The removal of flight is not such a new concept that one would have no idea how it would affect gameplay.
We have not had it (for long timers), had it, had it banned in small external zones, lost it temporarily and had to re-earn it... it is not like this is a foreign concept. We have a pretty good idea how it works now.
To use a food analogy (as you did), someone who hates brussel sprouts, is usually gonna hate brussel sprouts no matter how they are presented. And to think "this time the brussel sprouts will be different" starts to border on the definition of insanity.