Abstract This paper assesses the capability of anisotropic mesh adaptation software feflo.a in resolving boundary layers using wholly unstructured Delaunay grids and quasi-structured grids as initial meshes in an output-based anisotropic mesh adaptation procedure. 4 cases are considered. The laminar flat plate cases demonstrate its capability and limitations in capturing the boundary layer in an adaptive manner. The inviscid NACA0012 cases highlights its capability in meshing wake regions – flow fields which are central to inviscid lift theorems. The boundary surface mesh adaptation capabilities are assessed using both iterative adaptation and different 𝐿𝑝 norms. There is a general trend in CFD which looks to implement more unstructured meshes to discretise a variety of fluid problems. There is particular interest how such meshes may aid in discretising complex and novel geometries. Adaptation allows for automated yet controlled mesh regeneration. The degree to which feflo.a may be “controlled” is discussed in this paper. The inviscid NACA0012 case yielded results in agreement with the literature but there was greater difficulty in resolving the more complex viscous boundary layer. The closest approximation to boundary layer thickness was 11.3% larger than calculated analytically.