PMDG has dropped a full trailer for the upcoming Boeing 737-700 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, offering the most comprehensive look yet at the visual overhaul the developer has been working on since the 737 series first landed in the new simulator. The release date is set for April 9, 2026. When PMDG launched the 737-800 for MSFS 2024 back in late 2025, they were upfront about one thing: the visual model wasn't where they wanted it. Rather than delay the product further, they opted to ship and deliver the upgraded model afterwards - letting simmers enjoy the 737 over the holiday season while the team continued working on what they're now calling the High Detail Update.
That update is now complete, and the 737-700 is the first variant to ship with it fully integrated.
What's Actually New
The trailer walks through the changes in detail, with direct before-and-after comparisons against the MSFS 2020 model. PMDG has reworked the aircraft with enhanced geometry, refined texture mapping, and significantly increased surface detail - including thousands of individually placed rivets, screws, and fasteners, reworked fuselage skin mapping, and enhanced modeling of access panels, hatches, and external controls. Updates extend to refined ground equipment and animations, as well as improvements to doorways, cargo holds, cabin interiors, cockpit, landing gear, gear bays, engines, and lighting. The cabin work was handled in collaboration with Gaya Studios, who focused on delivering an immersive experience for the community, with the studio head describing it as a project they genuinely enjoyed.
A Long Time in the Making
The update has had a winding road. Back in late February, PMDG's Robert Randazzo held back the release because he wasn't satisfied with the work in several key areas - and as he kept it in development, the scope expanded well beyond what was originally planned. The trailer itself leans into the product's broader history, tracing the 737NG's evolution through FS2004, FSX, Prepar3D, and into the MSFS era - context that helps frame just how significant this visual milestone is for long-time users of the product.
Rollout Plan for the Full Fleet
The -700 may be arriving last among the four NG variants, but it won't be alone for long. Following its release, the remaining variants — 737-600, 737-900, and 737-800, in that order — will enter a period of testing before receiving the same visual update. The -600 is already in testing. These updates will be distributed as free product updates for existing MSFS 2024 owners. For those coming from MSFS 2020, previous owners of the PMDG 737NG product line are eligible for an automatic discount at purchase.
One open question worth flagging: Randazzo acknowledged he's not yet fully across the impact of the model changes on third-party repaints, and said he'd follow up with clarification — so livery users may want to hold off until PMDG addresses this officially.
The 737-700NG for MSFS 2024 will be available through pmdg.com and the Microsoft in-sim Marketplace from April 9, 2026.