Flight Simulator release time in BST, CEST, EDT and PDT explained
When you can soar into the skies on Steam and the Microsoft Store.
Flight Simulator marks the return of Microsoft's long-running simulation series.
This 2020 version is one of the best yet - being described as a "technical marvel" in our Flight Simulator review.
Flight Simulator is releasing across Windows Store - both as part of Xbox Game Pass and a direct purchase - as well as Steam, and depending on how you access, giving you different Flight Simulator release times.
On this page:
When you're all set, learn about the Flight Simulator specs and download size. If you are a console player, then you will have a wait for the Flight Simulator Xbox release.
Flight Simulator release time on Windows Store in BST, CEST, EDT and PDT explained
Let's get the simpler of the two out of the way. If you are purchasing on Windows Store - which is also where you access the Xbox Game Pass version - the Flight Simulator release is rolling out by timezone.
As such, the Flight Simulator Windows Store release time is midnight on August 18th. This means as soon as it's Tuesday, you can access the game in your region.
For those investigating their Flight Simulator options, we have a planes list and airport list for each launch edition, a list of Flight Simulator Achievements. Then, when you start playing, we have explainers on weather and liveries, multiplayer, using autopilot and sim rate, and how to use the game's equivalent of photo mode with Active Pause.
Flight Simulator release time on Steam in BST, CEST, EDT and PDT explained
If you are purchasing on Steam, the release time is set at 4am UTC on Tuesday, August 18th.
This means the Flight Simulator Steam release times are the following:
- UK - 4am (August 18th, BST)
- Europe and the Middle East - 5am (August 18th, CEST)
- East Coast US - 11pm (August 17th, EDT)
- West Coast US - 8pm (August 17th, PDT)
Now you know when it's coming, you can prepare yourself by learning the Flight Simulator specs and download size.