Microsoft Flight Simulator's new Australia update touts a "new standard in realism"

The development team is touting World Update 21 as its most realism-focused update yet.

The last World Update for Microsoft Flight Simulator landed back in September of 2025, targeting Japan, and finally, fans have received a new drop in 2026. This one, numbered World Update 21, is carrying a massive number of visual upgrades to the terrain and cities of Australia. Watch the reveal trailer above for some glimpses of the newly upgraded regions and sites.

The development team is calling this World Update a "new standard in realism for pilots," touting a partnership between Bing Maps, Vexcel, Gaya, and Asobo to achieve "lifelike realism and visual fidelity."

"Australia is home to some of the world’s most spectacular sights and destinations, including stunning coastlines, vast deserts, beautiful mountains, and architectural marvels," adds the developer. "Renowned attractions include the Sydney Opera House, one of the most distinctive structures in the world; the Twelve Apostles, iconic sea stacks on the Southern Ocean coastline; vast sweeps of interior desert; and lush stands of rainforest."

The update brings in 40 new areas of interest from the real world that have been recreated in the simulator with photogrammetry and triangulated irregular network surface texturing. These locations span the six Australian states and the self-governing territories. The new coverage spans major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, and Canberra) as well as regional hubs and natural landmarks for players to fly over and explore.

At the same time, six new handcrafted airports have now been added as well, they being Broken Hill Airport (YBHI), Broome International (YBRM), Coober Pedy (YCBP), Bathurst (YBTH), RAAF Base Tindal / Katherine Tindal (YPTN), and Lord Howe Island (YLHI).

For players looking to jump into fresh missions in the updated region, there are three discovery flights, five precision landings, two low-altitude challenges, and two rally race challenges included in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 version. The older 2020 edition doesn't have all these options however.

Microsoft Flight Simulator World Update 21: Australia is now available in Microsoft Flight Simulator as well as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 as an optional download from the in-game marketplace for free.

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Posted Wednesday 6 May 2026 at 7:41 am AEST (my time).

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