Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 News

[p][/p][p]The ongoing beta test for MSFS 2024 Sim Update 3 continues with two new pre-release builds this week. In case you missed it, you can see the release notes for each of these test builds here:[/p]

• [p]Sim Update 3 Beta (1.5.24.0) Release Notes – August 11th, 2025[/p]
  • [p]Sim Update 3 Beta (1.5.25.0) Release Notes – August 13th, 2025[/p]

[p]Earlier this week, we opened a survey in partnership with Xbox Research to solicit player feedback about the in-sim Marketplace. If you would like to share your opinions about the Marketplace with the development team, you can participate in the survey at this link. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us as the team looks to make future improvements to the Marketplace experience. Thank you to all who complete the survey![/p][p]As mentioned in the weekly Development Blog a few weeks ago, Microsoft Flight Simulator will be at Gamescom again this year in Cologne, Germany! If you are attending the event, please stop by our booth and say hello to members of the MSFS team. We always love meeting and chatting with our players and fans![/p][p]To coincide with Gamescom, next week we will be releasing both City Update 12 and Local Legend 21! We’re excited to share more information about both of these updates with you in the coming days![/p][p]Our efforts to backport selected aircraft from MSFS 2024 to MSFS (2020) continues. This week, three additional planes from MSFS 2024 are now available in the MSFS (2020) Marketplace: the Air Tractor AT-802, Pipistrel Taurus M, and Powrachute Sky Rascal.[/p][p]Last but certainly not least, August 18 is the five-year anniversary of the launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on PC! To celebrate, we’re asking the community to participate in our 5×5 event: for the fifth anniversary of MSFS, share your top five favorite things from the past year: they can be your best screenshots, your most memorable flights, your top five aircraft, your favorite third party add-on developers, and more! See this forum thread for more information and to share your personal MSFS 5×5![/p][p]– MSFS Team
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On Tuesday, Sim Update 16 for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) saw its full release. This update includes improvements to stability and performance to aircraft, avionics, and more! Click here to read the full release notes. We are also carefully monitoring player feedback regarding this update. We encourage all players to vote in our surveys here and leave a comment on our forums about your experience with SU16.[/p][p]Public beta testing for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Sim Update 3 remains ongoing. Yesterday, we released a new test build to those enrolled in the beta. You can see the release notes here:[/p]

• [p]Sim Update 3 Beta (1.5.23.0) Release Notes – August 6th, 2025[/p]

[p]Also this week, we released the latest monthly navigation data update (AIRAC cycle 2508) to players on all platforms. This update will be installed automatically the next time you launch the sim.[/p][p]Finally, there is currently an airport sale ongoing in both the MSFS (2020) and MSFS 2024 Marketplaces! You can save up to 72% on some of the top-rated airports as voted by the community. See this page for a list of all the airports that currently have discounted pricing.[/p][p]– MSFS Team
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Somebody's marketing team didn't stop to ask whether they should, only whether they could, and as a result Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is getting an expansion that lets you do a velociraptor fly-by. The Jurassic World: Archipelago add-on will bolt onto your globe the islands of Isla Nublar, Isla Sorna, and the rest of the Muertes Archipelago added in The Lost World because one dinosaur island wasn't enough...
Read more.

[p][/p][p]Enjoy discounted pricing during our Top-Rated Airport Sale![/p][p]For 7 Days starting on August 5th, save up to 72% on the following items:[/p][p] [/p][p]To purchase these discounted items, visit the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace on MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024, scroll down to the Top-Rated Airport Sale row, then select ‘See All’ and look for the savings. [/p]

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[/p][p]Public beta testing for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Sim Update 3 and Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) Sim Update 16 continues. Earlier this week, we submitted a new pre-release build for SU3 to volunteer community testers. You can read the release notes below:[/p]

• [p]Sim Update 3 Beta (1.5.21.0) Release Notes – July 30th, 2025[/p]

[p]As part of SU3, the team has been working on improvements to ATC localization for non-English languages. For any non-English speakers participating in the SU3 beta, please complete the short survey at this link to share your feedback about the ATC updates with the development team. Your responses make a huge difference in our improvement efforts![/p][p]Next month some members of the team will be in Cologne, Germany to attend Gamescom, the largest video game industry show in Europe. Microsoft Flight Simulator players can look forward to an exciting city update, a brand-new aircraft that many fans will recognize for use in the sim, and exciting and unique challenges for players to test their piloting skills.[/p][p]Just as we did last year, we are once again hosting a small in-person Microsoft Flight Simulator Community event in Cologne, Germany on the evening of August 23rd. This free event is a causal mixer between fans of MSFS and includes a buffet-style meal, drinks, and is meant for those who are 18+ in age. There is no presentation or exclusive information being presented at this event. You do not need a ticket to Gamescom to attend this event. Anyone wishing to attend can express interest by completing this web form.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Attendees at last year’s Gamescom MSFS Community event.[/p][p][/p][p]– MSFS Team[/p][p]
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