If you can find it, get XPlane, its one of the best and most realistic flight sims out there, not as much eye candy as MSFS, and a bit harder to find, but the way it is whole lot more realistic than say MSFS. Everything comes down to how the plane's designed, rather than in MSFS where you make a model, and a dynamic file, so you can have a massice house that controls like a F-16, where in XPlane you wouldn't.
1> Whats the best flight sim to fly Widebody style jets ?
-XPlane hands down in terms of realism, htough MSFS is good too, though that is aimed more at "fun" and "eye candy", I'm not sure though, but MSFS also has ATC while XPlane does not in game. Though both can work on those online networks, so you can fly side by side with a guy who is on MSFS if you're on XPlane.
2> How do add on's work ?
Depends, I'm not too familiar with either XPlane or FSX (though I have the latter, but my machine's too light for this, perhaps a massive overhaul will help here), but I know people who had tried both, and have experience with both. Usually it just involves you putting things into folders to install them. Usually there is 3rd party add on freeware and software that can make you create add ons.
3> Are there adequate instructions included to effectively learn how to fly say a 747-400 ?
There should be as downloads, such as check lists, manuals, maybe even the flight lessons should help you get the basic idea, though X-Plane will handle it more realistically than MSFS. I should also add that XPlane is also used in a lot of those full motion Simulators certified by the FAA. The 747 that comes default in MSFS is highly unrealistic in terms of cockpit accuracy, though there are many add-ons, free and commercial that are a whole lot more accurate.
4> Any other helpful info....
Let put it like this, if you're more into physics realism (that means no Massive blocks that handle like F-16s), get X-Plane. If you like having eye candy, in-game ATC (when offline that is), MSFS might be more down your ally. One more things about X-plane that MSFS dosn't have, from what I remember, if your plane gets damaged, your plane will not freeze in mid air (in other words it "crashed" and reset the flight.) Insted, the proper systems will be damaged and the plane will continue to operate, though with those certain systems that got affected being affected.
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no problem and get a good joystick to go with it
It brings the flying into your room!!
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It depends, when it comes to flying airliners that traditionally have Yokes, I like having a Flight Sim Yoke, when I bring out the Helicopter and Jet fighters and Airbi, then I like using the sticks.