It is a classic move in the software industry: a new flagship product is released, and suddenly everything that came before is labeled as “outdated” or “incompatible.” However, when it comes to the transition from MSFS 2020 to MSFS 2024, it pays to look behind the curtain of sales pitches.

The Promise vs. The Reality

Microsoft emphasized from the beginning that FS24 is built on a new engine with a modular system designed for faster loading times and a smaller disk footprint. Developers often use this architecture as an argument to justify “upgrade fees,” claiming that sceneries must be completely rebuilt to support new features like ground tessellation, improved vegetation, or the updated lighting system.

The truth, however, is that MSFS 2024 features highly efficient backwards compatibility. In many cases, the new simulator recognizes the FS2020 data structure without issue. Users who simply move their sceneries into the new Community folder or link them via tools like Addon Linker are often pleasantly surprised: airports load, buildings are in the right place, and taxiways function as expected.

What Are You Actually Missing Without a “Native” Update?

Of course, there are differences, but they are often purely cosmetic. An older FS2020 scenery in FS24 typically lacks only the following details:

• Ground Tessellation: The ground appears flatter and lacks the extremely detailed 3D pebble or crack structures of the new system.
• Enhanced Vegetation: Trees and grass use the “old” models instead of the new, dense 3D flora.
• Seasonal Logic: Some legacy sceneries do not react as dynamically to the new winter mode as native FS24 products.

But: The core functionality—landing on a correctly lit runway, docking at a jetway, and navigating according to current charts—remains fully intact in 90% of cases.

The “Upgrade Trap”

While some developers offer discounts for returning customers, the changes in the “new” package are often minimal. A slight tweak to the lighting here, a swap of the vegetation there—and suddenly the customer is asked to pay again.

Our recommendation for all simmers: Test it yourself first! Before rushing to spend money on an upgrade, copy your FS2020 scenery into the new simulator. If the airport looks good to you and doesn’t cause crashes, there is absolutely no reason to reach for your credit card immediately.

Conclusion: Keep Calm and Fly On

Don’t get caught up in the marketing hype. MSFS 2024 is technically a close relative of its predecessor. Many sceneries you bought three years ago still look fantastic in the new sim. A new purchase is often only worthwhile if an airport has been completely researched from scratch and rebuilt using the latest techniques, such as ray-tracing optimization.

In flight simulation, now more than ever: those who wait and compare save money.

PS: By the way, the same applies to aircraft; almost all made for FS20 aircraft work in FS24.

Antalaha Airport is a scenery add-on depicting Antsirabato Aerodrome (FMNH) in northeastern Madagascar for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. And this little scenery is available via simMarket from the developer “Malagasy Flight Simers”. Not that many screenshots, but in the end the approach and taxi to the ramp will be nicer in MSFS2020.

The package includes custom ground textures and accurately modeled buildings alongside the RN53 road. The airport is set in a tropical environment known for vanilla production and lush vegetation. This add-on is designed for VFR flights and regional exploration within the SAVA region.

Aerosoft has released the Airbus A340-600 PRO for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, marking the arrival of one of the most iconic long-haul airliners in the modern sim ecosystem.

Developed in collaboration with ToLiss, the aircraft brings a high level of system depth and flight modeling accuracy, building on ToLiss’ established reputation within the Airbus simulation space. The result is a comprehensive widebody experience tailored for sim pilots seeking procedural fidelity and long-range operational realism.

The Airbus A340-600 is known for its distinctive four-engine configuration and extended fuselage, making it one of the longest passenger aircraft ever built. Its inclusion in MSFS expands the long-haul segment with a platform capable of handling intercontinental routes and complex airline operations.

According to Aerosoft, the A340-600 PRO focuses on delivering accurate Airbus system logic, refined flight dynamics, and a detailed cockpit environment. From flight management and autoflight behavior to engine performance and handling characteristics, the aircraft is designed to replicate real-world procedures across all phases of flight.

Visually, the add-on features a fully modeled flight deck with immersive lighting and carefully reproduced textures, while maintaining optimized performance to ensure usability during long-haul sessions. This balance between depth and efficiency positions the aircraft as a viable option for extended operations within both MSFS20 and MSFS24.

With this release, Aerosoft strengthens its widebody portfolio and introduces a long-anticipated aircraft to the platform, offering simmers a new opportunity to explore ultra-long-range routes with a high degree of realism.

Add this impressive airliner for your long-haul airliner operations via SIMMARKET.

Key Features

• Advanced Airbus systems developed in collaboration with ToLiss
• Highly accurate flight and engine modeling
• Detailed and immersive cockpit environment
• Optimized performance for MSFS20 and MSFS24

Coming soon: the iniBuilds TriStar for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024! 

They take you through some of the capabilities and features of the TriStar, from its unique three-engine design and classic cockpit systems to operations across a variety of airports and flight conditions.

