Stepping through the Dark Portal in the WoW Classic Anniversary: The Burning Crusade fundamentally changes how players interact with the world. Unlike Azeroth’s contiguous continents, Outland is built vertically—designed around flight as a core progression system rather than a luxury. As a result, unlocking flying is not an optional endgame flavor; it is a mechanical requirement that gates dungeons, reputations, gold efficiency, and long-term character progression.
This guide provides a complete, system-level breakdown of how flying works in WoW Classic: Burning Crusade Anniversary, what it costs, when it becomes available, and how different player types should approach the unlock process without wasting time or gold.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- When flying becomes available in Burning Crusade Anniversary, and why it does not exist during the pre-patch
- All riding skill requirements, including the mandatory progression ladder and why tiers cannot be skipped
- Exact gold costs for normal and epic flying, plus how reputation discounts really work in practice
- Where to train flying and buy mounts, including faction-specific trainers and logistical considerations
- Class-specific exceptions, with a full breakdown of Druid Flight Form and Swift Flight Form
- Which content is hard-gated behind flying, including dungeons, reputations, world bosses, and farming zones
- Optimal unlock paths for budget players, gold-ready characters, and newly created or boosted characters
- How flying impacts gold generation, daily quest efficiency, and long-term economic progression
- Prestige and cosmetic flying mounts, including reputation rewards, Arena drakes, and Anniversary bundle mounts
How to Unlock Flying in Outland: Costs, Requirements, and Fastest Paths
The transition into Outland represents a fundamental shift in how players navigate the World of Warcraft. Unlike the contiguous continents of Azeroth, Outland consists of fractured landmasses suspended in the Twisting Nether—an exiled world where traditional travel often fails. While your ground mount suffices for initial leveling, reaching endgame destinations like Tempest Keep or specific quest hubs is functionally inaccessible without the ability to fly. This guide outlines the requirements, costs, and strategic maneuvers needed to secure your wings in the Burning Crusade expansion.
Quick Flight Checklist
- Outland Status: If the Dark Portal is not yet open on your Classic Anniversary realms, flying effectively does not exist.
- Target Level: Reach Level 70 (Level 68 for the Druid class).
- Prerequisites: You must have Journeyman Riding (100% ground speed) trained. You cannot train Expert or Artisan Riding without first mastering the previous skill level.
- Gold Reserve: Ensure you have enough gold—at least 900g for basic flight or 5,200g for epic flying.
- Location: Travel to faction-specific trainers in Shadowmoon Valley.
Availability and Regional Restrictions
Before you begin liquidating your bank tab, understand that flying in Burning Crusade is strictly regulated by phase and geography.
- Launch Gating: Flying is unavailable during the Burning Crusade pre-patch. You cannot train the skill or purchase mounts until the expansion officially launches and the shattered skies of Outland become accessible.
- Geographic Limits: Flight is exclusive to the Outland zones. Once you return to Azeroth, your flying mounts are restricted to land movement, a limitation that persists until the era of the Lich King in subsequent expansions.
- Level Locks: For the vast majority of players, the journey into the air begins at level 70.
The Mandatory Riding Ladder
In WoW Classic progression, riding is a strictly tiered system. To progress, you must climb each rung of the ladder; there is no way to bypass the lower tiers to reach the higher aerial skills. You cannot train Expert or Artisan Riding without first owning Journeyman Riding.
- Apprentice Riding (75): Level 30 ground travel (60% speed).
- Journeyman Riding (150): Level 60 ground travel (100% speed). This is the hard prerequisite for flying training.
- Expert Riding (225): Level 70 basic flight (60% air speed).
- Artisan Riding (300): Level 70 epic flying (280% air speed).
Strategic Tip: If you already possess an epic ground mount from the original WoW Classic era, The Burning Crusade brings a system that automatically grants you the Journeyman skill level upon your first login.
Financial Planning: Costs and Economics
The transition into the torn lands of Outland inverted the classic gold model. In Azeroth, the mount was the major expense; here, the normal flying training is the primary fiscal milestone.
| Riding Tier | Requirement | Training Cost | Mount Cost | Total Budget |
| Apprentice | Lvl 30 | 35 Gold | 10 Gold | 45 Gold |
| Journeyman | Lvl 60 | 600 Gold | 100 Gold | 700 Gold |
| Expert (Air) | Lvl 70 | 800 Gold | 100 Gold | 900 Gold |
| Artisan (Air) | Lvl 70 | 5,000 Gold | 200 Gold | 5,200 Gold |
- Reputation Strategy: Faction reputation discounts commonly apply to mount purchases and may apply to riding training depending on the trainer’s faction alignment. While many anniversary-era references list fixed costs, it is wise to assume no discount unless your trainer explicitly offers one based on your standing with their home city.
