The best flying-type Pokémon in Pokémon Go combine high stats, versatile dual-type coverage, and powerful movesets to dominate raids and the Go Battle League. This ranked list of the best flying-type Pokémon covers their strengths, best moves, weaknesses, and how to catch them, so you can build a team that rules the skies.
13 best flying-type pokémon to power up in Pokémon Go
1. Landorus (Therian)
Max CP 4,434. Base stats: Attack 289, Defense 179, Stamina 205. Additional type: Ground. Best moveset (offense and defense): Extrasensory and Earth Power. Base capture rate 2%, base flee rate 1%. Landorus (Therian) tops the list due to its massive Attack stat and Ground typing, which grants immunity to Electric moves that threaten most Flying-types. It is resistant to Electric-type attacks, unlike most Flying Pokémon. It is weak to Water and Ice. Landorus (Therian) was released in April 2021. Catch it by defeating it in a five-star raid with strong Water- or Ice-type attackers and using Golden Razz Berries. Use Max Revives and Max Potions to increase capture chances for Landorus (Therian).
2. Ho-Oh
Max CP 4,367. Base stats: Attack 239, Defense 244, Stamina 214. Additional type: Fire. Best moveset: Incinerate and Brave Bird. Base capture rate 2%, base flee rate 4%. Ho-Oh excels in the Ultra and Master Leagues thanks to its high Defense and reliable Fire- and Flying-type moves. Ho-Oh's base defense rating is 244. Avoid Rock-type opponents like Tyranitar. Raid against it with Rock- or Electric-type Pokémon, stock Golden Razz Berries, and time your throws carefully.
3. Rayquaza
Max CP 4,336. Base stats: Attack 284, Defense 170, Stamina 213. Additional type: Dragon. Best moveset: Dragon Tail and Outrage. Rayquaza has one of the highest Attack stats in the game. Rayquaza has been in the game since February 2018. Bring at least five other players to its five-star raid; a Rayquaza raid requires at least 6 players, 10 recommended for smooth completion. Use Ice-, Dragon-, Fairy-, or Rock-type attackers such as Mega Abomasnow or Jynx.
4. Dragonite
Max CP 4,287. Base stats: Attack 263, Defense 198, Stamina 209. Additional type: Dragon. Best moveset offense: Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor; defense: Dragon Tail and Outrage. Base capture rate 5%, base flee rate 5%. Dragonite is a powerful non-Legendary option. Dragonite is known for being kind-hearted and adorable but ruthless in battles. Evolve it from Dratini (25 Candies to Dragonair, then 100 Candies to Dragonite). It can also be found in the wild near landmarks and golf courses, or in raids.
5. Yveltal
Max CP 4,275. Base stats: Attack 250, Defense 185, Stamina 246. Additional type: Dark. Best moveset: Gust and Hurricane. Yveltal debuted in May 2021. Yveltal's max CP is 3,781. Yveltal’s high Stamina lets it deal sustained damage. Raid against it with strong Electric-, Ice-, Rock-, or Fairy-type Pokémon, including Shadow versions for extra damage. Team up with friends for the five-star raid.
6. Salamence
Max CP 4,239. Base stats: Attack 277, Defense 168, Stamina 216. Additional type: Dragon. Salamence can rival Dragonite and Rayquaza when using Draco Meteor. It is very weak to Ice. Obtain it by evolving Bagon (25 Candies to Shelgon, then 100 Candies to Salamence). Salamence and Shelgon do not appear in the Wild. Bagon spawns in windy areas and during community events.
7. Lugia
Max CP 4,186. Base stats: Attack 193, Defense 310, Stamina 235. Additional type: Psychic. Best moveset: Extrasensory and Aeroblast. Aeroblast has a base power of 180. Lugia has the highest Defense in this list, making it ideal for PvE solo play. Its low Attack limits raid effectiveness. Lugia has been available since July 2017. Raid against it with Dark-, Electric-, Ghost-, Rock-, or Ice-type Pokémon and Golden Razz Berries.
8. Zapdos
Max CP 3,987. Base stats: Attack 253, Defense 185, Stamina 207. Additional type: Electric. Best moveset offense: Thunder Shock and Drill Peck; defense: Charge Beam and Zap Cannon. Base capture rate 3%, base flee rate 10%. Zapdos is a top choice for the Master League, weak only to Ice and Rock. It resists Ground-type attacks. Raid against it with Golem, Rhydon, Gengar, or Flareon while dodging its Electric moves.
