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* ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'': The Sinister Six consists of Doctor Octopus, Rhino, Scorpion, Electro, Vulture and [[spoiler:Mister Negative]]. While both Electro and Vulture can fly, Electro's powers of flight are an innate part of his [[ShockAndAwe powerset]] while Vulture relies on a JetPack.
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* ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'': The Sinister Six consists of Doctor Octopus, Rhino, Scorpion, Electro, Vulture and [[spoiler:Mister Negative]]. While both Both Electro and Vulture can fly, however, Electro's powers of flight are an innate part of his [[ShockAndAwe powerset]] while Vulture relies on a JetPack.
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** ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'': Once again, Falcon is the Token Flyer in a team led by Steve while Vision is the only one with innate flight in his group which consists of Iron Man, War Machine (the former two using PoweredArmor to fly), Black Widow, Black Panther and Spider-Man.
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** ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'': Once again, Falcon is the Token Flyer in a team led by Steve while Vision is the only one with innate flight in his group which consists of himself, Iron Man, War Machine (the former two using PoweredArmor to fly), Machine, Black Widow, Black Panther and Spider-Man.Spider-Man. Iron Man and War Machine can fly but only due to their PoweredArmor.
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* In the original ''ComicBook/DoomPatrol'', a trio, Negative Man was the only member who could fly.
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* In ''ComicBook/DoomPatrol'': Of the original ''ComicBook/DoomPatrol'', a trio, three members, Negative Man was the only member who could fly.
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The Token Flyer trope applies in one of two ways:
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The Token Flyer trope applies in one of two three ways:
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* While other members of the cast can fly, the Token Flyer is the only one with the innate ability to fly. For example, one or more cast members can fly via {{Jet Pack}}s while the Token Flyer is the only one who has flight as a power or one of their powers.
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* While other members of the cast can fly, get airborne, the Token Flyer is the only one with the innate ability to fly. For example, one or more cast members can fly via {{Jet Pack}}s while the Token Flyer is the only one who has flight as a power or one of their powers.
powers.
* The other flyer on the team might have limited or NotQuiteFlight.
* The other flyer on the team might have limited or NotQuiteFlight.
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This can lead to issues if the group membership changes - if all Alice can do is fly, then Bob the FlyingBrick joins it can make Alice look redundant. Writers generally get around this by upgrading Alice in other areas to justify her staying on the team.
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* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': Of Zelda's five champions, Revali (being a bird-like Rito) was the only one capable of unassisted flight, which became important during Ganon's invasion 100 years ago: the champions had been accompanying Zelda to Mount Lanyaru when it began but were able to assess the situation quickly thanks to Revali's scouting from the air.
** Revali is this to the Rito as a whole. Their ability is more akin to gliding, but Revali has the ability to create updrafts wherever he is.
** Revali is this to the Rito as a whole. Their ability is more akin to gliding, but Revali has the ability to create updrafts wherever he is.
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* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': Of Zelda's Among the five champions, Champions, Revali (being a bird-like Rito) was the only one capable of unassisted flight, which became important during Ganon's invasion 100 years ago: the champions Champions had been accompanying Zelda to Mount Lanyaru when it began but were able to assess the situation quickly thanks to Revali's scouting from the air.
**air. Revali is also this to the Rito as a whole. Their ability is more akin to gliding, Most Rito can only glide, but Revali has the ability to can create updrafts wherever he is.
**
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* ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'': ''Pikmin 3'' introduces Winged Pikmin. As their name implies, they are a species of Pikmin that can fly as opposed to their land-based brethren. Although they are not as strong in combat as other species of Pikmin excluding fighting airborne enemies, they are extremely useful for solving and most often bypassing puzzles throughout the game as they can carry objects in the air without having to worry about most obstacles and enemies.
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* ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'': ''Pikmin 3'' introduces Winged Pikmin. As their name implies, they are Pikmin, a species of Pikmin that can fly as opposed to their land-based brethren. Although they are not as strong in combat as other species of Pikmin Pikmin, excluding fighting airborne enemies, they are extremely useful for solving and most often bypassing puzzles throughout the game as they can carry objects in the air without having to worry about most obstacles and enemies.
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** ''Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge'': Sir Ivan's Pterodacytly Zord is the only flying Zord in Dino Charge.
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** ''Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge'': Sir Ivan's Pterodacytly Pterodactylf Zord is the only flying Zord in Dino Charge.
* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', Aang is the sole [[BlowYouAway airbender]] in the cast, and as such the only one of the main characters (not counting TeamPet Appa) who is able to fly, either by using his glider-staff or by levitating through airbending. Unusually for this trope, he's also the main protagonist.
** In ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' [[BigBad Zaheer]] is the airbender of his team and ultimately gains the power of flight, making him this trope for them.
** In ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' [[BigBad Zaheer]] is the airbender of his team and ultimately gains the power of flight, making him this trope for them.
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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Dinosaucers}}'': [[SmurfettePrinciple Teryx the Archaeopteryx]] and Terrible Dactyl the, well, pterodactyl are this for their respective teams the Dinosaucers and the Tyrannos.
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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Dinosaucers}}'': [[SmurfettePrinciple Teryx the Archaeopteryx]] and Terrible Dactyl the, well, pterodactyl the pterosaur are this for their respective teams the Dinosaucers and the Tyrannos.
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* In ''WesternAnimation/HarryAndHisBucketFullOfDinosaurs'', only one of Harry's dinosaurs, Pterence the pterosaur, can fly.
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* In ''WesternAnimation/HarryAndHisBucketFullOfDinosaurs'', only one of Harry's dinosaurs, Pterence the pterosaur, ''Pteranodon'', can fly.
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': [[BigBad Zaheer]] is the [[BlowYouAway airbender]] of his team and ultimately gains the power of flight, making him this trope for them.
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** ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'': Vision is the only Avenger in this film with the innate ability to fly. The only other two Avengers who can fly, Thor and Iron Man, need external means to get airborne; Thor uses [[PowersViaWeapon Mjilnor]] while Iron Man uses his PoweredArmor.
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** ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'': Vision is the only Avenger in this film with the innate ability to fly. The only other two Avengers who can fly, Thor and Iron Man, need external means to get airborne; Thor uses [[PowersViaWeapon Mjilnor]] Mjolnir]] while Iron Man uses his PoweredArmor.
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* Rainbow Dash from ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' was this in the earlier days of the series. Though Fluttershy ''could'' fly, being a pegasus and all, she was a weak flier at best and was most comfortable on the ground with [[AnimalLover her animals]]. So much so that she's actually had to be rescued from falling by other flying characters in the series, and on one occasion received a [[https://derpibooru.org/images/181583 pretty dirty glare]] from her rescuer. This pretty much left Rainbow Dash and her dreams of joining the Wonderbolts flight squadron to be their go-to pony any time they needed someone with a set of wings. Subverted as the series has gone on though, not only with Fluttershy gaining confidence and becoming a stronger flier but also with Twilight Sparkle and eventually Spike gaining the innate ability to fly as well.
