How to Get Flying in MoP Classic – Veteran’s Guide to Soaring Over Pandaria

If you’ve just hit level 90 in Mists of Pandaria Classic, chances are you’re itching to finally take to the skies and explore Pandaria the way it was meant to be seen—from above. Whether you're a returning player reliving the golden era of WoW or a newcomer diving into MoP Classic for the first time, unlocking flying is a rite of passage that feels both satisfying and necessary.

But how exactly do you unlock flying in MoP Classic? What are the requirements? And can your alts fly sooner than your main did? Let’s break it down, gamer to gamer—no fluff, just real info from someone who’s been there and done that.

Why Flying Matters in MoP Classic

First, let’s be honest: Pandaria is huge. From the lush Jade Forest to the grimy depths of the Dread Wastes, getting around without flying feels like dragging your feet through mud. While ground mounts do the job early on, once you’ve unlocked most of the map and started world dailies, rep grinds, and rare farming, flying becomes not just a luxury—but a necessity.

This guide covers how to get flying in MoP Classic for both your main character and any alts, with up-to-date info for 2025 and beyond. We’ll also touch on Cloud Serpents, speed upgrades, and a few tips that’ll save you time and gold.

Unlocking Flying for Your First Character in MoP Classic

1. Reach Level 90

Flying in Pandaria is only available once you hit level 90, which is the level cap for MoP Classic. Until then, you're grounded—literally.

If you’re still grinding levels, quests in zones like Townlong Steppes and Dread Wastes offer solid XP and reputation, and there are great leveling guides out there if you want to speed it up.

You may like Fastest Leveling Routes from 85–90 in MoP Classic

2. Get Expert Riding (Or Flight Form for Druids)

Before you can fly anywhere, you need Expert Riding. This riding skill unlocks standard flying mounts. If you’re a Druid, your Flight Form serves the same purpose, as long as you’ve learned it already.

Expert Riding typically costs 250 gold and requires level 60, so odds are you already have it. If not, swing by any riding trainer and get that sorted out.

3. Learn Wisdom of the Four Winds

This is the real key to flying in Pandaria. The Wisdom of the Four Winds unlocks your ability to use flying mounts specifically in MoP Classic zones.

• Cost: 2,500 gold (base), but this can be discounted depending on your reputation with your faction (up to 20% off at Exalted).

• Where to learn it:

  • Horde: Skydancer Shun at the Shrine of Two Moons in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms.

  • Alliance: Cloudrunner Leng at the Shrine of Seven Stars in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms.

These trainers are right near the flight masters in your faction's hub, so they’re easy to find once you unlock the Vale.

Pro tip: If you’re low on gold, check the Auction House or consider selling off some crafting mats. Or if you’re looking for a shortcut, some players use trusted sellers like MoPClassicGold for a quick gold boost—just make sure it’s a platform players trust.

Unlocking Flying for Alts in MoP Classic

Now here’s the good news: alts don’t have to wait until level 90 to fly in Pandaria. Once your main has learned Wisdom of the Four Winds, your alts can unlock flying a bit earlier.

1. Reach Level 85

That’s right—you can learn Pandaria flying on your alt at level 85, a full five levels before the cap. This is a game-changer for alt-leveling efficiency.

2. Get Expert Riding

Same as your main—you’ll need Expert Riding or Flight Form to qualify.

3. Buy the Tome of the Four Winds Flight

This is the shortcut item that enables flying in Pandaria for alts without re-learning the Wisdom.

• Cost: 1,250 gold (base), again reduced by faction reputation.

• Sold by:

  • Skydancer Shun (Horde)

  • Cloudrunner Leng (Alliance)

You’ll need to buy this tome on your main and mail it to your alt. The item is Bind on Account, which means you can send it through the in-game mail system.

Veteran tip: If you’re leveling multiple alts, stock up on tomes all at once to save yourself a trip. And keep an eye on your gold—flying adds up fast when you're working with a full alt roster.

Flying Speed and Mounts in MoP Classic

Unlocking flying is only part of the equation—how fast you fly is tied to your general Riding skills:

• Apprentice Riding – Ground mount speed only

• Journeyman Riding – Faster ground mounts

• Expert Riding – Basic flying (150%)

• Artisan Riding – Epic flying (280%)

• Master Riding – Max flying speed (310%, not available in MoP Classic at launch)

Once you’re airborne, all your flying mounts can be used in Pandaria—as long as you’ve unlocked the Wisdom of the Four Winds.

What About Cloud Serpents?

One of the most iconic mounts in MoP is the Cloud Serpent, but here’s the catch:

You can’t ride Cloud Serpents right away, even if you unlock flying.

To ride them, you need to:

1. Reach Exalted with the Order of the Cloud Serpent.

2. Complete the Cloud Serpent Riding training questline.

This unlocks the ability to ride Cloud Serpents on that character only—it’s not account-wide. So yeah, if you want to show off that Jade Cloud Serpent on an alt, you’ll need to grind it again.

Best Time to Unlock Flying

If you’re questing through the zones and just hit 90, get flying ASAP. It’ll speed up rep grinds (looking at you, Golden Lotus), help with finding rare spawns, and cut your travel time in half.

However, if you’re on a fresh server and struggling for gold early on, you might want to wait a bit until you’ve got your economy stable. Farming, gathering professions, and dailies are all good ways to generate gold naturally.

Final Tips from a Veteran

• Check your discounts: Reputation discounts apply to all flying costs. If you’re Exalted with your faction, you’re saving serious gold.

• Plan ahead for alts: Buy the Tome of the Four Winds in advance. The sooner your alts fly, the smoother their leveling will be.

• Don’t forget your flying mounts: Some people get so excited they forget to actually equip their mounts once flying is unlocked. Open your mount journal and pick your favorite ride.

• Gold-saving tip: Consider selling rare items, BoEs, or crafted gear to fund your first flight. Or, if you’re tight on time and swimming in alts, buying some MoP Classic gold from a reliable vendor could be worth your while.

TL;DR – How to Get Flying in MoP Classic

Wrap-Up

Flying in Pandaria isn’t just about convenience—it’s part of the experience. The moment you soar over the Jade Forest at sunset or zip between mountain peaks in Kun-Lai is when MoP Classic truly comes alive. Whether you're a battle-hardened veteran or coming back after years away, unlocking flying is your ticket to a smoother, faster, and far more fun WoW Classic journey.

So hit 90, visit your trainer, grab that Wisdom, and get ready to fly high. Pandaria is waiting.

See you in the skies, champion.