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Scenic Flight
Scenic Flight
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Discover the breathtaking landscapes around Queenstown with Glenorchy Air, a premium family-owned scenic flight company offering an extensive range of excursions.
With Glenorchy Air, every flight is about the journey, not the destination. Each passenger enjoys panoramic views from their window seat – the perfect way to experience New Zealand’s most stunning scenery. Glenorchy Air offers scenic flights and adventures to Milford Sound, Aoraki/Mt Cook, and Stewart Island, along with winter exclusive Sunrise flights.
While Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is widely regarded as New Zealand’s most scenic destination, the approach by air is perhaps even more spectacular. Between Queenstown and Milford Sound, soar past sheer mountainsides, dizzying waterfalls, and crystalline glaciers in Fiordland National Park. With a range of scenic flight combos and schedules on offer, Glenorchy Air has something to suit every visitor.
This is the most popular year-round adventure with Glenorchy Air. Combining a round-trip scenic flight to Milford Sound with the iconic Milford Sound nature cruise, this experience gives you the best of both worlds. Take in the dizzying panoramas and remote grandeur of Fiordland National Park from the air before landing to immerse yourself in the splendour of Milford Sound, from up-close wildlife sightings to the powerful spray rising from Stirling Falls.
The return flight follows a different path back to Queenstown, taking in further views.
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Discover Fiordland by land, sea, and sky with this full-day experience. Begin with a journey past the southern end of Lake Wakatipu, through Te Anau, and along the famous Milford Road in a comfortable air-conditioned coach with a glass roof. Enjoy fascinating commentary from your driver as you discover the highlights of the Milford Road, stopping for short walks and scenic views along the way.
When you reach Milford Sound, board the comfortable and spacious Southern Discoveries Nature Cruise for an immersive encounter with New Zealand’s most famous fiord. Get up close to waterfalls and wildlife, and enjoy a kiwi-style buffet lunch included with your experience.
Once the cruise finishes, meet your Glenorchy Air pilot and board a scenic flight for the return journey to Queenstown. Soar past braided rivers, pristine glaciers, and sheer mountainsides as you discover the wonders of Fiordland National Park from the air.
Because the weather in Fiordland can be unpredictable, this is the perfect choice if you don’t have the flexibility to reschedule your visit to Milford Sound if the weather is unsuitable for flying. You will simply be transferred to a return coach following your Milford Sound cruise instead of flying back.
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Explore Milford Sound at your own pace with a round-trip scenic flight that allows two hours of free time on the ground. If some members of your group have already done the Milford Sound cruise and would prefer to explore on foot, this experience matches up with the cruise times so you can fly together and then split up for your time in Milford Sound.
Enjoy panoramic views over Mt Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park, with a different path taken on your return to Queenstown. Encounter dramatic glaciers, craggy peaks, braided rivers, and cascading waterfalls.
While in Milford Sound, wander through beech forest and along the waterfront on the Foreshore Loop Track for stunning views of Mitre Peak, or stop for a bite to eat at Discover Milford Cafe.
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Glenorchy Air’s most exclusive offering, the Private Charter Flight & VIP Cruise is an elevated take on the iconic adventure.
Beginning with a private transfer from your accommodation to Queenstown Airport, board your luxurious aircraft for the scenic flight to Milford Sound. The flight is a personalised journey, with the ability to fly past landmarks at your request.
When you land at Milford Sound, board the Southern Discoveries Nature Cruise, where you will enjoy exclusive use of the ship’s VIP area with a private outdoor viewing deck and a personal host.
Toast your adventure with an arrivals drink package including bubbles, beers and/or soft drinks, and choose between a cheese board or High Tea to enjoy as you cruise.
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Relive your Milford Track experience as you view Fiordland from the air on the flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown. Scheduled to match up with the Fiordland Track boat transfer, this scenic flight is the perfect way to end your Milford Sound experience on a high note and celebrate your completion of the legendary track.
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Make your own arrangements to reach Milford Sound by road before returning to Queenstown on an unforgettable scenic flight. With several departure times available, this one-way flight to Queenstown will work with any schedule, whether you’ve stayed overnight in Milford Sound or visited as part of a full-day tour.
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Encounter Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, on a breathtaking scenic flight from Queenstown. When you reach Mt Cook, explore a wonderland of braided rivers, glaciers, ice fields, and chalky glacier-fed lakes, all set beneath a backdrop of towering peaks. A scenic flight with Glenorchy Air is the perfect way to explore one of New Zealand’s most captivating highlights when you’re short on time.
On the flight north toward Aoraki/Mt Cook, follow the spine of the Southern Alps past Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, and Lake Pukaki.
After marveling at the dazzling panoramas of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park from the air, get up close and personal with Tasman Glacier on a heli-hike that takes you across a stunning expanse of ice.
Once you land in Mt Cook, a helicopter will whisk you up to a remote part of Tasman Glacier. Following your knowledgeable guide, explore ice formations, seracs, and ice caves on an immersive glacier heli-hike.
When your heli-hike finishes, you have time for a bite to eat in Mt Cook Village before the return flight to Queenstown. Take a different route on the way back, flying over the tussock-clad mountains of Lindis Pass.
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Start the day with an unforgettable scenic flight from Queenstown to Aoraki/Mt Cook.
