How to Unlock Flying in TBC Anniversary

Burning Crusade Anniversary: How to Unlock Flying (Requirements, Trainers, Costs)

Flying is one of the biggest quality-of-life upgrades in The Burning Crusade Anniversary. It dramatically speeds up questing at max level, resource farming, and moving between dungeon entrances and daily hubs across Outland. But flying is also strictly gated: you can’t “pre-buy” it in the pre-patch, and you can’t use it outside Outland.

This guide explains exactly when flying becomes available, the requirements you must meet, where to train (Alliance and Horde locations), the full cost breakdown for normal vs epic flying, and the special rules for Druids.

Key takeaways

• Flying is not available in the pre-patch: no trainers, no mounts, no flying.

• Flying unlocks only after the expansion content launches and Outland opens.

• Standard flying starts at level 70 after you train the required riding skill.

• Flying requires level, riding prerequisites, and gold — not quests or reputations.

• Flying works only in Outland, not in Azeroth.

• Epic flying is a major gold sink, but the biggest long-term travel upgrade in TBC.

• Druids get normal flight earlier via Flight Form, but epic speed still follows the same core rule: Artisan Riding is mandatory.

When is flying available in TBC Anniversary?

Flying availability is straightforward:

Where you can fly

• Outland only (all Outland zones support flying once unlocked).

• Azeroth (Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdoms do not).

Important note: Even if you have the gold ready and your ground riding trained, flying remains disabled until the expansion content opens Outland.

Flying requirements (what you actually need)

TBC Anniversary flying is not tied to long quest chains or reputation gates. It’s a clean checklist: meet the requirements, pay the cost, and you can fly.

Requirements checklist

Flying trainers (where to learn flying)

In TBC Anniversary, flying trainers are exclusive to Shadowmoon Valley. This is intentional: flying is designed as a late Outland progression unlock.

What trainers offer

• Expert Riding (225) for normal flying

• Artisan Riding (300) for epic flying

• Nearby vendors selling faction flying mounts

There are no neutral trainers. Alliance and Horde must use their own faction hubs.

Alliance flying trainer location

Alliance learns flying in Shadowmoon Valley at Wildhammer Stronghold from Ilsa Blusterbrew.

What you can do there:

• Train Expert Riding (normal flying)

• Train Artisan Riding (epic flying)

• Buy Alliance flying mounts (Gryphons)

Alliance trainer and vendor are placed close together, so the process is quick once you arrive.

Horde flying trainer location

Horde learns flying in Shadowmoon Valley at Shadowmoon Village from Olrokk.

What you can do there:

• Train Expert Riding (normal flying)

• Train Artisan Riding (epic flying)

• Buy Horde flying mounts (Wind Riders)

Like the Alliance hub, trainer and vendor are positioned together for a fast “train + buy” unlock.

Flying cost in TBC Anniversary (training + mount)

Flying is always two purchases:

1. the riding skill,

2. the mount itself.

Cost table

Cost notes you should know

• Training and mount are not bundled — you must buy both.

• Normal flying is mostly an access tool (vertical zones, routing, convenience).

• Epic flying is the real time-saver and the long-term goal for most players.

• Reputation discounts apply: higher reputation with the relevant faction reduces costs.

• Costs are the same for Alliance and Horde.

Recommended progression

Most players unlock normal flying first, then upgrade to epic flying once gold flow improves (or earlier if they prepared gold in advance).

Druid flying rules (Flight Form vs Swift Flight Form)

Druids have a unique path because they unlock flight through forms, but the Outland restriction still applies.

Flight Form (normal flight)

• Druids learn Flight Form at level 68, allowing normal-speed flight.

• It works in Outland only, same as mounts.

This gives Druids earlier mobility than other classes, especially during the last stretch of leveling.

Swift Flight Form (epic flight)

To use Swift Flight Form, Druids still must follow the epic rule:

Even if you complete the form quest, you cannot use Swift Flight Form without Artisan Riding.

FAQ

Can you fly during the TBC Anniversary pre-patch?

No. Flying is disabled in the pre-patch and becomes available only after Outland opens.

Where can you fly in TBC Anniversary?

Outland only. Flying cannot be used in Azeroth.

When can you start flying?

At level 70 after training Expert Riding and purchasing a flying mount (or Flight Form rules for Druids).

Do you need quests or reputations to unlock flying?

No. Flying requires level, riding prerequisites, gold, and being in Outland. Reputation only affects discounts.

Is flying available on fresh Anniversary servers?

Yes, under the same rules: after Outland opens and at the required level/training.

Is epic flying worth buying early?

If you can afford it, yes. It significantly reduces travel time for everything: dailies, farming routes, and dungeon logistics.

Do Druids unlock flying differently?

Yes. Druids get Flight Form at 68, but epic speed still requires Artisan Riding plus the class quest chain.

Conclusion

Flying in The Burning Crusade Anniversary is a clean, predictable unlock: hit level 70, travel to Shadowmoon Valley, train riding, buy your mount, and you’re airborne across Outland. Understanding the timing (no pre-patch flying), the exact trainer locations, and the full gold cost helps you plan ahead — so when Outland opens, you unlock flying smoothly and move through TBC content with far less friction.