No-fly zone

No-fly zones are areas (zones or subzones) in Eastern Kingdoms, Kalimdor, Northrend, or Pandaria where either flying doesn't work at all or where flying works, so long as you are well above the ground or while combat is not occurring in a combat zone, such as Wintergrasp.

If you fly too low, or enter a combat zone during combat, you will get a warning, and after a few seconds you will be forcefully dismounted with a parachute-like buff to prevent dying from falling. The parachute lasts until you hit the ground.

Types

Can't fly

• You may be able to mount up on a flying mount (although not all), but it will not fly in blood elf (Eversong Woods or Ghostlands) or draenei (Azuremyst Isle or Bloodmyst Isle) starting zones.
• Some areas just outside the zone that are not in another zone, like around Timeless Isle you can fly, but not on the island itself or just off the coast.
• You can't fly underwater, but you may be able to mount a flying mount while floating at the surface.

Can't fly too low

• In Dalaran during Wrath of the Lich King, you could fly through the city, so long as you remain at least 20 yards above the ground. You could not mount on any flying mount or shift into [Flight Form] or [Swift Flight Form] while on the ground (except in Krasus' Landing). This restriction was removed in Cataclysm.

Can't fly during certain times

• In Wintergrasp you can fly through the whole zone, land, and takeoff from the ground so long as a battle is not taking place. During combat you will be forcefully dismounted after a few seconds (though you will also get a prompt asking if you would like to join in the battle, as well, making the debuff a moot point unless a player chooses no in the prompt).

In Burning Crusade

This section concerns content exclusive to The Burning Crusade.

Flying mounts only worked in Outland. So, everywhere else was a no-fly zone until Wrath of the Lich King was released.

In Wrath of the Lich King

This section concerns content exclusive to Wrath of the Lich King.

Flying mounts work in Northrend also, but only if the character has [Cold Weather Flying]. So, for those without the Cold Weather Flying ability, Northrend is a no-fly zone.

In Cataclysm

This section concerns content exclusive to Cataclysm.

With World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, flying mounts will be available to use in Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdoms, but not the blood elf (Eversong Woods or Ghostlands) or draenei (Azuremyst Isle or Bloodmyst Isle) starting zones. Northrend still requires [Cold Weather Flying].

Tol Barad is a no-fly zone.

In Mists of Pandaria

This section concerns content exclusive to Mists of Pandaria.

Flying mounts work in Pandaria also, but only if the character has [Wisdom of the Four Winds]. So, for those without the Wisdom of the Four Winds ability, Pandaria is a no-fly zone.

Timeless Isle is a no-fly zone.

Notes

• Kalimdor or Eastern Kingdoms (before you get a  [Flight Master's License]), Northrend (before you get [Cold Weather Flying]), or Pandaria (before you get [Wisdom of the Four Winds]) act similarly to no-fly zones in that you cannot mount on any flying mount or shift into Flight Form, but you will not be forcibly dismounted, since there is no way to enter these areas while flying.

Patch changes

• Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Flying supported in nearly all Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor subzones.
  
• Patch 3.2.0 (04-Aug-2009): The no flying zone rules are slightly changed.
              Pre-patch one could not fly in the no-fly zones or mount up on a flying mount in one.
  
• / Patch 3.0.2 (14-Oct-2008): Flying allowed in Northrend with [Cold Weather Flying].
  
• / Patch 2.0.1 (05-Dec-2006): Flying allowed in Outland.