- The 310% Distinction: Certain epic flying mounts, such as Gladiator drakes, fly at 310% speed. These still require the Artisan tier of training to use; they do not magically bypass the gold requirement. These are often categorized among the most coveted rare mounts in the expansion.
Trainer Locations and Logistics
To explore Outland’s verticality, you must travel to the endgame zone of Shadowmoon Valley.
- Alliance (Wildhammer Stronghold): See Ilsa Blusterbrew for training and Brunn Flamebeard for your Gryphons.
- Horde (Shadowmoon Village): Olrokk serves as the trainer, while Dama Wildmane provides Windriders.
Logistical Warning: This is a contested, Fel-scarred realm. Expect PvP activity on your way to the trainer, especially on high-population servers. If you are struggling, join fellow heroes for a Warlock summon to the hub. Most importantly: bring the gold with you. Saving for weeks only to forget your gold in a distant capital city bank is a painful mistake. Fellow heroes in your guild may be able to assist with a portal if you get stranded.
The Druid Masterclass
The Druid class represents the only exception to many of the standard flight rules, making them the most flexible aerial utility class in Outland.
- Early Access: Druids can learn Flight Form at level 68.
- Cost Efficiency: This form is dramatically cheaper than conventional flying mounts, costing roughly 8 gold from a class trainer. This allows the class to bypass the 900g barrier of basic flying mounts early on.
- Utility: Flight Form is an instant-cast and allows for the gathering of herbs and some quest interactions without shifting—a feature that simply doesn’t exist in the modern world of other classes.
- Swift Flight Form: This 280% speed upgrade still requires the 5,000g Artisan Riding skill and a dedicated questline available in Phase 2.
Why Flight Is Mandatory: Gated Content
Flying is not just a luxury; it is the ability to combat the burning legion in areas that are otherwise out of reach.
- Gated Instances: The Tempest Keep cluster is suspended in the air. You cannot enter these or complete Karazhan attunement without flight.
- World Bosses: Doom Lord Kazzak resides on a plateau reachable only by wing.
- Netherwing Ledge: Meaningful Netherwing progression requires Artisan Riding, as the core daily quest chain is designed specifically around epic flying mounts.
- Daily Hubs: Progressing with the Sha’tari Skyguard or Ogri’la is physically impossible from the ground.
- Resource Access: High-value farming spots in Nagrand, such as the Elemental Plateau, require a mount to reach.
Unlock Paths by Player Type
- The Budget-Conscious Traveler: If gold is tight, purchase Journeyman ground riding first. Use your 100% ground speed for most travel and buy the Expert skill only when a gated dungeon requires it.
- The “Gold-Ready” Power User: If you have 5,000g+ ready, skip using standard flying mounts entirely. Train both tiers back-to-back at level 70 to maximize your efficiency immediately.
- The Newly Created or Boosted Character: For Blood Elves, other playable races starting fresh, or boosted characters, focus on level-cap questing. The gold rewards at level 70 are specifically designed to help late entrants afford flying and catch up to established players. Newly created or boosted characters, specifically, might find themselves needing to navigate these costs quickly to join the endgame.
Actionable Gold Planning
To ensure you aren’t grounded, focus on these reliable gold anchors:
- Level 70 Quest Completion: Completing quests at the level cap yields raw gold instead of experience.
- Daily Quest Hubs: Once you obtain flight, the Skyguard and Ogri’la dailies provide consistent income.
- Gathering Loops: Those with the engineering profession or gathering skills can find rare materials in flight-only areas to sell on the Auction House.
Prestige and Cosmetic Mounts
Once you have secured your training, you can pursue all the flying mounts that offer unique aesthetics.
- Cenarion War Hippogryph: Purchased for 1,600g once you reach Exalted reputation with the Cenarion Expedition.
- Nether Rays: Available for 200g each at Exalted with the Sha’tari Skyguard.
- Netherwing Drakes: A status symbol earned through a long-term daily quest commitment. Your first Drake is free at Exalted.
- Special Collections: Certain Anniversary upgrade bundles, such as the Heroic bundle, provide access to various WoW collections. The Outland Heroic Pack includes Burning Crusade-themed cosmetics and the Netherdrake flying mount. The Outland Epic Pack includes everything in the Heroic bundle plus a character boost and WoW game time. Note that the Outland heroic pack consists of the Phase Hunter ground mount for use in WoW Classic. These items from the Classic Anniversary Edition collection allow you to stand out. The Outland Epic Pack includes 30 days of game time, ensuring you have enough game time to complete your training.
- Gladiator Drakes: Awarded to top-tier Arena teams. These are the rare 310% speed variants that demonstrate true mastery over Burning Crusade Classic.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you unlock flying in WoW TBC Anniversary?
Flying becomes available only after The Burning Crusade Anniversary officially launches and the Dark Portal opens. During the pre-patch phase, flying does not exist in any form—you cannot train riding skills, purchase flying mounts, or use any flight-related abilities. Once Outland is accessible, flying becomes a core progression system rather than an optional feature.
