Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 release date: Pre-order and latest news
Get ready for take-off.
From Alaska to Tokyo to the south of France, Microsoft Flight Simulator is a great way to see the world without leaving the comfort of your sofa.
And now, after a four-year gap, a new version is set to launch for modern consoles and PC.
Building upon planes, you can also jump into a jumbo jet, a helicopter, a glider, an airship or even a hot air balloon to circle the globe.
Plenty of new missions are set to be available, such as air search and rescue, aerial firefighting and crop dusting. Just be prepared for new environmental dangers like snow, wildfires and tornadoes that are set to challenge even the best of pilots.
As you wait for departure, we've rounded up everything you need to know about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – including its release date, release time, trailers, gameplay details and more.
When is the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 release date?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is due to land on 19th November 2024, which is right around the corner.
That gives you little time to organise your in-flight entertainment, select your snacks and pack your bags - metaphorically, of course.
When is the UK launch time for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
Xbox has confirmed that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will simultaneously launch at 8am PT on 19th November 2024. That means that those in the UK can start playing from 4pm.
When it comes to pre-loading the game, a very minute 330MB is available to download ahead of time.
So, whether or not you do this ahead of time, there will still be a big portion left to download come launch day.
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Can I pre-order Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
Microsoft Flight Simulator is currently available for pre-order. You can do so on the game’s official website, or via Xbox’s digital storefront.
It’s good news if you’re a subscriber to Xbox Game Pass, as the game will be dropping there on the day of release too.
Alternatively, you can buy downloadable codes from websites such as Amazon or pick up a glossy looking deluxe edition at GAME.
Speaking of which, there are several different versions of the game to pre-order. Each one comes with a different number of aircraft and airports included; standard (70 aircraft, 150 airports), deluxe (80 aircraft, 155 airports), premium deluxe (95 aircraft, 160 airports) and aviation edition (125 aircraft, 160 airports).
Lastly, there’s a limited collector’s edition which comes with a heap of extra goodies including a luggage tag, a flight bag, an Antonov An-225 model plane and a jumbo steelbook.
Which consoles and platforms can play Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will be available on console and PC platforms – more specifically, the game will be released on Xbox Series X/S and Microsoft Windows.
As the game is made by Microsoft, it’ll come as no surprise that the game is exclusive to Xbox when it comes to consoles.
It will also be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. For those who prefer to play using a mouse and keyboard, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will be available via Steam.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 gameplay and story details
Unless you conjure up a compelling mystery in your head, there’s no real story to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, as you’d expect.
However, there is the usual Career game mode, where you work your way up the ranks, gaining experience and certification until you can fly whatever you like.
There’s also an option to play as a photographer and tour the world taking pictures of landmarks and areas of natural beauty in a series of challenges - it sounds like a virtual holiday, which is precisely what we’ll need here in the UK in mid-November.
A new challenge league is coming to the game, as well, where players can compete against each other across activities like races and precision landing tasks.
In terms of the game’s nuts and bolts, there’s now an enhanced physics system that heightens the simulation’s level of detail. A flight planner system will help you work out the best route and take note of the weather as well as fuel and payload planning.
One of the most notable new features is the ability to land anywhere in the world and exit your aircraft, where you’ll be able to wander around 27 different biomes that include detailed recreation of vegetation, wildlife and nature like rocks and flowers.
Is there a Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 trailer?
Yes, there are several trailers for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. It was shown off at Xbox’s showcase in the summer and we’ve included it below.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will launch on 19th November 2024 across Xbox Series X/S and Microsoft Windows.
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Authors
Joshua Lamb is a freelance writer at Radio Times Gaming, covering news and guides. He is also a games journalist and critic at The Times where he reviews the latest titles, having also previously reported on events such as Gamescom and the BAFTA Game Awards.
Matt Poskitt is a freelance journalist who specialises in arts and culture – be that movies, TV, video games, tech or otherwise. Matt headed up the games and entertainment section at T3 (Future Publishing), alongside being found across The Guardian, CNET, PC Gamer Mag, GamesIndustry.biz, Insider, iNews, IGN, TechRadar, PC Gamer Mag, NME and many more.
