The discovery of influenza A viruses in bats has changed our understanding of viral circulation in nature. For years, wild aquatic birds were considered the primary natural reservoir for influenza A viruses. However, surveillance efforts in Neotropical bats have revealed highly divergent bat-derived lineages, including H17N10, H18N11, and H18N12. Researchers also isolated an avian-like H9N2 virus from Egyptian fruit bats. These findings show that bats do not carry a single influenza virus type; instead, they are associated with multiple lineages with distinct evolutionary backgrounds. The H17 and H18 viruses appear to be adapted to bat physiology. They infect cells via major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules rather than the usual sialic acid receptors; their neuraminidase-like proteins lack conventional sialidase activity; and they replicate poorly in non-bat mammalian models. In contrast, the bat-associated, avian-like H9N2 virus behaves differently. Although its surface proteins retain avian-like characteristics, it replicates efficiently and transmits readily in mammalian systems, together with reduced sensitivity to human MxA restriction. These observations raise the possibility that bats could act as ecological bridging hosts for avian influenza viruses. However, there is currently no direct field evidence that avian influenza viruses acquire mammalian-compatible traits in bats or are subsequently transmitted from bats to other host species. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of bat-associated influenza viruses and their potential implications for global health.