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[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
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[[folder:Anime and & Manga]]
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* ''WesternAnimation/ChipNDaleRescueRangers'': The team is composed of two chipmunks (Chip, Dale), two mice (Monterey Jack, Gadget), and one housefly (Zipper). Zipper is the only Ranger with innate flight, while the others require one of Gadgets's constructs to fly.
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* ''WesternAnimation/ChipNDaleRescueRangers'': The As pictured above, the protagonist team is composed of two chipmunks (Chip, (Chip and Dale), two mice (Monterey Jack, Jack and Gadget), and one housefly (Zipper). Zipper is the only Ranger with innate flight, while the others require one of Gadgets's constructs to fly.
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Contrast with IBelieveICanFly where the power of flight is quite common.
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Contrast with IBelieveICanFly where the power of flight is quite common.
common. [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused with]] [[NamesTheSame those little one-page pamphlets]].
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* ''Literature/TheSecretsOfDroon'': Julie gets the power of flight about halfway through the series, after becoming a [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent wingwolf]].[[note]]She also [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands becomes a shapeshifter]], though doesn't find out until later.[[/note]] This becomes less impressive when [[spoiler:Neal]] becomes a [[OurGeniesAreDifferent genie]], who can fly, time travel, and do pretty much any magic a wizard can do.
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* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersRescueBots'': Blades is the only member of the team to have a flying vehicle mode, in the form of a helicopter - though he only gained it after they arrived on Earth (and he turns out to be [[IronicFear afraid of heights]]). While several new Autobots are introduced over the series, none of them can turn into flying vehicles, keeping Blades unique. In season 3, the team gain the ability to transform into dinobot forms, with Blades still being the only one whose new form (a pterodactyl) can fly.
* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersRescueBotsAcademy'': Of the Rescue Bot trainees, Whirl is the only one lacking a ground-based vehicle mode. Like Blades, she becomes a helicopter.
* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersRescueBotsAcademy'': Of the Rescue Bot trainees, Whirl is the only one lacking a ground-based vehicle mode. Like Blades, she becomes a helicopter.
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** Revali is this to the Rito as a whole. Their ability is more akin to gliding, but Revali has the ability to create updrafts wherever he is.
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* ''WesternAnimation/KidCosmic'': Kid was the only member of the team that could use flight since it was the power his gem gave him .[[spoiler: Though we find out later, that it's really telekinesis.]]
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* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': Of the five members in this iteration, only Starfire and Raven had innate flight of the team. Beast Boy can fly too but only by turning into avian animals and wasn't much use for combat.
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* In the original ''ComicBook/DoomPatrol'', a trio, Negative Man was the only member who could fly.
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* ''WesternAnimation/WereBackADinosaursStory'': Elsa the ''Pteranodon'' is the only major character who can fly (not counting Vorb, who can fly thanks to the propeller on his suit).
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** Pidgeotto is this during the Kanto Portion of the ''Anime/PokemonTheOriginalSeries", being such a token that it doesn't even evolve until it's Final Episode with Ash. For the Johto portion of the run, Ash uses his Shiny Noctowl.
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** Pidgeotto is this during the Kanto Portion of the ''Anime/PokemonTheOriginalSeries", being such a token that it doesn't even evolve until it's its Final Episode with Ash. For the Johto portion of the run, Ash uses his Shiny Noctowl.
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* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': Homelander is the only Supe in the setting with the power of flight [[note]]This was not the case in [[ComicBook/TheBoys the comics]][[/note]] . Stormfront [[NotQuiteFlight can propel herself]] with her [[ShockAndAwe lightning powers
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* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': Homelander is the only Supe in the setting with the power of flight [[note]]This was not the case in [[ComicBook/TheBoys the comics]][[/note]] . Stormfront [[NotQuiteFlight can propel herself]] with her [[ShockAndAwe lightning powerspowers]] and cannot freely levitate like Homelander can.
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* ''VideoGame/{{Titanfall2}}'': A villainous version. The [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Apex Predators]] have one pilot of each (multiplayer) Titan class. One of those classes, the Northstar can normally only hover, but Viper has upgraded his to be able to soar through the skies, taking down entire ships with relative ease.
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* ''VideoGame/{{Titanfall2}}'': ''VideoGame/Titanfall2'': A villainous version. The [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Apex Predators]] have one pilot of each (multiplayer) Titan class. One of those classes, the Northstar can normally only hover, but Viper has upgraded his to be able to soar through the skies, taking down entire ships with relative ease.
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* ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'': Lex Luthor is the only member of the Insurgency not brought over from the Main Universe, who has the ability to fly, though using his suit to do so. This stands in contrast to the Regime where most of the members have the ability to fly.
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* ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'': Lex Luthor is the only member of the Insurgency not brought over from the Main Universe, who has the ability to fly, though using his suit [[PoweredArmor suit]] to do so. This stands in contrast to the Regime where most of the members have the ability to fly.
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** ''VideoGame/SoniceTheHedgehog2006'': Sonic, Shadow and Silver are all capable of flight in SuperMode. However, Silver is the only one of the three hedgehogs who can fly in normal mode thanks to his telekinesis.
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** ''VideoGame/SoniceTheHedgehog2006'': ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'': Sonic, Shadow and Silver are all capable of flight in SuperMode. However, Silver is the only one of the three hedgehogs who can fly in normal mode thanks to his telekinesis.
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* ''Film/FantasticFour2005'' and ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'': Johnny is the only one among the Four who can fly under his own power. Even when they get the [[FlyingCar Fantasticar]] in the second movie, Johnny prefers to fly on his own.
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* ''Franchise/TheLionKing'': While he doesn't do much in the films, Zazu is the only bird character among the main cast of animals.
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* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': Homelander is the only Supe in the setting with the power of flight [[note]]This was not the case in [[ComicBook/TheBoys the comics]][[/note]] . Stormfront [[NotQuiteFlight can propel herself]] with her [[ShockAndAwe lightning powers
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* While other members of the cast can fly, the Token Flyer is the only one with the innate ability to fly. I.e one or more cast members can fly via {{Jet Pack}}s while the Token Flyer has flight as a power or one of their powers.
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* While other members of the cast can fly, the Token Flyer is the only one with the innate ability to fly. I.e For example, one or more cast members can fly via {{Jet Pack}}s while the Token Flyer is the only one who has flight as a power or one of their powers.
