Flying-type Pokemon are popular on competitive Pokemon teams due to their Speed and immunities. Ground-type moves are powerful and used excessively in battles, so avoiding that makes their weaknesses worth it. Electric-types will give the avian Pokemon the most grief, but players can avoid this with Ground/Flying dual-types.

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Defensively, Flying-types have widespread use with recovery, stat changing, and entry hazard moves in all their standard movesets. They can also safely switch in against Toxic Spikes but are vulnerable to Stealth Rock. Nevertheless, Pokemon trainers can still find many uses for the best Flying-types for competitive Pokemon matches.

Updated July 21, 2023, by Taylor Pittman: The Pokemon VGC updated its regulations with the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Players get to experience the competitive world using new Pokemon and strategies. Flying-types are featured heavily in the competitive meta due to their versatility, and Gen 9 has several notable dual-type additions. Players have the chance to focus on testing the limits of Terastallizing and trying out team combinations that include the new Flying-type Pokemon. So, this list has been updated with more of the best Flying-type Pokemon for competitive matches.

Bombirdier

Bombirdier is a dual Flying/Dark-type Pokemon from Generation 9. The stork-like Pokemon features as one of the Titan Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, but players are able to get one for their competitive teams. Bombirdier is unique because of its Ability Rocky Payload, which boosts damage from Rock-type moves by 50%. It makes for an excellent attack Pokemon, and players can boost its Speed with a held item if they're concerned about the stat.

In competitive play, Bombirdier can be used as a set-up Pokemon with the move Parting Shot. While it is non-damaging, players can lower their opponent's Attack and then switch Bombirdier out with another Pokemon. Alternatively, players can use Whirlwind to force an opponent's Pokemon to switch out and get the upper hand. There isn't much that stands out stats-wise with Bombirdier, but its moves and abilities make it worthwhile, depending on competitive strategy.

Kilowattrel

Kilowattrel is a dual Electric/Flying-type Pokemon first seen in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Electric/Flying-dual types are particularly solid because of their many resistances and immunity to Ground-types. Additionally, Kilowattrel's Electric-typing removes the common weakness that most Flying-types struggle with the most. Kilowattrel is lacking defensively, but players can get around this with its Speed by using it as a Glass Cannon.

Kilowattrel's signature Ability, Wind Power, gives all Electic-type moves it uses a boost in power. So as long as players can land hits, they will be pulling in quite a bit of damage. They also don't have to worry as much about its defense because of its healing move Roost. Another notable move is Volt Switch. Volt Switch not only deals damage but also brings the Pokemon back to the safety of the party by switching it out with an ally. These things, combined with its high Speed, make it a good competitive choice.

Flamigo

Flamigo is a surprisingly competitive Pokemon from Scarlet and Violet. It is a dual-type Flying/Fighting Pokemon that resembles a flamingo with a few tricks up its sleeves. Flamigo is the only Pokemon that can use the ability Costar, which makes the user copy its ally's stat changes. This strategy works well with Setup Sweepers that use Attack boosting moves, especially since Flamigo's Attack stat is already above average.

Brave Bird is its best offensive move; however, it comes at the price of recoil damage. Players can alternate with Roost to offset the lost HP or use a held item such as a Berry. A less risky but equally powerful option is to utilize its Fighting-typing with the move Close Combat. Having a defensive plan or support for Flamigo is wise to stretch its time on the field. Psychic and Fairy-types are common offensive Pokemon that will cause it trouble.

Gliscor

Gliscor's typing seems counteractive as it's a dual Ground/Flying-type Pokemon. It's a bat-like Pokemon with a skeletal body and is sometimes referred to as the Fang Scorpion. Its best stat is its Defense which sits at 125, but it's also got two immunities to Electric and Ground while also resisting Fighting, Poison, and Bug-type attacks. Being immune to Electric is a huge benefit as a Flying-type, but it still has weaknesses against water and ice. Since it's mainly a defense Pokemon, its Attack and Speed are considered decent and can be helped with the move Swords Dance.

Gliscor has two ability options: Hyper Cutter or Sand Veil. When Hyper Cutter activates, it cannot be lowered by any moves or abilities. Sand Veil, on the other hand, raises the Pokemon's evasiveness whenever a Sandstorm is active on the battlefield. This can help with dodging Special moves to make up for its mediocre Sp. Def. Gliscor does have Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB) options in Earthquake and Earth Power, but players will get less use out of it running an offensive strategy.

Corviknight

Corviknight is another defensive Flying-type Pokemon. It's got a dual-typing with Steel, so its resistance level is even greater. However, it does pick up a weakness to Fire and retain its weakness to Electric. Still, Poison sets are useless against it, and it causes trouble for Grass and Ground-type opponents. Its moveset is pretty offensive too, with STAB options like Brave Bird Drill Peck, Steel Wing, and Pluck all serving as viable options.

Corviknight can also be a Screen Setter which can help to account for its ally's potential weaknesses. Paired with a Ground-type, Corviknight can be used as a buffer for any Physical attacks. It also has the move Agility to boost its Speed stat, so it gets the opportunity to take priority.

Talonflame

Talonflame should be used as a speedy setup Pokemon. It's a dual Fire/Flying-type, so it has to worry about common weaknesses from Rock, Water, and Electric. Rock is 4X effective against Talonflame, so players should pair it with a Water or Fighting-type Pokemon. Its Fire-type moveset includes Flame Charge and Flare Blitz. It has other STAB moves thanks to its other typing, including Fly and Brave Bird.

If it maintains the type advantage and isn't KO, it can use Roost as a good recovery option. Talonflame can also be used to set up Sunny Day, which will then make Sun active on the field; increasing all Fire-type moves and cutting Water-types in half. If it uses Will-O-Wisp, it can also bring in passive damage by potentially burning its target.

Togekiss

Togekiss is a Generation 1 Fairy/Flying dual-type Pokemon. It can only be obtained using a Shiny Stone and high friendship, so getting one takes work, but it is well worth it. Togekiss has amazing STAB options, such as Air Slash, Fairy Wind, and Moonblast. In addition, its Special stats are well above average, so it has good power coverage.

Its biggest weakness is Electric-type, but Rock or Ground-type support can offer it some protection that Togekiss will gladly pay back. Because it is a Fairy-type, its support movepool is extensive. Encore and Baton Pass could be helpful if used on the right occasions. Less risky support options include Helping Hand, Safeguard, Follow Me, and Wish.

Gyarados

While some could say it looks like a Dragon, Gyarados is a dual Water/Flying-type Pokemon. It is one of the more offensively stacked Flying-types in the series. Gyarados' Attack and Sp. Def stats are equally well-balanced. This protects it from its 4X Electric-type weakness as Electric moves tend to be special. Additionally, Gyarados has access to some of the best STAB moves from either of its typings, including Hurricane, Hydro Pump, and Scald.

It also has access to excellent damage-dealing Dragon-type moves and the non-damaging move Dragon Dance, which increases both Attack and Speed. Gyarados works exceptionally well on Rain teams because Hurricane will skip its accuracy check, and many Pokemon can't survive the devastating move.

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