See which free aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are worth downloading, how to verify compatibility, and why console support differs.
Free aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 include the FlyByWire A32NX, freeware A330-900neo packages and the Van’s RV-7, alongside military, vintage and general-aviation community projects. Most downloadable freeware is for PC; Xbox and PlayStation users cannot install Community-folder aircraft and must use content distributed through the simulator.
Which free MSFS 2024 aircraft are worth downloading?
The best starting choices are complete aircraft with explicit MSFS 2024 support, clear installation instructions and active systems rather than repaints of existing models.
| Aircraft | Best suited to | What the package provides |
|---|---|---|
| FlyByWire’s freeware A32NX package | Airbus short- and medium-haul flying | A complete A320neo-based aircraft with custom systems, avionics and EFB functions, plus stated MSFS 2024 support. |
| Free A330-900neo wide-body package | Long-haul airline routes | An A330neo package with installation guidance covering both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024. |
| Freeware Van’s RV-7 aircraft | VFR, touring and general aviation | A complete light aircraft offered with multiple avionics configurations and confirmed MSFS 2024 support. |
Freeware also covers bush aircraft, military types, historic aeroplanes, gliders and experimental designs, although compatibility varies between packages. Our curated Microsoft Flight Simulator add-on library collects free aircraft and related mods across these categories.
How can I tell if a free download is a complete aircraft?
A complete aircraft should add its own selectable entry to the aircraft list and state that it includes the required model, cockpit, flight model and configuration files. A mistake we see constantly is downloading a livery and expecting it to add the aeroplane shown in the screenshots.
- Complete aircraft: Adds a flyable aircraft or distinct variant to the selector.
- Livery: Changes only the paint scheme and requires the named base aircraft.
- Enhancement mod: Alters systems, sounds, handling or avionics for an aircraft you must already own.
- Conversion or port: May originate in an older simulator and can have missing instruments, animations or flight-model features.
Read the dependency list before downloading. Some free packages require an aircraft from a particular MSFS edition, another freeware package or files installed by a separate utility.
Will MSFS 2020 freeware work in MSFS 2024?
Some MSFS 2020 aircraft work in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but compatibility is not automatic. Prefer a package whose description or update notes explicitly name MSFS 2024.
Older aircraft can fail because of changed avionics, scripts, gauges, flight-model behaviour or dependencies on a default aircraft. A model loading successfully does not prove that its autopilot, displays, lights and fuel systems work correctly; check these before committing to a long flight.
If an older add-on causes slow loading, crashes or an empty aircraft thumbnail, remove it and retest with an otherwise empty Community folder. Do not assume every problem requires reinstalling the simulator.
How do I install free aircraft in MSFS 2024?
Most freeware aircraft are installed in the PC Community folder, although packages supplied with their own installer should use that installer instead.
- Extract the download. Do not place the compressed archive itself in the Community folder.
- Find the actual package folder. Its top level will usually contain files such as
manifest.jsonandlayout.json. - Copy that package into Community. The folder location depends on the PC store version and any custom Packages path selected during setup.
- Restart Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Search the aircraft selector by manufacturer or model rather than relying only on the package name.
- Check any dependencies. Install required libraries or base aircraft listed in the documentation, then restart the simulator again.
If the aircraft does not appear, check for an extra nested folder first. A structure such as Community/download-name/package-name/manifest.json is a common cause; the folder containing the manifest normally needs to sit directly inside Community. Conflicting versions of the same aircraft can also prevent loading, so retain only one copy.
Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PS5 Pro do not expose the PC Community folder. Their users can only install aircraft distributed through the simulator’s supported in-sim system, so a free PC download cannot simply be transferred to a console.