incredible scenic flights with Glenorchy Air: Queentown's best views
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Queenstown from above with a scenic flight over the stunning landscapes of New Zealand's South Island. This guide provides an overview of the best scenic flight options and what you can expect from each one, including glacier landings and Milford Sound tours.
I am telling you now, as a highly biased individual who calls New Zealand ‘home’, that you have to get to the South Island and, when you go, you have to book a flight with Glenorchy Air.
I’m sure you’ve seen a trillion photos of New Zealand online. And I’m sure that 99% of those images have seared into your brain a desire to experience the rugged, ethereal landscapes that the nation claims. When I first landed in Palmerston North, eager to study and very ill-prepared, the country didn’t seem to be on anyone’s radars. The Lord of the Rings fans were just starting to head that way, but people still questioned why I moved to New Zealand over Australia. That decision was the single most life-changing choices of my life. One look at the mountains, one swim in the sea, and I knew for sure that nowhere could leave me in utter awe of its beauty the way that New Zealand could.
A flight with Glenorchy Air is money and time well-spent. Nothing, my friends, will make you feel admiration for our Mother Earth as deeply as gazing out of wide windows in a small plane, cruising through the mountains in and out of clouds in Aotearoa will.
Do yourself a favour, please, and book a flight.
Disclaimer: I was a guest of Glenorchy Air, but all my opinions are my own and my experience is expressed authentically throughout this post.
glenorchy air’s long history of flying ↴
Glenorchy Air was started in 1992 by the Rutherfords. At the time, driving from Queenstown to Glenorchy was less accessible than it is today, so the family saw an opportunity to operate scenic flights. Once a road was paved, the family evolved from a single aircraft, but remained true to its roots.
Now a fleet of five, Glenorchy Air has given scenic flights to the likes of Sir Ian McKellen and Viggo Mortensen and helped transport filming equipment to hard-to-reach places for the Lord of the Rings crew all across the region.
why book a flight with Glenorchy Air↴
The South Island of my precious New Zealand never ceases to leave me in utter awe of its beauty. On my latest trip down south, I went on a girls’ getaway with Tori filled with mini-adventures and soaking in as much of Queenstown’s stunning surrounding landscapes as possible.
Booking a scenic flight with Glenorchy Air not only means you’ll be supporting a local Queenstown business, something that I cannot stress the importance of enough, but it also means you’ll be seeing the next-level views New Zealand boasts from a completely different perspective: the sky.
All of Glenorchy Air’s local pilots are highly-trained and assessed to top safety standards. The pilot leading our scenic flight to Milford Sounds was warm, friendly, and explained all the safety protocol in advance of take off.
flight options with Glenorchy Air↴
Glenorchy Air offer awe-inspiring scenic flights of the Southern Alps no matter which flight option you choose. All of their flights leave from the Queenstown Airport {their office is right near baggage claim and the rental car offices}. You can choose between flights to:
Aoraki {Mt. Cook} | Those looking to Mt. Cook can take advantage of heli-skiing and hiking adventures.
Piopiotahi {Milford Sound} | This is without question one of the most popular destinations in the South Island, and all of New Zealand really. Once you set your eyes on it from the sky, you’ll have no trouble realizing why it’s a top destination for travelers.
Anywhere in New Zealand via chartered flight | This option is great for experienced hikers looking for transport to and from a track, or for photography flights {ideal for professional landscape photographers}.
how to book a flight with Glenorchy Air↴
You can book a flight with Glenorchy Air by using the booking system on their website or, if you have special requests or questions, you can contact them through their online messaging system here.
For those who prefer to make bookings over the phone, you can reach the Glenorchy Air team
within New Zealand @ 0800 676 264
internationally @ +64 3442 2207
Book your flight with Glenorchy Air
scenic flight photo tips ↴
You aren’t expected to be a professional photography on a flight with Glenorchy Air {I’m not!}. Most people, in fact, are just tourists trying to document their vacation. However, you can take your photo mementos to the next level if you follow the quick tips below.
Wear all black | You don’t want your reflection to appear in your photos, do you? The mountains should be the focus, afterall. The blacker, the better. If you’re wearing bright colours, patterns, or even a white t-shirt, the chances of reflection are basically 100%. Avoid the headache and wear black.
Fast shutter speed is the key | In order to avoid motion blur, set your shutter to a quicker speed. Seems obvious to some, but worth mentioning to anyone who doesn’t shoot in manual mode regularly.
Lighting is everything, always | You know why models use a Diva Light for selfies? Because lighting. matters. a-freakin’-lot. If you have the option to book a flight outside of midday, when the sun is its harshest, you definitely should.
