Compare the Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 in MSFS 2024, including Premium Deluxe requirements, platform support and fixes for missing aircraft.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s practical choices are the official Boeing 787-10, supplied through Premium Deluxe or Aviator entitlement, and Horizon Simulations’ freeware Boeing 787-9 on PC. The Horizon model is not stand-alone: it requires Microsoft’s 787-10 and a Horizon release explicitly compatible with MSFS 2024.
MSFS 2024 Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 options
For these two Dreamliner variants, the Microsoft 787-10 and Horizon Simulations 787-9 are the established choices.
| Variant | Aircraft | Type and requirement | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 787-10 | Microsoft Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner | Official aircraft included through Premium Deluxe or Aviator entitlement | PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 |
| 787-9 | Horizon Simulations Boeing 787-9 | Freeware Community add-on requiring Microsoft’s 787-10 | PC only |
Microsoft does not supply a stock 787-9 in any MSFS 2024 edition. Horizon’s aircraft changes the model and flight characteristics for the shorter -9, but it inherits much of its cockpit and systems foundation from the Microsoft -10 rather than providing an entirely independent simulation.
Be careful with products described as 787 packs: many are only repaints. A livery adds colours and airline markings; it does not add a flyable Dreamliner.
Do you need Premium Deluxe for the 787-9?
You need access to Microsoft’s 787-10 before the Horizon 787-9 can work, which normally means owning MSFS 2024 Premium Deluxe or Aviator.
A qualifying MSFS 2020 Premium Deluxe entitlement can also make its 787-10 available in MSFS 2024 through the same supported account ecosystem. Standard and Deluxe owners without that carried-over entitlement do not gain the aircraft merely by installing Horizon’s package. Our breakdown of MSFS 2024 aircraft and edition entitlements explains the differences.
On PlayStation 5, rely on the edition entitlement shown for that platform; MSFS 2020 was never released on PlayStation. Account ownership and add-on licences should not be assumed to transfer between unrelated platform stores.
Which 787 should you choose on PC or console?
Choose the Microsoft 787-10 for native support and console access; choose Horizon’s 787-9 when you specifically need the -9 and can manage a dependency-based PC add-on.
- Choose the 787-10 if you use Xbox or PS5, want the first-party version, or prefer fewer compatibility variables after simulator updates.
- Choose the Horizon 787-9 if you fly on PC, already own the Microsoft -10 and need the -9’s different dimensions and operating profile.
- Do not choose by livery alone. Confirm that the repaint was built for the exact aircraft package and variant.
For a closer look at systems, dependencies and the related 787-8 option, see our comparison of the available MSFS 2024 Dreamliner add-ons.
Can 787-10 liveries be installed on the 787-9?
787-10 liveries should not be assumed to work on the Horizon 787-9 because each package uses its own model, texture layout and configuration references. Match the repaint to both the variant and developer; our guide to compatible Boeing 787 liveries explains what to check before installation.
Why is the Horizon 787-9 missing or not working?
A missing Horizon 787-9 is usually caused by an unavailable 787-10 dependency, the wrong Community folder or an outdated package.
- Test Microsoft’s 787-10 first. If it is absent or cannot load, resolve the edition entitlement or library installation before troubleshooting Horizon.
- Check the dependency. Confirm that the Microsoft 787-10 is available and enabled in the MSFS 2024 library. Where local installation is offered, installing the dependency locally can help with add-ons that cannot detect streamed content correctly.
- Use the active MSFS 2024 Community folder. Copying the aircraft into an old MSFS 2020 folder has no effect. Also check for an extra nested directory; the package files, including
manifest.json, should not be buried inside a second wrapper folder. - Install the correct release. A build intended only for MSFS 2020 may appear in the selector yet have broken instruments, missing textures or loading failures in MSFS 2024.
- Remove conflicting 787 modifications. Temporarily leave only Horizon and its required Microsoft aircraft active. Old cockpit, systems and sound modifications can override shared files.
- Recheck after simulator updates. Dependency-based aircraft may need a matching update when Microsoft changes the underlying 787 package.