Learn how to view live traffic on the MSFS 2024 EFB map, enable the correct traffic source and fix missing aircraft icons.
To view live traffic on the map in MSFS 2024, enable Live Traffic or Real-Time Online traffic in the simulator’s online/traffic settings, then open the EFB, select Map and switch on its traffic or aircraft layer. Centre the map on your aircraft and zoom in; only nearby injected traffic appears.
How to show live traffic on the MSFS 2024 map
The EFB Map is the in-flight map you need; the pre-flight World Map is not a worldwide live-aircraft tracker.
- Enable online services: Check that the simulator’s online functionality is active and that you are connected to the service.
- Select live traffic: In the traffic settings, choose the option labelled Live Traffic or Real-Time Online traffic. Wording can vary between builds and platforms.
- Enter the flight: Traffic is loaded around your aircraft rather than across the entire globe. It may take a short time to populate after the flight starts.
- Open the EFB Map: Open the Electronic Flight Bag and select its Map page. Our guide to opening and using the MSFS 2024 EFB map covers the available access methods.
- Enable traffic symbols: Open the map’s layers or filters and make sure the traffic or aircraft overlay is enabled.
- Centre and zoom: Re-centre the map on your own aircraft and zoom into the surrounding area. Decluttering at wider zoom levels can hide traffic icons.
A mistake we see often is enabling multiplayer and assuming this also enables real-world airline traffic. They are separate sources: multiplayer represents other simmers, while Live Traffic uses real-world flight data to inject AI-controlled aircraft. Our MSFS 2024 traffic-source setup explains those options in more detail.
Why can’t I see live traffic icons?
Missing icons usually mean the live source, map layer or online connection is unavailable rather than that the map itself is broken.
- Traffic is visible outside but absent from the map: Turn on the aircraft overlay, reduce the map range and check for map decluttering.
- No traffic appears anywhere: Confirm online functionality and Live Traffic are enabled, then allow time for nearby aircraft to load.
- Only player aircraft appear: Multiplayer is active, but the real-world traffic source may still be disabled.
- An airport looks empty: Live data does not guarantee traffic at every airport or time. Data delays, filtering and service availability can also reduce the number of injected flights.
- Settings are correct but traffic remains missing: Reload the flight after changing the traffic source. If the problem persists, follow our live-traffic troubleshooting checks.
Does the MSFS 2024 map show every real-world aircraft?
No, the MSFS 2024 map shows traffic that the simulator has loaded into your local area, not every aircraft being tracked worldwide.
The available traffic is filtered and converted into simulator-controlled aircraft, so callsigns, positions, models and timings may not match a public flight-tracking display exactly. Live AI traffic, offline AI traffic and multiplayer traffic are also different systems; our explanation of how simulator live traffic works clarifies what each source represents.
Is EFB traffic the same as cockpit TCAS traffic?
No, the EFB map and the aircraft’s navigation display or TCAS are separate displays with separate controls.
If traffic appears on the EFB but not in the cockpit, enable the aircraft’s traffic overlay and set its TCAS or traffic system to the appropriate operating mode. Also check the selected display range. The exact controls depend on the aircraft; simpler aeroplanes may not have a cockpit traffic display at all.