The naming trips up a lot of buyers. On Steam the older sim is now listed as “Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition,” and all four of its editions carry the 40th Anniversary name. It is not a version of MSFS 2024, and buying it does not give you MSFS 2024.
What the 40th Anniversary update added to MSFS 2020
Microsoft released the 40th Anniversary Edition on November 11, 2022, as a free update for everyone who owned MSFS 2020. According to Microsoft, it added:
- The Airbus A310 airliner
- Two helicopters and 14 heliports
- Two gliders and 15 glider airports
- Seven historical aircraft, including the Hughes H-4 Hercules (Spruce Goose)
- Four classic commercial airports and 24 classic missions
MSFS 2020 (40th Anniversary) vs MSFS 2024
| MSFS 2020 40th Anniversary | MSFS 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | August 18, 2020 (40th update November 11, 2022) | November 19, 2024 (PS5 December 8, 2025) |
| Platforms | PC, Xbox Series X|S | PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5 |
| Standard Edition content | 37 aircraft, 25 handcrafted airports | 70 aircraft, 150 handcrafted airports |
| List prices (Standard / Deluxe / Premium Deluxe / Aviator) | $59.99 / $89.99 / $119.99 / $189.99 | $69.99 / $99.99 / $129.99 / $199.99 |
| Storage (PC) | 150 GB | 50 GB (world data is streamed) |
| Minimum PC | Intel i5-4460 or Ryzen 3 1200, GTX 770 or RX 570, 8 GB RAM, DirectX 11 | Intel i7-6800K or Ryzen 5 2600X, GTX 970 or RX 5700, 16 GB RAM, DirectX 12 |
| Career Mode | No | Yes |
| Game Pass | Yes | Yes (Standard Edition) |
Prices are Steam list prices. Content counts come from the Steam listing for MSFS 2020 and Microsoft’s edition chart for MSFS 2024.
What MSFS 2024 adds
MSFS 2024 is a standalone sequel with a rebuilt core. Microsoft lists improved physics, deeper aircraft systems, a wear and tear and failure system, and a cockpit tablet in every aircraft. The world gains full seasons, animal herds, live ship traffic, worldwide heliports and glider airports.
The biggest gameplay change is the Career Mode, where you work your way up from flight training to jobs like firefighting, search and rescue and aerial advertising. Sim Update 7 in October 2026 also added the free National Championship Air Races mode. Our complete aircraft lineup lists every plane by edition.
Your 2020 add-ons and purchases
- Marketplace purchases from MSFS 2020 show up as owned in MSFS 2024’s My Library if you use the same Xbox account, according to Microsoft.
- Deluxe and Premium Deluxe 2020 content works in MSFS 2024 automatically on the same account.
- Community folder add-ons can be copied over, and Microsoft says the vast majority should work. Our compatibility answer covers the exceptions.
Is MSFS 2020 still supported?
Yes. In October 2026 Microsoft brought the Airbus H125 helicopter to MSFS 2020 “as part of our continued support of MSFS (2020),” and its 2026 roadmap included Sim Update 17 for the older sim, which the team said in September is planned for November. New features, though, land in MSFS 2024 first. See our MSFS 2020 support answer for details.
Which one should you buy?
MSFS 2020 is cheaper ($59.99 for the Standard Edition on Steam, and often much less during sales, with a low of $20.99 in October 2026) and runs on older PCs. MSFS 2024 is where development is happening, needs a stronger PC and a steady internet connection, and is the only one on PS5. If you are unsure, trying MSFS 2024 on Game Pass first is the cheapest way to find out. Our MSFS 2024 one year later editorial looks back at how the newer sim has matured.
