This is a question I've long had and researched to no avail, so am now asking here in the hopes of an answer (or at least, the one I'm looking for).

I've been flight simming for over 25 years, but always remained a relatively casual simmer.  I was part of the public beta for MSFS 2020 and played it nonstop since release.  I preordered MSFS 2024 as soon as it was possible to do so, but like many here, was let down by the state of its release and held off on migrating fully.  Now with some time having passed since SU4 and the major performance issues ironed out, I'm more inclined to do so, but there are a couple things still holding me off, and the main one is the flight planning process.

In short, I find the flight planner in 2024, either in-sim or web-based, way too involved and cumbersome.  I really appreciate the process in 2020 -- pick a departure and destination, and select direct, VFR, or IFR (high or low altitude), which then feeds straight into the sim with no trouble.  I recognize that 2024 is more realistic, with its options for waypoints, fuel/load, etc.  But even with the autoroute option in the web-based planner and importing into the EFB, I still haven't been able to set up a flight in an easy and intuitive way, and perform it in-sim.  This has held me off from migrating to -- or even using in any real way -- MSFS 2024.  And it's not that I don't want to.

So, my question here is simple:  is there any way that I can set up or use 2020-style flight planning in 2024?  Like I said, I haven't found anything, but am hoping that someone here can help.  Thank you!

Many recommend using LittleNavMap, which suposedly integrates beautifully with MSFS 2024, even not being "inside" the sim interface...

My Copilot says:

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✅ Option 1 — Use Little Navmap (closest to 2020 workflow)

Little Navmap now officially supports MSFS 2024 and still works exactly like it did with MSFS 2020.  

Why it matches the 2020 style:

- Drag‑and‑drop route editing  

- Automatic route generation  

- Export directly to MSFS formats  

- Works outside the sim, just like the old 2020 planner  

- Supports SimBrief import/export  

- VFR/IFR planning with full control  

 

Edited January 22Jan 22 by jcomm

One feature of FSHUD is its ability to generate a flight plan by simply typing a departure and destination ICAO. This is done from within the sim and with a pop up menu. Within minutes, it will let you go to a parking spot with all engines on. From here you interact with FSHUD atc to proceed with flying. One other great feature is that in the pop up menu, the program displays a small directional arrow that essentially enables you to follow the flight plan by simply following that directional arrow.  It also allows you to use simbrief. 

I have two ATC programs: one that uses simbrief, but FSHUD allows either method, and in your case, it's something that will simplify your flight planning.

22 minutes ago, jcomm said:

Many recommend using LittleNavMap, which suposedly integrates beautifully with MSFS 2024, even not being "inside" the sim interface...

[...]

LNM is a very powerful fight planning app and I don't fly without it in my VOR-VOR ops but it's the opposite of what I'd call simple flight planning.

Edited January 22Jan 22 by Lucky38i

Let me add my preferred option: SimBrief. It comes with a great "plugin", (called SimBrief Dispatch for MSFS 2024, btw also available for MS2020) nestled seemlessly into the FS2024 EFB (also used for native MS flight planning) but will all the powerful options like simbrief offers through its website. Except that you need no download but can generate your flightplan within MS2024 (note: plugin) and also import your route into MSFS2024 so native ATC can guide you - within its restrictions and capabilties. I just LOVE it and use it daily. 

https://navigraph.com/blog/simbrief-msfs?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21472837418&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21466227525&gbraid=0AAAAAofnD8--CvDYoEUa9ZisdGBolB3ai&gclid=CjwKCAiAssfLBhBDEiwAcLpwfpMu4KBmI5ZdCnh7cmkqx4C5_gq8JtuZWnlcL5rjfrIt4BdTO9WZpRoCK5kQAvD_BwE

If you ever used Simbrief in 2020 you will love it in 2024. If not, you will love it nonetheless 🙂

Edited January 22Jan 22 by DAD

2 hours ago, Jetguy87 said:

I really appreciate the process in 2020 -- pick a departure and destination, and select direct, VFR, or IFR (high or low altitude), which then feeds straight into the sim with no trouble.

The equivalent process in MSFS 2024 is relatively similar in complexity:

- Go to the EFB Planner app, Route page
- Enter Origin and Destination, then (optionally) press Auto-Route button if you want something not direct
- Go to Flight Detail page, and select VFR or IFR
- Optional (back on the Route Page): Go to the SEND menu, and hit Send To Avionics and Send To ATC as desired

The Auto-Route button in 2024 is exactly the same code that is engaged in 2020 when it creates a route for you on the world map.

