Minecraft Bedrock Flying Guide

Introduction

Minecraft offers several ways for players to take to the skies, providing enhanced exploration and travel options. In Bedrock Edition, the ability to fly varies depending on the game mode you are in. Players in Creative Mode have unrestricted flight, while Spectator Mode allows for non-interactive aerial observation. In Survival Mode, flying is primarily achieved through the use of elytra, rare wings that allow gliding, often in conjunction with firework rockets for sustained flight. Additionally, players can construct flying machines using redstone and slime or honey blocks to traverse the world. This Minecraft Bedrock Flying Guide will cover the various methods of flying available in Minecraft Bedrock Edition.

Flying in Creative Mode

Creative Mode offers the simplest method of flight in Minecraft Bedrock Edition. While in this mode, you are invincible and can build and explore without limitations. To begin flying, double-tap the jump button on the right side of the screen. Once you’re in the air, tap and hold the jump button to fly upward, or tap and hold the sneak button (the crouch icon on the left) to descend. You can move in any direction by using the on-screen joystick. To stop flying, either land on the ground or double-tap the jump button again.

Flying in Spectator Mode

Spectator Mode provides another way to fly, though it is distinct from Creative Mode as it does not allow any interaction with the game world. This mode is intended for observing gameplay without participating. To enter Spectator Mode, you can use the command /gamemode spectator if cheats are enabled in your world. Once in Spectator Mode, you can fly around to view the game from different perspectives.

Flying in Survival Mode with Elytra

Obtaining Elytra

To obtain elytra in Minecraft Bedrock Edition, you need to reach the End dimension and explore its outer islands. Elytra are rare wing-like items that allow you to glide in Survival mode and are only found in End Ships.

The journey begins by locating a stronghold, which you can do by using Eyes of Ender. These will float toward the nearest stronghold when used. Inside the stronghold, find and activate the End Portal using Eyes of Ender to enter the End dimension. Once there, your first objective is to defeat the Ender Dragon.

After defeating the dragon, a small floating portal made of bedrock will appear nearby. This is the gateway to the outer End islands, where End Cities are located. To use it, throw an ender pearl into the portal. Make sure to bring extra ender pearls and plenty of blocks for bridging across gaps in the terrain.

Once you’re in the outer End, explore the islands until you find an End City. These are tall, tower-like structures made of purpur blocks and end stone bricks. Not all End Cities contain End Ships, so you may need to explore several before finding one.

When you find an End Ship, you’ll often see it floating next to or above the End City. Use blocks to build a bridge or carefully throw an ender pearl to reach it. Inside the End Ship, look for a small room where the elytra is displayed in an item frame on the wall. This area is usually guarded by a shulker. Break the item frame to collect the elytra and add it to your inventory.

Elytra are not renewable, so if you want more, you’ll need to keep exploring the End for other End Cities with End Ships.

Equipping Elytra

Once you have obtained an elytra, you need to equip it in the chestplate armor slot. This can be done by opening your inventory and placing the elytra in the designated slot. When equipped, the elytra will appear as wings on your character’s back.

Elytra Flight (Gliding)

To fly using elytra in an advanced and detailed way in Minecraft Bedrock Edition, you need to master a variety of techniques that go beyond simply gliding and using firework rockets. These techniques involve optimizing your flight for speed and distance, utilizing other items for propulsion, executing advanced maneuvers, and understanding the nuances of elytra mechanics.

One advanced aspect of elytra flight is the efficient use of gliding and firework rockets for maximum travel distance with minimal resource consumption. Instead of constantly using rockets, you should aim to glide for extended periods, tilting your view downwards to gain speed and then upwards to convert that speed into altitude. This undulating flight pattern allows you to stay airborne for longer while conserving rockets. For takeoff, especially from the ground, it’s often more efficient to take off at an angle (between 35 and 60 degrees upwards) rather than straight up, as this allows you to maintain forward momentum and glide further after the initial boost.

A key technique for safe landings is to manage your momentum. If you find yourself approaching the ground too quickly, you can tilt upwards and glide gently downwards and then upwards to slow down gradually. Alternatively, making a sudden turn in mid-air is a very effective way to kill your momentum rapidly, allowing for safer landings, even in tight spaces.

