Suggestion [remove Aether Currents as a catch up mechanic]

[Seera1024]

I haven't found any huge reason to have flying on the maps once the MSQ takes you away from them.

I have them on my main and I've got an alt that's only gotten a few of them and I've not been terribly inconvenienced by not having flying unlocked on those maps. And my alt has completed all currently released MSQ and is waiting for Endwalker to release.

The only map where it would be an issue is one they give you simply for completing the MSQ - no side quests or aether currents.

[Jeeqbit]

I haven't found any huge reason to have flying on the maps once the MSQ takes you away from them.

That's a good point, it depends if you plan to do content from previous expansions, such as going back to do old side quests, grinds or hunts. A lot of people choose to just focus on the new content and nothing else.

[Packetdancer]

I haven't found any huge reason to have flying on the maps once the MSQ takes you away from them.

I have them on my main and I've got an alt that's only gotten a few of them and I've not been terribly inconvenienced by not having flying unlocked on those maps. And my alt has completed all currently released MSQ and is waiting for Endwalker to release.

Mostly it's useful if you're a crafter/gatherer and want to be able to gather materials for crafting gear and such (witness zipping around to gather things to make Exarchic gear for your alt jobs or whatever), or if you run treasure maps with any sort of regularity. Having flight for those is useful (in the case of the maps) or even necessary (in the case of gathering, as some gathering nodes cannot be reached without flight).