Compare the best payware aircraft for MSFS 2024 by flying style, platform, upgrade rights, compatibility, installation and common faults.
The best payware aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are the Fenix A320 family for Airbus flying, PMDG 737 for Boeing short haul, PMDG 777 for long haul, A2A Comanche 250 for piston GA, and Just Flight BAe 146 or F28 for classic jets. Buy only a confirmed MSFS 2024 edition for your platform.
Before spending: the best choice depends on your PC or console platform, the kind of flying you prefer, and whether you already own the MSFS 2020 edition. An excellent PC aircraft may be unavailable on console, while an existing owner may qualify for an update that makes another purchase unnecessary.
Best MSFS 2024 payware aircraft by category
These are our leading paid aircraft because their systems, flight modelling and cockpit workload reward proper operation rather than relying on exterior detail alone.
| Aircraft | Best for | Why it stands out | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fenix A320 family | Modern Airbus operations | Detailed Airbus systems, flight management and airline procedures across the A319, A320 and A321. | PC only. The A319 and A321 require the relevant expansion as well as the base package. |
| PMDG 737 | Boeing short- and medium-haul routes | Deep 737 systems and a strong fit for realistic airline sectors, checklists and cockpit hardware. | The -600, -700, -800 and -900 are separate products rather than one complete fleet package. |
| PMDG 777 | Long-haul Boeing operations | Detailed wide-body systems, flight planning and long-range procedures. | Long sectors demand more preparation, and each 777 variant must be checked separately for MSFS 2024 support. |
| A2A Accu-Sim Comanche 250 | Piston general aviation | Persistent aircraft condition, convincing engine behaviour and excellent hand-flying characteristics. | PC only. Poor engine management can damage the aircraft rather than being silently ignored. |
| Just Flight 146 Professional | Classic regional jet flying | A hands-on four-engine airliner with older systems and a very different workload from an A320 or 737. | Less automation means more cockpit preparation and manual management. |
| Just Flight F28 Professional | Early jetliner operations | Strong analogue cockpit character, period procedures and rewarding manual flying. | Not the right purchase if modern flight management and automation are priorities. |
| IndiaFoxtEcho/Heatblur F-14 Tomcat | Military jet operation | Detailed flight dynamics, systems and crew interaction in an aircraft that demands disciplined handling. | MSFS 2024 is not a dedicated combat simulator, so buy it for aircraft operation rather than a complete weapons environment. |
If none matches your usual flying, our wider comparison of MSFS 2024 aircraft across airliners, turboprops, helicopters, GA and military categories covers more alternatives.
Which payware aircraft should you buy first?
Your first premium aircraft should match the flights you regularly finish, not the add-on with the longest feature list.
- Choose the Fenix A320 family if you fly on PC and want detailed Airbus airline procedures. The base A320 is sufficient unless you specifically need the shorter A319 or stretched A321.
- Choose the PMDG 737 for Boeing short- and medium-haul routes. The -800 is the most broadly useful variant, but buying another variant may make more sense if it matches the airlines and routes you recreate.
- Choose the PMDG 777 for long-haul flying and wide-body procedure work. Our comparison of premium MSFS 2024 jetliners explains how these aircraft compare with other modern and classic airliners.
- Choose the A2A Comanche 250 if engine care, persistent condition and hand-flying matter more than airline automation. Our MSFS 2024 general aviation shortlist covers simpler and faster GA alternatives.
- Choose the 146 or F28 when you prefer older cockpits, manual workload and regional sectors.
- Choose the F-14 for demanding military flying without expecting the mission and weapons systems of a combat-focused simulator.
A study-level aircraft is poor value if you normally start on the runway and want to be airborne immediately. In that case, a polished but less demanding aircraft will probably receive more use.
Developer-verified MSFS 2024 compatibility and platform table
The safe product is the named aircraft with its developer-issued MSFS 2024-compatible build, not an untouched MSFS 2020 package that merely reaches the runway.
