Which flight simulators run on Linux?

The best native flight simulators for Linux and Ubuntu are X-Plane 12 for serious civilian flying, FlightGear for a free open-source option, Aerofly FS 4 for quick visual flying, and War Thunder for combat. GeoFS runs in a browser. Microsoft Flight Simulator has no official Linux build; Proton use is unsupported.

Which flight simulators have native Linux versions?

X-Plane 12, FlightGear, Aerofly FS 4 and War Thunder provide native Linux applications, while GeoFS runs through a compatible web browser.

A native build runs without translating Windows system calls. That differs from GeoFS browser access, Proton or Wine compatibility layers, and cloud streaming, where the simulator runs on a remote Windows or console system and Linux displays the video stream.

What is the best flight simulator for Linux or Ubuntu?

X-Plane 12 is our strongest all-round choice for realistic civilian aircraft, instrument procedures, USB flight controls and third-party expansion. Its official demo is useful because it tests the actual graphics driver, Vulkan support and controller recognition before purchase; run it at your normal resolution with representative weather, scenery and aircraft.

FlightGear is the best completely free native option. It supports worldwide flying, configurable weather and a large community fleet, although an advanced aircraft may be substantially more complete than an older or basic model. Our FlightGear download and Linux notes cover the package itself, while our comparison of free simulators available on Linux explains how it compares with browser-based choices and limited demos.

Aerofly FS 4 suits visual flying and users who value quick loading and uncomplicated configuration. Check its available aircraft and airports first if a particular airliner or specialist tool is essential. Choose War Thunder for multiplayer combat rather than civil procedures, and GeoFS when installing software is not practical.

X-Plane 11 also has an official Linux edition and remains useful when an existing aircraft or scenery collection depends on it. For a new installation, X-Plane 12 is normally the better starting point.

Is Ubuntu a good operating system for flight simulation?

Ubuntu is a good flight-simulation platform when the simulator and every essential add-on have native Linux support.

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution, so it normally uses the standard Linux build rather than a separate Ubuntu edition. Developers may validate only selected distribution releases, however, and the installed graphics driver and system libraries still determine whether that build works properly.

X-Plane 12 and FlightGear can provide a complete civil-flight setup without Windows, and standard USB joysticks, throttles, pedals and yokes often work as ordinary input devices. The main compromise is a narrower selection of commercial aircraft, weather tools, navigation-data integrations and peripheral configuration software.

Native simulator support does not guarantee that every add-on or controller utility is native. Before committing to Ubuntu, check the exact aircraft, plug-ins, online clients and cockpit hardware needed for the planned setup rather than relying only on the base simulator's platform list.

Can Microsoft Flight Simulator run on Linux or Ubuntu?

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 have no native Linux or Ubuntu version, although the Steam Windows release can sometimes run locally through Proton.

Proton creates a Windows-compatible environment around the simulator, but this remains unsupported use. Reaching the main menu does not prove that Microsoft account sign-in, the initial content download, streamed scenery, live weather, multiplayer or in-simulator services will remain dependable after an update.

Which Microsoft Flight Simulator edition can use Proton?

The Steam Windows edition is the practical route for a local Proton attempt. Microsoft Store, Xbox app and PC Game Pass installations cannot simply be installed through Proton in the same way, and owning one of those editions does not supply a Steam copy.

A browser-based cloud session may be available for an eligible account, subscription and region. This provides access from Linux, but image quality, latency, controller support and add-on access differ from a local installation. Our detailed comparison of Proton, dual boot and cloud access covers those trade-offs without treating any workaround as native support.

Updates, VR headsets, specialist flight controls, vendor utilities and online services are not guaranteed under Proton. If Microsoft Flight Simulator is the computer's main simulator, a supported operating system remains the predictable choice.

What about Spaceflight Simulator, DCS World and Prepar3D?

Spaceflight Simulator, DCS World and Prepar3D have no official native Linux editions.

The Windows Steam edition of Spaceflight Simulator may launch when Proton is forced for the title, but a game, Proton or graphics-stack update can change the result. Test rendering, input, saves and downloadable content rather than assuming that a successful launch means the whole application works; a mobile licence does not provide a Linux desktop build.

