are available in the standard simulator rather than requiring a third-party purchase.
Choose the Citation CJ4 when you want to learn jet IFR without immediately taking on a full airliner. The XCub is the better included choice for backcountry strips, and the Extra 330LT suits aerobatic practice. The Citation Longitude is another capable business jet, but it belongs to the Premium Deluxe edition.
Aircraft availability depends on the edition and optional content installed through Content Manager. Our breakdown of aircraft supplied with each MSFS 2020 edition identifies what should be included before you assume an aeroplane is missing.
Which payware aircraft are worth buying?
The best payware purchase is the one that matches the procedures you actually want to practise. For piston GA, the A2A Comanche 250 is our realism pick; for airline flying, choose the Fenix A320 for Airbus operations or a PMDG 737 for Boeing short- and medium-haul work.
The SimWorks Studios Kodiak 100 is a better fit for rough strips and utility flying, while the PMDG 777 suits long-haul operations. These are complex products rather than simple visual upgrades, so expect to use their cockpit tablets, checklists and supplied documentation.
Some aircraft variants are sold as separate packages, and platform support is not universal. Check that the listing explicitly names Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, your platform and the exact variant you want. We compare these choices more closely in our shortlist of premium MSFS 2020 aircraft.
Is freeware good enough for realistic flying?
Yes—the FlyByWire A32NX is good enough for serious Airbus procedure practice and is one of the strongest aircraft available for MSFS 2020 at any price. It is a PC-only A320neo project installed outside the Xbox Marketplace ecosystem.
The A380X and freeware A330-900neo are useful wide-body alternatives, although greater complexity means more systems to learn and potentially more performance overhead. Our curated freeware aircraft recommendations also cover general aviation and specialist aircraft rather than only airliners.
Do not treat the Fenix A320 and FlyByWire A32NX as interchangeable versions of one product. The Fenix models an A320ceo and is paid and PC-only; the A32NX models the newer A320neo and is free. Our systems-and-value comparison of the main A320 choices explains which one better suits each type of simmer.
How should I choose an aircraft without wasting money?
Choose by platform, intended flying and desired systems depth before considering appearance or the number of advertised features.
- Check platform support. Xbox cannot install Community-folder freeware or aircraft requiring an external companion application. Use products explicitly marked as compatible with your Xbox version.
- Match the mission. Pick the Cessna 172 for training, TBM 930 for fast touring, Kodiak 100 for short fields, or a Fenix or PMDG airliner for procedural flying.
- Decide how much preparation you enjoy. A default aircraft can be airborne quickly. High-detail add-ons may require realistic electrical, fuel, navigation and engine-start procedures.
- Verify the simulator version and package. An aircraft advertised for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is not automatically licensed or compatible with MSFS 2020. Boeing variants and edition upgrades may also be separate purchases.
- Avoid duplicate installations. Two copies of the same aircraft, or an obsolete package left in the Community folder, can cause missing cockpit displays, loading problems and unexplained crashes. Remove the old package before installing a replacement build.
For one simple shortlist, choose the Cessna 172 G1000 as the best included trainer, the TBM 930 as the best included all-rounder, the FlyByWire A32NX as the best free airliner, and the A2A Comanche 250 as the strongest paid choice for hands-on aircraft realism.