The 6 Scenic Helicopter Flights in Queenstown That Earn Their Price

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

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

You’ll ride a 16-seat Mercedes van from Queenstown through Te Anau and Fiordland, stopping at Mirror Lakes and the Homer Tunnel before a two-hour Milford Sound cruise. A 45-minute fixed-wing flight returns you to Queenstown. Guides such as Tommy, Alana, Amy, and Nev are known for lively local stories and well-timed photo stops.

“Our guide Jono was fantastic. Loved his enthusiasm and the information he gave. He also took us to additional sites that wouldn’t be possible with a large tour bus. Jono went above and beyond trying to switch us to a larger plane flight when he thought that the small plane would not be able to take us due to the rainy weather. Unfortunately and fortunately no flights could take off with the huge amount of rain that came through, but that made the waterfalls amazing. Jono was great to drive back with as well.”

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2.Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing

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

Fly from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding peaks, then land at a remote alpine location chosen by your pilot. The small group holds up to six people, with pilots such as Bill, Jono, Danny, and Scottie praised for friendly commentary and careful flying. Snow is possible in winter, but the landing may also be on rugged ground or grass.

“Amazing experience easy to get to and very helpful staff”

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3.Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 202 reviews · 50 min · from $408

Spend 50 minutes above Queenstown with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, flying over Skippers Canyon, Rees Valley, Mt Aspiring National Park, and the Earnslaw Burn. You may land on a glacier for photos, with pilots such as Alfie, Jeremy, Luke, and Alice providing commentary. Glacier landings can change with weather and snow conditions.

“Fantastic helicopter flight and got to land on the Glacier. The pilot was brilliant and made the experience very memorable. Would do it again.”

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

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

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound by helicopter, with about 1 hour 15 minutes in the air, a glacier or alpine landing, and a one-hour boat cruise. Your pilot may be Alfie, Luke, Will, Jeremy, Jack, or another experienced crew member. Hotel pickup, headsets, landing fees, and return transfers are included.

“I highly recommend this tour! It's worth it for the views over the mountains, landing on a glacier, and the boat cruise. We saw porpoises, seals, and spectacular waterfalls. Our pilot, Will, was excellent and had great information about the area geography and wildlife!”

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5.Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · from $245

Take a small twin-engine helicopter from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Your pilot, possibly Bill, Jono, or Jezza, provides commentary before landing at about 1,538 meters for roughly 10 minutes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the flight carries no more than six people.

“Amazing view of the lake and mountains. Great take off and landing. The staff were really nice and friendly. Highly recommend.”

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6.Milford Sound Cruise & Helicopter Alpine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 165 reviews · 4 hours · from $786

Fly with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters over Fiordland National Park, land in Milford Sound, and cruise beneath cliffs and waterfalls. Your return flight includes an alpine or glacier landing, weather permitting. Pilots such as Luke, Andrew, Jeremy, and Michael provide commentary, while the route and landing site may change with conditions.

“Loved everything about it. The pilot was friendly and informative. The fight to Milford was smooth the cruise was breathtaking. We saw a seal rounding up and eating busy fish. We also saw the second rarest penguin returning to it mate. Even the boat caption was excited. The fight back with the landing on a glacier…. Wow what an experience. Throwing snow balls and playing in the powder snow Totally recommend this experience to anyone who is thinking of it. It is worth the money”

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