Attended the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – World Preview Event! Here’s What You Need to Know

Hey fellow sim pilots! Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 RELEASES on November 19th, and I’m thrilled to finally talk about it now that the NDA has lifted. I was fortunate enough to be flown out to the breathtaking Grand Canyon, where I, along with several other creators and media outlets, got a chance to not only explore the real-world beauty of the canyon but also experience it firsthand in the Sim. Spoiler alert: both are stunning.

If you’re new here, welcome! I’m Jose, an Air Traffic Controller by day and a massive VR flight sim nerd by night. Today, I’m going to break down all the exciting updates coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and share some behind-the-scenes insights from the event. Let’s dive in!

A Dream Event at the Grand Canyon

It’s not every day you get invited to a world premiere event like this. Xbox reached out to me (and yes, they covered my trip), and it was an experience of a lifetime. What stood out to me was that they didn’t demand I create any specific content, no scripts or approvals—just pure creative freedom. That’s the kind of partnership I love. So shoutout to Xbox and the incredible team behind the event. The entire day ran smoothly, from the early 6 AM start to the final activities at 7 PM. Make sure you bookmark the page or check Youtube because I’ll be rolling out 4K interviews, gameplay footage, and VR coverage in the coming days.

VR: A Big Focus for 2024

VR is fully supported in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and this is where my passion truly lies. The moment I arrived at the event, my first request was, “Can I get a VR headset?” And they delivered big time with the Pimax Crystal Light! The experience was simply phenomenal, and VR pilots are in for an incredible journey. One of the standout features Microsoft is introducing is fixed foveated rendering, with dynamic foveated rendering (quad-view support) expected to follow soon, possibly even at launch. This marks a huge leap forward for immersive flight simulation.

Even better, I had the opportunity to chat with Jorg Neumann, Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, about VR. Jorg is a huge VR fan himself and uses the Reverb G2, which led to an in-depth discussion about Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) support. While we celebrated the advancements in VR, I expressed my concerns about the future of WMR. Specifically, once the Windows 24H2 Update rolls out, many WMR headsets wil likely become obsolete, essentially turning them into paperweights—a real concern for the small but dedicated WMR community. Nonetheless, the Pimax Crystal Light left a lasting impression, providing an amazing VR experience.

Setting up the VR took around 30 minutes (thanks to Khoi for the assist!), but once it was running, the results were impressive. Unfortunately, I didn’t have an FPS counter or access to tweak settings, so I couldn’t see the exact graphics settings, though I believe the PC was running on High/Ultra. The rig itself was a beast: originally thought to be a 13700k/3080 Super, but later confirmed as a 14900k/3080 Super with 64GB RAM. The performance in 2D was incredibly smooth, and while the VR experience was excellent, there’s definitely room for improvement, which we can expect to see with the new multi-threaded support.

Pimax Crystal Light

I’m excited to announce that I’ll soon be reviewing the Pimax Crystal Light headset, this is a cutting-edge VR headset designed specifically for high-end simulation experiences. It’s built to deliver a highly immersive experience, perfect for flight sims like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Stay tuned for an in-depth review, where I’ll put this powerhouse headset to the test and see how it enhances the virtual flying experience!

Core Features & New Updates

The new Sim is more than just pretty visuals (though the visuals are stunning). One of the significant changes coming in 2024 is multi-threaded support. The Sim now runs smoother, loads faster, and has a smaller client size (about 60 GB vs. the previous 170 GB). That means more performance efficiency and less strain on your hardware.

This does mean we will stream more online and recommended internet speed is 100MBPS you will now load data from online instead of having so many files on your computer. The cloud should help significantly in performance, although I hate to see as Microsoft has had number hiccups throughout the past years that knocks out Multiplayer, Loading, Login and this could be absolutely frustrating as it likely can’t be avoided 100%.

Again, Instead of downloading massive terrain files for the entire world, you’ll only download what you need when you fly over a specific region—say, Italy—cutting down on storage and bandwidth usage.

