the maps themselves are pretty small in regards to other mmorpgs, flying would just make them seem even smaller.
You also need camera draw distance lowered, being able to see from argent city to the silver mine is too much, it's just not PKO.
The big map in PKO was always covered, until you went to that place, which adds a bit of a mistery, as you're not really sure where you're going and what you're getting yourself into.