Yes, it was really powerful for lvling purpose (expecially in the necro packs), but once you hit the vale and amrath it was (and still is) basically useless
The spell pass in u9, except for the nerf to extend, was great, there are now many more options for casters
IT on wings and kiting: fvs/clr start kiting through bb since they got it at lvl 12/11, so well before wings. Fvs tanking bosses usually shieldblock and DP while healing themselves, i do not see them flying around tbh. When i play my wf fvs i usually melee and DP in boss fights, if i need to reduce incoming damage i just put my DoD on, shieldblock and stay there.
If you use wings only for those "oh ****" moments there won't be almost any difference after the update; the real pain is for those who use wings instead of running (i'm in this category). As i said, my wf LoB usually melee, so it's not like i'm flying everywhere while fighting, but i will find the nerf really annoying for when i move.
I will adapt and live with the change or i will TR into something else, but i continue to believe that wings nerf is unneeded and won't solve anything