The upcoming version called the 40th Anniversary Edition is described as “a comprehensive celebration of the franchise with both a tribute to our past as well as an introduction to new and highly anticipated aircraft types.”
The update will be a completely free offering for those who already own Microsoft Flight Simulator or play it via Xbox Game Pass. It will be reintroducing some classic airports and adding four famous planes from earlier versions including Microsoft Flight Simulator X and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight, as well as two helicopters, two gliders, and a true-to-life airliner. Below is a complete list of the aircrafts coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition: Historical Aircraft:
Wright Flyer Ryan NYP (“Spirit of St. Louis”) Douglas DC-3 De Havilland Canada DHC-2-Beaver
Helicopters:
Bell-407 Guimbal Cabri G2
Gliders:
DG Flugzeugbau LG8-18 DG Flugzeugbau DG1001E neo
True-to-Life Airliner:
Airbus A310
Many of the above aircrafts were made in collaboration with the best third-party developers including iniSimulations, MilViz, Bluemesh, Aeroplane Heaven, and others. Also, the collaboration between Microsoft and Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum brings one of the world’s most famous planes, the “Spirit of St. Louis,” to the stimulator. Additionally, Microsoft Flight Simulator has also introduced an incredibly detailed Halo Infinite Pelican add-on in an exclusive partnership with the Halo franchise and 343 Industries. It’s available for free now in the in-game marketplace for owners of the sim and Xbox Game Pass members.