In addition to improved graphics, FS2002 introduced air traffic control (ATC) and artificial intelligence (AI) aircraft enabling users to fly alongside computer controlled aircraft and communicate with airports.

The external view also featured an inertia effect, inducing an illusion of movement in a realistic physical environment.

Microsoft removed the scenery of the original World Trade Center from the game to respect the victims of the September 11 attacks shortly before it was released.

[2][3] In the United States, Flight Simulator 2002 debuted at #12 on NPD Intelect's computer game sales rankings for October 2001, at an average retail price of $70.

[9][10] The former publication's editors wrote that the game "narrowly prevailed" against IL-2 Sturmovik, and commented that its winning despite having no "guns, missiles or explosive pyrotechnic effects of any kind is remarkable testimony of the bleeding-edge quality of Microsoft's benchmark product.