Lyle's Flying Foxes fly with their legs dragging behind and held together, though when landing they spread their legs, keeping the feet apart.

The wings of this species of large fruit bat have a wingspan of about 90 centimeters and each have a clawed thumb at the top, which is used for scratching, climbing and to draw food to the mouth.

Although the leathery wings are blackish-brown, in flight they may appear pinkish-brown, depending on the background and the light.