Let’s start with a bit of context. The most recent major update, version 1.34 (not counting the small Android-only follow-up 1.34.1), introduced the MS-26 aircraft as its main highlight. Released in September 2025, it also included a message about the future of the simulator. The developer stated that the next version would be attempted (but not guaranteed) to be released before the end of 2025 or in early 2026, and that it would bring some features from the Near-Term Priority Plans.

Whether April still counts as “early 2026” is.. pretty debatable. But one thing is clear: the “not guaranteed” part of that message turned out to be very important. The update still hasn’t arrived, and for many players, it’s starting to feel like there’s not much left to do in our favourite game. However, that’s not true! Let’s go through some ways to keep the flight simulator interesting while we wait.

Free Flight mode is definitely the core of TFS - the freedom to fly any aircraft, at any time, from any airport, in any environment is what makes the simulator so appealing. But missions are often overlooked.

Beyond the basic missions required to unlock In-Person mode, there’s actually a decent variety of challenges available. You can search for the S.O.S signal, collect flags scattered across different locations, perform emergency or belly landings, and complete other scenario-based objectives. These missions give you a clear goal, which can make the experience feel more engaging compared to just aimlessly flying around.

The 1.27 addition of AI traffic completely changed the atmosphere of TFS. What used to be an empty sky now feels alive, with Turbo Lines aircraft constantly arriving and departing.

If you don’t feel like flying, you can simply position yourself at any airport and watch the activity unfold. It’s quite fun, especially if you pick a busy airport and observe how aircraft move, taxi, take off, and land. It’s a different way of enjoying the simulator, and one that many players don’t take advantage of enough. Just don’t try it with the Factory or Cliffs Airport..

Another great way to experience TFS is by stepping away from the pilot’s role entirely. Instead, you can become a passenger.

Board an aircraft, sit in the passenger cabin, and use the Remote Control feature to configure the flight. Set up autopilot, choose a runway for departure, set your altitude and speed, and let the aircraft do the rest. Just don’t forget to set an arrival airport. From there, you can simply sit back and enjoy the journey like a real passenger, watching the scenery and immersing yourself in the experience.

If you’re feeling upset about the lack of news about the update, the best way to stay motivated is to look ahead.

TFS includes special Future Plans tabs, where you can see what features are planned and how developed are they at the moment. To find it, go to the INFO tab, open Hot Topics section, and select either the Near-Term or Long-Term Priority Plans articles.

These pages give you insight into how the simulator is expected to evolve. You can discover upcoming features and start imagining how they’ll change the gameplay. As a nice bonus, you can also check out my concept videos that explore these future features in more depth.