Download PMDG 737-800 liveries for MSFS 2020, choose the correct passenger or freighter variant, and fix repaints that do not appear.
You can download PMDG 737-800 liveries for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 from our MSFS freeware downloads library, or obtain PMDG-provided paints through PMDG Operations Center when offered. Choose a repaint made for the PMDG 737-800 and its exact passenger, BBJ2 or freighter variant; default 737 liveries will not work.
Where should I look for PMDG 737-800 repaints?
Use a library that identifies both the simulator and the required base aircraft. Search our MSFS downloads for the airline name plus “PMDG 737-800”, then check the description and included readme before downloading.
A livery contains textures and configuration data, not the flyable aircraft. You must already own and install the PMDG 737-800 for MSFS 2020. Paints made for the default Boeing 737, another developer’s 737, or PMDG’s 737-600, -700 or -900 are not interchangeable.
PMDG Operations Center is also used to manage compatible .ptp livery packages. Its available paints and menu wording can vary with the installed product and Operations Center release.
How do I choose the correct 737-800 variant?
The livery description must match the exact PMDG airframe variant you intend to select in Microsoft Flight Simulator.
| Download description | Required PMDG variant |
|---|---|
| 737-800 passenger | Standard passenger aircraft |
| BBJ2 | BBJ2 business-jet variant |
| BCF, BDSF or freighter | The matching cargo conversion |
| Generic Boeing 737-800 | Check the description; do not assume PMDG compatibility |
A common mistake we see is installing a freighter repaint and then looking for it under the passenger aircraft. Microsoft Flight Simulator treats these as separate aircraft configurations, so the paint appears only under the variant for which it was built.
How do I install a downloaded PMDG livery?
The installation method depends on whether the download contains a PMDG .ptp file or a conventional MSFS package.
- Extract the downloaded archive and inspect its contents. Do not try to place the original ZIP file directly into the simulator.
- For a
.ptpfile, open PMDG Operations Center, select the MSFS 2020 737 product and use its livery installation utility. Keep the.ptpintact. - For a Community package, place the actual package folder containing files such as
manifest.jsonandlayout.jsonin the active MSFS 2020Communityfolder. - Restart the simulator, select the matching PMDG 737-800 variant and choose the new paint from its livery list.
Our detailed PMDG livery installation guide covers Operations Center packages, Community-folder installs and the checks to make when the archive structure is unclear.
Why is my PMDG 737-800 livery not appearing?
A missing livery is usually installed against the wrong aircraft variant, simulator version or Community folder.
- Wrong variant: Check whether the repaint is for the passenger 737-800, BBJ2 or a particular freighter conversion.
- Nested package folder: If the path resembles
Community/package-name/package-name/manifest.json, move the inner package up one level. - Wrong simulator folder: MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 can use different Community locations. Confirm the active path through the simulator’s developer tools or installed-packages configuration rather than guessing.
- Incompatible repaint: A livery labelled for another 737 add-on or only for MSFS 2024 should not be installed into the MSFS 2020 PMDG aircraft.
- Duplicate aircraft identity: Two repaints using the same internal title can conflict. Temporarily remove duplicate or older versions and test again.
- Pink or chequered textures: This normally indicates missing texture files or incompatible material references. Reinstall the correct package rather than copying individual texture files between variants.
Can MSFS 2024 PMDG liveries be used in MSFS 2020?
Use an MSFS 2024 livery in MSFS 2020 only when its author explicitly states that the package supports both simulators. Similar-looking aircraft do not guarantee compatible package metadata, configuration or texture references.
If the download is labelled only for MSFS 2024, find a 2020 release instead. Simmers using the newer simulator should use our separate collection guidance for PMDG 737-800 liveries compatible with MSFS 2024.
Can Xbox users install downloaded PMDG liveries?
Manually downloaded PMDG liveries are for the PC edition of MSFS 2020. Xbox does not provide access to a Community folder or support installing .ptp files through PMDG Operations Center, so Xbox users are limited to compatible livery content distributed through the simulator’s supported in-game system.