Once you land, join Glacier Explorers for a 30-minute alpine walk followed by a unique boat trip on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake. Cruise past icebergs, lateral moraines, and a towering ice wall.
Following your Glacier Explorers adventure, you have time to eat lunch at the Hermitage Hotel in Mt Cook Village before the flight back to Queenstown.
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Spend the day exploring Aoraki/Mt Cook at your own pace with this full-day excursion that includes up to 6 hours on the ground.
The return flights unveil breathtaking scenery, following the spine of the Southern Alps past stunning lakes and glaciers and braided rivers.
Once you land in Mt Cook Village, spend the day discovering the region. Options include scenic helicopter flights with snow landings or a range of scenic hikes leaving from Mt Cook Village. There are also two excellent visitor centres to explore (the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre) plus cafes for lunch.
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Southernmost of New Zealand’s three major islands, Stewart Island/Rakiura is a paradise for birdwatching, with Rakiura National Park covering 85% of the island’s landmass. This is one of the only places in New Zealand where you might see kiwi in the wild, since they outnumber the island’s human residents 50 to 1. From idyllic stretches of coastline and dense rainforest to the predator-free Ulva Island, Stewart Island offers abundant opportunities to explore and encounter wildlife.
Combine return flights with Glenorchy Air with two land-based activities on Stewart Island for the ultimate day out.
Your scenic flight takes you over the iconic Remarkables mountain range before crossing New Zealand’s remote southern farmland to reach the stunning south coast. Views of forested coastline and secluded beaches open out as you approach Stewart Island.
Once you land at Oban, embark on the Village & Bays Tour with RealNZ. This 90-minute tour makes multiple stops as it takes in the cultural and historic side of Rakiura.
Next, continue with Real NZ on their 2.5-hour Ulva Island tour. Take a boat across to the predator-free Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary, where you will embark on a 75-minute guided walk that offers the opportunity for an encounter with the island’s unique bird and marine life.
Lunch is included with your full-day experience – choose from a picnic lunch or fresh fish & chips.
Once the Ulva Island tour finishes, board your Glenorchy Air flight for the return journey to Queenstown.
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Enjoy scenic return flights to Stewart Island, with up to 5 hours on the ground to explore.
While in Stewart Island, choose from a diverse range of experiences that include scenic hikes, fishing charters, water taxis to Ulva Island, Rakiura Museum, and more.
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If you wish to visit Stewart Island in winter, charter flights offer the option to create your own schedule and book your own activities on the ground. The duration of the experience can be adjusted to suit your plans.
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Experience the awe and overwhelming sense of calm that comes with watching the sun rise over the dramatic landscapes around Queenstown. Watch the sun emerge from behind Mt Aspiring and explore the dazzling stretches of ice nearby, from the Passchendaele Icefall and Bonar Glacier to the Olivine Ice Plateau. Marvel at the sublime quality of light falling over the layered ridges. This is an unforgettable experience and a whole new way to experience the landscapes around Queenstown.
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All scenic flights are weather dependent. The Glenorchy Air pilots will make a weather check 1 hour before each scheduled departure. If you cannot fly due to weather conditions, their team will attempt to reschedule your flight. Otherwise, you will receive a full refund.
Minimum numbers are required for each flight. Bookings will be accepted for less than the minimum numbers, and the Glenorchy Air team will endeavor to coordinate flights so that these can go ahead, but this cannot be guaranteed.
We are located inside the main terminal building of Queenstown Airport, directly across from domestic baggage claim.
We offer complimentary pick-ups and drop-offs within central Queenstown, with over 100 pick-up locations to select from when booking online. Please note that we do not pick up from holiday rentals or areas outside of Queenstown such as Franktown, Arrowtown, etc.
Passengers seat allocation is at the pilot’s discretion due to the weight and balance of the plane.
This depends on your mobility. Where a passenger is able to physically assist in their own evacuation in the case of an emergency, with prior notification, we can make arrangements for them and their wheelchair to be carried on board our aircraft. (Where a passenger can stand with assistance, we can safely help them to negotiate the aircraft steps and seat them clear of the exits.) Passengers with limited mobility are likely not able to travel with us due to safety concerns. Please feel free to contact Glenorchy Air to discuss your circumstances and we can advise on an individual basis.
Passenger weights are required at the time of booking to plan seating. Please contact us before making a booking if any passengers are 140kg (308lb) or over.
If you have booked a heli-hike or any other helicopter add-on, our helicopter partners require prior notification for anyone over 116kg (225lb).
We operate 3 types of aircraft. The piston engine is our GippsAero GA8 Airvan. Our Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX and Daher Kodiak 100 Series II are turboprops.
Our current fleet is 5 aircraft strong, with a carrying capacity ranging from 7 to 13 passengers. All of our aircraft are high wing, with a single aisle and feature window seats for all passengers. Glenorchy Air is proud to operate New Zealand’s most modern light aircraft fleet.
Queenstown Airport, Sir Henry Wigley Drive, Queenstown 9300
You can book Glenorchy Air flights separately or as part of one of our New Zealand holiday packages. We bundle activities, accommodation, and transportation together for convenient, affordable New Zealand holidays.
Popular New Zealand holiday packages with a stay in Queenstown include:
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