Compare the best free MSFS 2024 aircraft, including the A32NX, A330-900neo and RV-7, plus compatibility, installation and console limits.
The best free aircraft add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are the FlyByWire A32NX for detailed airline flying, an MSFS 2024-compatible A330-900neo package for long haul, and the Van’s RV-7/RV-7A for VFR and aerobatics. These are separate freeware downloads, not the aircraft bundled with each simulator edition, and Community-folder versions are PC-only.
Are these free planes included with MSFS 2024?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is commercial software; “free aircraft” can mean either aeroplanes included with an edition at no additional charge or separate community freeware. The bundled selection varies by edition, so check our comparison of the aircraft included with each MSFS 2024 edition if that is the list you need.
Which free MSFS 2024 aircraft is best for you?
The right choice depends on how you fly: the A32NX prioritises airline procedures, the A330-900neo provides a free wide-body, and the RV-7 family suits visual flying and light aerobatics.
| Aircraft | Best for | Main strength | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlyByWire’s freeware A32NX package | Short- and medium-haul airline flying | Custom systems, avionics, flight management and EFB functions | Requires more study and package maintenance than a simple default-aircraft modification |
| Free A330-900neo wide-body package | Long-haul routes | A free A330neo option with an Airbus-style cockpit | Dependencies and support must be checked for the exact package version |
| Van’s RV-7 and RV-7A | VFR touring and aerobatics | Responsive hand-flying, avionics choices and alternative landing-gear configurations | Not intended for automated airline procedures |
FlyByWire A32NX: best free airliner
The A32NX is our first choice for realistic IFR sectors and Airbus procedures. Its custom avionics, flight-management functions and electronic flight bag provide substantially more depth than a livery or basic model, but missing performance entries, an incomplete overhead flow or an incorrectly prepared flight plan can be mistaken for add-on faults.
A330-900neo: best free wide-body
Choose the A330-900neo when long-haul capability and aircraft type matter more than matching the A32NX’s procedural depth. Read the dependency notes before installation: a missing prerequisite can produce blank displays, absent sounds or an aircraft that appears in the selector but will not load correctly.
Van’s RV-7/RV-7A: best free general-aviation aircraft
The Freeware Van’s RV-7 aircraft provides multiple avionics configurations, while the complete RV-7 and RV-7A download adds tailwheel and nosewheel choices. The tailwheel version demands more care on the ground; the tricycle-gear RV-7A is more forgiving. Check control sensitivity and assistance settings before judging the handling.
Freeware also covers bush aircraft, military types, historic aeroplanes, gliders and experimental designs. Our curated Microsoft Flight Simulator add-on library collects aircraft and related mods across these categories.
What should I check before downloading freeware aircraft?
A worthwhile download should be a complete, supported package rather than a repaint presented as a new aeroplane.
- Complete aircraft: Adds its own flyable aircraft or distinct variant, including the required model, cockpit, flight model and configuration files.
- Livery: Changes only the paint scheme and requires the named base aircraft.
- Enhancement mod: Changes systems, sounds, avionics or handling for an aircraft you must already own.
- Conversion or port: May come from an older simulator and can have missing gauges, animations or flight-model features.
- Dependencies: Check for required libraries, another freeware package or an aircraft from a particular Standard, Deluxe or Premium edition.
- Update method: Installer-managed aircraft and manual Community packages require different maintenance.
A mistake we see constantly is judging an add-on from screenshots or its livery count. Compatibility, cockpit functionality and dependencies matter more. Our safe downloading and compatibility guidance for MSFS 2024 aircraft covers the checks to make before installing an unfamiliar package.
Will MSFS 2020 freeware work in MSFS 2024?
Some MSFS 2020 aircraft work in MSFS 2024, but compatibility is not automatic. Native means the package was prepared for the newer simulator; compatible may mean an older package is relying on backward compatibility.
Custom avionics, WASM modules, scripts, cockpit interactions and default-aircraft dependencies are common failure points. Loading successfully does not prove that the autopilot, displays, lights and fuel systems work, so test them before a long flight. After a simulator update, check for an aircraft update and remove obsolete copies before troubleshooting further.
How do I install free aircraft in MSFS 2024?
Most PC freeware uses its supplied installer or an extracted package placed in the active MSFS 2024 Community folder.
- Confirm the platform and build. Community-folder packages are for PC, and the exact download should state MSFS 2024 support.
- Read the requirements. Check for a base aircraft, supporting libraries or a separate MSFS 2024 version.
- Remove older copies. Do not mix old and new files unless the instructions explicitly permit an overwrite.
- Extract the archive fully. Do not place the compressed ZIP or archive itself in Community.
- Find the actual package folder. Its top level will normally contain
manifest.jsonandlayout.json. Copy that folder into Community, whose location depends on the PC store version and any custom Packages path. - Restart and test cleanly. Search the aircraft selector by manufacturer or model, then test without extra liveries or unrelated cockpit modifications.
The A32NX has a more specific workflow than a simple drag-and-drop package, so follow our MSFS 2024 A32NX installation instructions rather than reusing an old MSFS 2020 path.
If an aircraft does not appear, check for an extra nested folder. A structure such as Community/download-name/package-name/manifest.json is a common cause; the folder containing the manifest normally belongs directly inside Community. Duplicate versions can also cause missing textures, frozen instruments, duplicate selector entries and loading failures. Remove the add-on and retest with an otherwise empty Community folder before reinstalling the simulator.
Can I install free aircraft on Xbox or PlayStation?
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro cannot sideload PC freeware or access the Community folder. Console users can install only aircraft distributed through the simulator’s supported in-sim Marketplace system.
Marketplace availability can differ by platform, and a free PC aircraft is not automatically offered on consoles. If its in-sim listing does not state support for your console, treat it as unavailable there.