DCS World can sometimes run through Proton or Wine, but its launcher, multiplayer protection, VR and peripheral software introduce additional failure points. Prepar3D depends heavily on Windows components and Windows-oriented add-ons, making a separate Windows installation more predictable when either simulator is the main platform.

What should you check before buying a Linux flight simulator?

Check the complete installation and intended hardware, not merely whether the base simulator offers a Linux download.

• Distribution support: confirm that the simulator supports the relevant 64-bit Linux distribution or clearly documents any libraries users must supply.
• Graphics drivers and Vulkan: the GPU model alone is insufficient. The installed driver must expose the Vulkan features required by modern simulators such as X-Plane.
• Real demo performance: where an official demo exists, test the normal monitor resolution, detailed scenery, weather and a representative aircraft rather than an empty runway.
• Controller support: basic axes and buttons may work while LEDs, force feedback, firmware updates and profile editors remain dependent on Windows-only software.
• Storefront and edition: verify that the purchased edition includes the Linux build. This is especially important for Windows workarounds because a Steam copy may work through Proton while a Microsoft Store or PC Game Pass copy does not.
• Required add-ons: check every aircraft, avionics bridge, weather tool and network client for a Linux binary. A native simulator cannot directly load a Windows-only compiled plug-in.
• VR support: the headset runtime, graphics driver, simulator and motion-controller software must all support the same Linux configuration.

How do you install a flight simulator on Ubuntu or Linux reliably?

Install and test the unmodified native build before adding aircraft, scenery or plug-ins.

1. Choose the correct package. Use the simulator's Linux build or the Linux edition supplied by its storefront. Distribution repositories are convenient for FlightGear, but their packaged release may differ from the simulator's main release.
2. Install a suitable graphics driver. On Ubuntu, use the normal supported software channels and confirm Vulkan operation before troubleshooting aircraft or scenery. A blank window, immediate exit or unavailable graphics device commonly points to the driver or graphics configuration.
3. Use a Linux filesystem where possible. NTFS and some removable-drive formats can lose executable permissions or expose filename-case problems. If a trusted standalone installer lacks execution permission, inspect the file before using the usual chmod +x command.
4. Run the base simulator once. Let it create its settings and cache files, then load a default aircraft at a default airport. Check graphics, sound and controls before installing extensions.
5. Confirm controller detection. On Ubuntu, lsusb can show whether the operating system sees a USB device. If it appears there but not in the simulator, inspect device permissions, calibrate it in the simulator and remove duplicate axis assignments.
6. Add one component at a time. Restart after each aircraft, scenery package or plug-in. If loading then fails, remove the newest addition first instead of reinstalling the entire simulator.
7. Read the simulator log. Look for the last aircraft, library, plug-in or graphics component loaded before the failure. Change one item at a time so the original evidence is not buried under unrelated adjustments.
8. Test another display session when needed. If mouse capture, focus, input or window positioning misbehaves under Wayland, try an Xorg session where Ubuntu offers one. This separates a desktop-session problem from an aircraft or controller fault.

Axes that jump, oscillate or respond twice are often assigned both inside the simulator and through another input layer. Remove the duplicate mapping rather than masking it with an excessive dead zone.

Will aircraft, scenery and flight controls work on Linux?

Data-only add-ons and standard USB controls often work on Linux, but Windows executables and compiled plug-ins are not automatically portable.

In X-Plane, aircraft normally belong under Aircraft and scenery under Custom Scenery. Match the package to the simulator version and preserve its folder structure; the documentation accompanying aircraft and scenery in our X-Plane downloads library should be checked before installation.

An X-Plane aircraft that relies on custom code must include a Linux plug-in binary such as lin.xpl. If it contains only win.xpl, the aircraft may appear while displays, engines or custom systems remain inoperative. A Windows .exe installer or a plug-in supplied only as a .dll is another warning sign, even when the scenery or liveries inside the package are platform-neutral.

Linux filenames are case-sensitive. An add-on that requests Textures but supplies textures may work on Windows yet display missing objects or blank surfaces on Linux. Incorrect extraction can also create a doubled top-level folder that prevents the simulator from finding the expected files.

Generic yokes, joysticks, throttles and rudder pedals commonly appear as USB input devices. If a recognised controller produces no input, check permissions and competing input layers before declaring the hardware incompatible; advanced lighting, force feedback and vendor profile tools may still require Windows.