Beyond basic firework usage, understanding the different flight durations of firework rockets is crucial. While flight duration one rockets (one gunpowder and one paper) offer the most controllable bursts for general flight and maneuvering, longer duration rockets (up to flight duration three using three gunpowder and one paper) can be useful for sustained boosts over long distances, provided you use them sparingly. Remember to only use firework rockets crafted with paper and gunpowder for flight, as those with firework stars will cause damage to you upon explosion.

An exceptionally advanced method of elytra propulsion involves using a riptide enchanted trident in water or during rain. When used in water (even a single block) or during rainfall, the riptide enchantment will launch you into the air, allowing you to initiate elytra flight without needing to jump from a high place or use a firework. In the rain, you can repeatedly use the riptide trident to gain significant speed and travel vast distances incredibly quickly. However, this method requires rain or proximity to water and is not usable in the Nether or the End.

Mastering takeoffs from various situations is also an advanced skill. You can perform quick takeoffs from flat ground by double-tapping the jump button to activate your elytra and then immediately using a firework rocket. Water takeoffs are also possible; in Java Edition, your elytra might remain active on the water’s surface, allowing you to boost directly upwards with a firework. In Bedrock Edition, you typically need to jump from the water’s surface and quickly activate your wings to use a rocket for takeoff.

Being aware of your hitbox while flying is an advanced consideration. When flying with elytra, your horizontal hitbox is reduced to the size of a single block, allowing you to squeeze through one-block high gaps with precision. This can be useful for navigating tight cave systems or accessing hidden areas. Furthermore, you can control your falling speed in one-block wide shafts by looking horizontally while gliding, allowing for safe descent without taking fall damage.

In Bedrock Edition specifically, an advanced technique is the ability to cancel your flight mid-air by pressing the jump button again, causing you to fall. You can then reactivate your wings by pressing the jump button again. This allows for more controlled vertical drops and adjustments during flight. This feature is not available in Java Edition.

For utility, remember that you can use firework rockets from your offhand, leaving your main hand free for items like a spyglass or even for attempting to attack mobs while flying, though the latter is quite challenging.

Finally, maintaining your elytra is crucial for sustained advanced flight. Utilize the Mending enchantment to repair your elytra using experience points you collect. The Unbreaking III enchantment significantly increases the durability of your elytra, allowing for much longer flight times before needing repair. In the absence of Mending, phantom membranes can be used to repair a damaged elytra at an anvil, although this becomes increasingly expensive with repeated use.

Using Firework Rockets with Elytra

To use fireworks with elytra in Minecraft Bedrock Edition, you first need to craft the correct firework rockets. These should be made using only paper and gunpowder—avoid adding any firework stars, as those are meant for visual effects and will explode, causing damage if used during flight.

You can customize the flight duration of a rocket by adjusting the amount of gunpowder used in the recipe: one gunpowder with one paper creates a Flight Duration 1 rocket, which gives a short, controllable boost; two gunpowder makes a Flight Duration 2 rocket; and three gunpowder creates a Flight Duration 3 rocket, which lasts the longest and is ideal for long-distance travel.

To begin gliding with elytra, jump from a high place and press the jump button again while falling. This spreads your elytra wings and starts the glide. While gliding, equip your firework rocket in your hand and tap the screen to use the item—this will activate the rocket and propel you in the direction you’re facing. The amount of speed and distance you gain depends on the flight duration of the rocket. You can use multiple rockets in a row to maintain or gain altitude during flight.

Fireworks can also be used to take off from the ground. To do this, jump once, quickly tap the jump button again to open your wings, and immediately use a firework rocket while looking upward. This will launch you into the air and begin your flight. Taking off from water is also possible in Bedrock Edition, but it requires precise timing. From the water’s surface, jump and activate your elytra quickly, then use a firework rocket to lift off. This makes fireworks a powerful tool not only for extending your glides but also for launching into flight without needing high ground.

Safe Landing

Landing safely with an elytra on mobile requires slowing down your speed. One way to do this is by tilting your camera slightly upward while gliding. Glide in a gentle downward-then-upward motion to gradually slow down. If you’re flying fast, making a quick turn mid-air can also reduce your momentum.

You can slow down more by looking straight toward the horizon instead of diving. Avoid crashing into the ground or walls at high speed—this causes serious damage. If you have the Feather Falling enchantment on your boots, it will help reduce fall damage. When landing in a small area, hold the sneak button (the crouch icon on the left) to help you stick the landing and avoid sliding off.

