Find the MSFS aircraft add-ons worth buying, from Fenix and PMDG airliners to A2A GA, with compatibility checks for PC, Xbox and PS5.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft add-ons most worth buying are the Fenix A320 for Airbus operations, PMDG 737 for Boeing procedures, A2A Comanche 250 for piston GA, Just Flight BAe 146 for classic regional flying, and a Black Square Duke for high-detail twins. Buy only after confirming simulator, platform and control compatibility.
Which payware aircraft are the best buys?
These five aircraft are strong purchases because each excels at a distinct type of flying rather than merely adding another similar cockpit to your hangar.
| Aircraft | Choose it for | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Fenix A320 | Detailed Airbus procedures, realistic airline sectors and a highly functional flight deck | PC only and dependent on companion software; the freeware A32NX may already satisfy less demanding Airbus pilots |
| PMDG 737 | Boeing procedures, route flying and deep system management | Different 737 variants are sold in separate packages, so confirm which airframe you actually want |
| A2A Comanche 250 | Hands-on piston GA, engine management, persistent wear and ownership-style flying | Best suited to PC pilots who enjoy careful operation rather than fast transport |
| Just Flight BAe 146 Professional | Classic regional airline operations and a cockpit requiring active pilot workload | Its older systems and lack of autothrottle are part of the appeal, but not ideal for automated long-haul flying |
| Black Square Duke | Complex analogue twins, failures, engine management and demanding IFR work | A specialised choice for experienced GA pilots rather than an easy first add-on |
For a version-specific comparison, see our flying-style breakdown of MSFS 2020 payware aircraft or the recommended aircraft for MSFS 2024 and its compatibility limits.
Will an MSFS 2020 aircraft work in MSFS 2024?
An MSFS 2020 aircraft is not automatically a safe MSFS 2024 purchase: it needs declared support from its developer, and compatibility, entitlement and platform availability are separate questions.
| Platform | What to verify before buying |
|---|---|
| PC with MSFS 2020 | Explicit MSFS 2020 support, the required simulator edition and any companion program or base-aircraft dependency |
| PC with MSFS 2024 | Explicit MSFS 2024 support; do not rely solely on a listing that says the aircraft was made for MSFS 2020 |
| Xbox Series X|S | An in-sim Marketplace listing for the exact simulator and Xbox compatibility; consoles cannot install external programs or packages in a Community folder |
| PlayStation 5 or PS5 Pro | An MSFS 2024 Marketplace listing that names PlayStation support; MSFS 2020 was never released on PlayStation |
Do MSFS 2020 purchases transfer to MSFS 2024?
Do not assume every purchase transfers automatically. An aircraft can be technically compatible with MSFS 2024 yet require an updated package, while a licence bought through one platform or sales channel may not grant the corresponding version elsewhere. Check both the upgrade policy and the supported platforms.
Are paid aircraft better than freeware?
Paid aircraft are not automatically better; they become worthwhile when they provide systems, flight behaviour, variants or ongoing support that a free aircraft does not.
The clearest example is the Airbus A320. The free FlyByWire A32NX is capable enough for many airline simmers, while the Fenix suits pilots who want more detailed aircraft systems and broader A320-family options. Our Fenix and FlyByWire A320 comparison explains where paying produces a meaningful difference.
Default aircraft also deserve a fair trial. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 includes several capable airliners, general-aviation types and specialised aircraft, so compare your edition against the aircraft already supplied with MSFS 2024 before buying a near-duplicate.
How do you avoid wasting money on an add-on aircraft?
- Match the aircraft to your regular flying. A detailed 737 is poor value if you mainly fly short VFR trips, just as a Comanche will not satisfy someone wanting scheduled airline operations.
- Read the systems list, not the adjectives. Terms such as “high fidelity” and “study level” are used inconsistently. Look for the specific avionics, flight-management functions, failures, persistence and engine modelling you care about.
- Check the exact package. Different variants may be sold separately, and a cheap listing may be only a livery pack rather than a flyable aircraft.
- Confirm simulator and platform support. External companion programs make some aircraft PC-only. Xbox and PlayStation users are limited to compatible products distributed through the in-sim Marketplace.
- Consider your controls. A complex airliner can be flown with a controller, but repeated cursor work and multi-key commands may make it frustrating. Check that essential functions can be bound to the hardware you own.
- Check prerequisites and licence terms. Some packages rely on content from a particular simulator edition, and upgrade or cross-platform rights vary by product.
Our buying rule is simple: choose the aircraft you will learn deeply, not the one with the longest feature list. For most simmers, one excellent airliner and one excellent GA aircraft deliver more lasting value than several overlapping types.