Which Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are available in MSFS 2020?
MSFS 2020 has no default 737 MAX. Compare the iFly MAX 8, Bredok3D add-on and freeware choices, including fidelity and PC/Xbox limits.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 does not include a Boeing 737 MAX. The main standalone choices are the systems-focused iFly 737 MAX 8 for PC and Bredok3D’s simpler 737 MAX add-on, available through the in-sim Marketplace on supported platforms. Freeware MAX projects exist, but most are incomplete, outdated or much less capable.
Which 737 MAX add-ons can you get for MSFS 2020?
| Add-on | MAX model | Platform | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| iFly Jets Advanced Series | 737 MAX 8, with model and configuration options dependent on the installed build | PC | Detailed systems, airline procedures and realistic flight-deck operation |
| Bredok3D Boeing 737 MAX | 737 MAX package; check the Marketplace description for its precise model set | PC and Xbox where the Marketplace listing confirms compatibility | Casual flying and users who value easy Marketplace installation over deep systems |
| Community freeware projects | Usually MAX 8 projects or conversions | PC through the Community folder | Experimentation, provided incomplete systems and limited support are acceptable |
The iFly 737 MAX 8 is the clear choice for PC pilots who want to operate the aircraft using realistic procedures. It models the flight-management, autoflight and aircraft systems in substantially greater depth than the cheaper visual or casual alternatives.
The Bredok3D 737 MAX is a complete aircraft rather than a repaint, but it is not an equivalent substitute for the iFly package’s systems depth. It makes more sense when Marketplace access, straightforward installation or Xbox compatibility matters more than detailed switch and FMS behaviour.
Freeware MAX projects should be treated cautiously. Some are abandoned development builds, some reuse systems from another aircraft, and others are only exterior models or modifications. Our summary of the worthwhile free 737 options for MSFS 2020 covers the broader freeware choices without presenting every MAX-labelled download as a finished aircraft.
Does MSFS 2020 include a default Boeing 737 MAX?
No edition of MSFS 2020 includes a default 737 MAX. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 supplied with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 belongs to the newer simulator and cannot be copied backwards into MSFS 2020.
Buying MSFS 2024 does not add that aircraft to the MSFS 2020 hangar. Our MSFS 2024 aircraft breakdown by edition shows where the included MAX fits into the newer simulator’s fleet.
Are the MAX 7, MAX 9, MAX 10 and MAX 8-200 available?
The practical MSFS 2020 market centres on the 737 MAX 8. There is no similarly established, systems-focused MAX 7, MAX 9 or MAX 10 package comparable with the iFly MAX 8.
The MAX 8-200 is a high-density MAX 8 configuration, not a longer MAX variant. If that configuration matters, confirm that the exact aircraft build includes the additional exit arrangement; a Ryanair repaint by itself cannot change the exterior model or door layout.
Do not assume that an add-on called “737 MAX” contains the whole family. Different fuselage lengths, flight models and performance data are required for the MAX 7, 9 and 10; a renamed conversion or stretched visual model does not provide an accurate simulation of those variants.
Which MSFS 2020 737 should you choose?
- Choose iFly if you fly on PC and want realistic cold-and-dark starts, FMS programming, autopilot operation and airline procedures.
- Choose Bredok3D if you need a simpler Marketplace aircraft, particularly on Xbox, and accept reduced systems depth.
- Choose freeware only if cost is the deciding factor and you are comfortable troubleshooting unfinished or unsupported packages.
A mistake we see constantly is buying a PMDG 737 and expecting a MAX. PMDG’s MSFS aircraft represent the earlier 737 Next Generation family, not the MAX; our assessment of what the PMDG 737 package provides explains that distinction.
Why does a downloaded 737 MAX not appear in MSFS 2020?
- Check whether it is an aircraft or a livery. A repaint requires the exact base aircraft named by its author. Our explanation of Ryanair 737 aircraft versus livery downloads covers this common source of confusion.
- Confirm the simulator version. An aircraft built for MSFS 2024, FSX or Prepar3D is not automatically compatible with MSFS 2020.
- Inspect the folder depth on PC. The package folder containing
manifest.jsonshould sit directly inside the active Community folder. Double-nested folders are a frequent reason for missing aircraft. - Check the platform. Xbox cannot install ordinary web downloads into a Community folder; aircraft must be distributed through the in-sim Marketplace. An externally purchased PC licence does not normally create Xbox ownership.
- Look for required dependencies. Some freeware downloads modify another aircraft rather than supplying a standalone MAX. Without the named base package, they may be absent, visually broken or unusable.
For a detailed Boeing 737 MAX in MSFS 2020, the iFly MAX 8 is the strongest PC option. Xbox users are limited to compatible Marketplace products, while freeware is best regarded as experimental unless its documentation clearly confirms a complete, maintained aircraft.