We know that planning your flight can come with a few questions, so we’ve put together this handy FAQ to cover the essentials. Whether you’re curious about what to bring, how to book, or what to expect on the day of your flight, we’re here to make sure you’re prepared and excited for the journey ahead. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, our friendly team is just a call or email away!
Yes, all prices on our website are listed in NZD and include GST.
We recommend booking your flight on the first day of your time in Queenstown, in case we need to reschedule due to weather.
Bookings can be made directly online or by phone or email:
We require the following information when booking:
When booking direct with us online, full payment is required at the time of booking.
When booking through an agent, we require credit card details to hold your booking. We will not charge your card until the flight is confirmed on the day of departure.
Yes, all departure times for our products are listed on their product pages when you book online. If you are looking for a non-standard departure time, please contact us.
Yes, we sell fixed-amount gift cards and gift cards for select products. Please visit our gift card page for more information.
Yes! We are open 364 days a year, depending on weather. We are closed on Christmas Day.
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. Our flights are weather-dependent. Pilots will make a weather check 1 hour before each scheduled departure. If we cannot fly due to adverse weather conditions, we will attempt to reschedule depending on your schedule and flight availability. If we cannot reschedule, you will receive a 100% refund.
We are located inside the main terminal building of Queenstown Airport, directly across from domestic baggage claim. You can find us here.
Yes, we offer complimentary pick ups and drop offs within Central Queenstown. Please select from over 100 pick up locations when booking online.
Please note, we are unable to pick up from Airbnb, residential or holiday rental properties. We do not pick up from Lake Hayes, Shotover Country, Arthurs Point, Arrowtown, Gibbston Valley, Hanleys Farm or Jacks Point.
If you are unsure where your closest pickup location is, please contact us.
If you are self driving, we unfortunately do not have free parking at Queenstown Airport. Terminal Parking A is the closest parking to our check-in point, but costs approximately $12-20. Details of the closest free parking can be found in your booking confirmation email along with a parking map as well as here.
All flights, outside of our Milford Sound One Way Flight to Queenstown from Milford Sound and Stewart Island One Way Flight to Queenstown from Stewart Island, depart from our base at Queenstown Airport. We can offer pick ups from the Glenorchy Air Strip. Please let us know at the time of booking.
All seats on all of our aircraft are window seats! Our fleet was consciously picked for their flightseeing capabilities and large windows for unobstructed views for the spectacular scenery we fly over.
Passengers seat allocation however is at the Pilots’ discretion due to weight and balance of the plane.
With us, your window seat awaits!
Yes. All products require a minimum number of paying adult passengers to be confirmed. Bookings will be accepted for numbers less than the required minimum and our team will work to coordinate bookings to achieve the required minimum numbers for the flight to depart, but this cannot be guaranteed. We will contact you within the shortest possible time to confirm with you if the flight is able to go ahead. Separate minimum numbers apply to third party activities, such as Heli Hiking and Ski the Tasman transfers.
Your pilot will try their best. Because our scenic flights are based in alpine flying conditions, flight paths due to weather may be altered for the safety of everyone on board.
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. Our flights are weather-dependent. Pilots will make a weather check 1 hour before each scheduled departure. If we cannot fly due to adverse weather conditions, we will attempt to reschedule depending on your schedule and flight availability. If we cannot reschedule, you will receive a 100% refund.
We operate 4 types of aircraft. The piston engines are our GippsAero GA8 Airvan and Cessna 206 Stationair HD. Our 2 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX and Daher Kodiak 100 Series II are turboprops.
Learn more about our fleet here.
We run a single-pilot operation for all of our flights. Your pilot will provide a safe and memorable experience with commentary along your journey. Meet our pilots here.
We can provide earmuffs for our young passengers. They have an impressive noise reduction rating of 22db and are approved to Global Safety Standards.
We are required to make sure that the aircraft is operated within its maximum weight limitations and the aircraft’s centre of gravity is within limits. We, therefore, request passenger weights at the time of booking, to assist us operationally in planning and managing seat availability and to provide a great customer experience. Please ensure you contact us directly before making a booking if any passengers are 140kg (308lb) or over. Our helicopter partners require prior notification of anyone over 116kg (255lb). This is applicable to our heli hiking products or any helicopter add-on.
Should your actual weight at the time of check in be more than 15kg (33lb) over your declared weight it may result in the aircrafts weight and balance limitations being exceeded. In this instance your booking may need to be rescheduled, subject to availability.
Passengers seat allocation is at the Pilots’ discretion due to the weight and balance of the plane.
In accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 2023, no person may smoke or vape while on any aircraft that is carrying passengers. Any person who commits an infringement offence is liable to an infringement fee of $500; or a fine imposed by a court not exceeding $2,500.
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.
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.
We suggest you bring the following with you to make it a great day out:
Your flights between Queenstown and Milford Sound are approximately 40 minutes each way.
Your Nature Cruise through Milford Sound with our partners Southern Discoveries is 1 hour 45 mins.
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.
Yes, the cruise has a large indoor area with comfortable seating and tables.
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.
We would say the cruise is suitable for all ages.
Yes, there is a nappy changing facility onboard the cruise.
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.
