The A220 in the pipeline
Synaptic Simulations has shared a new set of preview images for its Airbus A220 project for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The screenshots appeared on the developer’s Discord and were highlighted by FSElite.
The update follows a quieter period, with the last major news dating back to January 2026, although smaller previews have continued to appear.
This batch focuses on low-light conditions, showing the aircraft at sunset and night, alongside cockpit display close-ups and external views.
The images were shared by developer Harsh. No new technical breakdown or release date was included with this specific preview.
The Details: Not only visuals
The aircraft is the Airbus A220 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. While the latest update is purely visual, earlier reports provide a clearer picture of development progress.
Core systems are already in active development, including fly-by-wire, a custom Pratt & Whitney GTF engine model, LNAV/VNAV, autopilot and autoland. Systems such as electrical, bleed air, hydraulics and radio logic are also being simulated.
The FMS has been fully rewritten to improve integration and performance. According to the developer, this enables more accurate behaviours such as NAV-to-NAV transfer during autoland and improved climb prediction.
Additional work has focused on the CAS (Crew Alerting System) and INFO systems, with thousands of simulated inputs and timing logic intended to match the real aircraft.
Despite that, key gaps remain. There is still no confirmed release date, pricing, or full feature breakdown tied to the current preview.
The A220 continues to rank highly in community interest, placing fifth in Navigraph’s 2026 survey.
Anticipation for an A220 is high
The Airbus A220 remains one of the most anticipated missing airliners in Microsoft Flight Simulator, filling a niche between regional jets and larger narrowbodies.
Unlike earlier impressions based purely on visuals, there is now clearer evidence of substantial systems work behind the scenes. That shifts the conversation from whether the aircraft is being built seriously to how well it will come together at release.
At the same time, Synaptic Simulations remains an unproven developer without a strong legacy from the FSX or Prepar3D era. That may lead to a more cautious reception, especially given the long development timeline and the missed 2025 release target.
Recent experiences in the sim community also play a role. The launch state of the iniBuilds A350 showed that even established teams can struggle to deliver complex aircraft cleanly on release. That has made users more sensitive to the gap between stated ambition and final execution.
What to watch next
Given the reported progress—especially around FMS, flight control laws and aircraft systems—video demonstrations or full-flight previews would provide a clearer indication of maturity.
Release timing, however, is the key point. While 2026 is now the stated target, and testing phases are reportedly approaching, there is still no firm timeline.
For Synaptic Simulations, the challenge is no longer just visibility, but delivery. The groundwork appears substantial, but confidence will ultimately depend on how stable and complete the aircraft is at launch.
For now, this update keeps the project in view, but the focus is shifting toward proof rather than promise.
