Support Team
Updated :
Platform and Retail Questions
Q: What platforms is Microsoft Flight Simulator available on?
A: Our PC version was released on August 18, 2020. It is available on PC Windows 10 via the Microsoft Store and Steam. The Xbox Series X|S was released on July 27th, 2021.
With cloud gaming, you can also play all that Microsoft Flight Simulator has to offer from your Android device, Windows device, Xbox console, and by browser on devices such as those running iOS and iPadOS.
Game Pass Ultimate or a supported free-to-play game is required for cloud gaming. Cloud gaming availability varies by region and Microsoft Flight Simulator can be played everywhere that cloud gaming is supported.
Q: Is Microsoft Flight Simulator going to be released on the Epic Store?
A: We have no news to share regarding additional versions, but our goal is to have Microsoft Flight Simulator available on as many platforms as possible.
Q: Is there any differences between the Steam and Microsoft Store version?
A: There is no difference. The sim shares the same multiplayer world and services. However, content is tied to the platform you are playing on—if you purchase a DLC on Steam, you cannot transfer it to the Microsoft Store version and vice-versa.
Q: Are people that have the sim on Steam able to play together with people from Microsoft Store?
A: Yes, the sim shares the same multiplayer world, content, and services. However, if you purchase through Steam, you will not be able to use the Xbox Play Anywhere functionality (PC Windows 10 and Console).
Q: Are achievements cross-platform?
A: Achievements are not cross-platform. If you unlock achievements on Xbox Live, they won't unlock on steam and vice-versa.
Q: Is a physical retail disc version available?
A: The retail disc version of Microsoft Flight Simulator PC is available in Europe only.
Q: What version is available with Xbox Game Pass for PC?
A: The standard edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator is available on Xbox Game Pass for PC.
Q: If I buy an Upgrade Pack or an aircraft/airport in the Marketplace, can I continue playing Microsoft Flight Simulator after my Game Pass subscription runs out?
Upgrade Packs and additional content do not include the Microsoft Flight Simulator base game. To continue playing Microsoft Flight Simulator you’ll need to purchase a digital copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator standard edition from the Microsoft Store or renew your Game Pass subscription.
Q: Is there a separate achievement list on Xbox One and Windows 10/11 PC?
A: There is no separate achievement list. It is shared across platforms.
Q: If I buy the simulator for PC will I be able to play on my Xbox? Is this an Xbox Play Anywhere title?
A: The Play Anywhere is a new initiative by Microsoft to combine platforms of gaming, letting Xbox gamers play on PC with any first-party Microsoft Studios published game that is digitally purchased and vice versa. Microsoft Flight Simulator is an XPA title.
Q: Are there multiple editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator for sale?
A: Yes. You can purchase the Standard, Premium, and Deluxe Edition.
Q: Is it required to sign in to a Microsoft Account to play outside of Xbox One and Windows 10?
A: Yes, it is a requirement.
Q: What computer specs do I need to run the sim smoothly?
A: Please review the minimum, recommended, and ideal specs below.
|
Min Spec |
Min Spec |
Recommended Spec |
Recommended Spec |
Ideal Spec |
Ideal Spec |
|||
|
AMD |
NVIDIA |
AMD |
NVIDIA |
AMD |
NVIDIA |
|||
| Min OS Version | Windows 10 Nov 2019 Update (1909) | Windows 10 Nov 2019 Update (1909) | Windows 10 Nov 2019 Update (1909) | Windows 10 Nov 2019 Update (1909) | Windows 10 Nov 2019 Update (1909) | Windows 10 Nov 2019 Update (1909) | ||
| CPU | Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel i5-4460 | Ryzen 5 1500X | Intel i5-8400 | Ryzen 7 2700X | Intel i7-9800X | ||
| GPU | Radeon RX 570 | NVIDIA GTX 770 | Radeon RX 590 | NVIDIA GTX 970 | Radeon Vll | NVIDIA RTX 2080 | ||
| VRAM | 2 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB | ||
| HDD | 150 GB | 150 GB | 150 GB | 150 GB | 150 GB SSD | 150 GB SSD | ||
| Bandwidth | 5 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 50Mbps | 50Mbps |
Q: Is license sharing allowed?
A: No, there is no license sharing. It requires explicit authentication per session.
Q: Can I upgrade editions?
A: Yes it is possible to purchase Upgrade bundles from the in-game Marketplace, but the most cost-efficient way to purchase Microsoft Flight Simulator is to buy the edition you are interested in. If you purchase an upgrade from the Marketplace, it is more advantageous to purchase the Premium Deluxe Upgrade.
In-Sim Questions
Q: What are the recommended peripherals to use to play Microsoft Flight Simulator?
A: Most peripherals will work, but here is our list of top recommendations.
| Honeycomb Aeronautical | ALPHA FLIGHT CONTROLS - YOKE AND SWITCH PANEL |
| Logitech | |
| Thrustmaster |
HOTAS WARTHOG (stick + throttle) T.16000M FCS Hotas (stick + throttle) |
| Virtual Fly | |
| Microsoft |
Please note if your peripherals are not on the list above, it is expected for them to still work but with more customization by the user to map the keys properly.
