Asobo Studio has announced a special 40th Anniversary Edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator to celebrate the longest-running game franchise at Microsoft.

The 40th Anniversary Edition will reintroduce classic airports and aircraft from earlier versions of the franchise, including Microsoft Flight Simulator X and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight.

Many of these aircraft were made in collaboration with third-party developers, including iniSimulations, MilViz, Bluemesh and Aeroplane Heaven. Microsoft also collaborated with the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum to bring the 'Spirit of St. Louis' to the 40th Anniversary Edition.

The team also plans to add helicopters with an all-new Fluid Dynamics Simulation, gliders and a highly detailed, true-to-life Airbus A310 airliner.

Historic Aircraft: Wright Flyer, Ryan NYP 'Spirit of St. Louis', Douglas DC-3 and de Havilland Canada DHC-2-Beaver.

Helicopters: Bell-407 and Guimbal Cabri G2.

Gliders: DG Flugzeugbau LG8-18 and DG Flugzeugbau DG1001E neo.

Airliner: Airbus A310.

Finally, in an exclusive partnership with the Halo franchise and 343 Industries, Microsoft Flight Simulator introduces a detailed version of Halo Infinite Pelican, available for free in the in-sim Marketplace.

The 40th Anniversary Edition is free for all owners of Microsoft Flight Simulator and on Xbox Game Pass. It is due to be released in November 2022.