The status below is anchored to MSFS 2024 Sim Update 5, released in April 2026. “Confirmed” means the aircraft developer or product documentation identifies an MSFS 2024-supported build. “Not confirmed” means buyers should wait for an explicit developer statement or a platform-specific Marketplace listing rather than assuming compatibility.
| Aircraft | MSFS 2024 product or build to install | Existing MSFS 2020 owner | PC | Xbox Series X|S | PlayStation 5 / PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fenix A320 family | Fenix A320 Base Package using the MSFS 2024-supported installer build; add the A319/A321 Expansion for those variants | Compatibility update is included for each package already owned; install it through the Fenix installer rather than repurchasing | Confirmed | No | No |
| PMDG 737 | The MSFS 2024-supported PMDG 737-600, -700, -800 or -900 package for the required variant | Update the same owned variant through its original purchase channel; ownership of one variant does not unlock the others | Confirmed | Confirmed through the Marketplace edition | Not confirmed for this recommendation; require a PS5 Marketplace listing |
| PMDG 777-300ER | PMDG 777-300ER using its MSFS 2024-supported build | Install the compatibility update through the original purchase channel; other 777 variants remain separate products | Confirmed | Confirmed through the Marketplace edition | Not confirmed for this recommendation; require a PS5 Marketplace listing |
| A2A Comanche 250 | Accu-Sim Comanche 250 with the developer’s MSFS 2024 update | Existing owners receive the compatible build through their A2A account and updater; no separate 2024 repurchase is required | Confirmed | No | No |
| Just Flight 146 Professional | 146 Professional build explicitly supporting MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 | Existing owners receive the supported update through their original store or Marketplace library | Confirmed | Confirmed through the Marketplace edition | Not confirmed for this recommendation; require a PS5 Marketplace listing |
| Just Flight F28 Professional | F28 Professional build explicitly supporting MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 | Existing owners receive the supported update through their original store or Marketplace library | Confirmed | Confirmed through the Marketplace edition | Not confirmed for this recommendation; require a PS5 Marketplace listing |
| IndiaFoxtEcho/Heatblur F-14 | F-14 Tomcat using the developer’s MSFS 2024-compatible build | Update through the original purchase channel rather than installing the unmodified 2020 package | Confirmed | Confirmed through the Marketplace edition | Not confirmed for this recommendation; require a PS5 Marketplace listing |
A direct PC purchase does not create a console installation entitlement. Even when the same aircraft exists on PC and Xbox, use the build supplied through that platform’s own purchase channel.
Can Xbox and PlayStation users install these aircraft?
Console users can install an aircraft only when the exact product has been released through the in-simulator Marketplace for their console.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was never released on PlayStation, so a 2020 purchase cannot establish a PlayStation installation by itself. Do not assume that Xbox availability, or an Xbox Marketplace purchase, guarantees a PlayStation edition or entitlement.
Can I use MSFS 2020 aircraft in MSFS 2024?
Yes, some MSFS 2020 aircraft can load through MSFS 2024’s backward-compatibility support, but loading is not proof that the aircraft is officially supported or fully functional.
A compatibility-layer aircraft may appear in the selection screen and fly while still having broken avionics, non-working clickspots, missing sounds or incorrect animations. An officially supported aircraft has a developer-issued build or compatibility statement covering its intended systems and cockpit behaviour in MSFS 2024.
Supported and native are not identical terms. A developer can fully support an updated aircraft that still uses parts of the earlier package structure. Career Mode certification, walk-around features and console availability also remain separate from basic Free Flight compatibility.
For a customer who owns only MSFS 2024, older payware is generally not worth buying unless the product listing explicitly includes MSFS 2024 support and explains the upgrade entitlement. A cheap 2020-only aircraft can become an expensive unusable purchase if its developer has not committed to an update.
How to install or migrate compatible aircraft to MSFS 2024
Install the aircraft through the same channel that supplies its official MSFS 2024 build, and remove any older duplicate before launching the simulator.
- Confirm the supported build. Read the aircraft’s MSFS 2024 compatibility notes and establish whether your existing licence receives an update, a separate installer or a paid upgrade.
- Remove duplicate installations. Uninstall or move the old manual package before installing the replacement. A Marketplace copy and an external copy of the same aircraft can conflict even when both appear to load.
- Redownload Marketplace purchases. Use the MSFS 2024 Marketplace library or content-management controls associated with the account and platform that owns the aircraft. Do not copy Marketplace package files from MSFS 2020.
