The move gives customers another way to buy, install and update the aircraft, while also coinciding with the release of version 1.0.7. The iniBuilds product page now lists the A220 as a current release for both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024.
The A220 Is No Longer Marketplace-Only
For users who prefer managing add-ons outside the Microsoft Marketplace, this is the biggest part of the news.
The Synaptic A220 can now be purchased directly from the iniBuilds Store and managed through iniManager, iniBuilds’ own installation and update utility.
That gives simmers more control over installation and updating compared with relying entirely on Marketplace distribution.
iniManager is built around automatic product updates, and iniBuilds says the system can update product files without users having to manually reinstall the entire package.
For anyone who has spent time waiting for a Marketplace update to move through certification and deployment, that alternative can be very appealing.
Version 1.0.7 Is the Current Build
The iniBuilds Store currently lists the Synaptic A220 at version 1.0.7.
The aircraft remains available for both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024, with the store listing a 2.1 GB download and an installed size of approximately 5.45 GB.
The move to iniManager also gives users access to the official livery collection directly through the application.
iniBuilds says users can browse, install and maintain official A220 liveries through iniManager rather than handling every paint scheme manually.
The New Distribution Method Comes With Different DRM
There is one important caveat.
The iniBuilds Store version uses additional digital rights management requirements that do not apply to the Microsoft Marketplace version.
According to the product terms, the iniBuilds version requires an active and continuous internet connection while the aircraft is loaded and in use.
The aircraft communicates with iniBuilds services for license authentication and validation. If that connection or authentication service is unavailable, some or all of the product may become unavailable.
That is a meaningful distinction for customers deciding where to buy.
Microsoft Gamertag May Be Linked to iniManager
The product terms also state that the iniBuilds Store version may associate the user’s Xbox or Microsoft gamertag with the iniManager account or identifier for authentication and license-management purposes.
iniBuilds says that information may be used for licensing, security, technical support and preventing unauthorized distribution.
The company makes clear that these extra DRM requirements apply specifically to the iniBuilds Store version and do not apply to the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace edition.
That means customers effectively have a choice between two distribution ecosystems with different tradeoffs.
Marketplace or iniManager?
For some users, the Microsoft Marketplace will still be the simpler option.
It keeps purchases inside the simulator ecosystem and avoids the additional DRM terms associated with the iniBuilds version.
For others, iniManager may be more attractive because it provides direct product management, centralized updates and easier access to official liveries.
The difference is not really about the aircraft itself.
It is about how users want to own and maintain it.
That makes the new distribution option more significant than a simple store listing.
The A220 Already Has a Deep Feature Set
The Synaptic A220 is designed as a high-fidelity simulation of the Airbus A220 family for MSFS.
The current iniBuilds product page highlights a detailed Electronic Flight Bag with:
- SimBrief integration
- Navigraph and LIDO chart support
- Takeoff and landing performance calculations
- Weight and balance management
- Fuel planning
- Passenger and cargo loading
- Ground services
- Door control
- Aircraft configuration options
That positions the aircraft well beyond a basic visual simulation.
The A220 project has been built around custom systems, avionics and operational detail intended to reproduce airline-style flying.
A220-300 Remains the Base Aircraft
Synaptic previously outlined a development plan centered around the A220-300 as the base aircraft.
The smaller A220-100 is planned as a paid expansion rather than part of the initial package.
That approach lets the team continue expanding the product family without rebuilding the project around a completely separate platform.
The developer has also emphasized that the aircraft is intended to support both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
Why This Matters
The biggest advantage of the new iniManager release is speed and control.
Marketplace distribution is convenient, but developers often have less control over exactly when updates reach customers.
Direct distribution through iniManager gives Synaptic and iniBuilds a more direct relationship with users.
That can potentially make bug fixes, compatibility updates and new builds easier to deploy.
For a complex aircraft still evolving after release, that matters.
It Also Gives Customers a Real Choice
There is another interesting side to this.
The A220 now exists in two very different purchasing environments.
Buy through the Marketplace and stay inside Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Buy through iniBuilds and gain direct access to iniManager, liveries and product management, but accept the additional online authentication requirements.
That makes the decision less about price and more about preference.
Some users will happily trade direct update control for always-online authentication.
Others will want the opposite.
At least now they have the choice.
Available Now
The Synaptic A220 is available now through the iniBuilds Store, where it is currently listed at £49.99 GBP before applicable taxes, alongside the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace version.
Version 1.0.7 is the current release on the iniBuilds Store.
The aircraft supports both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
For Synaptic, the move expands the A220’s reach.
For users, it adds something just as valuable:
another way to manage the airplane once it is sitting in the virtual hangar.
