If you want your flights in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to feel more realistic, SimBrief is one of the most powerful tools you can use. Instead of simply choosing two airports and pressing Fly, SimBrief allows you to create a structured flight plan similar to what real-world airline dispatchers produce.
It calculates routing, fuel requirements, cruise altitude, wind corrections, alternates, and much more. The result is a professional-style operational flight plan that can often be imported directly into your aircraft.
The best part is that SimBrief is much easier to use than it first appears. Once you understand the basic workflow, you can create a complete flight plan in just a few minutes.
What Is SimBrief
SimBrief is an online flight planning tool used by flight simmers and many virtual airlines.
It automatically generates:
- IFR routes
- Fuel calculations
- Recommended cruise altitude
- Wind and weather corrections
- Alternate airport planning
- A complete operational flight plan (OFP)
For an airliner flying it is almost essential, but even general aviation pilots can benefit from the structure it provides.
Step 1: Create Your SimBrief Flight
Start by visiting the SimBrief website and logging into your account.
On the planning page, enter the following information:
Departure airport (ICAO code)
Destination airport (ICAO code)
Aircraft type
Optional alternate airport
You will also choose the routing method.
Route selection
You have two options:
Auto-generated route
Recommended for beginners. SimBrief automatically selects realistic airways and waypoints.
Manual route
Used if you already understand airway structures and want to customise the route.
Cruise altitude
You can either:
Allow SimBrief to calculate the optimal cruise altitude automatically
Or manually enter a flight level if you prefer
Once everything is set, click Generate Flight.
Within seconds, SimBrief produces a complete operational flight plan.
Understanding the SimBrief Output
The generated flight plan contains a large amount of information, but beginners only need to focus on a few important sections.
Route
This section shows the full routing, including:
Departure procedure (SID)
Airways
Waypoints
Arrival procedure (STAR)
Fuel
Fuel planning includes several components:
Trip fuel
Contingency fuel
Alternate fuel
Final reserve fuel
Total fuel required
Even if you do not analyse every detail, reviewing the total fuel and trip fuel helps build good planning habits.
Cruise Level
SimBrief suggests an optimal cruise altitude based on:
Route distance
Wind conditions
Aircraft performance
This recommendation is usually very accurate.
Step 2: Importing SimBrief Into MSFS Aircraft
Many modern aircraft in MSFS 2024 support direct SimBrief integration.
The most common method is entering your SimBrief username inside the aircraft’s tablet or flight management system.
Typical workflow:
Open the aircraft EFB (tablet)
Locate the SimBrief section
Enter your SimBrief username
Press Import Flight Plan
The aircraft will automatically load the route into the flight management computer.
This is the most realistic and convenient method.
Step 3: Loading a SimBrief Plan Through the MSFS World Map
If your aircraft does not support direct SimBrief integration, you can still use the flight plan.
Download the plan as an MSFS-compatible.PLN file.
Then:
Open the MSFS World Map
Select Load Flight Plan
Import the downloaded file
Confirm that the route matches the SimBrief plan
This method works well but is slightly less realistic than loading the plan directly into the aircraft’s FMS.
Using SimBrief for General Aviation Flights
SimBrief is not only useful for airliners. General aviation pilots can also benefit from it.
SimBrief can help with:
Fuel planning
Cruise altitude suggestions
Wind-adjusted flight time estimates
For VFR flights, you may not need airway routing, but accurate fuel planning and time estimates are still valuable.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Using the Wrong Aircraft Profile
SimBrief calculates fuel and performance based on aircraft profiles.
Always select the correct aircraft or one with similar performance.
If the wrong profile is used, fuel estimates may be inaccurate.
Ignoring Wind Effects
Wind can significantly affect:
Ground speed
Fuel consumption
Estimated time enroute
SimBrief automatically adjusts calculations based on current winds, which is one of its biggest advantages.
Runway and Procedure Mismatch
If you change runways in MSFS after generating the flight plan, your SID or STAR may no longer match.
The best practice is to confirm runway selection before generating the flight plan or regenerating the plan if conditions change.
Why SimBrief Improves Realism
Using SimBrief introduces a more structured way of thinking about flights.
It encourages pilots to consider:
Route planning
Fuel margins
Cruise altitude
Alternate airports
Descent preparation
Even if you are not simulating full airline procedures, this structure adds a significant level of immersion.
Simple SimBrief Workflow for Beginners
A simple workflow looks like this:
Choose departure and destination airports
Select the correct aircraft profile
Generate the flight plan
Review the route and fuel
Import the flight plan into the aircraft
Cross-check the route in the FMS
Fly the flight
After a few flights, this process becomes very quick and natural.
Conclusion
Using SimBrief with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 adds a layer of structure and realism that the default planner cannot provide. It calculates routes, fuel loads, and cruise altitudes in a way that closely mirrors real-world flight planning. Once you learn the simple generate-and-import workflow, SimBrief quickly becomes one of the most valuable tools in your flight simulation setup.