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->'''Red Alert''': I'm so glad someone on our team can fly!
-->-- ''WesternAnimation/TransformersWarForCybertronTrilogy'', ''Earthrise: Episode 1''
When coming up with a team of of heroes, it can be very useful to [[SuperheroSpeciation to give them different areas of specialty]]. You have your [[SuperStrength strong man]], your [[SuperSpeed speedster]], your BadassNormal, your [[PsychicPowers psychic]] etc. And then you have your Token Flyer.
The Token Flyer may or may not have flight as their sole super power but they are the only member of the team capable of flying unaided. Depending on how well this is executed, [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower they can be shown as having advantages over their team mates]], such as superior mobility, being able to see further by flying high or a better way to escape. [[ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman Expect this character to be very useful for situations which flight is vital]]. {{Flight}} can be a pretty awesome power to depict visually, especially in a fight. This can make the Token Flyer seem special. In some settings, the power of flight can be depicted as rare or unique.
The Token Flyer trope applies in one of two ways:
* They are the only person in the cast who can fly, either due to innate superpowers or possessing external means that grant them flight.
* While other members of the cast can fly, the Token Flyer is the only one with the innate ability to fly. I.e one or more cast members can fly via {{Jet Pack}}s while the Token Flyer has flight as a power or one of their powers.
In a show with a FunnyAnimal cast, the token flyer character will probably be a bird, while a cast of prehistoric animals might use a [[PteroSoarer pterosaur]] instead.
Contrast with IBelieveICanFly where the power of flight is quite common.
----
!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' does this for 7 of their 8 main seasons so far, giving Ash specifically one Flying Mon to scout out Team Rocket when they make off with Pokemon.
** Pidgeotto is this during the Kanto Portion of the ''Anime/PokemonTheOriginalSeries", being such a token that it doesn't even evolve until it's Final Episode with Ash. For the Johto portion of the run, Ash uses his Shiny Noctowl.
** Swellow comes in for ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesRubyAndSapphire", being the first Pokemon Ash catches in the new region and filling the role quite well.
** Staraptor is caught for this exact purpose in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesDiamondAndPearl" seeing as Pikachu is separated from Ash in the first episode and Ash has to find him.
** Once Again, Ash's first capture of the region in "Anime/PokemonTheSeriesBlackAndWhite" is Unfezant, which fills this description like the others.
** ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesXY'' shakes it up a bit, making Talonflame his second capture instead of his first, but nonetheless, the Fire Flying Bird fills this spot.
** Most Recently, in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoon", Ash catches Rowlet, who doubles up as both the Token Flier as well as the PluckyComicRelief.
* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': Jetfire is the only flight-capable Autobot in the series.
* ''Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise'': Ultra Magnus is the only Autobot in the series who can fly. This is even commented on by Scourge in his first fight with the Decepticons.
* ''Anime/XMen'': Storm's WeatherManipulation powers make her the only able to fly in a team composed of herself, Cyclops, Wolverine, Armor, Beast and Emma Frost.
* ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'': Crow's [[CoolBike Duel Runner]] has a flight mode unlike the others.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Asian Animation]]
* ''{{Animation/BoBoiBoy}}'': Yaya is the sole member of the KidHero group[[note]] Not including the titular character's [[ElementalPowers elemental]] [[LiteralSplitPersonality counterparts]] who can fly ([[BlowYouAway Wind]]) or levitate ([[PlayingWithFire Fire]] and [[LightEmUp Solar]]), nor [[TheLancer Fang's]] secondary [[CastingAShadow shadow animal]] forms which can grant him flight. [[/note]] who directly possesses the power of flight, as well as super strength, later summed up as her being a GravityMaster.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Comic Books]]
* ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'': The original line-up provided an interesting take on this trope. Technically, ''all'' the members weren't limited to staying on the ground. Iron Man and the Wasp could fly, Ant-Man could get around by riding on winged ants, Thor could throw his hammer and hang on to the strap and be pulled along, and the Hulk could take giant leaps. Later, when the line-up was Captain America, Hercules, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch, ''none'' of them could fly.
* ''ComicBook/{{Checkmate}}'': [[FlyingFirepower Fire]] is this for the Black Side while Vertigo is this for the White Side.
* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': The Human Torch is the only member of the team who can fly. His sister, the Invisible Woman, is sometimes depicted as being able to travel short distances [[NotQuiteFlight by riding on her force fields]] but doesn't do this as often.
*''ComicBook/PowerPack'': Flying is the main power associated with the Velocity Powers, which Julie has most of the time. The 4 kids tend to switch powers however, so the role of the Token Flyer has been held by all four of them at least once.
* ''ComicBook/{{Slingers}}'': The team consists of Prodigy who possesses superhuman strength, Ricochet who is superhumanly agile, Dusk who possesses [[CastingAShadow shadow powers]] and Hornet whose suit comes with a JetPack that grants him flight.
* ''Franchise/SpiderMan'': The original incarnation of the Sinister Six consisted of Dr. Octopus, Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Vulture, Mysterio and Sandman. Electro was the only one who could fly under his own power. Vulture needed his electromagnetic harness to fly.
* ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'': The original four Titans consisted of Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad and Wonder Girl. Wonder Girl was the only one with the power of innate flight.
* ''ComicBook/{{WITCH}}'': Hay-Lin is the only one of the Guardians who can fly, using the power of air. The Guardians have [[WingsDoNothing wings that do nothing]]. This is averted in the [[WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}} animated series]] where the Guardians' wings do provide them with flight.
* ''Franchise/XMen'':
** The original five X-Men had Angel, whose only power was flight via his wings. Over time, more X-Men with flight (and other powers) were added to the group and Angel's powerset has needed to be expanded to avoid redundancy.
** ''ComicBook/NewMutants'': Cannonball was this for the team before Sunspot's powerset was upgraded to include flight.
** ''ComicBook/GenerationX'': Monet St. Croix is the only one of the kids who can fly.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film -- Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Antz}}'': Colonel Cutter is the only ant shown in the movie with wings. He is TheDragon for most of the film but pulls a HeelFaceTurn towards the end.
* ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6'': Baymax is the only member of the titular team capable of flight when in his outfit.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLandBeforeTime'': Petrie is the flyer of the gang, being a pterosaur.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]
* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
** ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'': Vision is the only Avenger in this film with the innate ability to fly. The only other two Avengers who can fly, Thor and Iron Man, need external means to get airborne; Thor uses [[PowersViaWeapon Mjilnor]] while Iron Man uses his PoweredArmor.
** ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'': Falcon is the aerial member of Steve's group both of these movies, using a JetPack with wings.
** ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'': Once again, Falcon is the Token Flyer in a team led by Steve while Vision is the only one with innate flight in his group which consists of Iron Man, War Machine (the former two using PoweredArmor to fly), Black Widow, Black Panther and Spider-Man.
* ''Film/SkyHigh'': Will [[SuperpowerfulGenetics inherits]] his father's SuperStrength and his mother's {{Flight}}. He is the only flyer among his group of friends.
* ''Film/TransformersFilmSeries'':
** ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'': The ex-Decepticon Jetfire is the only Autobot with an aerial alt mode. In the film's climax, he sacrifices himself so that Optimus Prime can use his parts to defeat [[BigBad The Fallen]].
** ''Film/TransformersDarkOfTheMoon'': None of the Autobots have a flight-based alt mode but Optimus's truck can transform into a JetPack for him to use.
** ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'': Drift is the only Autobot with a flying alternate mode, although he only uses it twice in the film and it's never seen or mentioned again. Optimus does become capable of flight near the end of the film. Strafe is a straighter example, filling Swoop's role as the Dinobots' resident flyer.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* ''{{Literature/Animorphs}}'': Due to being stuck in hawk morph, Tobias is the best of the team at flying, even if they can all turn into birds. Once he regains the ability to morph, he can finally join the team in missions again, but his default body remains a hawk.
* ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'' has Harold the Helicopter, the only air vehicle amongst a cast of locomotives and road vehicles.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/AceLightning'': Ace is the only one of the three Lightning Knights who can fly under his own power. Sparks has a [[FlyingCar flying bike]] and Random Virus doesn't have any flight abilities or vehicles.
* ''Series/Charmed1998'': Phoebe Halliwell is the only one of her sisters to possess the ability to levitate and hence fly certain distances.
* ''Franchise/PowerRangers'':
** ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'': Kimberly's Pterodayctyl [[AnimalMecha Zord]] was the only one of the Dinozords that could fly. This was subverted when the Rangers upgraded to the Thunderzords and Ninjazords which had one additional flyer in addition to Kimberly's consistent aerial-themed Zords.
** ''Series/PowerRangersZeo'': Tommy's Zord is based on ThePhoenix and is the only one of the main Zords capable of flight.
** ''Series/PowerRangersTurbo'': The Rangers have a number of vehicles in this season. One of them is Lightning Cruiser, a sentient car driven by TJ which can fly. It is the only vehicle in this season with flight capabilities.
** ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace'': All the Rangers [[SkySurfing Galaxy Gliders]] but Andros is the only one who can fly without one thanks to his [[PoweredArmor Battilizer]].
** ''Series/PowerRangersLostGalaxy'': Damon's Condor Galactabeast serves this function among the Rangers' main five Zords.
** ''Series/PowerRangersLightspeedRescue'': Joel was an aerial stuntman before becoming a Ranger. It is fitting that his Zord is the only aerial vehicle while the others drive trucks and cars.
** ''Series/PowerRangersTimeForce'': [[SixthRanger Eric's]] SuperMode grants him flight which none of the other Rangers have.
** ''Series/PowerRangersWildForce'':
*** Taylor's Eagle Zord is the only one of the main five Zords based on a flying animal. [[IfItSwimsItFlies Max's Shark Zord is capable of flight as well but is really more of a creature of the sea than the sky]]. Taylor is also capable of flight in Ranger mode by deploying a set of wings under her arms. Cole does gain the ability to fly but only in his SuperMode.
*** The Eagle Zord also serves as the Token Flyer in the Zord system that makes up the Kongazord with the other Zords being a gorilla, a black bear, a polar bear and a bison.
*** Cole's Falcon Zord is the only avian creature among the five Zords that form the Isis Megazord.
*** Merrick's three Zords are the wolf, the alligator and the hammerhead shark. The hammerhead can swim and fly while the other two move on the ground.
** ''Series/PowerRangersSPD'': Sky's Delta Runner is a futuristic gyrocopter while the other four Rangers have ground-based Delta Runners.
** ''Series/PowerRangersOperationOverdrive'': Dax's Gyro Driver is a gyrocopter and the only one of the main Zords that flies.
** ''Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge'': Sir Ivan's Pterodacytly Zord is the only flying Zord in Dino Charge.
** ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaSteel'': Preston's Dragon Zord serves this role for the main Ranger Zords.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Toys]]
* ''{{Toys/BIONICLE}}'':
** Lewa of the Toa Mata and later Toa Nuva team has [[NotQuiteFlight the Mask of Leviatation]] and [[BlowYouAway Air elemental powers]]. His upgraded mask does [[SuperEmpowering share his power]] with others.
** Nuparu as part of the Toa Inika group had the Mask of Flight, ironic for a Toa of [[DishingOutDirt Earth]], instead of Kongu, Toa of Air.
* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
** Swoop is the only member of the Dinobots that can fly since he is a Pteranodon while the others are land-based dinosaurs.
** [[EmergencyServices The Protectobots]] have Blades who transforms into a rescue helicopter. The other four Protectobots transform into land-based vehicles.
** Divebomb transforms into a robotic eagle and is the only only one of the G1 Predacons with an aerial alt mode.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/BugFables'': Vi is the only member of Team Snakemouth who is capable of actual flight. She normally does it only in the cutscenes [[spoiler:until Forsaken Lands, where Queen Elizant orders Vi to start carrying others around, allowing the team to fly over gaps.]]
* ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'': Lex Luthor is the only member of the Insurgency not brought over from the Main Universe, who has the ability to fly, though using his suit to do so. This stands in contrast to the Regime where most of the members have the ability to fly.
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': Of Zelda's five champions, Revali (being a bird-like Rito) was the only one capable of unassisted flight, which became important during Ganon's invasion 100 years ago: the champions had been accompanying Zelda to Mount Lanyaru when it began but were able to assess the situation quickly thanks to Revali's scouting from the air.
* ''VideoGame/MonsterBoyAndTheCursedKingdom'': The Dragon Form is the only one of Jin's forms that is able to fly. That it is also very powerful makes it quite a versatile form to take, offering excellent mobility and strong attacks.
* ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'': ''Pikmin 3'' introduces Winged Pikmin. As their name implies, they are a species of Pikmin that can fly as opposed to their land-based brethren. Although they are not as strong in combat as other species of Pikmin excluding fighting airborne enemies, they are extremely useful for solving and most often bypassing puzzles throughout the game as they can carry objects in the air without having to worry about most obstacles and enemies.
* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':
** Most games have one designated flying character for each trio in the post-Dreamcast era. The main trio, Team Sonic, has Tails as their designated flyer, with Knuckles mostly possessing the ability to glide instead. Team Dark has Rouge, Team Rose has Cream and Team Chaotix has Charmy.
