The wait is over! Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has officially landed on PC and Xbox Series X/S, introducing a wealth of new features and improvements to redefine the flight sim experience. Whether you’re a seasoned virtual pilot or a curious newcomer, this highly anticipated launch is sure to make waves in the gaming world.
Release Timing and Download Size
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 became available worldwide on November 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. EST. However, players can save time by taking advantage of the pre-installation feature if they’ve pre-ordered the game or have an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which includes the game from day one.
To pre-install, search for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on the Xbox app for PC or console, and select the option to preload. Keep in mind, though, that this process doesn’t download the entire game. Once the game officially launches, additional files will need to be downloaded, which may still take time depending on your internet speed.
The base installation size for MSFS 2024 is a modest 50GB—relatively small for a game of its scope. However, players should brace for a possible day-one patch that could significantly increase this size, as developers often use these updates to finalize tweaks and resolve last-minute issues.
Pre-Order Bonuses by Edition
Pre-ordering Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 comes with unique bonuses, which vary based on the edition you choose:
- Standard Edition: Includes the De Havilland Canada CL-415 Firefighting Aircraft.
- Deluxe Edition: Adds 25 additional aircraft and 10 extra international airports on top of the Standard bonuses.
- Aviator Edition: Expands further with 30 additional marketplace aircraft, in addition to the Deluxe Edition content.
For those whose systems don’t meet the hardware requirements, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers an alternative—cloud streaming. This enables players to experience MSFS 2024 without worrying about performance constraints.
Launch Day Woes
Despite the excitement, the launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 hasn’t been without turbulence. As of now, player reviews on Steam have been overwhelmingly negative due to widespread issues with downloads. Many players experienced difficulties preloading or even starting the download process, prompting some to humorously dub the game “Download Simulator 2024.”
One disgruntled user quipped:
“Ladies and gentlemen, a warm welcome to Download Simulator 2024. I’ve been in Download Simulator 2024 for exactly 43 minutes now and I’m only at 9%. So, if you were hoping it would go faster this time than in Download Simulator 2020, I have to disappoint you.”
Additionally, players who managed to launch the game encountered persistent server disconnects and lengthy queues. While these issues suggest server overload, it’s surprising given that Microsoft could have anticipated the high demand. As of now, the company has not provided an official response to these concerns.
