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When Can You Fly in Azeroth? A Comprehensive Guide to Soaring the Skies of World of Warcraft

The ability to fly is one of the most coveted freedoms in World of Warcraft. It dramatically changes how you experience the world, allowing for faster travel, easier exploration, and breathtaking views. But when exactly can you take to the skies in Azeroth? The answer depends on which zones you’re in and the current state of the game.

Generally, you can learn to fly on your characters in Azeroth (the old world) at level 30. Once you hit level 30, the Time to Fly quest should automatically pop up, sending you to Zandalar if you’re Horde, or Kul Tiras if you’re Alliance. Flying in more recent expansions such as Battle for Azeroth used to require the completion of Pathfinder achievements, this is no longer the case! That’s right, as of Patch 10.0.7, Flying in Battle for Azeroth zones no longer requires Battle for Azeroth Pathfinder. As for Shadowlands, it requires reaching Renown 44 with your chosen Covenant, completing all nine chapters of your Covenant Campaign, and advancing through Chapter 3 of the “Chains of Domination” Campaign. Dragonflight introduces Dragonriding, unlocked after completing the first two chapters in the Waking Shores. Let’s break this down further.

Understanding Flying in Different Zones and Expansions

Flying in Classic Zones (Azeroth & Outland)

Flying in the original continents of Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms (Azeroth), as well as in Outland, is primarily gated by level and training. Once you reach level 30, you can purchase the Expert Riding skill from a riding trainer for 250 gold, enabling the use of flying mounts. You can then purchase your first flying mount for 50 gold from your faction’s mount vendor. This allows you to fly in most zones within these continents.

Flying in Northrend

The ability to fly in Northrend is governed by the Cold Weather Flying skill, which can be purchased starting at level 68. This skill, costing a certain amount of gold (check with your riding trainer for the most up-to-date price), enables the use of flying mounts within Northrend.

Flying in Cataclysm Zones

Following the Cataclysm expansion, the original continents of Azeroth were revamped, and flying was enabled in all previously un-flyable zones. As long as you have the Expert Riding skill, you can now soar over the entire world of Azeroth (with a few exceptions, noted below).

Flying in Pandaria

To fly in Pandaria, you must reach level 90 and purchase the Wisdom of the Four Winds skill. This can be learned from a riding trainer in your faction’s capital city or directly in Pandaria.

Flying in Draenor

Flying in Draenor requires earning the Draenor Pathfinder achievement. This achievement has several requirements:

Explore all of Draenor
Collect 100 Treasures in Draenor
Complete several Tanaan Jungle reputations to revered.
Complete Securing Draenor achievement by completing all the Garrison campaign quests.

Once earned on one character, all characters on your account can fly in Draenor.

Flying in the Broken Isles (Legion)

To unlock flying in the Broken Isles (Legion expansion), you need to earn the Broken Isles Pathfinder, Part One and Two achievements. Part One involves completing specific zone storylines and reaching Revered reputation with certain factions. Part Two requires exploring Broken Isles, Broken Shore and completing 10 Broken Isles World Quests.

Flying in Kul Tiras and Zandalar (Battle for Azeroth)

Originally, flying in Kul Tiras and Zandalar required completing the Battle for Azeroth Pathfinder, Part One and Two achievements. Thankfully, as of Patch 10.0.7, this requirement has been removed. If you can fly in other zones, you can now fly in Battle for Azeroth zones as well.

Flying in the Shadowlands

Flying in the four main Shadowlands zones (Bastion, Maldraxxus, Ardenweald, and Revendreth) requires several steps:

Reach Renown level 44 with your chosen Covenant.
Complete all 9 chapters of your Covenant Campaign.
Complete up to the third chapter of the 9.1 “Chains of Domination” Campaign.

Flying in Zereth Mortis

In the zone of Zereth Mortis, flying is unlocked by completing the “Unlocking the Secrets” achievement. This achievement involves:

Finishing side quests to obtain the Path to Enlightenment achievement.
Finding hidden books to achieve Tales of the Exile.
Defeating 10 different rare enemies for Adventures in Zereth Mortis.

Flying in the Dragon Isles (Dragonflight)

Dragonflight introduces a new form of flying called Dragonriding. Players receive their own customizable Dragonriding mount early in the expansion. Dragonriding is unlocked after completing the first two chapters of the campaign in the Waking Shores. The ability to further enhance your Dragonriding skills is upgraded as you progress through the campaign. Regular flying can be unlocked later as well.