- Update developer purchases through the account library or installer. Select the MSFS 2024-supported package when the installer offers separate simulator targets. Update any companion programme required by the aircraft at the same time.
- Use the correct Community folder only when instructed. MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 use separate package locations. Put a manually installed aircraft in the active MSFS 2024
Communityfolder only when the developer’s instructions require it; do not guess the location from an old 2020 path. - Check the installed build’s documentation. Review required simulator settings, control bindings, external applications, known limitations and Career Mode support. Restart the simulator after installation before diagnosing missing aircraft or gauges.
A mistake we see constantly is leaving an old Community-folder copy in place after installing the Marketplace or developer-managed edition. That can produce duplicated liveries, conflicting gauges, strange cockpit behaviour and update failures.
What problems affect older payware in MSFS 2024?
Older aircraft most often fail around avionics, cockpit interaction, sound, performance, Career Mode integration and console packaging rather than basic visual loading.
| Problem | What it usually means | Appropriate response |
|---|---|---|
| Blank, missing or incorrect avionics | The package uses an outdated gauge, dependency or panel configuration | Install the official aircraft and dependency updates, remove old panel mods and wait for the developer’s 2024 fix if the fault remains |
| Broken switches, clickspots or animations | The cockpit interaction or animation code has not been fully adapted to MSFS 2024 | Check the developer’s support notes and bindings guidance; do not mix files from different package versions |
| Missing, looping or badly balanced sounds | An old sound configuration or incomplete compatibility update is being loaded | Repair or reinstall the supported build and remove duplicate legacy copies |
| Heavy stuttering, low frame rate or crashes | Old gauges, external modules, duplicate packages or unsupported code may be running | Test the official aircraft in a clean configuration, update companion software and follow the developer’s known-issues guidance |
| Aircraft works in Free Flight but not Career Mode | The aircraft has not been assigned or certified for that Career mission type | Use it in Free Flight and wait for explicit Career support rather than treating the absence as an installation fault |
| Aircraft is unavailable on console | The product is PC-only or lacks a Marketplace release for that console | Do not attempt to sideload a PC package; wait for an official console edition |
Career availability can differ even between variants of the same aircraft family. Our guide to aircraft that work best in MSFS 2024 Career Mode covers that separate buying decision.
Should I buy the MSFS 2024 version or keep the MSFS 2020 version?
Buy the MSFS 2024 edition when you are a new customer or need features and support unavailable in the older build; keep and update the 2020 licence when the developer supplies an official 2024-compatible version at no extra charge.
- New MSFS 2024-only buyer: buy only a listing that explicitly names MSFS 2024 and your platform. Do not rely on user reports that the 2020 package “mostly works”.
- Owner receiving an official update: keep the existing licence and install the developer’s supported build. Purchasing the same aircraft again should not be necessary unless the product documentation says it is a separate edition.
- Owner offered a paid 2024 upgrade: compare the upgrade notes with how you fly. Native 2024 features, continued technical support, improved performance or Career integration can justify the price; branding alone does not.
- Owner whose aircraft only partly works through backward compatibility: do not treat successful loading as full support. Remove duplicates, check the developer’s known issues and wait for the official update if avionics, interactions, sounds or stability are affected.
- Buyer moving from PC to console or between consoles: assume a new platform-specific Marketplace entitlement may be required unless the product listing explicitly says otherwise. A PC installer cannot be transferred to Xbox or PlayStation.
What should you check before paying?
Five checks prevent most disappointing or duplicate MSFS 2024 payware purchases.
- Simulator version: confirm that the exact aircraft or variant supports Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, not only MSFS 2020.
- Platform: check PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation separately. The same product name does not prove that every platform is supported.
- Required base products: an expansion, livery pack or enhancement may require another aircraft or a particular simulator edition.
- Upgrade entitlement: establish whether an existing 2020 licence receives a free update, qualifies for a paid upgrade or provides no 2024 support.
- Flying workload: match the aircraft’s complexity to the procedures and flight lengths you actually enjoy.
For most PC airline enthusiasts, the Fenix A320 or PMDG 737 is the safest first premium purchase. The A2A Comanche 250 is the stronger choice when persistent mechanical behaviour, engine management and hand-flying matter more than airline systems.