Q: What aircraft come with each edition?
A: Please review the list of aircraft below.
| Aircraft | MANUFACTURER | STANDARD | DELUXE | PREMIUM |
| A310-300 | Airbus | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| A320neo | Airbus | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| f/Pitts Special S2S | Aviat | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 747-8 Intercontinental | The Boeing Company | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| F/A-18E | The Boeing Company | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| XCub | CubCrafters | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NXCub | CubCrafters | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| JN-4 Jenny | Curtiss | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TBM 930 | Daher | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DHC-2 Beaver | De Havilland Canada | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DG-1001E | DG Aviation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LS8-18 | DG Aviation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DA62 | Diamond Aircraft | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DA40 NG | Diamond Aircraft | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DC-3 | Douglas | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EXTRA 330LT | EXTRA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flight Design CTSL | Flight Design | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cabri G2 | Guimbal | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| G-21A Goose | Grumman | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| H-4 Hercules (Spruce Goose) | Hughes Aircraft Company | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ICON A5 | ICON Aircraft | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VL-3 | JMB Aircraft s.r.o | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PC-6 B2 | Pilatus | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CAP 10 | Robin Aircraft SAS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DR400-100 Cadet | Robin Aircraft SAS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NYP "Spirit of St. Louis" | Ryan | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Beechcraft Bonanza G36 | Textron Aviation Inc. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Beechcraft Bonanza 350i | Textron Aviation Inc. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bell 407 | Textron Aviation Inc. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cessna 152 | Textron Aviation Inc. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000) | Textron Aviation Inc. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan EX | Textron Aviation Inc. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cessna Citation CJ4 | Textron Aviation Inc. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VoloCity | VoloCopter | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wright Flyer | Wright Cycle Company | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Savage Cub | Zlin Aviation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DA40-TDI | Diamond Aircraft | Yes | Yes | |
| DV20 | Diamond Aircraft | Yes | Yes | |
| Beechcraft Baron G58 | Textron Aviation Inc. | Yes | Yes | |
| Cessna 152 Aerobat | Textron Aviation Inc. | Yes | Yes | |
| Cessna 172 Skyhawk | Textron Aviation Inc. | Yes | Yes | |
| 787-10 Dreamliner | The Boeing Company | Yes | ||
| SR22 | Cirrus Aircraft | Yes | ||
| Virus SW 121 | Pipistrel | Yes | ||
| Cessna Citation Longitude | Textron Aviation Inc. | Yes | ||
| Shock Ultra | Zlin Aviation | Yes | ||
| TOTAL | 36 | 41 | 46 |
Q: What airports come fully hand-crafted for each edition?
A: The following is a list of customized, hand-crafted airports that come with each edition below. There will be over 37,000 airports in the sim.
| AIRPORT | ICAO | STANDARD | DELUXE | PREMIUM |
| Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (USA) | KASE | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bugalaga Airstrip (CAMA) (Indonesia) | WX53 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chagual Airport (Peru) | SPGL | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Courchevel Altiport (France) | LFLJ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Donegal Airport (Ireland) | EIDL | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Entebbe International Airport (Uganda) | HUEN | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport (Portugal) | LPMA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gibraltar International Airport (Gibraltar/UK) | LXGB | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Innsbruck Airport (Austria) | LOWI | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Los Angeles International Airport (USA) | KLAX | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tenzing-Hillary Airport (Nepal) | VNLK | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nanwalek Airport (USA) | KEB | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| John F. Kennedy International Airport (USA) | KJFK | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Orlando International Airport (USA) | KMCO | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (France) | LFPG | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Paro International Airport (Bhutan) | VQPR | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Queenstown Airport (New Zealand) | NZQN | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Ecuador) | SEQM | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rio de Janeiro-Antonio Carlos Jobim/Galeão Int'l Airport (Brazil) | SBGL | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (Dutch Saba) | TNCS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gustaf lll Airport (France/Saint Barthélemy) | TFFJ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (USA) | KSEA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sedona Airport (USA) | KSEZ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sirena Aerodrome (Costa Rica) | MRSN | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stewart Airport (Canada) | CZST | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sydney Airport (Australia) | YSSY | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Telluride Regional Airport (USA) | KTEX | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Haneda Airport (Japan) | RJTT | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Toncontin International Airport (Honduras) | MHTG | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (Canada) | CYTZ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands) | EHAM | Yes | Yes | |
| Cairo International Airport (Egypt) | HECA | Yes | Yes | |
| Cape Town International Airport (South Africa) | FACT | Yes | Yes | |
| O'Hare International Airport (USA) | KORD | Yes | Yes | |
| Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (Spain) | LEMD | Yes | Yes | |
| Denver International Airport (USA) | KDEN | Yes | ||
| Dubai International Airport (United Arab Emirates) | OMDB | Yes | ||
| Frankfurt Airport (Germany) | EDDF | Yes | ||
| Heathrow Airport (United Kingdom) | EGLL | Yes | ||
| San Francisco International Airport (USA) | KSFO | Yes | ||
| TOTAL | 30 | 35 | 40 |
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