Zones Where Flying is Restricted

While flying is available in most areas, some zones still restrict its use for lore, gameplay, or technical reasons. These “no-fly zones” include:

Plaguelands: The Scarlet Enclave
Gilneas: The starting area for Worgen characters.
Kezan and the Lost Isles: The starting areas for Goblins.
The Wandering Isle: The starting area for Pandaren (class hall version).
Mardum, the Shattered Abyss: The Demon Hunter starting zone (class hall version).
Exile’s Reach: The new player starting zone.
The Forbidden Reach.

These zones typically have specific design elements or narrative reasons preventing flight.

Why Can’t I Fly? Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you’re having trouble flying in a particular zone, consider the following:

Level Requirement: Make sure your character is at least level 30 to use flying mounts.
Riding Skill: Ensure you’ve purchased the appropriate riding skill (e.g., Expert Riding, Cold Weather Flying, Wisdom of the Four Winds).
Achievements: For some zones, like Draenor or older versions of Battle for Azeroth, you may need to complete specific achievements. However, as of Patch 10.0.7 Pathfinder is no longer required for Battle for Azeroth zones.
No-Fly Zones: You might be in a zone where flying is explicitly restricted.
Warmode: Sometimes Warmode can interfere with certain aspects of gameplay. Try turning it off.
Glitches and Bugs: If all else fails, it could be a temporary bug. Try relogging or contacting customer support.

FAQs About Flying in Azeroth

FAQ 1: What level can I start flying in WoW?

You can learn to fly in the original Azeroth zones at level 30. This requires purchasing the Expert Riding skill.

FAQ 2: How much does it cost to learn flying in Azeroth?

The cost of Expert Riding (which enables flying in Azeroth) is 250 gold . The flying mount itself will cost 50 gold.

FAQ 3: Do I need to complete Pathfinder to fly in Battle for Azeroth zones?

No, as of Patch 10.0.7, the Battle for Azeroth Pathfinder achievement is no longer required to fly in Kul Tiras and Zandalar.

FAQ 4: How do I unlock flying in the Shadowlands?

To fly in the main Shadowlands zones, you need to reach Renown level 44 with your Covenant, complete all 9 chapters of your Covenant Campaign, and complete Chapter 3 of the 9.1 “Chains of Domination” Campaign.

FAQ 5: How do I unlock flying in Zereth Mortis?

You unlock flying in Zereth Mortis by completing the “Unlocking the Secrets” achievement, which involves finishing side quests, finding hidden books, and defeating rare enemies.

FAQ 6: Can I fly in Draenor?

Yes, but only after earning the Draenor Pathfinder achievement.

FAQ 7: What are the no-fly zones in WoW?

Some zones restrict flying for various reasons. Examples include:

Plaguelands: The Scarlet Enclave
Gilneas
Kezan and the Lost Isles
Exile’s Reach
The Forbidden Reach.

FAQ 8: How do I get a flying mount?

Flying mounts can be purchased from vendors in your faction’s capital cities or obtained through quests, achievements, or the in-game store.

FAQ 9: Is Dragonriding available in older zones?

No, Dragonriding is exclusive to the Dragon Isles in the Dragonflight expansion.

FAQ 10: What is the difference between Dragonriding and regular flying?

Dragonriding is a more dynamic and skill-based form of flying, while regular flying is a more traditional, passive experience.

FAQ 11: Can I fly in all zones after unlocking flying in one expansion?

No, flying is typically tied to specific zones or expansions. Unlocking flying in one area does not automatically unlock it everywhere else, unless specifically stated (as is now the case for Battle for Azeroth zones).

FAQ 12: What level can I start Dragonriding?

You can start Dragonriding early in the Dragonflight expansion, after completing the first two chapters of the campaign in the Waking Shores around level 61.

FAQ 13: Do I need to be max level to fly in Shadowlands?

While there’s no explicit level requirement, you need to progress through the Covenant Campaign and reach Renown level 44, which usually requires being at or near max level.

FAQ 14: How long does it take to unlock flying in Shadowlands?

The time it takes to unlock flying in Shadowlands depends on your playstyle and how quickly you progress through the Covenant Campaign and Renown levels.

FAQ 15: Is there a way to get flying cheaper?

Discounts on riding skills and mounts can sometimes be obtained through reputation with your faction. Higher reputation tiers can significantly reduce the cost.

Understanding the requirements for flying in different zones can greatly enhance your World of Warcraft experience. By following these guidelines, you’ll be soaring through the skies of Azeroth and beyond in no time!

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When can you fly in Azeroth?