Discover the best scenic routes and approaches in MSFS, with airport codes, aircraft choices, route tips and fixes for weather and terrain.
The best scenic flights in Microsoft Flight Simulator pair distinctive terrain with an arrival that rewards careful hand-flying. Our shortlist starts with Queenstown–Milford Sound, Honolulu–Kahului, Bergen–Sogndal, Punta Arenas–Ushuaia and Cape Town–George; for stand-alone approaches, try Samos runway 09, Innsbruck, Madeira, Queenstown and Lukla.
These flights work in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. Airport detail, vegetation and photogrammetry vary with the simulator edition, installed content and streamed world data, but none of the routes requires third-party scenery.
Which scenic routes are best in MSFS?
Queenstown to Milford Sound is our best all-round scenic route because it combines lakes, mountains, valley navigation and a demanding destination.
| Route | Suitable aircraft | What makes it special | Main challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queenstown to Milford Sound (NZQN–NZMF) | Cessna 172, DA40 or Caravan | Lake Wakatipu, Fiordland valleys and a compact coastal arrival | A direct GPS line can cross high terrain; route through the valleys instead |
| Honolulu to Kahului (PHNL–PHOG) | Fast piston single or turboprop | Diamond Head, the Oahu coast, Molokai and Maui | Allow for extended over-water sections and changing island winds |
| Bergen to Sogndal (ENBR–ENSG) | Cessna 172, DA40 or similar | Norwegian fjords, steep shorelines and a terrain-surrounded destination | Low cloud can close the useful VFR route surprisingly quickly |
| Vancouver to Squamish and Pemberton (CYVR–CYSE–CYPS) | Bush aircraft or piston single | Howe Sound followed by the Sea-to-Sky mountain corridor | Identify the correct valley before entering; some branches end against rising terrain |
| Punta Arenas to Ushuaia (SCCI–SAWH) | DA62, Caravan or another weather-capable aircraft | Tierra del Fuego, channels, mountains and the Beagle Channel arrival | Strong wind, turbulence and low cloud can make live weather unsuitable |
| Cape Town to George via Cape Point (FACT–FAGG) | Fast piston single or turboprop | Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula and a long coastal sector | The scenic coastal routing is much longer than the direct flight |
For different climates and shorter regional ideas, see our collection of scenic regions worth exploring in Microsoft Flight Simulator. If you prefer a prepared route with landmark-based navigation, the simulator's structured Bush Trips provide ready-made scenic legs.
Which approaches have the best views?
Samos runway 09 is our first choice for a scenic visual approach, while Innsbruck and Madeira offer the strongest combination of terrain, procedure and weather.
| Airport or approach | Why fly it | What catches pilots out |
|---|---|---|
| Samos runway 09 (LGSM) | A sea-side setup followed by a curved visual final close to the coast | Turning towards the runway too late or trying to establish a conventional long straight-in; use our full Samos runway 09 setup for the key visual references |
| Innsbruck (LOWI) | A confined Alpine valley with dramatic terrain on both sides | Descending outside the protected route or ignoring published altitude constraints |
| Madeira (LPMA) | An exposed runway above the Atlantic with terrain nearby | Crosswind and turbulence can produce an unstable final; practise first in calm conditions |
| Queenstown (NZQN) | Lake views and mountain terrain during the descent | Arriving high and fast after concentrating on terrain clearance |
| Lukla (VNLK) | A short, sloping runway beneath Himalayan terrain | Runway 06 rises uphill and go-around options deteriorate after commitment; use a suitable short-field aircraft |
Runway selection must still match the wind and the procedure being flown. Do not force a famous approach direction with a strong tailwind. Before attempting the harder arrivals, review how to stabilise and judge a visual approach.
How should I set up a scenic flight?
A good scenic flight is built as a landmark-led VFR route rather than a single direct line between airports.
- Choose a slower aircraft. A piston single gives you time to identify valleys and landmarks. Use a turboprop when the route contains a long coastal or over-water sector.
- Add intermediate points. Place waypoints at valley entrances, lakes, headlands or safe passes. The magenta line does not understand that you want to remain inside a scenic corridor.
- Start with forgiving weather. Use good visibility, a high cloud base and moderate wind while learning the route. Live weather is not a requirement, especially around Fiordland, Norway or Patagonia.
- Plan the descent before sightseeing. Check destination elevation, terrain and likely runway early. Reduce speed before entering a confined valley rather than trying to lose height and energy near the threshold.
- Confirm the arrival. Select a runway from the actual wind and use a published procedure where appropriate. Treat terrain warnings, minimum altitudes and missed-approach instructions seriously, even in the simulator.
Which aircraft is best for scenic flying?
A Cessna 172-class aircraft is the safest general choice because it is slow, stable and easy to position for photographs or visual references. Choose a bush aircraft for short strips, a twin for exposed routes with long water crossings, and a turboprop when covering more than one region in a single flight.
Airliners suit scenic approaches into places such as Innsbruck or Madeira, but they are poor choices for close valley exploration. Their higher speed makes late route corrections and steep descents much harder.
Why does a scenic route go wrong?
Most failed scenic flights come from following a direct GPS route, accepting unsuitable live weather or arriving at the destination with too much speed and altitude.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The route leads towards a ridge | The planner created a direct great-circle leg | Add valley and pass waypoints, then verify the route from an external view or terrain display before departure |
| Cloud hides the pass | Live weather is below the safe VFR route | Turn back, divert or use a clear-weather preset while learning; do not descend into an unseen valley |
| The approach feels impossibly steep | The descent started too late or the aircraft is too fast | Slow down before the terminal area and establish a planned descent point |
| Terrain looks soft or appears late | Streamed world data has not loaded fully | Check online world-data and photogrammetry options where available, allow the area to load and verify that data limits are not blocking scenery |
| ATC vectors spoil the route | The filed IFR plan does not match the intended VFR corridor | File a compatible route or fly the sector as VFR; for IFR flights, follow the published procedure and its constraints |
What should I fly first?
Start with Honolulu–Kahului for forgiving terrain and easy visual references. Move to Queenstown–Milford Sound for valley navigation, then try Samos or Innsbruck when you can consistently manage speed, descent and runway alignment without chasing the flight director.