One of my all-time favorite moments happened during a cross-campus darts tournament at university. Picture this, I was the reigning dart king and my opponent’s mates showed up to witness what they hoped would be my epic downfall. Let’s just say, the crowd was heavily skewed in his favor, I was basically the darts equivalent of the away team. No pressure, right?

Now, this guy was painfully slow. Like, “watching paint dry while waiting for a kettle to boil” slow. We were playing a race to 7 and after what felt like a lifetime (okay, 30 minutes), I was cruising at 6-0. We were in the final leg and his mates were still cheering him on like he was about to stage the greatest comeback in darts history. (To be fair, they were nice enough, I knew a few of them, but they’d basically formed a human wall around the board. One girl even planted herself right next to it, like she was guarding the oche or something. At this point, I was just praying for the sweet release of victory so I could go home.

Then, chaos. In the 7th leg, my opponent throws a dart and classic cheap stem move, the flight pops off mid-air and goes flying. The flight zips toward the girl next to the board, who, by the way, is holding a full pint. In a split second, she panics, thinking it’s the whole dart ricocheting back at her and does this Matrix-style leap out of the way. The result? She absolutely douses herself in beer. I’m talking full-on pint-to-face action.

We even had to pause the game for a solid five minutes to clean up the mess (and let’s be honest, for me to stop laughing so hard I could actually throw a dart). Moral of the story? Always invest in decent stems and maybe don’t stand next to the board with a drink unless you’re ready to wear it.

If you’re new to darts, you might be wondering, “What’s the big deal with these flimsy bits of plastic?” Well, my friend, the flight is the wingman of your dart. It’s the part that slots into the end of the shaft and keeps your dart stable as it soars through the air. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Some are sleek and slim, while others are big and bold. They’re like the fashion accessories of the darts world,except instead of making you look good, they make your darts fly good.

Flights stabilize your dart, ensuring it flies straight and true (or as straight and true as your throwing skills allow). They also help your dart stick into the board properly, so you don’t end up with that embarrassing moment where your dart bounces out and rolls under the sofa. But flights aren’t just functional, they’re also a way to express yourself. Want your darts to scream, “This is ME!”? Slap on some personalized flights with your name, nickname or even a motivational quote like “Aim Small, Miss Small” (or, if you’re feeling cheeky, “Blame the Beer”).

The Flight Shape Debate, Which One’s for You?

Choosing the right flight shape is like choosing the right pair of shoes. You wouldn’t wear stilettos to a marathon and you wouldn’t wear flip-flops to a wedding. Similarly, the shape of your flight can make a huge difference in how your dart performs. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular shapes:

Standard Flights (No. 2), They are the vanilla ice cream of dart flights. Reliable, classic and loved by beginners and pros alike. Perfect for players with a lobbed or slower throw. Great for stabilizing your dart, especially if you’re using heavier darts (23g and above).

Shape Flights (No. 6) are like the standard flight’s edgy cousin. Slightly slanted sides make it faster through the air. Ideal if you want to adjust the angle your darts stand in the board. Warning, the may reduce stability, so only use if you’re confident in your throw.

Pear, kite and fantail flights are smaller, faster and more aerodynamic. Think of these as the sports cars of dart flights. Popular among pros like Jonny Clayton and Danny Noppert. Great for grouping darts tightly, but less forgiving if your throw is a bit… erratic.

Slim, DXM and sigma flights are for the daredevils who like to “stack” their darts (a technique made famous by Phil Taylor). These require a straight, consistent throw. If you’re not Phil Taylor, proceed with caution.

Arrowhead, V-wing, vortex, mini and shield flights are the niche options for players who like to experiment. Vortex flights, for example, are a hybrid between standard and pear shapes, stable yet narrow.

If you’re tired of your flights popping off mid-throw (we’ve all been there), moulded flights might be your new best friend. Made from thicker materials, these flights are designed to be more durable and maintain a perfect 90-degree angle during play. They’re like the bodybuilders of the dart world, tough, sturdy and built to last. Popular options include the next ones. Mission Force 90, an all-in-one flight and shaft system that keeps your darts flying true. Condor flights are a lightweight and durable fused flight-and-shaft combo designed for peak performance and long-lasting use. Cosmo and clic flights use a “push-in” system that lock the flight and shaft together, so you’ll never lose a flight again (unless you lose the whole dart, which, let’s be honest, happens).

Did you know flight thickness is measured in microns? No? Well, now you do. Here’s the lowdown. 75 Microns are thin, lightweight and cheap. Perfect for beginners or anyone who loses flights like socks in a dryer. 100 Microns are the Goldilocks option, not too thin, not too thick. Durable and great for serious players. 150 Microns are thick and tough, but beware, they can cause deflections if your darts collide.

Some flights come with dimples, like a golf ball. These little indents increase drag and stability, making them ideal for heavier darts. But if you’re using lighter darts, dimpled flights might make your throw feel like you’re launching a brick.

Flights may be small, but they’re mighty and they need protection. Flight protectors, springs and rings can help extend their lifespan. Think of them as the bodyguards of your dart setup.

Final Thoughts, the Wings of Your Dart Dreams

Even the pros can’t agree on the “perfect” flight. Luke Littler uses shape flights for speed, while Ryan Joyce swears by pear-shaped flights for precision. The moral of the story? Experiment until you find what works for you. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, the right flight can elevate your game (or at least stop your darts from wobbling like a toddler on a balance beam). So, next time you’re at the oche, take a moment to appreciate those tiny wings. They’re doing more work than you think. And remember, if all else fails, blame the flights. It’s what the pros do.

Darts fever, because why not practice more, aim higher and laugh louder!

“The wife caught me on the internet last night. She said “ What are you looking for?” I said “Cheap Flights…” … and she started jumping around all excited… Which I found rather strange, she’s never shown any interest in darts before.“