The 7 Best Aircraft to Fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator in 2025 – Complete Guide

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, there are a lot of different planes, and each plane falls into one of the four main types: Airliners, Turboprops, Jets, and Propellers.

These aircraft types differ significantly from each other and are suited for different purposes. For example, some can fly higher or do barrel rolls, while others can travel farther or be handled easily.

Therefore, if you’re just starting MSFS, it’s best to look up the best aircraft to fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator for your preferences. Trust me, the last thing you would want to do is select a jet and take off from a small rural airport!

That said, in this article, I’ll be showing you the best planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator to fly in 2025 and beyond. Let’s get started!

Textron Aviation Cessna 152

If you’re new to Microsoft Flight Simulator, the Cessna 152 is a great place to start. This little plane is light, easy to handle, and doesn’t move too fast. In other words, it’s perfect for beginners who want to learn the basics of flying without feeling overwhelmed.

The Cessna 152 is often used in flight schools in real life, and there’s a good reason for that. It teaches you how to control the plane smoothly and helps you get used to how flying really feels. In MSFS, it’s ideal for short-distance flights, practising take-offs and landings, and flying around small airfields.

With a cruise speed of around 107 knots and a range of 415 nautical miles, don’t expect it to cross countries, though it’s perfect for relaxing local trips. If you’re looking for a forgiving, beginner-friendly experience, this is one of the best aircraft to fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Daher TBM 930

After you've learned the basics on the basics of flying the Cessna 152, transitioning to the Daher TBM 930 would be impeccable. This is a much faster plane than you've grown accustomed to as it has a cruise speed of roughly 330 knots. It has a distance range of 1,730 nautical miles and a ceiling of 31,000 feet.

Therefore, this is excellent for cross-country as well as international routes and times. But keep in mind, with great speed and great strength comes great responsibility—well, control—as this plane is much more touchy, and a bit harder, to land and manoeuvre than what you've been used to thus far.

However, it is still very much beginner-friendly; it just now requires more reflexes and awareness with that beginner-friendliness. This would be an excellent next step for those seeking something faster and bigger, since it is one of the best aircraft to fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner (Premium)

The Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner is a true giant in Microsoft Flight Simulator, and yes, it lives up to the hype. If you’ve got the Premium edition of the game, you’ll be able to fly this massive, modern airliner designed for long-haul flights across continents and oceans.

With its sleek design and lightweight materials, the Dreamliner is built to be fuel-efficient, fast, and smooth in the air. It can carry hundreds of passengers and cover thousands of miles without needing to stop. That makes it perfect for simmers who enjoy planning long-distance routes and experiencing realistic airline operations.

Now, it’s not a plane for total beginners — it’s big, complex, and a bit heavy to control at first. But once you get used to it, the Dreamliner becomes one of the best planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator, especially for fans of commercial aviation and long-haul journeys.

Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan EX

The Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan EX is the next step you'd want after going a step up from propeller planes, but still not a full-fledged jet. It's known as a turboprop, which means it has a turbine engine, yet it still flies and operates like a propeller plane as opposed to a turbine engine/jet/fan plane. 

It’s the perfect middle ground for pilots who are ready to move up. One engine, enough horsepower, and the ability to take off from short runways. It's easy to fly, carries more weight, and works for bush flying, cargo runs, and interstate travel. It's also stable, which makes practising landing so much easier.

If you want to get a lot done without having a huge plane, this is one of the best planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Zlin Aviation Savage Cub

Zlin Savage Cub is one of the best aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator if you like to fly slow and low and enjoy the scenery. Of course, the Zlin Savage Cub cruise speed is about 91 knots, which is relatively slow. But for those who want to take in all of MSFS's virtual induced beauty, that's a good thing.

The Savage Cub is small, light, and incredibly easy to fly. It's also very durable, featuring an all-metal body, which means it can take off and land in various conditions, whether developers create rough airstrips, grassy airstrips or dirt runways. Many players use it for bush flying or backcountry exploring, where big planes simply can’t go.

With a range of around 377 nautical miles and a max altitude of 14,400 feet, it’s great for short trips in nature. If you're in no rush and just want to relax and explore, the Savage Cub is one of the best aircraft to fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator for peaceful flying.

Aviat Pitts Special S2S

Want to pull off wild stunts in the sky? The Aviat Pitts Special S2S is one of the best planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator to get some good flying in. This small, compact and fun little plane is for aerobatics—flips and rolls, and any other fun things you can think of doing in the air. It is light, fast and incredibly reactive, making the whole experience less simulation and more live action.

Although the cruise speed is about 150 knots and the range is about 298 nautical miles, it's not for long travel. But that's okay; it's not for travelling somewhere. You can fly it upside down, spin through the air, or zip between mountain peaks. It can take the pressure of such movements, as well as bad weather, rough landings and tight turns.

Cessna Citation Longitude

For serious simmers who want to go high, fast, and far, and at the same time, this is one of the best planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Cessna Citation Longitude is what you'd expect from a business jet, and for a good reason. It can cruise at 483 knots, it can fly up to 45,000 feet, and it has a gross range of about 3,500 nautical miles.

Although this range is short on some international scales to get other flights done, it could get you from the East Coast to Europe without stopping or from the West Coast to Hawaii.

As such, it's a great plane for beginners to download despite its complicated appearance. The cockpit isn't as complicated as one would think, and if you've flown a couple of Cessnas/other smaller propeller planes, you'll understand what's needed for take-off and landing. In addition, it's straightforward to land compared to other jets.

To Wrap It Up

In conclusion, which is the best aircraft to fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator? It all depends on what you crave, sightseeing or great distances and stunts. Either way, I hope this guide helped you find your bearings. There's something for everyone in Microsoft Flight Simulator, whether you're a new player, a casual flyer, or someone who's obsessed with yearning for realistic extreme-long hauls.

From the beat-up, yet reliable Savage Cub to the top-of-the-line Citation Longitude, every plane has a personality and experience. All you need is the correct plane and knowledge to either stunt, land successfully, or get from Point A to Point B across state lines. So play around, enjoy the ride and take to the skies!