Learn what default airports in MSFS 2024 are, how they differ from handcrafted scenery, how editions vary and why some look generic.
Default airports in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are the stock airports supplied by the simulator and available without third-party scenery. They cover tens of thousands of real-world locations; most use data-driven layouts and shared scenery assets, while a smaller group are bespoke, officially handcrafted or upgraded airports.
What does “default airport” mean in MSFS 2024?
The term normally means any airport provided by Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 rather than installed as a third-party add-on. Simmers also use “default” more narrowly to mean generic stock scenery, so the intended meaning depends on context.
| Airport type | What it means | Typical detail |
|---|---|---|
| Generic stock airport | A real airport represented using airport data and shared scenery assets | Runways and parking may be accurate, but terminals can be generic |
| Official handcrafted or upgraded airport | First-party scenery supplied with an edition or official update | Bespoke terminals, structures, ground textures and local details |
| Third-party airport | Freeware or payware scenery installed separately | Varies by developer; often replaces the stock version |
An official handcrafted airport is therefore still a default airport in the broad sense. Our explanation of how handcrafted MSFS 2024 airports differ from generic scenery covers that distinction in more detail.
Are all default airports accurate recreations?
No; most default airports are data-driven representations rather than detailed recreations of every building. They may use the correct location, runway orientation, surface and basic parking layout while filling the site with standard hangars, terminals and other library objects.
Generic does not mean fictional. It means the airport has not received the same bespoke treatment as an upgraded location. Data age and source quality vary, so recently changed taxiways, terminals, runway identifiers or closed airfields may not match real-world conditions exactly.
Is there a complete default airport list?
There is no useful short list because the stock airport database contains tens of thousands of locations and can change through simulator updates. Search the Free Flight world map by airport name, ICAO identifier, IATA code or location; our world airport database can help when an identifier is unknown.
The much smaller list people usually want is the set of detailed official airports. We maintain a separate breakdown of the upgraded airports included with each MSFS 2024 edition.
Do MSFS 2024 editions have different default airports?
The broad worldwide airport network is available across the editions, but higher editions include additional upgraded airport scenery. In most cases, the geographic airport remains selectable in a lower edition; what changes is the quality and specificity of its scenery.
Official updates can also deliver first-party airport improvements separately from the original installation. These still count as official scenery, although their package status may matter when diagnosing conflicts.
Why does a default airport look wrong or appear missing?
A generic appearance is usually normal, but missing runways, duplicated buildings or an airport that cannot be found can have several causes:
- Generic stock scenery: the airport exists, but its buildings use shared assets rather than a custom terminal model.
- Old or changed airport data: the real airport may have gained a runway, changed identifiers, closed or been redeveloped after the simulator data was compiled.
- Search and map filters: clear active filters and try the ICAO code, airport name and nearby town separately.
- Streaming trouble: interrupted online data can reduce scenery quality in MSFS 2024. Restore the connection, allow data streaming and reload the flight.
- Conflicting add-ons: two active scenery packages can produce duplicate terminals, uneven ground or overlapping runways.
Should I disable a default airport when using an add-on?
Keep the stock airport active unless the add-on developer or visible conflicts indicate otherwise. Generic baseline scenery is often overridden automatically, but a separate official handcrafted package can clash with a third-party replacement.
If duplicate buildings, windsocks or runway surfaces appear, confirm that only one replacement for that ICAO code is active. Our guide to handling default and third-party airport conflicts explains which stock content can be disabled and when it should be left alone.