How do I get free planes in MSFS on PC, Xbox and PS5?
Find free MSFS 2020 and 2024 planes, install PC freeware correctly, and see why Xbox and PS5 aircraft must come through in-game channels.
On PC, get free Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft from our freeware library or a no-cost in-sim Marketplace listing, then install external packages in the Community folder. Xbox and PlayStation 5 cannot sideload downloads: their free planes must be included with the simulator, delivered by an official update or offered through a supported in-game channel.
Where can I download free planes for Microsoft Flight Simulator?
PC users can browse our MSFS aircraft and mods library for freeware airliners, general aviation, military, vintage and experimental aircraft.
| Aircraft source | PC | Xbox Series X|S | PS5 and PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Included with the simulator edition | Yes | Yes | MSFS 2024 only |
| Free in-game or Marketplace content | When offered | When offered | When offered for MSFS 2024 |
| External Community-folder freeware | Yes | No | No |
A Windows installation obtained through the Xbox app is still the PC version and can use Community-folder aircraft. The restriction applies when the simulator is running on an Xbox console.
Are all planes free in Microsoft Flight Simulator?
No. Each simulator edition includes a particular fleet, while other aircraft may be paid add-ons, free official content or PC freeware. Standard and higher-priced editions do not include the same aircraft, and owning a standard edition does not unlock premium-edition models.
There is no permanent list of every plane available at no charge. It depends on the simulator, edition, platform and content attached to the account; official free offers can also change. Check the edition details and your in-game aircraft library rather than relying on an old list.
How can I tell whether a download is a complete aircraft?
Read the package description before downloading because an aircraft-related file is not necessarily a new flyable aeroplane.
| Package type | New flyable aircraft? | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Complete aircraft | Usually | Any dependencies named by the author |
| Aircraft enhancement | No | The corresponding default, freeware or paid aircraft |
| Livery or repaint | No | The exact base aircraft for which it was made |
| Legacy conversion | Sometimes | Acceptance of possible cockpit, animation or flight-model limitations |
File size and screenshots are poor measures of quality. Prefer aircraft with an explicit simulator version, documented dependencies, installation instructions and known limitations. Our category-based freeware aircraft recommendations can narrow the choice.
How do I install a free aircraft on PC?
Most free MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 aircraft are installed by extracting the actual package folder into the Community folder while the simulator is closed.
- Confirm the package type. Make sure it is a complete aircraft rather than a livery, sound pack or enhancement requiring another model.
- Check compatibility and dependencies. Look for an explicit MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 statement and note every required base aircraft, avionics package or library.
- Extract the archive. Do not put a compressed ZIP, RAR or 7z file directly into Community.
- Find the package root. In a conventional package, the folder containing
manifest.jsonandlayout.jsonbelongs in Community. Remove unnecessary wrapper folders above it. - Use the correct Community folder. Its location depends on the simulator, store installation and any custom packages path. MSFS 2020 and 2024 use separate installations, so follow our detailed Community-folder installation guide if the location is unclear.
- Follow supplied installer instructions. Some aircraft use a dedicated installer instead of manual copying. Do not move the installer itself into Community.
- Restart and test in Free Flight. Clear restrictive aircraft-selector filters and look under the expected manufacturer or model name. Free Flight avoids the aircraft restrictions found in Career Mode and some activities.
How do I get free planes in MSFS 2024 on Xbox or PS5?
Console players must obtain free aircraft through the simulator because Xbox and PlayStation do not expose a user-managed Community folder.
- Open the supported in-game store or content area while signed into the account used for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
- Find an aircraft offered at no charge. Categories and filters vary by simulator and platform, so verify the displayed price rather than relying on a fixed menu path.
- Acquire and install it. Some packages must first be attached to the account and then downloaded or enabled in the content library or manager.
- Wait for installation to finish before checking the Free Flight aircraft selector.
A PC freeware ZIP cannot be installed on Xbox or PlayStation from USB storage, nor does downloading it under the same Microsoft account transfer it to a console. A Marketplace edition and an external PC package with a similar name are separate distributions.
MSFS 2020 was never released for PlayStation. MSFS 2024 is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PS5 Pro; the PlayStation version launched on 8 December 2025.
Are the same free planes available on every platform?
No. PC can use both external freeware and supported in-game aircraft, while consoles are limited to content distributed through the simulator. Many community aircraft therefore remain PC-only, and console availability should never be assumed from a PC download page.
Will MSFS 2020 aircraft work in MSFS 2024?
Treat an MSFS 2020 aircraft as compatible with MSFS 2024 only when its description or update notes explicitly say so. Custom avionics, external libraries, older flight-model configuration and specialised installers can otherwise cause blank displays, missing controls or loading failures.
Keep the installations separate and place the package in the Community folder used by the simulator being launched. If the author supplies distinct 2020 and 2024 versions, install the correct one rather than copying both.
Why is my free aircraft missing or not loading?
Incorrect folder nesting and missing base aircraft are the most common causes, but several problems can produce the same symptom.
- Missing from the selector: check filters, the expected manufacturer name, package nesting and whether the download is a complete aircraft.
- Wrong simulator version: verify compatibility and confirm that the package is in the Community folder belonging to the simulator being run.
- Blank displays or missing controls: install the stated avionics or library dependency and remove conflicting old versions.
- Invisible exterior or missing textures: extract the archive fully and check that the required base model is installed.
- Owned but absent on console: open the content library or manager and confirm that the package has finished downloading.
- Available in Free Flight only: Career Mode and some activities restrict eligible aircraft.
- Crash or endless loading: remove the add-on, restart MSFS and check that the release supports that simulator version.
- Broken after an update: delete the previous aircraft folder before installing its replacement. Merging releases can leave obsolete files behind.
- Possible add-on conflict: temporarily remove other Community packages, then restore them in small groups to isolate the cause.
Are free MSFS aircraft safe and legal?
Legitimate freeware is generally safe when it comes from an established library and provides clear authorship, instructions and licence terms. Freeware is not public domain: retain the readme, respect modification and redistribution restrictions, and avoid packages that appear to contain copied commercial assets.
Scan archives with the operating system's security tools and be cautious with unexplained executable files. Our freeware safety and compatibility checklist covers the warning signs to check before installing an aircraft.