** ''VideoGame/SonicRiders'': The Babylon Rogues consist of Jet the Hawk, Wave the Swallow and Storm the Albatross. While all three are birds, Wave is the only one considered a flight-type due to her [[HoverBoard Extreme Gear]] possessing at least limited flight capabilities.
** ''VideoGame/SoniceTheHedgehog2006'': Sonic, Shadow and Silver are all capable of flight in SuperMode. However, Silver is the only one of the three hedgehogs who can fly in normal mode thanks to his telekinesis.
* ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'': The Sinister Six consists of Doctor Octopus, Rhino, Scorpion, Electro, Vulture and [[spoiler:Mister Negative]]. While both Electro and Vulture can fly, Electro's powers of flight are an innate part of his [[ShockAndAwe powerset]] while Vulture relies on a JetPack.
* ''VideoGame/SpiderMan2TheSinisterSix'': The eponymous Sinister Six consists of Doctor Octopus, Mysterio, the Sandman, the Vulture, the Scorpion, and Kraven the Hunter. The Vulture serves as the Token Flyer.
* ''VideoGame/{{Titanfall2}}'': A villainous version. The [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Apex Predators]] have one pilot of each (multiplayer) Titan class. One of those classes, the Northstar can normally only hover, but Viper has upgraded his to be able to soar through the skies, taking down entire ships with relative ease.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Comics]]
* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': Vaarsuvius commonly uses magic to fly, both for its tactical benefit as a SquishyWizard and for its {{utility|Magic}}. Zig-zagged as Vaarsuvius [[TookALevelInKindness comes to appreciate]] their non-magical teammates more and starts casting flight spells on them as well, especially Haley the archer.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:WesternAnimation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/AnimalMechanicals'', the main characters are robot animals that each have a different talent (the sasquatch has stretchy legs, the Komodo dragon is the techie, etc). The unicorn's talent is that [[WingedUnicorn she can fly]].
* ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'': Before Airazor and Silverbolt joined the team, Optimus Primal was the only Maximal who could fly. Ironically, his alt mode is a gorilla not a flying creature.
* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10'': Stinkfly was Ben's primary flying alien during the original series; Heatblast and Ghostfreak could also fly, but the former was less flexible in the air (and unsuitable for transportation due to being a MagmaMan) while the latter escaped from the Omnitrix. Stinkfly ends up getting OvershadowedByAwesome in the sequels as Ben unlocks faster and more powerful fliers.
* ''WesternAnimation/ChipNDaleRescueRangers'': The team is composed of two chipmunks (Chip, Dale), two mice (Monterey Jack, Gadget), and one housefly (Zipper). Zipper is the only Ranger with innate flight, while the others require one of Gadgets's constructs to fly.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Dinosaucers}}'': [[SmurfettePrinciple Teryx the Archaeopteryx]] and Terrible Dactyl the, well, pterodactyl are this for their respective teams the Dinosaucers and the Tyrannos.
* ''WesternAnimation/ExtremeDinosaurs'': Bullzeye is the only natural flyer among the four dinosaurs. The others can only go airborne via their flying vehicles.
* In ''WesternAnimation/HarryAndHisBucketFullOfDinosaurs'', only one of Harry's dinosaurs, Pterence the pterosaur, can fly.
* ''WesternAnimation/HeroElementary'': Lucita Sky is the only member of Sparks Crew capable of unaided flight.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': [[BigBad Zaheer]] is the [[BlowYouAway airbender]] of his team and ultimately gains the power of flight, making him this trope for them.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard'': Ono the egret is this in the original season, being the only winged member of the team. In late season 2, the Guard is joined by an eagle named Anga who can fly higher than Ono.
* ''WesternAnimation/LoonaticsUnleashed'': The team began as six ordinary residents of Acmetropolis before they received their superpowers from an [[GreenRocks energized meteor]]. Rev Runner was already a speedster doing food delivery; the {{phlebotinum}} increased his speed, and gave him the ability to fly. The other five superheroes require jet packs or vehicles to attain flight.
* ''WesternAnimation/MummiesAlive'': Each of the four eponymous Mummies has PoweredArmor modeled after [[AnimalMotifs an animal]]. Ja-Kal's armor is modeled after a falcon and he is the only one of the Mummies who can fly when transformed.
* ''WesternAnimation/PawPatrol'': Skye embodies this trope in two ways; her pup-pack functions a jetpack, a feature unique to her, and her vehicle is a helicopter whereas the other pups' vehicles are all wheeled. To show her position as the sole flying member, the symbol on her tag is a propeller and a pair of wings.
* ''WesternAnimation/PJMasks'': Being owl-themed, Owlette has flight as her main power. She's the only one of the main characters who can fly directly without the aid of a vehicle or device. Newton Star can also fly without aid of a vehicle or device, but he is a supporting hero introduced in season 4, who shows up occasionally.
* ''WesternAnimation/SpidermanTheAnimatedSeries'': The Six Forgotten Warriors arc has Spider-Man teaming up with ComicBook/CaptainAmerica and five other superheroes who had each received a variation of the Super Soldier Serum. One of them was Miss America, who was the only one with the power to fly.
* ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'': As with ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'', Harold the Helicopter is the only series regular to fly. There were two planes (Tiger Moth and Jeremy), [[CharacterOfTheDay but they only appeared in a handful of episodes before vanishing]].
* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'':
** Initially, none of the main five Autobots can fly but Optimus Prime and Prowl both get upgrades that allow them to fly. [[spoiler:In the final episode, Prowl [[HeroicSacrifice dies saving Detroit]] leaving Optimus as the only Autobot main character who can fly]].
** Jetfire and Jetstorm are the first Autobots in this setting to be granted the power of flight. They serve as the Token Flyers to the Elite Guard.
* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersWarForCybertronTrilogy'': Jetfire defects from the Decepticons and joins the Autobots as their singular aerial member. One Autobot in season 2 even expresses gratitude that at least one of them can fly.
* ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan'': Nova is the only one is Spider-Man's team who can fly.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Visionaries}}'': Arzon and Cravex are the Token Flyers for the Spectral Knights and the Darkling Lords, being able to transform into an Eagle and a Phylot [[note]]The latter is a Prysmosian animal similar to a pterosaur[[/note]] respectively. Most of the knights transform into land-based animals, though there are two who change into aquatic creatures, which means they are only capable of achieving flight in vehicles or if carried by a transformed Arzon or Cravex.
* ''Franchise/WinnieThePooh'': Owl is the only main character who is an avian creature.
* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'': The original team consists of two {{Badass Normal}}s, one half-Krytptonian who lacks the power of flight, a speedster, an Atlantean and a Martian whose powers include flight.