Career Mode, Challenges and Activities

Now, onto one of the most debated features—career mode. Some pilots have voiced concerns that Microsoft is “gamifying” the Sim/game, but after seeing it up close, I can assure you that’s not the case. Every activity in career mode—whether it’s firefighting, search-and-rescue, or agriculture—represents real-world pilot careers! Microsoft did their homework, consulting professionals in each field to ensure authenticity.

Personally, I think this mode will not only be fun but also educational, helping new and experienced simmers learn the intricacies of aviation in a whole new way. It’s a gateway for those who might not have the chance to fly in real life but still want a rich aviation experience.

A Massive Fleet of Aircraft!

Get ready for an exciting lineup in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with 45 new aircraft on the way! Out of these, 10 will feature highly detailed models with full hydraulic, fuel, and electrical systems, offering the most realistic experience to date. These advanced systems will also be accessible to developers through the SDK, allowing for even greater customization and realism in future add-ons.

The good news is that MSFS 2020 aircraft, airports, and scenery will remain compatible, though there may be some inevitable hiccups as we make the leap to the new platform. While developers might feel a bit overwhelmed at first, they’ll be quick to dive into updating their modules, ensuring a seamless transition for the community. Expect a flurry of updates as devs fine-tune their creations to meet the new standard of flight simulation excellence!

Enhanced Graphics & Technical Improvements

Visually, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 blows its predecessor out of the water. You’ll notice the stunning 15 cm terrain detail, enhanced atmospheric effects, and virtually zero pixelation on clouds. The line across the horizon that’s bugged so many of us? Gone. Sunsets are jaw-dropping, and even the Aurora Borealis is mapped into the Sim. We will also have RTX – Ray Tracing Lighting!

One of the coolest visual updates is wake turbulence, which will be dynamically affected by wind and weather conditions. If you’re flying in a crosswind, expect to see that turbulence drift across the runway—just like in real life. For VR users like me, this level of immersion is a game-changer.

Which Version of MSFS 2024 should you buy?

There are four unique packages available, each tailored to different levels of flight simulation enthusiasts. For those looking for something extra special, there’s also a bonus Limited Edition that comes packed with exclusive gear and some exciting swag!

Pricing for these packages starts at $69, offering a great entry point for beginners. For those seeking the ultimate experience, the Aviator Package, priced at $199, provides an impressive lineup of 125 aircraft and 160 custom airports, delivering unparalleled realism and variety in your virtual flying adventures.

If you’re looking for flexibility, you can also access the game through Game Pass Ultimate, making it even easier to jump into the world of virtual aviation without a large upfront commitment. Whether you’re a casual flyer or an aspiring pilot, there’s an option that fits your needs!

Preorder the sim here! https://www.flightsimulator.com/store/


Closing Thoughts: Why I’m Hyped

At the end of the day, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is more than just a visual upgrade. It’s about making the world of aviation more accessible, more realistic, and more immersive for everyone—whether you’re a professional pilot or just a passionate simmer.

There’s so much more I could talk about, from the technical updates to the in-depth interviews I had with the Asobo Studios team, but I’ll leave you with this: the future of VR flight simulation is bright, and I’m honored to be part of it. Stay tuned for more exclusive footage, reviews, and interviews coming soon. If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe here for written articles and follow on the rest of my Social Media for more content. There is so much more to cover and I hope to get it in my other videos and post.


Thanks for flying with me today—until next time, clear skies and tail winds and side not – check out these other content creators to see their coverage!

Here is the link to my full video
https://youtu.be/KNgyCROLnX8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNgyCROLnX8

Check out Sergio Costa article for a detailed breakdown and if helicopters are your thing!

https://www.helisimmer.com/articles/hands-on-msfs2024-global-preview-event

Check out Calum for another excellent preview!
https://fselite.net/content/first-look-hands-on-with-microsoft-flight-simulator-2024/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFdVixleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHa29xAItCi_RCfj9oyKS-2eCQ3gfRQzZSeVtWOmshuMKsDCS4F9Pum8yTg_aem_AmXV-HtDiF3h6zbg_inkww