Compare the best freeware aircraft add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator, with top airliners, GA, vintage picks, compatibility and install fixes.
The best freeware aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator are the FlyByWire A32NX for systems-rich airline flying, an A330-900neo for free long-haul routes, the Van’s RV-7/RV-7A for hands-on general aviation, the Antonov An-225 for heavy transport, and lightweight ultralights or vintage triplanes for low-and-slow flying.
We use freeware to mean no-cost aircraft installed separately from the simulator, rather than aeroplanes bundled with a particular edition. The right choice depends on whether you value cockpit systems, convincing handling, performance in VR or an unusual aircraft type.
Which freeware MSFS aircraft are worth installing?
For most PC simmers, these aircraft offer the most useful mix of cockpit detail, distinctive flying and replay value.
| Aircraft | Best for | Why it stands out | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlyByWire A32NX | Modern airline operations | Deeper Airbus procedures, flight management and cockpit systems than a basic airliner model. | Install only a build explicitly marked for your edition of MSFS. |
| A330-900neo | Long-haul Airbus flying | Provides a freeware wide-body for intercontinental routes. Our free A330-900neo package for long-haul flying is a practical place to start. | Do not expect every freeware A330 to reproduce payware-level systems. |
| Van’s RV-7/RV-7A | General aviation and aerobatics | The RV-7 pack with tailwheel and tricycle-gear variants includes a virtual cockpit, multiple liveries and lively handling. | Accurate rudder control and a well-calibrated stick make a large difference. |
| Antonov An-225 Mriya | Heavy-lift flying | Few freeware aircraft match the scale and character of the six-engine An-225 heavy transporter. | Its size restricts airport choice, parking and ground manoeuvring. |
| Mykrodian MX1 | VR and sightseeing | An open-canopy ultralight keeps the cockpit simple and the view unobstructed for low-level scenic flights. | It is designed for relaxed visual flying, not complex procedures or fast cross-country work. |
| Fokker Dr.I or Sopwith Triplane | Historic aviation | Both provide exposed early-aviation flying, animated cockpits and much more demanding rudder work than a modern trainer. | Strong yaw, limited visibility and low inertia are part of the experience, not faults. |
The A32NX is the strongest first choice for airline procedures. Pick the RV-7 for hand-flying, the A330 for long routes, the An-225 for sheer scale, and an ultralight or triplane when scenery and aircraft handling matter more than avionics.
Will MSFS 2020 freeware work in MSFS 2024?
Some MSFS 2020 aircraft work in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but backward compatibility is not guaranteed. Simple packages using standard simulator assets are more likely to transfer cleanly than aircraft built around custom gauges, WASM modules, old avionics packages or files aliased from another aeroplane.
Check that the download or its documentation explicitly mentions your simulator before installing it. An incompatible aircraft may still appear in the selection screen but show dead displays, missing sounds, broken controls or pink checkerboard textures once loaded.
Never merge a new release over an old aircraft folder. Remove the previous version first, then install the replacement as a clean package; leftover files are a common source of faults after updates.
Can Xbox and PlayStation install freeware aircraft?
External freeware aircraft downloads are generally PC-only because Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 cannot accept arbitrary packages through a user-accessible Community folder. Consoles are limited to add-ons made available through the simulator’s in-sim Marketplace, including any aircraft offered there at no cost.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is available on PC and Xbox but was never released for PlayStation. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PS5 Pro; the same manual-installation restriction applies to both console families.
How do you install freeware aircraft in MSFS?
On PC, extract the actual aircraft package into the simulator’s Community folder unless the add-on supplies its own installer. The folder location varies by simulator edition, storefront and custom installation choice, so use our complete MSFS aircraft installation walkthrough if you need to locate it.
- Confirm compatibility: check whether the aircraft supports MSFS 2020, MSFS 2024 or both, and note any required base aircraft or library.
- Extract the archive: do not place the unopened ZIP file in Community.
- Find the package root: the usable aircraft folder normally contains
manifest.jsonandlayout.json. Avoid leaving it buried inside an extra outer folder. - Remove older copies: delete or move the previous version before copying in the replacement.
- Copy and restart: place the package folder in Community, restart the simulator and search the aircraft selector by manufacturer or model.
Common freeware aircraft failure modes
Most freeware aircraft problems come from incorrect folder structure, missing dependencies or packages built for another simulator version.
- Aircraft does not appear: check for a double-nested directory and verify that
manifest.jsonsits inside the package folder placed directly in Community. - Only a livery appears: the download may be a repaint rather than a complete aircraft, or it may require a base aeroplane you do not own or have not installed.
- Pink textures or invisible parts: reinstall the package cleanly and check for missing texture libraries, required aircraft and conflicting duplicates.
- Displays remain dark: confirm the normal electrical start procedure first. If power is available, an outdated custom gauge or unsupported simulator version is the likely cause.
- The simulator crashes while loading: temporarily remove other Community packages, test the aircraft with only its stated dependencies, then restore add-ons in batches to identify the conflict.
- Handling feels uncontrollable: inspect duplicate axis assignments, assistance settings, sensitivity and dead zones before blaming the flight model.