'flighted' ultimately derives from the noun 'flight', which in English developed from Old English 'flyht' (a flying, flight) and from the verb 'fleogan' meaning 'to fly'.

'flight' changed from Old English 'flyht' (and related Old Germanic forms) into Middle English 'flight' and later English; the -ed suffix was added to form adjectives or past participles (giving 'flighted').

Originally it referred broadly to the act of flying or fleeing ('flight'); over time derived forms like 'flighted' came to mean 'having flight or wings' (adjective) or to mark the past participle of the verbal sense 'to put to flight'.