[[/folder]]
----
-->-- ''WesternAnimation/TransformersWarForCybertronTrilogy'', ''Earthrise: Episode 1''
When coming up with a team of of heroes, it can be very useful to [[SuperheroSpeciation to give them different areas of specialty]]. You have your [[SuperStrength strong man]], your [[SuperSpeed speedster]], your BadassNormal, your [[PsychicPowers psychic]] etc. And then you have your Token Flyer.
The Token Flyer may or may not have flight as their sole super power but they are the only member of the team capable of flying unaided. Depending on how well this is executed, [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower they can be shown as having advantages over their team mates]], such as superior mobility, being able to see further by flying high or a better way to escape. [[ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman Expect this character to be very useful for situations which flight is vital]]. {{Flight}} can be a pretty awesome power to depict visually, especially in a fight. This can make the Token Flyer seem special. In some settings, the power of flight can be depicted as rare or unique.
The Token Flyer trope applies in one of two ways:
* They are the only person in the cast who can fly, either due to innate superpowers or possessing external means that grant them flight.
* While other members of the cast can fly, the Token Flyer is the only one with the innate ability to fly. I.e one or more cast members can fly via {{Jet Pack}}s while the Token Flyer has flight as a power or one of their powers.
In a show with a FunnyAnimal cast, the token flyer character will probably be a bird, while a cast of prehistoric animals might use a [[PteroSoarer pterosaur]] instead.
Contrast with IBelieveICanFly where the power of flight is quite common.
----
!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' does this for 7 of their 8 main seasons so far, giving Ash specifically one Flying Mon to scout out Team Rocket when they make off with Pokemon.
** Pidgeotto is this during the Kanto Portion of the ''Anime/PokemonTheOriginalSeries", being such a token that it doesn't even evolve until it's Final Episode with Ash. For the Johto portion of the run, Ash uses his Shiny Noctowl.
** Swellow comes in for ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesRubyAndSapphire", being the first Pokemon Ash catches in the new region and filling the role quite well.
** Staraptor is caught for this exact purpose in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesDiamondAndPearl" seeing as Pikachu is separated from Ash in the first episode and Ash has to find him.
** Once Again, Ash's first capture of the region in "Anime/PokemonTheSeriesBlackAndWhite" is Unfezant, which fills this description like the others.
** ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesXY'' shakes it up a bit, making Talonflame his second capture instead of his first, but nonetheless, the Fire Flying Bird fills this spot.
** Most Recently, in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoon", Ash catches Rowlet, who doubles up as both the Token Flier as well as the PluckyComicRelief.
* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': Jetfire is the only flight-capable Autobot in the series.
* ''Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise'': Ultra Magnus is the only Autobot in the series who can fly. This is even commented on by Scourge in his first fight with the Decepticons.
* ''Anime/XMen'': Storm's WeatherManipulation powers make her the only able to fly in a team composed of herself, Cyclops, Wolverine, Armor, Beast and Emma Frost.
* ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'': Crow's [[CoolBike Duel Runner]] has a flight mode unlike the others.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Asian Animation]]
* ''{{Animation/BoBoiBoy}}'': Yaya is the sole member of the KidHero group[[note]] Not including the titular character's [[ElementalPowers elemental]] [[LiteralSplitPersonality counterparts]] who can fly ([[BlowYouAway Wind]]) or levitate ([[PlayingWithFire Fire]] and [[LightEmUp Solar]]), nor [[TheLancer Fang's]] secondary [[CastingAShadow shadow animal]] forms which can grant him flight. [[/note]] who directly possesses the power of flight, as well as super strength, later summed up as her being a GravityMaster.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Comic Books]]
* ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'': The original line-up provided an interesting take on this trope. Technically, ''all'' the members weren't limited to staying on the ground. Iron Man and the Wasp could fly, Ant-Man could get around by riding on winged ants, Thor could throw his hammer and hang on to the strap and be pulled along, and the Hulk could take giant leaps. Later, when the line-up was Captain America, Hercules, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch, ''none'' of them could fly.
* ''ComicBook/{{Checkmate}}'': [[FlyingFirepower Fire]] is this for the Black Side while Vertigo is this for the White Side.
* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': The Human Torch is the only member of the team who can fly. His sister, the Invisible Woman, is sometimes depicted as being able to travel short distances [[NotQuiteFlight by riding on her force fields]] but doesn't do this as often.
*''ComicBook/PowerPack'': Flying is the main power associated with the Velocity Powers, which Julie has most of the time. The 4 kids tend to switch powers however, so the role of the Token Flyer has been held by all four of them at least once.
* ''ComicBook/{{Slingers}}'': The team consists of Prodigy who possesses superhuman strength, Ricochet who is superhumanly agile, Dusk who possesses [[CastingAShadow shadow powers]] and Hornet whose suit comes with a JetPack that grants him flight.
* ''Franchise/SpiderMan'': The original incarnation of the Sinister Six consisted of Dr. Octopus, Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Vulture, Mysterio and Sandman. Electro was the only one who could fly under his own power. Vulture needed his electromagnetic harness to fly.
* ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'': The original four Titans consisted of Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad and Wonder Girl. Wonder Girl was the only one with the power of innate flight.
* ''ComicBook/{{WITCH}}'': Hay-Lin is the only one of the Guardians who can fly, using the power of air. The Guardians have [[WingsDoNothing wings that do nothing]]. This is averted in the [[WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}} animated series]] where the Guardians' wings do provide them with flight.
* ''Franchise/XMen'':
** The original five X-Men had Angel, whose only power was flight via his wings. Over time, more X-Men with flight (and other powers) were added to the group and Angel's powerset has needed to be expanded to avoid redundancy.
** ''ComicBook/NewMutants'': Cannonball was this for the team before Sunspot's powerset was upgraded to include flight.
** ''ComicBook/GenerationX'': Monet St. Croix is the only one of the kids who can fly.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film -- Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Antz}}'': Colonel Cutter is the only ant shown in the movie with wings. He is TheDragon for most of the film but pulls a HeelFaceTurn towards the end.
* ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6'': Baymax is the only member of the titular team capable of flight when in his outfit.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLandBeforeTime'': Petrie is the flyer of the gang, being a pterosaur.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]
* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
** ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'': Vision is the only Avenger in this film with the innate ability to fly. The only other two Avengers who can fly, Thor and Iron Man, need external means to get airborne; Thor uses [[PowersViaWeapon Mjilnor]] while Iron Man uses his PoweredArmor.
** ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'': Falcon is the aerial member of Steve's group both of these movies, using a JetPack with wings.
** ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'': Once again, Falcon is the Token Flyer in a team led by Steve while Vision is the only one with innate flight in his group which consists of Iron Man, War Machine (the former two using PoweredArmor to fly), Black Widow, Black Panther and Spider-Man.
* ''Film/SkyHigh'': Will [[SuperpowerfulGenetics inherits]] his father's SuperStrength and his mother's {{Flight}}. He is the only flyer among his group of friends.
* ''Film/TransformersFilmSeries'':
** ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'': The ex-Decepticon Jetfire is the only Autobot with an aerial alt mode. In the film's climax, he sacrifices himself so that Optimus Prime can use his parts to defeat [[BigBad The Fallen]].
** ''Film/TransformersDarkOfTheMoon'': None of the Autobots have a flight-based alt mode but Optimus's truck can transform into a JetPack for him to use.
** ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'': Drift is the only Autobot with a flying alternate mode, although he only uses it twice in the film and it's never seen or mentioned again. Optimus does become capable of flight near the end of the film. Strafe is a straighter example, filling Swoop's role as the Dinobots' resident flyer.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* ''{{Literature/Animorphs}}'': Due to being stuck in hawk morph, Tobias is the best of the team at flying, even if they can all turn into birds. Once he regains the ability to morph, he can finally join the team in missions again, but his default body remains a hawk.
* ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'' has Harold the Helicopter, the only air vehicle amongst a cast of locomotives and road vehicles.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/AceLightning'': Ace is the only one of the three Lightning Knights who can fly under his own power. Sparks has a [[FlyingCar flying bike]] and Random Virus doesn't have any flight abilities or vehicles.
* ''Series/Charmed1998'': Phoebe Halliwell is the only one of her sisters to possess the ability to levitate and hence fly certain distances.
* ''Franchise/PowerRangers'':
** ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'': Kimberly's Pterodayctyl [[AnimalMecha Zord]] was the only one of the Dinozords that could fly. This was subverted when the Rangers upgraded to the Thunderzords and Ninjazords which had one additional flyer in addition to Kimberly's consistent aerial-themed Zords.
** ''Series/PowerRangersZeo'': Tommy's Zord is based on ThePhoenix and is the only one of the main Zords capable of flight.
** ''Series/PowerRangersTurbo'': The Rangers have a number of vehicles in this season. One of them is Lightning Cruiser, a sentient car driven by TJ which can fly. It is the only vehicle in this season with flight capabilities.
** ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace'': All the Rangers [[SkySurfing Galaxy Gliders]] but Andros is the only one who can fly without one thanks to his [[PoweredArmor Battilizer]].
** ''Series/PowerRangersLostGalaxy'': Damon's Condor Galactabeast serves this function among the Rangers' main five Zords.
** ''Series/PowerRangersLightspeedRescue'': Joel was an aerial stuntman before becoming a Ranger. It is fitting that his Zord is the only aerial vehicle while the others drive trucks and cars.
** ''Series/PowerRangersTimeForce'': [[SixthRanger Eric's]] SuperMode grants him flight which none of the other Rangers have.
** ''Series/PowerRangersWildForce'':
*** Taylor's Eagle Zord is the only one of the main five Zords based on a flying animal. [[IfItSwimsItFlies Max's Shark Zord is capable of flight as well but is really more of a creature of the sea than the sky]]. Taylor is also capable of flight in Ranger mode by deploying a set of wings under her arms. Cole does gain the ability to fly but only in his SuperMode.
*** The Eagle Zord also serves as the Token Flyer in the Zord system that makes up the Kongazord with the other Zords being a gorilla, a black bear, a polar bear and a bison.
*** Cole's Falcon Zord is the only avian creature among the five Zords that form the Isis Megazord.
*** Merrick's three Zords are the wolf, the alligator and the hammerhead shark. The hammerhead can swim and fly while the other two move on the ground.
** ''Series/PowerRangersSPD'': Sky's Delta Runner is a futuristic gyrocopter while the other four Rangers have ground-based Delta Runners.
** ''Series/PowerRangersOperationOverdrive'': Dax's Gyro Driver is a gyrocopter and the only one of the main Zords that flies.
** ''Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge'': Sir Ivan's Pterodacytly Zord is the only flying Zord in Dino Charge.
** ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaSteel'': Preston's Dragon Zord serves this role for the main Ranger Zords.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Toys]]
* ''{{Toys/BIONICLE}}'':
** Lewa of the Toa Mata and later Toa Nuva team has [[NotQuiteFlight the Mask of Leviatation]] and [[BlowYouAway Air elemental powers]]. His upgraded mask does [[SuperEmpowering share his power]] with others.
** Nuparu as part of the Toa Inika group had the Mask of Flight, ironic for a Toa of [[DishingOutDirt Earth]], instead of Kongu, Toa of Air.
* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
** Swoop is the only member of the Dinobots that can fly since he is a Pteranodon while the others are land-based dinosaurs.
** [[EmergencyServices The Protectobots]] have Blades who transforms into a rescue helicopter. The other four Protectobots transform into land-based vehicles.
** Divebomb transforms into a robotic eagle and is the only only one of the G1 Predacons with an aerial alt mode.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/BugFables'': Vi is the only member of Team Snakemouth who is capable of actual flight. She normally does it only in the cutscenes [[spoiler:until Forsaken Lands, where Queen Elizant orders Vi to start carrying others around, allowing the team to fly over gaps.]]
* ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'': Lex Luthor is the only member of the Insurgency not brought over from the Main Universe, who has the ability to fly, though using his suit to do so. This stands in contrast to the Regime where most of the members have the ability to fly.
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': Of Zelda's five champions, Revali (being a bird-like Rito) was the only one capable of unassisted flight, which became important during Ganon's invasion 100 years ago: the champions had been accompanying Zelda to Mount Lanyaru when it began but were able to assess the situation quickly thanks to Revali's scouting from the air.
* ''VideoGame/MonsterBoyAndTheCursedKingdom'': The Dragon Form is the only one of Jin's forms that is able to fly. That it is also very powerful makes it quite a versatile form to take, offering excellent mobility and strong attacks.
* ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'': ''Pikmin 3'' introduces Winged Pikmin. As their name implies, they are a species of Pikmin that can fly as opposed to their land-based brethren. Although they are not as strong in combat as other species of Pikmin excluding fighting airborne enemies, they are extremely useful for solving and most often bypassing puzzles throughout the game as they can carry objects in the air without having to worry about most obstacles and enemies.
* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':
** Most games have one designated flying character for each trio in the post-Dreamcast era. The main trio, Team Sonic, has Tails as their designated flyer, with Knuckles mostly possessing the ability to glide instead. Team Dark has Rouge, Team Rose has Cream and Team Chaotix has Charmy.
