Compare the best free MSFS 2024 aircraft for airliners, long haul, VFR and training, with PC installation, compatibility and console limits.
The best free MSFS 2024 aircraft are the FlyByWire A32NX for realistic airline operations, the A380X or A330-900neo for long haul, and the Van’s RV-7/RV-7A for hands-on VFR flying. These are PC freeware add-ons; console players cannot install Community-folder aircraft, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 itself is not free.
Which free MSFS 2024 aircraft is best for you?
For most airline simmers, the A32NX is the best starting point; choose a wide-body for long-haul flying or the RV-7 family when hand-flying matters more than automated procedures.
| Aircraft | Best for | Why choose it | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlyByWire A32NX freeware package | Short- and medium-haul airline operations | Detailed Airbus systems, flight management, avionics and electronic flight bag functions | Requires proper cockpit preparation and more package maintenance than a simple default-aircraft modification |
| Free FlyByWire A380 complete package | A380 operations and very long-haul routes | A complex four-engine airliner with considerably more procedural depth than a basic freeware conversion | More demanding on hardware, storage and the pilot’s preparation than a light aircraft |
| A330-900neo freeware package | Long-haul flying in a modern twin-engine wide-body | Includes a flyable base aircraft, updated systems and liveries | Check the exact release notes and dependencies; systems depth does not necessarily match the A32NX |
| Complete RV-7 and RV-7A package | VFR touring, circuits and light aerobatics | Responsive handling with both tailwheel and nosewheel variants | The tailwheel RV-7 requires more careful ground handling than the RV-7A |
| Tecnam P92 Echo | Basic VFR training and local flights | Simple controls, good visibility and a manageable pace for learning visual flying | Its deliberately straightforward role will not satisfy pilots seeking complex IFR systems |
A32NX: the best free airliner for most pilots
The A32NX is our first recommendation when the aim is to learn Airbus procedures rather than simply fly an Airbus-shaped model. Its custom cockpit systems and flight-management functions reward correct route entry, aircraft setup and performance preparation.
That complexity creates false fault reports. Missing performance data, an incomplete overhead setup or a badly prepared flight plan can look like broken managed guidance or autopilot behaviour. Choose the A32NX if procedural accuracy matters; choose a simpler aircraft if you mainly want quick departures and casual flying.
A380X or A330-900neo: which free wide-body should you choose?
Choose the A380X for detailed A380 operations and the distinctive workload of a four-engine, double-deck airliner. It is the more ambitious option, but its size and systems can place a much greater load on the computer than a general-aviation aircraft.
The A330-900neo is the better fit when the aircraft type itself is the priority or you want a modern twin-engine wide-body. Read its dependency and compatibility notes carefully: missing prerequisites can cause blank displays, absent sounds or an aircraft that appears in the selector but fails to load properly.
RV-7 and Tecnam P92: the best free general-aviation choices
The RV-7 family suits pilots who want responsive hand-flying, touring and light aerobatics. Pick the nosewheel RV-7A for easier taxiing and take-offs; use the tailwheel RV-7 when you specifically want the additional ground-handling challenge.
The Tecnam P92 is a calmer alternative for circuits, sightseeing and basic VFR practice. Before judging either aircraft’s handling, check for duplicate control assignments, aggressive sensitivity curves and assistance settings that may be altering the flight model.
Are these free planes included with MSFS 2024?
These recommendations are separate freeware downloads, not the aircraft bundled with a Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 edition.
- Included aircraft come with a particular simulator edition or an official update and require no separate freeware installation.
- Freeware aircraft are zero-cost add-ons supplied as complete aircraft packages, usually through an installer or the PC Community folder.
- Liveries only change an aircraft’s paint scheme and require the named base aircraft.
- Enhancement mods alter systems, sounds, avionics or handling but may still require an aircraft from a specific simulator edition.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is commercial software, so searches for “Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 free” should not be taken to mean that the simulator itself is freeware. A free aircraft still requires a legitimate installation of the simulator, and some add-ons also depend on edition-specific aircraft.
