So, now we’re comfortably into 2026, what five add-ons do you consider essential for immersion in FS2024? These can be aircraft, airports (or other scenery), utilities… any freeware or payware you think changes the sim significantly enough to warrant a mention.
My top five (from fifth to first place)
5th: PMDG B737-800: this aircraft starts my top five list, partly because of the popularity of the real-world aircraft, but mainly because it’s such a well-rounded package. Sure, PMDG’s methods are often subject for critique, let’s say, but their work is pretty solid and well-respected. The versatility of the -800 series makes it the most popular choice of the NG set (that also includes the -600, -700 and -900) and the support from third-party painters is only truly matched by that for the Fenix Airbuses.
4th: Mamu Design Power Lines & Solar Farms: not a prefect add-on but extensive global coverage and good support from the developer. While you’re obviously not going to see much from 35,000ft, the effects of this package are very noticeable in most regions when approaching or departing airports. It’s particularly impactful at smaller GA airfields, where the collision detection of the pylons really does require that bit more care and attention. The solar farms I find less noticeable unless I’m low to the ground (mainly due to solar frams appearing as part of default satellite imagery) — and they’re not as good quality as those modelled by other developers — but they fill out the package, nonetheless.
3rd: Fenix A320 family: not an add-on that has a global effect, exactly, but one so well-rounded that it deserves a mention. It’s also one of the most popular short-haul narrow-bodies of all time. While some systems features of the FS Labs Airbuses might be more comprehensive, the Fenix for me as a package stands out. Great flight model, great visual model, great support, and of course the ubiquity of the real-world aircraft.
2nd: Seafront Sims Global Shipping ‘24: I’ve heard many say this add-on doesn’t interest them but it’s there almost everywhere you fly, subtly doing its thing in the background. Even at cruise height, large ships and their wakes are visible, and it’s the kind of add-on that, once you have it, you take it a bit for granted. But honestly, I couldn’t fly without it now. I tried the freeware GAIST and although the vessel variety is far better, some of the behaviour is problematic (certainly in FS2024) and I often saw very few ships around major ports such as Honolulu, Tokyo and Singapore. If you fly a lot from/to coastal airports, this add-on is an absolute must.
1st: BATC: this could apply to SI or FSHud, BATC simply being the ATC mod I use. Such mods have really changed the game and have resulted in less reliance on VATSIM (which has its restrictions and drawbacks). Full (if not yet perfect) ATC, reaching every corner of the globe, and available any time, night or day. The immersion these add-ons provide has for me been the biggest boost of 2026, and they will only get better henceforth. They are the future of flight simming, I think.
So, do you agree with my top five? What would your list look like?
It’s definitely top three!