9. Moltres
Max CP 3,917. Base stats: Attack 251, Defense 181, Stamina 207. Additional type: Fire. Best moveset: Fire Spin and Sky Attack. Moltres has strong charge moves like Sky Attack and Overheat. It is doubly weak to Rock. Raid against it with Rock-, Water-, or Electric-type Pokémon and use Golden Razz Berries with timed throws.
10. Gyarados
Max CP 3,834. Base stats: Attack 237, Defense 186, Stamina 216. Additional type: Water. Best moveset offense: Waterfall and Hydro Pump; defense: Waterfall and Outrage. Base capture rate 10%, base flee rate 7%. Gyarados is a solid offensive dual-type Pokémon. It is weak only to Electric and Rock. Evolve Magikarp with 400 Candies, or catch it near water bodies or in raids. Mega Evolution further boosts its stats.
11. Togekiss
Max CP 3,767. Base stats: Attack 225, Defense 217, Stamina 198. Additional type: Fairy. Best moveset: Charm and Dazzling Gleam. Base capture rate 1%, base flee rate 5%. Togekiss is a top pick for the Master League because its Fairy-type moves counter Dragon-types. Evolve Togepi (25 Candies to Togetic, then 100 Candies plus a Sinnoh Stone to Togekiss). Togepi comes from Eggs or trading.
12. Articuno
Max CP 3,450. Base stats: Attack 192, Defense 236, Stamina 207. Additional type: Ice. Best moveset offense: Frost Breath and Ice Beam; defense: Ice Shard and Ice Beam. Articuno shines in the Ultra League due to its high Defense. Raid against it with Fire-type Pokémon like Flareon or Arcanine, not Rock-types, which are weak to Ice.
13. Charizard
Max CP 3,266. Base stats: Attack 223, Defense 173, Stamina 186. Additional type: Fire. Best moveset: Fire Spin and Blast Burn. Charizard is resistant to Bug, Grass, Fairy, Ground, Fighting, Fire, and Steel, but weak to Electric, Water, and Rock. Evolve Charmander (25 Candies to Charmeleon, then 100 Candies to Charizard) or find it in the wild near residential areas, cities, and beaches. Mega Energy allows evolution into Mega Charizard X or Y.
Tips for catching legendary flying-type pokémon
Legendary Flying-types like those above require preparation. Always team up with other trainers for five-star raids to earn more Premier Balls. Use Golden Razz Berries before each throw to maximize catch chance. Exploit each Pokémon’s type weaknesses: for example, use Rock-types against Ho-Oh and Moltres, Ice-types against Rayquaza and Salamence, and Electric-types against Yveltal. Time your throws to land when the target’s attack animation ends, and aim for Excellent or Great throws.
Building a balanced team with flying-type pokémon
Combine Flying-types to cover weaknesses. For raids, pair a Dragon/Flying-type like Rayquaza with a Fire/Flying-type like Ho-Oh to handle Ice and Rock threats. For the Go Battle League, use Togekiss (Fairy/Flying) to counter Dragon-types, Zapdos (Electric/Flying) to handle Water-types, and Landorus (Therian) (Ground/Flying) to check Electric-types. This synergy ensures your team resists common attacks while delivering super-effective damage. For the latest rankings and comparisons, check mobile game tier lists and rankings from trusted community sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a Flying-type Pokémon strong in Pokémon Go?
High base stats, a good dual-type combination that covers weaknesses, and a moveset with fast and charged moves that benefit from Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB) are key. Legendary Flying-types often have the highest CP and best stats.
Can I catch Flying-type Legendaries outside of raids?
Most Flying-type Legendaries are only available through five-star raids or special research events. Some, like Dragonite and Gyarados, can be found in the wild or evolved from more common Pokémon.
Which Flying-type is best for the Master League?
Togekiss is a top choice due to its Fairy typing that counters Dragon-types. Ho-Oh and Zapdos are also excellent options depending on your team composition.
How do I get a Sinnoh Stone to evolve Togekiss?
Sinnoh Stones are earned from battling in the Go Battle League, spinning PokéStops, or completing certain research tasks. They are required to evolve Togetic into Togekiss.