3 hours ago, Jetguy87 said:

In short, I find the flight planner in 2024, either in-sim or web-based, way too involved and cumbersome.

Highly recommend Navigraph Chart … really makes flight planning super simple and even recommends the correct runway based on weather, just a matter of click runway, approach, etc. options and it builds your route. 

 

Definitely Simbrief.  I thought Simbrief was "too advanced" for me, but it is super easy to use and does a lot for you.  Just export and import into the MSFS planner and off you go.  

 

Simbrief

You can create the plan anywhere simbrief is available (Web, Tablet app, In the sim using dispatch itself) 

and then click on the sim brief dispatch app in the efb to view the plan and then import into the sim. 

https://navigraph.com/blog/simbrief-msfs

 

Simbrief pretty much only wants the Origin/Destination and aircraft type (select from the full range of aircraft types in the drop down list) and it does pretty much everything else with a decent amount of accuracy with options to edit parameters based on how advanced you want to go. 

Edited January 22Jan 22 by Maxis

1 hour ago, SayAgain said:

Highly recommend Navigraph Chart

I prefer the MSFS flightplanner, unlike Simbrief it does not force you to accept undisclosed amounts of cookies that they sell to unknown 3rd parties.

Edited January 22Jan 22 by turbomax

13 hours ago, kerosene31 said:

Just export

with that EFB plugin no need even to export, you can directly import straight into MS2024

13 hours ago, turbomax said:

unlike Simbrief it does not force you to accept undisclosed amounts of cookies

I use google so it cannot be worse than that ...

I generate the flight plan on the SimBrief website while 2024 is loading, then open the SimBrief app on the EFB and Import the flight. Select your parking spot and you're ready to go!

23 hours ago, MattNischan said:

The equivalent process in MSFS 2024 is relatively similar in complexity:

- Go to the EFB Planner app, Route page
- Enter Origin and Destination, then (optionally) press Auto-Route button if you want something not direct
- Go to Flight Detail page, and select VFR or IFR
- Optional (back on the Route Page): Go to the SEND menu, and hit Send To Avionics and Send To ATC as desired

The Auto-Route button in 2024 is exactly the same code that is engaged in 2020 when it creates a route for you on the world map.

There are lot's of people suggesting their favourite addon flight planner.  Some free, some even suggesting payware options like Navigraph Charts.   If you read the OPs post, he is a casual simmer.  He wants a simple way to plan flights. Do people think he's going to pay X euros per month for Navigraph Charts, just to get the flight planning capablity?

I think Matt has the best call.   The OP could learn to use the in-built EFB correctly, which can do everything that the OP needs; select an origin and destination, then auto route.

The EFB is definitely not the most intuitive component of MSFS we've ever seen - mostly because everything is so dissipated and spread out over various apps.

But I'd bet within one evening, the OP could learn where to enter the origin and destination airports and how to then generate an automated route.

Personally, I exclusively use Simbrief.  But as the OP is looking for simplicity, I think Matt's suggestion is the best - learn to do what you used to do in MSFS2020 - with no other unnecessary addons required.

 

I use Skyvector often. Mostly to get an idea for destinations  (mostly to see where interesting weather is).

 

If i only want a point to point flightplan, i make it in Skyvector (sometime i look up the SID's/STAR). Copy that route over in Flightplanner for EFB insertion. 

On 1/22/2026 at 7:35 AM, DAD said:

Let me add my preferred option: SimBrief. It comes with a great "plugin", (called SimBrief Dispatch for MSFS 2024, btw also available for MS2020) nestled seemlessly into the FS2024 EFB (also used for native MS flight planning) but will all the powerful options like simbrief offers through its website. Except that you need no download but can generate your flightplan within MS2024 (note: plugin) and also import your route into MSFS2024 so native ATC can guide you - within its restrictions and capabilties. I just LOVE it and use it daily. 

https://navigraph.com/blog/simbrief-msfs?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21472837418&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21466227525&gbraid=0AAAAAofnD8--CvDYoEUa9ZisdGBolB3ai&gclid=CjwKCAiAssfLBhBDEiwAcLpwfpMu4KBmI5ZdCnh7cmkqx4C5_gq8JtuZWnlcL5rjfrIt4BdTO9WZpRoCK5kQAvD_BwE

If you ever used Simbrief in 2020 you will love it in 2024. If not, you will love it nonetheless 🙂

Diddo!!!!!!!!!