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20 minute Queenstown Scenic Flight

Recommended by 100% of travelers
Queenstown, New Zealand
  • 20 minutes (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

If you think Queenstown looks good from lake-level, you’ll be amazed at the views from this 20-minute scenic flight above the city, lake, and mountains. In a small group (max. 12) you’ll soar about the Wakatipu Basin while listening to your pilot’s live commentary, highlighting landmarks and points of interest. Spot ski fields, pretty towns like Arrowtown, and get a sense of Lake Wakatipu’s meandering shape from the air.
  • Ideal for travelers short on time in Queenstown
  • A great way to celebrate a special occasion
  • Take in maximum views in just 20 minutes
  • Receive a full safety briefing before your flight

What's Included

  • Live pre-flight briefing with your pilot
  • Full in-flight pilot commentary, highlighting points of interest
  • Spectacular views of the Queenstown region

    Meeting and Pickup

    You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

    Pickup points

    Select a pickup point

    Pickup details

    We can do pick-up/drop-offs from central Queenstown. We do not offer complimentary pick-up/drop-off from Lake Hayes, Arrowtown, Jacks Point, Arthurs Point

    or

    Meeting point

    • 3 Tex Smith Lane, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

      There is free parking on site.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    Start time
    .8:30 am

    Itinerary

    The Remarkables Ski Area (Pass By)

    Gibbston (Pass By)

    Arrowtown (Pass By)

    Coronet Peak Ski Area (Pass By)

    Moke Lake (Pass By)

    Lake Wakatipu (Pass By)

    Skyline Queenstown (Pass By)

    Queenstown (Pass By)

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Stroller accessible
    • Near public transportation
    • Infants must sit on laps
    • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
    • Most travelers can participate
    • Please let us know if you are over 120 kg
    • Minimum numbers required. Should the trip not reach this, an alternate excursion or date will be offered. Alternatively a full refund will be provided.
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

    Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

    Featured review

    linnelltim
    Really great way to see the town and surrounds, and the people at Air Milford are just lovely. We did this on the last day of a short stay having also flown to Milford Sound and Mt Cook on other excursions, and honestly it was the nicest scenic flight as you got a really good perspective of the town and lake and relationship to the surroundings.

    Reviews

    5.0
    based on 34 reviews
    Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

    Perfect way to see the town

    linnelltim, Aug 2025
    Really great way to see the town and surrounds, and the people at Air Milford are just lovely. We did this on the last day of a short stay having also flown to Milford Sound and Mt Cook on other excursions, and honestly it was the nicest scenic flight as you got a really good perspective of the town and lake and relationship to the surroundings.

    Response from Host, Aug 2025

    Hi Timothy, Thanks for taking the time to share your Air Milford experience. It was an absolute delight to host you and your son, and it is truly heartwarming to know that this was such a standout flight experience for you amid all you world travels! It is pretty mind-blowing how much you can see with this birdseye view over Queenstown to tie together all of the area's main highlights, and I am sure your pilots Alex and Antony had some interesting local tidbits and regional history to share along the way! We at Air Milford wish you all the best as you carry on your adventures around the globe, and we hope to share the skies with you again soon :)

    Amazing flight experience

    Ramon_S, Jul 2024
    It was an excellent experience, they picked me up at the hotel and took me to the airport. Emma Penney was the pilot, and she did an excellent job, the flight was smooth and the commentary was very informative. I recommend this experience to anyone who wants to have an overview of the Queenstown area.

    Response from Host, Aug 2024

    Hi Ramon, We are so please you enjoyed your experience! Seeing Queenstown from above is such a magical way to view the area and it is also a bonus to get some local knowledge. We appreciate you taking the time to write a review. Kind Regards, Kate

    Breathtaking

    siow_k, May 2023
    Excellent way to sightsee within a short timeframe! Breathtaking views and felt that we almost touched the mountains. Tom, our pilot, was professional throughout even though some turbulence. This is a weather dependent activity and no promises that it'll happen so do call 10min before the activity to double confirm that it's flyable weather condition.

    Response from Host, Jun 2023

    Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review. Seeing Queenstown and the surrounding areas from above is such a fantastic experience and can fit nicely into a busy schedule. Kind Regards, Kate

    Bucket list

    Tim_P, Jan 2023
    We got an upgrade for the 1 hour flight , which was a massive bonus, the pilot was very nice and knows his stuff Very friendly staff , beautiful aircraft , the best scenery in the world My daughter will remember this experience for the rest of her life, as will I Thank you all for a fantastic time Tim and Nellie 👍👍👍👍👍

    Response from Host, Jan 2023

    Kia ora Tim & Nellie, Wow, thank you so much for this great review! That's so awesome for us to hear that you all will cherish these memories forever - certainly an amazing experience to remember forever! We are so glad you joined us & thanks for choosing to fly with Air Milford. Kind Regards, Jayne Air Milford

    Amazing

    LeeFindlay, Dec 2022
    Absolutely amazing. The pilot was extremely experienced and had wonderful knowledge of the area. Would use Air Milford again

    Response from Host, Jan 2023

    Thank you so much for your review. Our pilots certainly are super experienced and we are glad they could share all their knowledge of this beautiful area with you. Kind Regards, Jayne Air Milford

    All around super

    Axel_M, Mar 2026
    Flight was only cancelled due to low attendance. Then I got an upgrade for another flight. Just great. Communication great, transfers on time. All around great 👍.
    Auto-translated

    From $184.17

    per person

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

    Book ahead!
    On average, this is booked 13 days in advance.

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