I’ve been quite exclusively using the FBW A320 as my go-to airliner since it’s introduction two years ago. When it was released, it was considered leaps and bounds better than Asobo’s default A320. Just curious to see what folks consider the better aircraft these days, and has the default one finally caught up to FBW’s in terms of features and functionality?
I can’t really find working liveries for the FBW anymore since the last couple major updates, so I’m thinking of finding something new.
The stock A320 hasn’t changed. Almost nothing new. The Fenix A320 is better than both of them, and there’s a debate about that vs. the PMDG 737.
Thank you for this! I’m willing to pay for something new and better, with working liveries, preferably available on the marketplace.
Neither the Fenix nor PMDG 737’s are on Marketplace. If you’re on PC you’d be better served steering clear of it anyway.
Instant access to updates outweighs any convenience MP may have.
The Fenix is superior to FBW and the Asobo A320 isn’t even in the same ball field as either.
The PMDG 737’s are great and getting better.
Can’t go wrong with either. Just a matter of preference Airbus Vs. Boeing.
Fenix A320 is amazing, but for now PMDG 737 is the best so far with constant updates
I would recommend it over any airliner for now. FBW A320 is behind Fenix A320 though.
Thank you for your feedback. Do you mean steering clear of the Marketplace? I just assumed anything on the MP would be most stable, the safest for my PC, and the most complete. Can you clarify?
Yes, as a PC user, there is no need to use the Marketplace, unless the product you wish to buy, is only available from there (like Carenado products for example).
Some PC folks like it, because they like to keep all their purchases from one location.
The downsides are
Whether you buy the product from the vendor directly or Marketplace, it’s the same product so no need to worry about safety.
Just do your research ahead of time.
A prime example would be the PMDG 737.
We can pretend it was on the Marketplace (it isn’t). SU12 broke the parking break on it and they released a fix within hours of SU12 launching.
Those who bought it direct could get the fix and the plane was usable again.
Anyone who bought it from MP, need to wait weeks / months for the update to get pushed through so now you are stuck with a product you can’t use because the update isn’t available.
Of course this is fictional as the PMDG isn’t on the Marketplace, but this scenario happens often.
Gotcha. Thanks for that.
The -700 is on the MP.
I don’t fly airliners, but there is also the Leonardo MD-82. Someone else might be able to chime in on how good that is, though I suspect you’re looking for modern birds as you didn’t mention the A310 that’s now in the game.
Sorry, but I disagree with the statement that FBW is behind Fenix. I think the gap between both products is very tiny. So tiny that is very unfair said that. Some example features: VNAV, CDU, cockpit tablet, simbrief integration, audio fx, audio announcements, etc. And in my humble opinion, if we talk about texturing, I definitively prefer FBW.
If we talk about support and updates, FBW (developer and experimental versions) receive several updates weekly. And almost instant support in their discord server. And with an excellent documentation site. And don’t forget: better performance than Fenix and very stable even in the developer version offering “almost” the same features.
And not only free, but also OPEN SOURCE. As veteran simmer, this project never ceases to amaze me.
The Marketplace is changing this month. The statement about slow updates, etc will no longer be true. The Marketplace will be vastly improved in a few days and I plan to use it more on PC.
Be aware though that the Fenix is very demanding peformance-wise. For me it tanks framerates like no other plane I have.
Absolutely true, but you can tweak for it and it does run well once you do.
V2 is supposed to address allot of that.
What was said is in the works versus the reality will remain to be seen.
The Fenix has full fidelity non-normal operations and circuit breakers.
But you are right for day to day normal flying both are great.
Yes, the FBW is a very good plane and i still fly it regularly, with great pleasure. But to say it’s on par with the Fenix is a bit of a stretch imho, even compared with the EXP-version. VNAV, Cost Index, sec. flightplan, etops-planning, perf. calc., mcdu, failures, circuit breakers, etc. The Fenix is by far the more complete plane, and that’s perfectly ok for a free addon like FBW. But obviously the Fenix is also by far the heaviest for your system. If i want to fly to EGKK-mod, i’ll take the FBW. But, apart from fps, if you’ve purchased the Fenix there is little reason to fly the FBW anymore.
We hope. There is absolutely no guarantee. It’s A LOT easier for a developer to keep their own updates up to date than for a single organization to deal with a weekly flood of new products and updated products. I’ll throw my lot in with my ability to keep the planes I fly up to date rather than wait for somebody else who has to deal with a ton of work. I don’t think people realize how much work the Marketplace staff have to do.
The best airliner? Matter of preference. I’d not touch an Airbus, did that in P3D, bored me to death, MD80 for me atm. Apples and oranges 
Yes, the new Marketplace has the developers responsible for their own updates. Much easier