What level do you need to fly in Burning Crusade Anniversary?
For most classes, flying unlocks at level 70, which is when you can train Expert Riding and purchase a flying mount. Druids are the only exception: they can learn Flight Form at level 68, allowing limited flying two levels earlier. However, epic flying still requires level 70 for all classes.
Can you fly during the TBC Anniversary pre-patch?
No. Flying is completely disabled during the pre-patch period. Even if you have the gold, riding skill, or mounts ready, you cannot unlock or use flying until the expansion itself launches and Outland opens.
Is flying only available in Outland?
Yes. In The Burning Crusade Anniversary, flying mounts can only be used in Outland zones. Azeroth (Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms) remains ground-only until much later expansions. When returning to Azeroth, your flying mount will function only as a ground mount.
Do you need Journeyman Riding before learning flying?
Yes. Journeyman Riding (100% ground speed) is a hard prerequisite. You cannot train Expert Riding (basic flying) or Artisan Riding (epic flying) without first owning Journeyman Riding, regardless of how much gold you have.
Can you skip riding tiers to unlock flying faster?
No. Riding progression in Burning Crusade is strictly linear. You must train Apprentice → Journeyman → Expert → Artisan in that order. There are no shortcuts, skips, or alternative unlock paths.
How much does normal flying cost in TBC Anniversary?
Normal flying costs 900 gold total. This includes:
- 800 gold for Expert Riding (225)
- 100 gold for a basic flying mount
This unlock provides 60% flying speed, which is slower than epic ground mounts but essential for accessing flying-gated content.
How much does epic flying cost in Burning Crusade Classic?
Epic flying costs 5,200 gold total:
- 5,000 gold for Artisan Riding (300)
- 200 gold for an epic flying mount
Epic flying provides 280% flight speed and dramatically improves travel efficiency, gold generation, and daily quest completion.
Are there reputation discounts for flying training?
Faction reputation discounts commonly apply to mount purchases and may apply to riding training depending on the trainer’s faction alignment. Because Anniversary-era implementations can vary, it is safest to assume full cost unless your trainer explicitly offers a discounted price.
Where do you train flying in TBC Anniversary?
Flying trainers and mount vendors are located exclusively in Shadowmoon Valley:
- Alliance players train at Wildhammer Stronghold
- Horde players train at Shadowmoon Village
There are no alternative flying trainers in Shattrath or other zones.
Can Druids fly earlier than other classes?
Yes. Druids can learn Flight Form at level 68, giving them access to basic flying earlier than all other classes. This provides a significant leveling and utility advantage during the final stretch to level 70.
How much does Druid Flight Form cost?
Druid Flight Form costs roughly 8 gold, making it dramatically cheaper than the 900 gold required for standard flying unlocks. This allows Druids to save a large amount of gold early and reallocate it toward epic flying later.
Does Swift Flight Form require epic flying?
Yes. Swift Flight Form (280% speed) requires:
- Level 70
- Artisan Riding (300)
- Completion of a dedicated Druid-only questline, available starting in Phase 2
The questline is lengthy but rewards Druids with epic flight without purchasing a separate mount.
Is epic flying required for Netherwing reputation?
Yes. While you can begin the Netherwing introduction, meaningful Netherwing progression requires Artisan Riding. The core daily quest chain is designed entirely around epic flying and cannot be completed without it.
What content is locked behind flying in TBC?
Flying is required to access or efficiently complete:
- Tempest Keep dungeons and raid
- Karazhan attunement steps
- Netherwing reputation
- Sha’tari Skyguard and Ogri’la daily hubs
- Elemental Plateau farming
- Certain world bosses and elevated quest zones
Can you enter Tempest Keep without flying?
No. The Tempest Keep dungeon entrances are suspended in the air and cannot be reached through ground travel alone. Without flying, access is effectively blocked except via summons.
Is epic flying worth buying early?
For most players, yes. Epic flying significantly improves travel speed, daily quest efficiency, and gold-per-hour, often paying for itself over time. Players who delay epic flying typically fall behind economically.
Do 310% flying mounts bypass epic riding?
No. All 310% flying mounts still require Artisan Riding (300). These mounts provide higher speed but do not bypass the epic flying skill requirement in any way.
What are the best flying mounts you can earn in TBC?
Highly sought-after mounts include:
- Cenarion War Hippogryph (Exalted reputation)
- Nether Rays (Sha’tari Skyguard)
- Netherwing Drakes (Netherwing reputation)
- Gladiator Arena Drakes (310% speed, PvP-exclusive)
Do Anniversary Edition bundles include flying mounts?
Yes. Certain Anniversary upgrade bundles include a Netherdrake flying mount and a Phase Hunter ground mount. These mounts do not bypass level or riding requirements, but they remove the need to purchase a standard flying mount later.
