After years of anticipation among the flight simulation community, BlueBird Simulations has officially taken the Boeing 757 project into stage one of beta testing. While some may quibble over terminology — noting that a few systems aren’t fully implemented and suggesting this phase might resemble a “late alpha” — BlueBird is treating it as a defining milestone on the road to release.

What’s In This Phase?

According to the developer’s announcement on Discord, the beta process will be conducted in three distinct stages, each focusing on specific systems or subsystems before moving on to full integration.

In Stage 1, testers get access to parts of the aircraft’s systems — not the full suite. BlueBird acknowledges that not every feature is functional yet, but the feedback from these early testers is expected to help steer later refinements.

Screenshots accompanying the announcement were captured in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, hinting that development is already aligned with the newer version of the simulator.

Timeline & Expectations

BlueBird estimates that the entire beta process — across all three stages — will span many months, stretching well into 2026.

The team also promises a more thorough update video and supplemental screenshots later this year or shortly after the holiday season.

As for release windows, speculation among community watchers leans toward 2026, although nothing has been firmly confirmed.

One teaser from BlueBird: they expect to launch first for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, followed by a free compatibility update for MSFS 2024.

Furthermore, the planned price for the aircraft is $80, encompassing both the 757-200 and 757-300 variants with multiple engine options.

Why It Matters to Simmers

For the flight sim community, the BlueBird 757 is among the more ambitious airliner projects in development. It promises high-fidelity systems modeling, generous variant coverage, and compatibility across major MSFS platforms.

Given how complex real-world airliners are, it’s no surprise that a cautious, multi-stage beta has become the norm. Rushing a full release risks bugs, omissions, and disappointment — and many sim developers have learned that lesson the hard way.

Now that external testers are involved, the community plays a key role in spotting edge cases, system interactions, performance issues, and more. Their contributions could meaningfully shape the final product.

Looking Ahead

There’s still a long road ahead. Over the coming months, BlueBird will push through beta stages, fold in feedback, polish systems, and aim to deliver a stable, immersive 757 experience. The pace suggests they’re in no rush to compromise quality.

For Sky Blue Radio’s readers — especially those passionate about flight sim accuracy and depth — the shift to beta testing is a reminder: big projects like this take time. But with each phase, we’re a little closer to climbing into the virtual cockpit of a fully realized BlueBird 757.

Stay tuned; this is one journey worth following.