Some parts of the South Island are only really understood from the air, Aoraki Mount Cook's glaciers, the sheer walls of Milford Sound, the icefields above Mount Aspiring National Park. Queenstown Airport is the launch point for all of it, with fixed wing planes and helicopters covering everything from a quick alpine landing to a full day combining a flight with a boat cruise. Here is what is actually flying out of Queenstown, and what each trip includes.
Fixed wing to Aoraki Mount Cook
The True South Flights Mount Cook Scenic Flight flies into the heart of the Southern Alps to circle New Zealand's tallest peak at 3,724 metres, taking in the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest, along with Fox Glacier and Franz Josef on the way. Every seat is a window seat, the return leg follows a different route to the outbound flight, and children aged three to 13 fly at the child rate while infants under two travel free on a parent's lap. Allow three hours in total.
Fixed wing fly, cruise and fly to Milford Sound
The Milford Sound Flight and Scenic Cruise from Queenstown is the most booked flight out of Queenstown for good reason, a 40 minute flight over Skippers Canyon and the Milford Track, a two hour cruise the full length of the fiord past Mitre Peak, then a different flight path home over Sutherland Falls. Child rates apply from two years or 11 kilograms, and infants under 11 kilograms fly free on a parent's lap. Allow four hours.
Helicopter express to Milford Sound
The Milford Sound Express Helicopter Flight with Heliworks is the fast way in, a 75 minute round trip over the Dart and Rees Rivers and the Hollyford Valley with a remote alpine landing included, useful if you are short on time in Queenstown. Child rates apply from three to 11 years, with infants under two travelling free. Total flight time is one hour.
Helicopter to the glaciers of Mount Aspiring National Park
The Southern Glacier Helicopter Flight from Queenstown heads north over Lake Wakatipu, the Dart and Rees valleys and Mount Aspiring itself before an alpine snow landing on an actual glacier, longer and further out than the shorter snow landing flights closer to town. Child rates apply from four to 14 years, and infants under three travel free if under 15 kilograms. This flight is on request rather than instant booking, so confirmation follows shortly after you order.
Frequently asked questions
Which Queenstown flight is best for seeing Milford Sound up close?
The Milford Sound Flight and Scenic Cruise combines a scenic flight with a two hour boat cruise the full length of the fiord, giving you both the aerial view and the close up waterfall spray from the water.
What is the difference between the two Milford Sound flight options?
The fixed wing Flight and Scenic Cruise includes a full boat cruise on Milford Sound, while the Heliworks helicopter flight is quicker overall and swaps the cruise for a remote alpine landing instead.
Can infants fly for free on these scenic flights?
Yes, all four flights here allow infants to travel free on a parent's lap, generally up to age two or three depending on the operator and a weight limit of around 15 kilograms.
How long does the Mount Cook scenic flight take?
Allow three hours in total for the True South Flights Mount Cook Scenic Flight, including two hours of flying time and return transfers from central Queenstown.
Is the Southern Glacier Experience bookable instantly?
No, this flight operates on request, so your booking is confirmed shortly after you order rather than instantly at checkout.
Local tip: book morning departures where you can, wind tends to pick up over Fiordland and the Southern Alps by early afternoon, and an earlier flight gives you a same day reschedule option if the weather turns.
Book your Queenstown scenic flight above and see Aoraki Mount Cook, Milford Sound or Mount Aspiring National Park the way only a pilot can show you.