All of this in a YouTube movie, for more then 45 minutes, so grab a cup of coffee:

UK2000 Scenery has released Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (KPSM) in new Hampshire, USA, for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, bringing a detailed rendition of this versatile New England airfield to the platform.

Located along the scenic northeastern coastline of the United States, Portsmouth International Airport at Pease serves as a dynamic regional gateway connecting southern New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. The airport’s dual civilian and military heritage creates a varied traffic environment, where general aviation, cargo operations, and military activity intersect on a daily basis.

In this latest release, UK2000 Scenery focuses on delivering a balanced combination of visual fidelity and operational performance. The airport features accurately modeled infrastructure, detailed apron layouts, and high-resolution ground textures, all designed to reflect the real-world layout while maintaining smooth performance across both MSFS versions.

The wide runways and expansive ramp areas make Portsmouth particularly well suited for a broad range of operations, from light GA aircraft to larger regional and cargo traffic. Combined with its coastal surroundings and proximity to historic New England towns, the airport offers a compelling mix of scenic flying and practical routing options.

With this addition, UK2000 continues to expand its MSFS portfolio with recognizable and operationally relevant airports, catering to sim pilots seeking both realism and versatility in their route networks.

Key Features

• Optimized performance for smooth operations
• Highly detailed airport environment for MSFS20 and MSFS24
• Accurate buildings, aprons, and infrastructure
• High-resolution ground textures
• Realistic airfield lighting

Click here to get your copy from SIMMARKET store.

Enhance your flights to Westray, one of the northern islands of the Orkney archipelago. This scenery enhances Westray Airport and the surrounding northeastern part of the island, including the scenic Noup Head Lighthouse area. As seen above. This little scenery, perfect for the VFR flyers, is available via simMarket.

The project recreates the local houses, farms, and barns across this part of the island to give the landscape a much more authentic rural feel when flying low over Westray. The airport area and nearby coastline have also been enhanced with additional details, objects, and vegetation to better capture the atmosphere of this remote North Sea island.

This area is especially popular among sim pilots flying the famous short hop between Westray Airport and Papa Westray Airport, known as one of the shortest scheduled flights in the world.

Features

• Enhanced Westray Airport (EGEW)
• Detailed Noup Head lighthouse area
• Custom houses, farms, and barns across the northeast part of Westray
• Improved terrain and local details
• Designed for low-level VFR exploration
• Optimized for performance

Note: This scenery focuses on Westray Airport and the northeastern part of the island and does not cover the entire island.

In just one week, the flight simulation community will gather at the iconic Aviodrome Aviation Museum in Lelystad for one of the largest annual sim events in Europe.

More than 60 exhibitors and over 5,000 enthusiasts are expected, turning the historic aviation venue into the global meeting point for developers, sim pilots, cockpit builders, and aviation fans.

SIMMARKET Platinum Sponsor on site

SIMMARKET will be present at FlightSimWeekend 2026 with several highlights for visitors.

• The Leonardo Software House team behind Fly The Maddog X will showcase the new 20th Anniversary Edition of their advanced McDonnell Douglas MD-80 simulation for MSFS24/20.
• Developer Fabio Merlo will also be on site to reveal the next iteration of FlightControlReplay and FlightControlSpotter, with early Alpha builds available for testing and discussion with the community.
• Visitors can additionally pick up OnAir Airline Manager flyers and discover current offers for OnAir Airline Manager directly at the SIMMARKET booth, in front of WINCTRL hardware booth.

Tickets
https://flightsimweekend.com/tickets/

World Premieres and Big Announcements

The FSElite Stage will once again serve as the central hub for the biggest moments of the weekend. Expect:

• Exclusive reveals and product premieres
• Developer presentations and deep-dive technical sessions
• Major announcements shaping the future of flight simulation

The full presentation schedule is now available.

Event schedule
https://flightsimweekend.com/schedule/#stage

Seating is first-come, first-served, and the room will be cleared after each session to ensure fair access for everyone attending multiple talks.

Official 2026 Event Merchandise

The FlightSimWeekend 2026 merchandise collection is now available for those who want to represent the community during the show.

From walking the exhibition floor to attending the Captain’s Dinner or catching presentations on the FSElite Stage, visitors can pick up the official event T-shirt ahead of time.

Official event shirt
https://store.thresholdx.net/products/fsweekend2026-official-event-tshirt

Hands-On Cockpit Building Workshops

MobiFlight will host practical workshops across both days of the event.

Participants will:

• Build a multi-function controller
• Configure it live with the simulator
• Learn how to integrate hardware using MobiFlight — no coding required

Attendees build the controller during the workshop and take it home afterward.

Workshop registration
https://shop.mobiflight.com/product/mobiflight-workshop-fsweekend26/?v=82a9e4d26595

Pre-registration currently includes a €10 discount, but places are limited.

Planning Your Arrival

To streamline arrival at the venue, organizers recommend using public transport whenever possible.

