WoW Guide: How to Get a Flying Mount and Soar the Skies

Flying mounts are a game-changer in WOW. They completely alter the way players can experience the world. They open up new zones that were previously inaccessible, as well as provide a way to travel to and from rare spawns and quests.

Any new or returning player to WoW will need to understand how flying mounts work regarding unlocking them and using them to their full potential.

As opposed to the ground mounts, flying mounts do not have the same unlocks. They are tied to level criteria, expansions, or even other achievement unlocks.

WoW Guide How to Get a Flying Mount and Soar the Skies

While this has streamlined in newer expansions, there are still decisions to be made in the level of time, currency, and character progression. Some players opt to buy WoW Gold to remove the grind from training, mount purchasing, or even rep grinds.

In this guide, new players will learn how to unlock their very first flying mount and the training required in order to do so. 

The Evolution of Flying Mechanics in World of Warcraft

There are still several criteria that must be completed for a character to be able to use flying mounts. These include the player’s character level, the expansion the player is currently in, and whether or not the player has purchased flying training.

Some of the original expansions are still able to give players flying access based solely on player level, but most modern expansions are designed to prevent players from being able to fly until a particular level or a set of achievements has been completed.

Certain expansions can only be flown in once the player has completed the associated achievements for that particular expansion. These features have caused flying in World of Warcraft to become more planned out for returning players.

Level Requirements for Flying Mounts

Level Requirements for Flying Mounts

Game systems have minimum level requirements for using flying mounts. These are as follows:  

  • Characters learn basic flying at level 30.
  • Advanced flying is learned at higher levels. 
  • Specific expansions are a requirement for modern flight systems, dragonriding, and other contemporary flight technologies.

In major cities, players can train for flying. Trained players can use any flying mounts they own, provided they are in a zone that allows flying.

New players often get confused and feel stuck. This is because owning a flying mount does not mean that you can use it. You need training first.

Flying Mount Training and Costs

Flying Mount Training and Costs

Flying mounts can only be used after completing training. Trainers are located in capital cities like Stormwind and Orgrimmar, and also in expansion hubs. Here is a simplified breakdown of flying training tiers:

Flying SkillLevel RequiredFlight SpeedApproximate Cost
Apprentice Riding30150%Low
Expert Riding30250%Medium
Master RidingHigher level310%High

 Although costs are lower than they used to be in earlier expansions, gold management still matters, especially for new players.

Caring for gold reserves is imperative with new players. New players, collector players, and alt players care about gold management, so they buy WoW gold to avoid tedious farming and focus on high-level progression, raids, or PvP.

How to Obtain Your First Flying Mount?

How to Obtain Your First Flying Mount

After completing flying training, players need to acquire a flying mount. Luckily, WoW has an abundance of choices.

Vendor Mounts

Most new players are sold their first flying mounts by vendors in the mount sections of WoW capital cities. These vendors sell mounts that are simple and offer the most basic form of flying.

Quest and Achievement Mounts

Some questlines, achievements, and reputation rewards reward players by unlocking different flying mounts. These mounts are not required for flying, but they do offer some different looks and unique designs.

Dungeon, Raid, and Event Mounts

Each week, players have a chance for different rare mounts to drop from various bosses. These mounts are just as basic as the vendor mounts and drop at an incredibly low drop rate.

Any flying mount can be used, provided the zone is flyable and the character has the requisite training.

Expansion-Specific Flying Restrictions

The active expansions dictate the current ability to fly.

Classic & Older World Zones

The majority of original continents grant flyable access automatically once training is completed, with no other requirements.

Legion, Battle for Azeroth, and Shadowlands

Originally, these expansions required the Pathfinder achievement to be completed to access flying. In time, Blizzard either lessened or removed requirements for flight to be available in almost all circumstances.

Dragonflight and Current Systems

New to Dragonflight are dynamic flight systems that incorporate momentum and skill-based flight. While the other traditional flyable mounts exist, the newer zones are tailored for Dragonriding mounts.

Players returning after an extended hiatus should check the current rules for the current expansion, as flyable restrictions are changed frequently.

Here is a simplified breakdown of flying training tiers:

Flying SkillLevel RequiredFlight SpeedApproximate Cost
Apprentice Riding30150%Low
Expert Riding30250%Medium
Master RidingHigher level310%High

Importance of Flying Mounts for Progression

Flying is more than a simple convenience. It is essential for time, efficiency, and enjoyment. Progression is directly affected by flying.

World quests can be done in a fraction of the time; slower zones are no longer a worry, ores and herbs can be gathered with no risk, dangerous zones can be traversed with no risk, and ranching for world quests can be done with no danger. In the end game, all these factors add less downtime, which is highly valuable.

It certainly becomes vital to players who operate multiple accounts. The hourly time savings flying provides due to zone crossing are crucial, particularly for weekly objectives or time-consuming grinds to earn reputation.

As a result, many seasoned players will endeavor to unlock flying as quickly as possible. Some buy gold for WoW to avoid losing momentum by having to cover the training costs, as well as the purchase of the required mount.

Suggestions for Quicker Unlocking of Flying

Don’t be inefficient, particularly for players who are new to the game or have many accounts.

  • Leveling in a deliberate order will ensure that the unlock for flying will occur as quickly as possible. 
  • Going to a trainer as soon as you have the level required will get the spell as quickly as possible. 
  • To avoid at least some reliance on a drop from a world boss, choosing a vendor mount as early as possible keeps costs predictable.
  • Updates and patch notes should be reviewed. Blizzard changes what you need for flying often and without advance notice.

Final Thoughts

Flying mounts in the game World of Warcraft are a sign of progression, efficiency, and freedom. The system can be confusing, but unlocking the mounts becomes a lot clearer once the level of the player is understood and how the zone system works.

Flying mounts improve nearly all aspects of gameplay, be it rapidly completing daily quests, farming materials, or exploring the far reaches of Azeroth. With careful planning and effective resource management, players will be able to enjoy the breathtaking view of the world from above.

FAQs

Can a new player get a flying mount quickly? 

Yes. A new player must get flying training and a basic flying mount from a vendor to get flying at level 30.

Do all flying mounts fly at the same speed? 

No. Different mounts can have different speeds due to the riding skill training that is applied.

Can flying be used in every zone? 

No. Some zones cannot allow flying because of the story or design of the expansion.

Is flying account-wide? 

The mounts are, but the training does not carry over to every other character to develop the training, so the flying training must be earned by each character.

Is it worth investing in faster flying early?

Yes. The faster flying does make the travel time much better, especially when a lot of efficiency and time is needed in a game.