What should you check before downloading freeware aircraft?
A good freeware aircraft should clearly identify its simulator version, required base content, installation method and known limitations.
- MSFS 2024 support: Prefer a package explicitly prepared for or confirmed compatible with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
- Complete package: Confirm that it includes a flyable model, cockpit, flight model and configuration rather than only textures.
- Dependencies: Look for required libraries, avionics packages, another freeware aircraft or content from a particular simulator edition.
- Installation method: Do not treat an installer-managed aircraft as an ordinary drag-and-drop package unless its instructions permit that.
- Update history: Aircraft with custom avionics, scripts or compiled modules are more likely to need maintenance after simulator updates.
- Known limitations: A model can load successfully while still having incomplete autopilot, lighting, fuel, sound or cockpit-interaction functions.
A mistake we see constantly is judging a free plane by screenshots or livery count. Functional avionics, dependable compatibility and clear dependency information matter far more than the number of paint schemes in the archive.
Will MSFS 2020 freeware aircraft work in MSFS 2024?
Some MSFS 2020 aircraft work in MSFS 2024 through backward compatibility, but successful loading does not prove full compatibility.
A native MSFS 2024 package has been prepared for the newer simulator. A package described only as compatible may still use an older structure or depend on behaviour carried over from MSFS 2020. Custom avionics, scripts, compiled modules, cockpit interactions and dependencies on default aircraft are the most common failure points.
Test displays, autopilot modes, exterior lights, fuel use, sounds and cockpit controls before committing to a long flight. Never install separate MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 releases of the same add-on together unless the developer’s instructions explicitly require both; duplicate package identifiers can create missing textures, frozen instruments and duplicate aircraft entries.
How do you install free planes in MSFS 2024?
Most free aircraft on PC are installed with their supplied installer or by placing the extracted package in the active MSFS 2024 Community folder.
- Confirm the platform. Manually downloaded Community packages are for PC, not Xbox or PlayStation.
- Read the package requirements. Check that you have the MSFS 2024 release, any required base aircraft and all listed supporting packages.
- Remove obsolete copies. Move an older release out of Community rather than merging new files into it, unless the instructions specifically call for an overwrite.
- Extract the archive fully. Do not place the ZIP or other compressed archive directly in Community.
- Find the actual package folder. Its top level will normally contain
manifest.jsonandlayout.json. Place that folder directly in Community; the folder’s location depends on the PC store version and any custom Packages path. - Use the supplied installer when required. Aircraft managed by a dedicated installer may need that tool for installation and updates.
- Restart and test. Load the simulator, search by aircraft model or manufacturer, and make the first test without unrelated liveries or cockpit modifications.
Why does a freeware aircraft not appear or work?
Incorrect folder nesting, missing dependencies and duplicate versions cause most freeware installation failures.
- Aircraft missing from the selector: Check for an extra folder level. A structure such as
Community/download-name/package-name/manifest.jsonis usually wrong; the folder containing the manifest normally belongs directly inside Community. - Blank or frozen displays: Recheck required avionics, libraries and the package’s MSFS 2024 compatibility.
- Pink or missing textures: Remove outdated liveries and verify that every texture dependency is installed.
- Duplicate aircraft entries: Search Community for an older copy or a differently named release of the same package.
- Loading failure or simulator instability: Remove the aircraft and retest with an otherwise empty Community folder. Add packages back gradually before considering a full simulator reinstall.
- Unusual handling or uncontrollable controls: Check duplicate axis assignments, assistance options and sensitivity settings before blaming the flight model.
Can you install free MSFS 2024 planes on Xbox or PlayStation?
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro cannot sideload PC freeware or access the Community folder.
Console players can use only aircraft distributed through the simulator’s supported in-sim Marketplace system. A package being free on PC does not mean it is available on consoles, and Marketplace availability may differ by platform. This applies to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PlayStation; Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was never released for PlayStation.