Asobo Studio reveals 8 million pilots milestone and a major update adding new airports worldwide with more realistic AI traffic.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has reached 8 million registered pilots, representing a 40% increase since launch. The figure spans both Game Pass players and direct purchasers, demonstrating the growing mainstream appeal of the simulation genre beyond its traditional niche audience.
The latest major update adds over 500 new airports worldwide, all constructed using photogrammetry data for maximum real-world accuracy. The update includes Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang in Thailand, both receiving full high-fidelity overhauls — a welcome surprise for the local pilot community.
A new AI Air Traffic system sourced from live FlightAware data brings the skies to life with realistic aircraft movements and authentic ATC communications in multiple languages. Players will now hear Thai, Japanese, Arabic, and dozens of other languages from controllers around the world, creating an unprecedented level of immersive authenticity.