Soaring over Eorzea changes how you play Final Fantasy XIV. I’m an experienced player and I’ll tell you exactly how to get flight, why the game asks for it, and how to save time while hunting aether currents.
🌟 Flight basics
Flight is unlocked per zone. Heavensward first introduced this on June 23, 2015, and the system still works the same as of November 26, 2025. Two things matter: finish the zone’s relevant main story quest (MSQ) and collect the zone’s aether currents. That’s it. It sounds simple, but the game forces you to learn the land before you can fly over it.
Why both requirements? Because the designers want you to see landmarks and story beats on the ground first. If you fly straight past them, you miss context and some quest triggers (yes, that actually happens).
📍 Main story quest requirement
Complete the MSQ that covers the zone. I’ve noticed players sometimes grab all currents and assume they can fly—doesn’t work. You need that MSQ checkpoint. There are exceptions in a few later zones (depends on your expansion), so check Travel if something feels off.
| Example Zone | MSQ example (milestone) | Typical level |
|---|---|---|
| The Sea of Clouds | MSQ that ends in the zone | Lv 58 |
| The Churning Mists | MSQ concluding there | Lv 60 |
| Dravanian Forelands | MSQ milestone | Lv 58 |
| Dravanian Hinterlands | MSQ milestone | Lv 60 |
🗺️ Aether currents — what to know
Most flyable zones require 15 currents (10 exploration, 5 quest-based), but don’t treat that as law for every single zone—some expansions vary. Currents are little glowing points you interact with. Use the Aether Compass; it points to nearby undiscovered currents within range. If the compass can’t find one, try changing elevation or checking behind waterfalls, caves, or ledges. I’ve found tricky ones over and over (honestly, cliffs are the worst!).
Tip: unlock all aetherytes first. They cut down backtracking dramatically.
⚡ Compass vs quest currents
Compass currents are picked up by exploring (the compass helps). Quest currents come from blue side quests. Why split them? Because the designers want you to meet locals and see small stories in each area—so you don’t just sprint past everything. I get that some players hate fetch quests, but these often reveal places you’d otherwise miss.
// Quick checklist I use
1. Unlock every aetheryte.
2. Accept blue quests.
3. Use Aether Compass while questing.
4. Check Travel menu for progress.
🚁 First flight
After finishing MSQ and grabbing all currents, you’ll get a notice: flight enabled. Your first ascent feels rewarding; landscapes change instantly. Practice controls in a safe spot. Default keys: Space to rise, X to descend (can rebind). Some mounts feel sluggish; others are zippy. Watch for invisible boundaries and zones that dismount you near hostile mobs.
💡 Efficient hunting — practical tips
Start with aetherytes unlocked and blue quests accepted. Use the compass as you move; switch elevation when you’re stuck. Coordinate with party members if you can — two eyes find hidden currents faster. Community maps are useful, but I prefer finding most myself (between us, it’s more fun). There are exceptions where quest chains must be done in order, so don’t treat every blue marker as immediate loot.
- Unlock aetherytes early
- Accept side quests and follow them
- Use the compass and change elevation
- Use maps only for the last few missing currents
- Confirm MSQ progress in Travel
Here’s something controversial: relying entirely on online maps kills half the game’s exploration joy. Some will disagree loudly, and that’s fine. But if you want a faster route, use community maps and then go back for the pleasure of discovery later.
Oddly enough, the most satisfying reward isn’t the mount speed — it’s seeing a vista you never noticed while on the ground. Like finding a secret yard after opening a book. The system’s design nudges you toward that. This doesn’t always work perfectly (some currents hide behind weird bugs), but overall it’s a good balance.
Want a counterintuitive insight? Sometimes ignoring the compass and following a quest NPC into a strange cave yields two currents at once. Try it. You might get lucky!
Final quick note: patches after 2019 adjusted some zone rules; as of November 26, 2025, the core unlock method—MSQ plus currents—remains accurate. If something looks wrong in your game, check patch notes for that expansion or the Travel menu. Now go fly—careful near cliffs!
—Maya
