Plains in flight, they say (7)

I believe the answer is:

steppes

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'plains' is the definition.
(steppe is a kind of plain)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for steppes that I've seen before include "Great plains of Russia" , "Eurasian grasslands" , "Russian treeless plains" , "grassy areas" , "Dry grassy plains of Russia" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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