Category Alpine Flights & Heli-Landings

Queenstown · ALPINE FLIGHTS & HELI-LANDINGS

The 15 Best Scenic Flights & Alpine Landings from Queenstown

22 reviewed

A helicopter turns the Southern Alps from a backdrop into the whole point. The best scenic flights are below: which land on a glacier or a summit, which pair the flight with a Milford cruise, and how many minutes you actually spend airborne. Prices climb with altitude, so match the flight to the view you most want.

Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight

Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight - Price and What You Really Get for $557.90

1.Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 324 reviews · from $557Our pick

Small-group Milford Sound cruise plus a fixed-wing flight back to Queenstown with scenic stops and picnic lunch.

“Mercedes transfer provided adequate space and comfort. The driver/tour guide Sean was knowledgeable, provided plenty of stops for photo opportunities. Arrived in plenty of time for the boat trip, which was also full of photo opportunities including sightings of Seals and dolphins. All in all the day was a great experience although it was a shame the flight back was cancelled.”

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Queenstown: Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing

Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing - The 25-minute structure: how the timing stays packed

2.Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 291 reviews · 25 min · from $230

A 25-minute Queenstown helicopter flight with an alpine landing, pilot-chosen route, hotel pickup, and big mountain views from the sky.

“The helicopter flight was superb and the views from the top of the mountain were spectacular! We were very lucky that we got a break in the weather to be able to do it.”

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Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight - Meeting at Lucas Place and Getting Airborne Fast

Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown

Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown - The 4-hour rhythm: how the helicopter time and cruise time feel in practice

4.Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 173 reviews · from $887

Half-day helicopter flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound with a glacier or alpine landing, then a cruise through Fiordland’s fiord.

“It was a great day. We had a great trip through the glow worm caves and a spectacular visit to Hobbiton. The driver gave us lots of interesting history of New Zealand along the way and made sure we knew what we were doing and where we should be. It was a great trip.”

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Queenstown: Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing

Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing - From Lake Wakatipu to the Southern Alps: what you actually see

Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise & Helicopter Alpine Tour

Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise & Helicopter Alpine Tour - Coach Pickup and the Briefing That Sets the Tone

Queenstown: Southern Glacier 50-Minute Helicopter Flight

Queenstown: Southern Glacier 50-Minute Helicopter Flight - The Takeoff Over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, Scenic Flight

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, Scenic Flight - Cruising Milford Sound: open-air decks and wildlife spotting from the water

8.Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 113 reviews · 9 hours · from $465

A 9-hour Queenstown day trip: coach to Milford Sound, cruise the fiord, then fly back over glaciers with a guaranteed window seat.

“Once in a lifetime experience!! AMAZING! Our bus guide was very informative-facts/history/and folklore—commentary was excellently timed as well with breaks and one longer break. His stories and quick whit were professional, funny and kept you wanting to hear more! The cruise was terrific with great weather and an informative captain~saw all the glories of the area from waterfalls to sea lions. The flight home had some turbulence but our pilot was skilled and calm. His commentary was also very informative and appreciated. The views from the plane made you feel like you were on top of the world!! Just a completely magical day and worth every penny!!! Highly recommend!”

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Milford Sound Scenic Flyover ex Queenstown

Milford Sound Scenic Flyover ex Queenstown - Flying over Mount Aspiring: the warm-up section you’ll actually remember

9.Milford Sound Scenic Flyover ex Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 99 reviews · from $409

Fly from Queenstown over Fiordland to Milford Sound for 90 minutes of window-seat views of Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls, with transfers.

“Fantastic experience from pick up to drop off and everything in between. Flight was great. Amazing views! Thanks for a memorable day!”

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Queenstown: Remarkables Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing

Queenstown: Remarkables Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing - Remarkables Spur Landing: The Moment That Changes Everything

10.Remarkables Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 91 reviews · from $149Best value

A 20-minute Queenstown helicopter flight with a Remarkables alpine landing and views over the Wakatipu Basin plus LoTR-style flyovers.

“Jack our pilot was great, informative and helpful. He made sure to check on and include everyone, wish we’d had longer trip. But was so worth the cost”

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Milford Sound Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air

Milford Sound Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air - Queenstown departure: what you’ll see before you even land

11.Milford Sound Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · from $340

Fly Queenstown to Milford Sound, soak up aerial Fiordland views, then enjoy three easy walks and fly back with local pilot commentary.

“This trip was excellent! We couldn’t have asked for better weather, and even though the flight was smooth, our pilot (Annabelle) warned us every time there could potentially be bumps. She was very professional and informative on the flight, and friendly! Milford Sound is stunningly beautiful and worth the journey!”

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25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown - The Alpine Landing: Snow Landing and a Photo Stop You Can Feel

Queenstown: Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight

Queenstown: Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight - What you’ll actually do: transfers, briefing, and your 30-minute flight

13.Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 88 reviews · 35 min · from $239

Queenstown heli-flight with a dramatic alpine landing over Skippers Canyon and the Whakatipu/Queenstown Basin, plus photo time on the peak.

“We loved the overall experience, the friendliness of the team and the information the pilot was able to impart as we were flying. The snow landing was spectacular as we had a huge amount of snow to walk in.”

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Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown

Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown - Queenstown flights, then helicopter drop onto the ice

14.Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $1,178

From Queenstown, plane and helicopter you to Tasman Glacier for a guided crampon hike through ice caves and tunnels.

“One of the best days I've ever had. Firstly we had a small group flight to Franz Joseph, which had spectacular views, I had never been in a small plane before, but it was fantastic to see the Southern Alps from above. Our pilot gave us points of interest as flew, and it was interesting hear the air traffic control. Next, the helicopter ride to the glacier, was short but sweet. Again, first time in a heli, and it was impressive to see the glacier from above. The glacier itself was amazing, blue ice that we trekked over, using grips and trekking polls. We had a few hours on the…”

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Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown

Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown - Morning start in Queenstown: Kawarau Gorge sets the mood

15.Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $750

Small-group bus to Aoraki Mt Cook plus a Tasman Glacier heli hike with two scenic flights, gear provided, weather-dependent adventure.

“The driver and the tour guide, "Plate" (the sound of his name) was trying to create a positive atmosphere for this Mt Cook tour on a cold and rainy day (5th April, 2023) He's knowledgeable and introduced related background information about the things we saw along the route to Mt Cook. The cafe in Omarama that we stopped for a break was fantastic and we had a lovely hot chocolate and sandwiches for morning tea there. (much better than another cafe in Omarama which is chosen by InterCity) He also kept us up-to-dated to the weather condition that might affect our helicopter flight to glacier (was cancelled due to the…”

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