FFXIV Aether Currents Guide – How to Unlock Flying in Every Zone

Flying mounts in Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) aren’t just for show — they make exploring sprawling regions like Heavensward, Stormblood, and Endwalker zones infinitely easier. But to take to the skies, you’ve got to collect all FFXIV Aether Currents in a given area first.

Here’s the deal: until you attune to every Aether Current in a zone, your mount won’t be able to fly there. That can make climbing mountains, completing hunts, or reaching gathering nodes far more tedious than they need to be. If you’re serious about optimizing your journey across Eorzea, this guide will get you airborne quicker — and with less guesswork.

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What Are Aether Currents?

In FFXIV, Aether Currents are invisible points of aether scattered throughout each zone that players must attune to before flying mounts are enabled. They appear as swirling green wind currents in the field and can also be rewarded from quests.

• Each expansion zone typically has field-found currents and quest-based currents.

• You only unlock the ability to fly in that zone once all required Aether Currents are attuned.

This system was introduced in Heavensward and remains in place through later expansions including Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and Dawntrail — meaning you’ll encounter a lot of flying unlocks as you progress.

Using the Aether Compass to Find Currents

The primary tool for tracking down these currents is the Aether Compass. You obtain this item when you complete the level 50 Heavensward quest “Divine Intervention,” which also gives you access to the Aether Currents menu and flying mechanics.

How to Use the Aether Compass

1. Open the Duty menu → Collections to find the Aether Compass.

2. Assign it to your hotbar.

3. Clicking it tells you the direction and distance to the closest Aether Current.

This makes hunting down currents much quicker than wandering aimlessly — particularly in large maps like those in Endwalker zones where there are 10 field currents plus 5 quest currents.

How Many You Need Per Zone

When you’re collecting Aether Currents, the requirements change slightly depending on the expansion:

• Heavensward through Shadowbringers:
  You’ll generally find 4 field-based currents and 5 from quests per zone.

• Endwalker and newer zones (like Dawntrail):
  You usually find 10 field currents along with 5 quest rewards in each zone, totalling 15 to unlock flying there.

Always check your Aether Current tracker under Travel → Aether Currents to see how many you’ve collected versus how many are required for that area.

Best Strategies for Finding Aether Currents

Collecting all Aether Currents can feel like a chore — especially in large zones with complex terrain — but here are some pro tips to make it faster:

Prioritize Quest-Bound Currents

Quest-based currents automatically attune once the corresponding quest is completed. Unlike field ones, they don’t require looking around the map.

Use the Compass Efficiently

Instead of running in random directions, click the Aether Compass and follow its distance reduction to lock onto the next current location.

Combine With Main Scenario Progress

Often the final Aether Current in an area is tied to the main scenario quest, so progressing the story naturally unlocks flying earlier than you expect.

Why Unlocking Flying Matters

Flying isn’t just about convenience — it drastically shortens travel time, helps with treasure hunts, and makes gathering, hunting logs, and side quests smoother and more rewarding. Once you’ve unlocked flying for an area, exploring the world becomes significantly more fun and less time-consuming.

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Final Thoughts: Make Aether Currents Work for You

Mastering Aether Currents is a key part of efficient FFXIV progression. Whether you’re finishing Endwalker content, starting Dawntrail, or anywhere in between, learning how to find and attune every current unlocks the sky — literally.

With the right approach and tools like the Aether Compass, you can minimize time spent searching and maximize time exploring from above.

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