What are the best freeware aircraft for MSFS 2020?
The best freeware aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 are the FlyByWire A32NX for airline flying, the Airbus A330-900neo for free wide-body operations, the Mykrodian MX1 for low-level sightseeing, and the Sopwith Triplane or Fokker Dr.I for challenging vintage flying. The A32NX is our best overall choice.
Here, freeware means a no-cost third-party aircraft package, not merely a livery or an aircraft included with a simulator update. These downloadable Community packages are primarily for PC; Xbox users cannot install them manually.
Best freeware aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
These aircraft offer the strongest mix of useful systems, distinctive flying roles and value without requiring a paid aircraft.
| Aircraft | Best for | Why choose it | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlyByWire A32NX freeware package | Airline operations | Custom systems, avionics, EFB tools and flight-plan integration | Steeper learning curve than the default airliners |
| Free A330-900neo package | Long-haul flying | Native wide-body model, refined flight dynamics and A32NX-based systems | Check its dependency and compatibility notes carefully |
| Mykrodian MX1 ultralight package | Sightseeing and VR | Original lightweight design, open-canopy flying and excellent visibility | Wind and turbulence affect it far more than a heavy aircraft |
| Sopwith Triplane | First World War flying | Distinctive historical cockpit and engaging low-speed handling | Sparse instruments and demanding taildragger behaviour |
| Fokker Dr.I Triplane | Vintage combat-style flying | Iconic design with highly manual flying | Requires careful rudder control during take-off and landing |
FlyByWire A32NX: best overall freeware airliner
The A32NX is the clear first choice for simmers who want scheduled airline operations without buying a premium aircraft. It goes well beyond a repaint of the default A320neo, adding custom displays, flight-management functions, an electronic flight bag and a deeper Airbus workflow.
Expect to learn the MCDU, managed modes and cold-and-dark procedures. Keep only one A32NX installation active: an obsolete manual copy left beside a newer build is a common cause of duplicated aircraft, blank displays and loading problems.
Airbus A330-900neo: best free wide-body
The A330-900neo is the better choice when the A320 feels too small for the routes you want to fly. Its native model, multiple liveries and A32NX-derived systems make it an accessible step into long-haul operations.
Those inherited systems do not guarantee that every function behaves exactly like an A330. Treat it as capable freeware rather than type-conversion training, and check whether the package requires another component or a particular compatible build.
Mykrodian MX1: best for sightseeing
The MX1 suits low-level visual flying better than another automated airliner. Its open-canopy presentation, light weight and VR-friendly features make short local flights feel immediate, especially around detailed scenery.
The light airframe also exposes rough control inputs. Use modest pitch changes, anticipate turbulence and avoid carrying excess speed into the circuit.
Sopwith Triplane and Fokker Dr.I: best vintage choices
The two triplanes are ideal when you want minimal instrumentation and direct manual control. They demand active rudder use, careful power application and anticipation on the ground, where narrow-track taildraggers can turn sharply once a swing begins.
Choose the Sopwith for a British First World War type or the Fokker for its unmistakable profile. Neither is intended for modern IFR flying; their appeal is visual navigation, low-altitude handling and period atmosphere.
Which freeware aircraft should you download first?
Download the A32NX first for realistic airline flying, or the MX1 if you want an aircraft that can be enjoyed immediately without learning an airliner cockpit.
- Choose the A32NX for short- and medium-haul routes, flight planning and Airbus procedures.
- Choose the A330-900neo for longer routes once you are comfortable with Airbus-style systems.
- Choose the MX1 for sightseeing, open-cockpit flying and VR.
- Choose a triplane to practise rudder coordination, taildragger handling and visual navigation.
How do you install freeware aircraft in MSFS 2020?
Most manually downloaded PC aircraft must be extracted into the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Community folder before the simulator starts. Our PC aircraft installation guide explains how to locate that folder and avoid the usual archive and directory mistakes.
The actual package folder should normally contain files such as manifest.json and layout.json near its root. If those files sit several folders deep, MSFS may not detect the aircraft. When updating, remove the old package before copying the replacement rather than merging both versions.
If an aircraft provides its own installer, use that method or a manual installation—not both. Two copies of the same package can produce duplicate aircraft entries and unpredictable avionics behaviour.
Why is the freeware aircraft missing or broken?
A missing or malfunctioning aircraft is usually caused by an extra folder layer, an obsolete duplicate, an unmet dependency or a package built for a different simulator version.
- Check the folder depth. Confirm that the package files are inside the active
Communityfolder rather than a second nested archive directory. - Remove duplicate versions. Search for older copies and similarly named folders before reinstalling the aircraft cleanly.
- Read the dependency notes. Blank avionics, missing cockpit parts or pink textures can indicate an incomplete download or a required component that is absent.
- Confirm MSFS 2020 compatibility. Do not assume an aircraft labelled only for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will work correctly in MSFS 2020.
- Test with other add-ons disabled. Temporarily move unrelated Community packages elsewhere, start the simulator and restore them in small groups to identify a conflict.
A dark cockpit is not always a fault. If the aircraft loaded cold and dark, verify battery, external power and avionics controls before reinstalling anything.
Can Xbox users install these free aircraft?
No. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on Xbox has no user-accessible Community folder, so manually downloaded PC freeware cannot be transferred by USB or cloud storage.
Xbox users are limited to aircraft distributed through the simulator's official channels. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was never released for PlayStation, so these packages cannot be used there either.