Compare the best MSFS 2024 airport scenery add-ons, from KSFO and Madeira to free Gatwick and Inverness, with compatibility and conflict advice.
The best airport scenery add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are Flightbeam’s KSFO for a large international hub, MK-STUDIOS Madeira for a demanding destination, and the freeware Gatwick and Inverness rebuilds for value. Buy or install airports you regularly use, and confirm explicit MSFS 2024 compatibility first.
Best MSFS 2024 airport scenery add-ons
These four picks cover large hubs, challenging approaches and strong freeware without pretending that one airport suits every pilot.
| Airport scenery | Best for | Why it stands out | Check before installing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flightbeam KSFO | Long-haul and US hub operations | Detailed terminals, aprons and the complex airside environment expected at San Francisco. Our comparison of the competing KSFO packages explains the alternatives. | Use only one KSFO replacement and select a release explicitly supported in MSFS 2024. |
| MK-STUDIOS Madeira | Challenging approaches and destination flying | Madeira benefits greatly from coordinated airport, terrain and approach scenery. See our comparison of Madeira airport and island scenery before mixing products. | Old terrain, mesh or freeware packages can cause elevation conflicts around LPMA. |
| Gatwick Airport freeware | A free, busy UK hub | This free Gatwick rebuild with remodelled terminals, markings and lighting offers a substantial change from the stock airport. | Follow the MSFS 2024 installation notes and remove older EGKK packages. |
| Inverness Airport freeware | Regional airline and Scottish VFR flying | The native dual-version Inverness package includes bespoke buildings, lighting and nearby visual references. | Install the package intended for MSFS 2024 rather than retaining both simulator versions. |
Which airport add-on should you choose first?
Choose the airport you fly most often, not necessarily the package with the largest feature list. A detailed hub provides little value if most of your flying uses regional fields, while an elaborate destination airport may be ideal for repeated airliner approaches.
- For airline operations: prioritise accurate stands, taxiway signs, gate assignments, lighting and usable jetways.
- For VFR flying: look for recognisable buildings, surrounding landmarks, terrain work and sensible night lighting.
- For weaker PCs or VR: favour a well-optimised regional airport over a highly detailed international hub.
- For online flying: correct taxiway layouts and parking positions matter more than decorative interiors.
- For long-term reliability: favour scenery whose documentation explicitly mentions Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
Airport scenery does not necessarily update the simulator’s navigation database or instrument procedures. If a SID, STAR or approach is wrong, check the active navigation data rather than assuming a new terminal model will correct it.
Will MSFS 2020 airport scenery work in MSFS 2024?
Some MSFS 2020 scenery loads in MSFS 2024, but loading successfully is not the same as full compatibility. Older packages can produce duplicated buildings, broken jetways, incorrect materials, floating objects or terrain trenches after simulator and world updates.
Use a dedicated MSFS 2024 build when one exists. If the developer labels a single package for both simulators, follow its instructions; otherwise, test the older scenery with every other Community add-on temporarily removed. Never leave separate 2020 and 2024 editions of the same airport active together.
How do you install airport scenery without conflicts?
On PC, install one airport replacement per ICAO code and test it before restoring other scenery or object libraries.
- Confirm the version. Check that the download supports MSFS 2024 and note any required libraries or companion packages.
- Extract the archive. The actual package folder normally contains
manifest.jsonandlayout.json. Do not leave that folder buried inside an extra wrapper directory. - Remove previous editions. Search the Community folder and the simulator’s installed-content screen for another package covering the same airport.
- Test the airport alone. Load at a gate, inspect both runway ends, check taxi signs and repeat the test at night.
- Restore other add-ons gradually. If the fault returns, the last restored package is the likely conflict.
Why are terminals, jetways or runway markings duplicated?
Duplicated airport objects almost always mean that two products are modifying the same ICAO code or that an old package remains installed.
- Double terminals or flickering surfaces: disable every other package for that airport, including old freeware editions.
- Floating buildings or sunken aprons: remove overlapping mesh, terrain or airport-flattening packages.
- Missing buildings: install any object-library dependency named in the documentation and check for a nested package folder.
- Broken jetways: verify that the scenery is approved for MSFS 2024; jetway behaviour can expose otherwise hidden compatibility problems.
- Poor frame rate at a large hub: reduce traffic and object-detail settings before discarding the scenery, then compare performance with the replacement disabled.
Are airport add-ons available on Xbox and PlayStation?
Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 users can install only scenery made available through Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s built-in content system. External freeware packages and manual Community-folder installations are PC-only, and the console catalogue may not include every airport recommended for PC.