Flight Simulator 2024: Big Update with 800 Plus Changes

Microsoft is releasing a comprehensive update for Flight Simulator 2024. Version 1.2.7.0 brings over 800 changes, including improved content management, stability optimizations and detail improvements to aircraft and the game world.

Better control over additional content

One of the most important innovations concerns the management of content from the marketplace. Users can now decide individually which content they want to activate from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. By default, this content is disabled to give players full control over their library. After installing the update, previously available aircraft must be manually enabled in the My Library menu to be visible again.

Stability and performance improvements

The update also focuses on improving stability and performance. Numerous crash causes have been addressed, including issues with the audio system, hardware interactions, and certain mission types. A new “Safe Mode” has been introduced that automatically disables third-party content after a crash to ensure a stable boot.

For Xbox users, memory usage for instrument textures has been reduced, which should reduce crashes on WASM-enabled aircraft. On Xbox Series S, the number of passengers on airplanes has also been limited at low settings to avoid memory issues.

Detailed improvements to aircraft and surroundings

Update 1.2.7.0 also brings numerous improvements to the aircraft models. Over 70 aircraft received an update including new liveries, improved cockpit features and new variants. For the Boeing 737 MAX 8, for example, new official liveries were added and the cabin was revised. The Airbus helicopter H125 received improved rescue winches.

The game world has been optimized in many places. Airports, attractions and vegetation in various regions of the world have been overhauled. We’re talking about improved collisions, optimized textures, improved LODs (Level of Detail) for standard, deluxe and premium airports and optimizations to well-known landmarks such as Mount Rushmore or the Sydney Opera House.

Technical improvements

According to Microsoft, technical aspects such as DLSS and latency have also been optimized. The update is intended to bring reduced noise and less pop-in effects when using Nvidia’s upscaling. In addition, the delay in HTTP requests has been reduced and the general boot time of the simulator has been optimized.