Public Transport

• From Lelystad Centrum: RRReis Line 7 directly to the Aviodrome
• Connexxion Line 207 to “Eendenweg/Vliegveld” (5-minute walk)

Route planner
https://9292.nl

Parking Options

• P4 – €6.00 (recommended): shuttle bus service to the museum
• P1 & P2 – €7.50: limited spaces within walking distance

More info
https://flightsimweekend.com/tickets/

Join the Community Before the Event

Visitors can also connect with attendees and organizers through the official community server.

Discord
https://discord.com/invite/YNZ3erDwEg

With major developers, hardware makers, and thousands of enthusiasts preparing to descend on Lelystad, FlightSimWeekend 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest gatherings the hobby has seen this year.

IndiaFoxtEcho Visual Simulations has released version 1.0.5 of its Eurofighter Typhoon for Microsoft Flight Simulator, followed immediately by a hotfix addressing several issues reported shortly after the update went live.

According to the developer, a few small glitches were identified by users soon after the release, including problems with the Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) on certain variants and incorrect behavior of the HOTAS shift logic affecting the DMS control. While relatively minor, these issues could be noticeable during normal operation, prompting the team to issue a corrective update without delay.

The updated version is already availble at SIMMARKET. As usual, customers of the Microsoft Marketplace will have to wait several days before they can have their hands on it, maybe on the following Thursday.

Beyond the hotfix items, version 1.0.5 also introduces a series of improvements across the aircraft’s cockpit visuals, flight model tuning, and avionics presentation. Several visual details inside the cockpit have been corrected, including missing panel elements and improved backlighting, while minor refinements to engine thrust tables, drag coefficients, and control response aim to further polish the aircraft’s handling characteristics.

Version 1.0.5 Changelog (March 14th, 2026)

Cockpit model

• Fixed missing bolts and panel color in quarter quarter panel covers
• Fixed missing backlighting on left glareshield
• Improved backlighting
• Removed LED dot matrix from DRF button (not present in real life)

External model

• Fixed reversed animation of targeting pod bank angle

Avionics

• Fixed minor graphical switch on HDHUD format on LMHDD

Flight model

• Minor tweaks to engine thrust tables
• Minor tweaks to drag coefficients
• Minor tweaks to aileron response

Miscellaneous

• Fixed incorrect position of tail navigation light
• Fixed bug preventing DMS to work as intended in UNSHIFTED HOTAS mode
• Revised AT Mach hold engagement logic
• Fixed bug preventing HMD to work on some variants

In the video below, the youtuber Fast Times Vero shows you a quick tutorial to handle this attractive jet fighter.

SamScene introduces a major Chinese aviation hub to Microsoft Flight Simulator with its detailed rendition of Haikou Meilan International Airport for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.

Located on the northern coast of Hainan Island, the airport serves the provincial capital of Haikou and stands as the largest and busiest airport in the region. Positioned approximately 25 kilometers southeast of the city center, ZJHK acts as a primary gateway connecting the island to mainland China and international destinations across Asia.

Approaches to the airport often unfold over the waters of the South China Sea, with coastal scenery and urban skylines guiding aircraft toward the airport’s modern infrastructure. The facility features two large passenger terminals and expansive aprons designed to handle significant domestic and international traffic.

The scenery recreates the airport environment with carefully modeled terminal buildings, accurate runway and taxiway layouts, and high-resolution ground textures that reflect the scale of this growing aviation hub. Dynamic lighting further enhances the atmosphere during evening operations, highlighting terminal architecture and ramp activity.

Designed for both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, the package aims to deliver a detailed yet performance-optimized representation of Haikou’s primary airport.

Take a look at the complete screenshots collection and the features description at SIMMARKET.

Channel Islands Photo HD Released for X-Plane 11 and 12

Spark Films expands the visual landscape of the English Channel with the release of Channel Islands Photo HD, a high-resolution photographic scenery package for X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12.

The scenery covers the archipelago known as the Channel Islands, located between southern England and the northern coast of France. The package recreates the region using detailed photo terrain designed to highlight the islands’ distinctive geography—dramatic sea cliffs, patchwork farmland, sheltered harbors, and winding coastal roads.

Pilots can explore the four main islands included in the scenery: Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark. With their relatively short distances from one another, the islands are well suited for scenic VFR flying and island-hopping routes.

The high-resolution photo textures enhance the natural color variations of the region, from deep green countryside to rocky coastal formations and tidal beaches exposed during low tide. These visual improvements add depth and realism to coastal approaches and low-level exploration flights throughout the area.

Designed for compatibility with both X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12, the scenery provides broad regional coverage while maintaining smooth performance during island operations.

Click here to open the respective product page at SIMMARKET.

Also available from the same developer :

PROVENCE / ALPES DU SUD – PHOTO HD XP11/12	FRENCH RIVIERA / CAMARGUE – PHOTO HD
BRITTANY SCENERY PHOTO HD – NORD XP11/12	BRITTANY SCENERY PHOTO HD – SUD XP11/12