Does everyone get a window seat on Glenorchy Air?

Yes. Every passenger on every Glenorchy Air scenic flight is guaranteed a window seat. There is no upgrade to chase and no seat to avoid. Wherever you’re sitting, you have an unobstructed view of the Southern Alps, the glaciers, the lakes and the fiords for the entire flight on every one of our six aircraft.

Why Every Seat is a Window Seat

Glenorchy Air has a specially-curated fleet of purpose-built aircraft designed for comfort and visibility. All of our aircraft are high wing, with a single aisle and feature window seats for all passengers. There is no middle seat, no aisle seat and no row set back from the glass. 

What That Means for Your Flight

A scenic flight is only as good as what you can actually see. With Glenorchy Air, that means every passenger watches Mitre Peak rise straight out of Milford Sound, traces the ice fields of the Southern Alps and looks down over lakes and valleys most travellers never reach on foot. Nobody is craning past a shoulder or catching a glimpse over someone else’s seat back. This is what makes the experience feel private and premium even on a shared flight, and it’s a large part of why guests come back.

The Window Seat Guarantee

Does Glenorchy Air guarantee a window seat? Yes. Every passenger on every Glenorchy Air scenic flight from Queenstown has a guaranteed window seat, with no middle or aisle seating on board. This applies across the full route network, including scenic flights to Milford Sound, Mt. Cook, and Stewart Island. Every Glenorchy Air aircraft is high wing, with a single aisle, so every seat has a direct, unobstructed view of the Southern Alps, Fiordland’s glaciers, Milford Sound, Mitre Peak and the Otago and Southland landscapes below.

Continue planning your trip. Explore our complete Milford Sound Travel Guide for travel tips, tour comparisons, and expert advice.

Glenorchy Air scenic flights depart Queenstown for Milford Sound, Mt. Cook, and Stewart Island. Every seat on every route is a guaranteed window seat, with direct views of the Southern Alps, Fiordland’s glaciers, Milford Sound, Mitre Peak, Aoraki and the landscapes of Otago and Southland. No Glenorchy Air passenger sits in a middle seat or an aisle seat, on any route, at any time of year. View all of our Milford Sound flights here ⟶

Scenic Flights
How long is this trip?

This is a Half Day experience. From check in 30 minutes before departure, to landing back at Queenstown Airport, is approximately 5 to 5 1/2 hours. Please note, this does not include time for self-driving or using our complimentary transfers. If you have plans immediately either side of your experience with us, please let us know.

What time is best to fly?

It’s always a good time to fly! If the option is there, we would suggest either our 9.00am or 1.30pm departures. Please note, our 1.30pm departure time is only available at certain times of the year. Whilst we cannot guarantee it, Milford Sound can sometimes be a little bit quieter at these times.

What should I bring?

We suggest you bring the following with you to make it a great day out:

  • Any essential medication
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug Spray
  • Camera – make sure it’s fully charged
  • Warm clothing layers – you’ll want to enjoy the open-air viewing decks where it can get chilly
  • Sensible footwear
  • Bottle of water
How long is the scenic flight?

Your flights between Queenstown and Milford Sound are approximately 40 minutes each way.

How long is the cruise?

Your Nature Cruise through Milford Sound with our partners Southern Discoveries is 1 hour 45 mins.

Is food included with the cruise?

No, lunch is not included. When making your booking online, you have the option to add a picnic lunch for an additional cost that will be ready for you on the cruise. We have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options available.

Complimentary tea, coffee and water is available. A selection of small snacks are available to purchase onboard. You are also welcome to bring snacks of your own.

Is there an indoor area on the cruise?

Yes, the cruise has a large indoor area with comfortable seating and tables.

What will I see on the cruise?

Your cruise through Milford Sound is on a boat with a large open-top deck and comfy interior cabins with full-height windows for optimal viewing. Take in the stunning scenery of Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, Copper Point, and the Tasman Sea. Keep an eye out for seals, dolphins and penguins.

Is the cruise suitable for an infant?

We would say the cruise is suitable for all ages.

Is there a nappy changing facility/station available inside the cruise?

Yes, there is a nappy changing facility onboard the cruise.

What happens if the weather prevents us from flying back to Queenstown?

Our pilots will always look at the forecast for the full duration of your trip and if we feel like the weather may change, we will not leave Queenstown. Due to the weather-dependent nature of flying in the Southern Alps to Milford Sound, it is unfortunate that there are very rare occasions where the forecast changes on us and although uncommon, it can be a case that we are unable to operate the return flight. The safety of our passengers is always our highest priority and in the unlikely event that this ever occurs, we will arrange coach transfers back to Queenstown. We fully appreciate the inconvenience this will cause and do everything we can to look after our passengers.