Elytra Enchantments

Unbreaking III increases the durability of your elytra by reducing how often it takes damage during use. Normally, each second of flight reduces durability by one point. With Unbreaking III, there’s a chance that durability won’t decrease at all, making your elytra last up to four times longer. This is especially useful for players who fly often and don’t want to repair their gear frequently.

Mending I allows your elytra to repair itself using experience points. When you’re wearing the elytra and you collect XP from any source (like mining, mobs, or smelting), those points are automatically used to restore durability instead of going to your experience bar. This makes Mending extremely valuable for maintaining your elytra without needing phantom membranes or an anvil.

Curse of Vanishing causes your elytra to disappear permanently when you die. Instead of dropping it with your other items, it vanishes. This is mostly a drawback in Survival Mode and is best avoided unless you’re in a situation where item loss on death doesn’t matter, like in creative or with keepInventory enabled.

Curse of Binding prevents you from removing the elytra once it’s equipped. The only way to take it off is for the elytra to break or for your character to die. This curse is usually used for pranks or in custom maps, and it’s not recommended for everyday Survival gameplay.

To apply enchantments on mobile, use an anvil. Put the elytra in the first slot, place an enchanted book in the second, and tap the result to combine them. Make sure you have enough XP levels to complete the enchantment. For best results, combine Unbreaking III and Mending I to keep your elytra in top shape for long-term flight.

Repairing Elytra

If your elytra loses durability, it can be repaired using phantom membranes in an anvil. Phantom membranes are dropped by phantoms, which spawn at night if you haven’t slept for several days. One phantom membrane will repair a portion of the elytra’s durability. Repairing an item multiple times with the same material increases the cost in experience levels. Using Mending is generally a more sustainable way to maintain elytra durability.

Special Elytra Maneuvers

With practice, you can perform various maneuvers with the elytra. By activating your elytra mid-jump and pushing forward, you can squeeze into one-block high spaces and crawl. You can also control your falling speed in a one-block wide shaft by looking horizontally while gliding.

Stopping Elytra Flight

In Bedrock Edition only, you can stop your elytra flight abruptly by pressing the jump key again while in the air. This will cause you to fall, and you can press the jump key again to reactivate your wings. This feature is not available in Java Edition.

Minecraft Flying Machines

Flying machines are player-constructed mechanisms that can move through the air without support, often carrying the player. These machines typically utilize slime blocks or honey blocks, pistons (both normal and sticky), observers, and redstone blocks. The mechanics of flying machines can differ slightly between Java and Bedrock Editions due to variations in piston behavior. Bedrock Edition’s lack of quasi-connectivity restricts some of the more complex designs found in Java Edition.

However, simple and multi-directional flying machine engines can be built in Bedrock Edition. Starting and stopping these machines often involves updating a piston or observer by adding or removing a block, or using other redstone components. Some multi-directional designs in Bedrock Edition may require a return station to change their direction.

Conclusion

Mastering elytra flight in Minecraft Bedrock Edition starts with finding them in End Ships after defeating the Ender Dragon. Once equipped in your chestplate slot, you can glide by jumping from a height and double-tapping the jump button.

To stay in the air and gain speed or height, use firework rockets made with just paper and gunpowder. Shorter-duration rockets (Flight Duration 1) offer better control. Gliding smoothly and using rockets at the right time helps you fly longer and farther. For safe landings, slow down by tilting up or turning sharply to reduce speed.

Advanced moves include launching from the ground or water using rockets, flying through tight spaces, and canceling flight mid-air (a Bedrock-only feature). You can also use a Riptide trident during rain or in water to launch into flight.

Keep your elytra in good shape—each second of use lowers its durability. Repair it with phantom membranes or use the Mending enchantment to restore it with experience points. Adding Unbreaking III makes it last even longer. Avoid using fireworks with stars, as they’ll hurt you during flight.

Lastly, redstone flying machines offer another way to fly, using pistons and slime blocks for slow, automatic movement.

With a bit of practice, elytra flight can turn you into a master of the skies and unlock endless ways to explore your world.

If you’re looking for more guides, be sure to explore the website for more tips and tricks. Enjoy your adventure, and happy mining!