** ''VideoGame/SonicRiders'': The Babylon Rogues consist of Jet the Hawk, Wave the Swallow and Storm the Albatross. While all three are birds, Wave is the only one considered a flight-type due to her [[HoverBoard Extreme Gear]] possessing at least limited flight capabilities.
** ''VideoGame/SoniceTheHedgehog2006'': Sonic, Shadow and Silver are all capable of flight in SuperMode. However, Silver is the only one of the three hedgehogs who can fly in normal mode thanks to his telekinesis.
* ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'': The Sinister Six consists of Doctor Octopus, Rhino, Scorpion, Electro, Vulture and [[spoiler:Mister Negative]]. While both Electro and Vulture can fly, Electro's powers of flight are an innate part of his [[ShockAndAwe powerset]] while Vulture relies on a JetPack.
* ''VideoGame/SpiderMan2TheSinisterSix'': The eponymous Sinister Six consists of Doctor Octopus, Mysterio, the Sandman, the Vulture, the Scorpion, and Kraven the Hunter. The Vulture serves as the Token Flyer.
* ''VideoGame/{{Titanfall2}}'': A villainous version. The [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Apex Predators]] have one pilot of each (multiplayer) Titan class. One of those classes, the Northstar can normally only hover, but Viper has upgraded his to be able to soar through the skies, taking down entire ships with relative ease.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Comics]]
* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': Vaarsuvius commonly uses magic to fly, both for its tactical benefit as a SquishyWizard and for its {{utility|Magic}}. Zig-zagged as Vaarsuvius [[TookALevelInKindness comes to appreciate]] their non-magical teammates more and starts casting flight spells on them as well, especially Haley the archer.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:WesternAnimation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/AnimalMechanicals'', the main characters are robot animals that each have a different talent (the sasquatch has stretchy legs, the Komodo dragon is the techie, etc). The unicorn's talent is that [[WingedUnicorn she can fly]].
* ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'': Before Airazor and Silverbolt joined the team, Optimus Primal was the only Maximal who could fly. Ironically, his alt mode is a gorilla not a flying creature.
* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10'': Stinkfly was Ben's primary flying alien during the original series; Heatblast and Ghostfreak could also fly, but the former was less flexible in the air (and unsuitable for transportation due to being a MagmaMan) while the latter escaped from the Omnitrix. Stinkfly ends up getting OvershadowedByAwesome in the sequels as Ben unlocks faster and more powerful fliers.
* ''WesternAnimation/ChipNDaleRescueRangers'': The team is composed of two chipmunks (Chip, Dale), two mice (Monterey Jack, Gadget), and one housefly (Zipper). Zipper is the only Ranger with innate flight, while the others require one of Gadgets's constructs to fly.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Dinosaucers}}'': [[SmurfettePrinciple Teryx the Archaeopteryx]] and Terrible Dactyl the, well, pterodactyl are this for their respective teams the Dinosaucers and the Tyrannos.
* ''WesternAnimation/ExtremeDinosaurs'': Bullzeye is the only natural flyer among the four dinosaurs. The others can only go airborne via their flying vehicles.
* In ''WesternAnimation/HarryAndHisBucketFullOfDinosaurs'', only one of Harry's dinosaurs, Pterence the pterosaur, can fly.
* ''WesternAnimation/HeroElementary'': Lucita Sky is the only member of Sparks Crew capable of unaided flight.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': [[BigBad Zaheer]] is the [[BlowYouAway airbender]] of his team and ultimately gains the power of flight, making him this trope for them.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard'': Ono the egret is this in the original season, being the only winged member of the team. In late season 2, the Guard is joined by an eagle named Anga who can fly higher than Ono.
* ''WesternAnimation/LoonaticsUnleashed'': The team began as six ordinary residents of Acmetropolis before they received their superpowers from an [[GreenRocks energized meteor]]. Rev Runner was already a speedster doing food delivery; the {{phlebotinum}} increased his speed, and gave him the ability to fly. The other five superheroes require jet packs or vehicles to attain flight.
* ''WesternAnimation/MummiesAlive'': Each of the four eponymous Mummies has PoweredArmor modeled after [[AnimalMotifs an animal]]. Ja-Kal's armor is modeled after a falcon and he is the only one of the Mummies who can fly when transformed.
* ''WesternAnimation/PawPatrol'': Skye embodies this trope in two ways; her pup-pack functions a jetpack, a feature unique to her, and her vehicle is a helicopter whereas the other pups' vehicles are all wheeled. To show her position as the sole flying member, the symbol on her tag is a propeller and a pair of wings.
* ''WesternAnimation/PJMasks'': Being owl-themed, Owlette has flight as her main power. She's the only one of the main characters who can fly directly without the aid of a vehicle or device. Newton Star can also fly without aid of a vehicle or device, but he is a supporting hero introduced in season 4, who shows up occasionally.
* ''WesternAnimation/SpidermanTheAnimatedSeries'': The Six Forgotten Warriors arc has Spider-Man teaming up with ComicBook/CaptainAmerica and five other superheroes who had each received a variation of the Super Soldier Serum. One of them was Miss America, who was the only one with the power to fly.
* ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'': As with ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'', Harold the Helicopter is the only series regular to fly. There were two planes (Tiger Moth and Jeremy), [[CharacterOfTheDay but they only appeared in a handful of episodes before vanishing]].
* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'':
** Initially, none of the main five Autobots can fly but Optimus Prime and Prowl both get upgrades that allow them to fly. [[spoiler:In the final episode, Prowl [[HeroicSacrifice dies saving Detroit]] leaving Optimus as the only Autobot main character who can fly]].
** Jetfire and Jetstorm are the first Autobots in this setting to be granted the power of flight. They serve as the Token Flyers to the Elite Guard.
* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersWarForCybertronTrilogy'': Jetfire defects from the Decepticons and joins the Autobots as their singular aerial member. One Autobot in season 2 even expresses gratitude that at least one of them can fly.
* ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan'': Nova is the only one is Spider-Man's team who can fly.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Visionaries}}'': Arzon and Cravex are the Token Flyers for the Spectral Knights and the Darkling Lords, being able to transform into an Eagle and a Phylot [[note]]The latter is a Prysmosian animal similar to a pterosaur[[/note]] respectively. Most of the knights transform into land-based animals, though there are two who change into aquatic creatures, which means they are only capable of achieving flight in vehicles or if carried by a transformed Arzon or Cravex.
* ''Franchise/WinnieThePooh'': Owl is the only main character who is an avian creature.
* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'': The original team consists of two {{Badass Normal}}s, one half-Krytptonian who lacks the power of flight, a speedster, an Atlantean and a Martian whose powers include flight.
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