5 Best Scenic Flights to Milford Sound from Queenstown© NZPocketGuide.com
5 Best Scenic Flights to Milford Sound from Queenstown

6 Best Scenic Flights to Milford Sound from Queenstown 🛩️ [2023]

© NZPocketGuide.com

Scenic Helicopter and Plane Flights to Milford Sound

It’s not every day that you get to experience the awe of a UNESCO World Heritage Area, so make it extra special with a scenic flight to Milford Sound from Queenstown. Swap lengthy bus journeys to your Milford Sound cruise for a faster and more scenic fixed-wing flight over some of the remotest regions of the South Island. Alternatively, helicopter flights allow for multiple landings among mind-blowing landscapes. Check out some of your best options with this list of the best Milford Sound flights from Queenstown.

While you’re here, you might also be interested in the 7 Best Cruises in Milford Sound and 15 Milford Sound Must-Dos. Plus, for more flights to consider, see the 10 Best Scenic Flights in New Zealand.

1. Milford Sound Scenic Flights – The Best Fixed-Wing Flight to Milford Sound

Swap the long bus journey to your Milford Sound cruise with a fixed-wing scenic flight roundtrip to Milford Sound with a cruise included. Soak up the splendour of the Fiordland National Park from above on the “Scenic Flight & Cruise” with Milford Sound Scenic Flights departing from Queenstown. Once you arrive in Milford Sound, capture the scenery from another perspective on a two-hour cruise along the entire length of the fiord. On the flight back to Queenstown, you’ll fly over the majestic Southern Alps for some different landscape to soak up. The tour is approximately five hours. Find out more about Milford Sound Scenic Flights on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Milford Sound Scenic Flights© Milford Sound Scenic Flights

2. Air Milford – The Best Fly Cruise Fly Milford Sound Flight

Another fantastic flight and cruise combo is available with Air Milford. The fixed-wing flight includes a marvel at Mitre Peak – Milford Sound’s highest mountain, Bowen Falls and Mt Pembroke before landing at the Milford Sound Airport. Here, you’ll embark on a nature cruise through the majestic Milford Sound before enjoying another scenic flight back to Queenstown. The tour includes either morning tea or an afternoon beer/wine/soft drink. You’ll also receive commentary from your pilot on the flight and from the nature guides during your cruise. The tour is approximately four hours. Discover more about Air Milford’s flights on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Air Milford© Air Milford

3. Over The Top – The Helicopter Company – The Most Unique Milford Sound Scenic Flight

For a real luxurious experience, choose Over The Top – The Helicopter Company. Their indulgent helicopter tour to Milford Sound includes landing at an alpine lake suspended above the Fiordland National Park for a gourmet picnic. Milford Sound is just one aspect of this grand tour, with several landings throughout the four-hour experience, which also includes landing on a secluded beach. You’ll also receive commentary from your pilot throughout the flight. Find out more about Over The Top – The Helicopter Company on Viator, Tripadvisor and Klook.

Over The Top - The Helicopter Company© Over The Top - The Helicopter Company

4. Glenorchy Air – The Best Milford Sound Flight Deals

Enjoy an intimate experience on a seven-seater plane with a window seat guaranteed on this flight-and-cruise experience with Glenorchy Air. The flight includes seeing some of the remotest areas of New Zealand as you soar over the glaciers of the Darren Mountains and Barrier Range. Once landed in Milford Sound, you’ll be transported to your Milford Sound cruise to sail through the fiord. After your cruise, enjoy your flight back to Queenstown. Check out Viator and Tripadvisor for more information about Glenorchy Air and the latest flight deals.

Glenorchy Air© Glenorchy Air

5. The Helicopter Line – The Best Helicopter Flight to Milford Sound

Sample truly awe-inspiring scenery on a 2-hour helicopter flight of Fiordland and Milford Sound with The Helicopter Line. Land in remote mountains and listen to the live commentary from your pilot as you fly over secluded lakes and glaciers. One of the highlights of the flight is hovering over the majestic Mitre Peak before landing in Milford Sound. What’s more, your pilot will take you via another route back to Queenstown. Find out more about flights with The Helicopter Line on Viator and Tripadvisor.

The Helicopter Line© The Helicopter Line

6. True South Flights – The Best Milford Sound Flight and Cruise

Take your pick from a Milford Sound flyover or a fly-cruise-fly experience with True South Flights. With a guaranteed window seat, you’ll soar over three mountain ranges, alpine lakes and valleys on your way to Milford Sound. Once landed in the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, it’s time to embark on the 1h45mins JUCY Cruise to see marine wildlife, have a dip under Stirling Falls and bask in the breathtaking glacier-carved scenery. On the way back to Queenstown, you’ll get to witness a different scenic route. Read reviews and book your flight with True South Flights on Viator, Tripadvisor or Klook

5 Best Scenic Flights to Milford Sound from Queenstown© True South Flights

More About Milford Sound

That’s it for our guide to the best scenic flights to Milford Sound from Queenstown. Compare these experiences to the other ways you can experience Milford Sound:

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in New Zealand over 10 years ago and with a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to travel New Zealand. She knows Aotearoa inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience New Zealand’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides and is the co-host of NZ Pocket Guide’s live New Zealand travel Q&As on YouTube.

Was this article useful?

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter