Private Tour
25mins Private Helicopter Flight in Franz Josef with Landing
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
On our private Glacier Explorer flight, you'll fly over the Franz Josef Glacier and then into the Southern Alps to enjoy the included 10-minute snow or alpine landing for photos. Snow levels on the landing site do vary seasonally on this flight.
Total experience time: approx. 25 minutes. Please allow an extra 45 minutes on top of your flight time to allow for checking in, transport to the helicopter, loading, unloading, and returning to our office.
Please note that while this is a private flight, you may share the check-in and van travel with other passengers on other flights.
The total weight of the passenger load must be within the helicopter's weight and balance requirements.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please let us know if you have limited mobility e.g. injury, arthritis or recent surgery? There are two high ladder style steps into the helicopter. This information could effect what helicopter we fly you in.
Our helicopter seats are 40cm wide. If you would like extra space or are wider than this we highly recommend booking a comfort seat which guarantees an empty seat next to you.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Franz Josef Glacier
The Glacier Explorer flight includes stunning views of the Franz Josef Glacier.
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
View the Westland National park by air and fly through the Southern Alps to your landing snow landing site where you will have a 10minute stop.
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Options
1-3 people
Up to 6 people
Reviews
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A unique flight over the glacier, the feeling of being on the top of the world
R8837DKpierrec,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The professionalism of the company is equal to the immense happiness of the flight. A very safe pilot like the helicopter , the overflight of the glacier, the landing next to it and a return over the mountains, Wow a huge bravo and thank you
An unforgettable moment
R8837DKpierrec,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00To do in his life , a very professional company, from the welcome, to the pilot very smooth , to the very safe helicopter , thank you for making us live this unforgettable moment
Could have been a fun experience except for....
926lornal,Oct 18, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00It’s a short, exciting, thrilling helicopter ride to see astonishing white glaciers on top of one of the highest mountains in New Zealand. The pilot was well-experienced and gently maneuvered the aircraft that made our trip smooth and not nerve-wracking. It could have been a perfect experience if it was not only with a grumpy, upset customer service manager. Knowing we were late for 10 minutes, I apologized to the manager and yet she told us on a louder tone, for everybody to hear, that we were late. Everybody could feel how gutted she was, that even her 2 staff were quiet that turned her assistant to discriminately asked us if we understand English. Even the other customers were quiet. It should have been a fun, relaxed start if not with the mean demeanor of the lady manager. After the fun flight, all customers returned to the office and some bought photos. No smile or thank you or a good customer greetings of asking how was your flight been, or thank you for purchasing photo. Nothing! It feels like customers were a burden to them. I hope this will reach the attention of the owners so they can do something to change the way their frontline manager deals with their customers. Should have been in a friendly way to complete a great customer service and helicopter flight experience.
Snow angels on the mountain
jasondW3651TG,Oct 2, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience, highly recommended. It's so good to land on the snow and take in the views. We had 6 people plus the pilot in our helicopter
Snow Glow!
michellehZ43WE,Sep 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience, especially for us West Aussies who never experience snow. Loved the snow landing and the smooth flight. Thanks Gus.
Must do adventure
74DavidB74,Apr 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing trip! Fortunate to strike a clear day and score a front seat for what was my first helicopter flight. The view of the glacier and skimming over the mountain tops then the snow landing were all so memorable. Pilot & staff very friendly and helpful. Highly recommend,
Amazing and Stunning!!!
jw131313,Mar 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing! Stunning! Loved every second of this trip, the feeling of flying over the mountains set the good vibes off. Highly recommend, Poppy and staff very welcoming.
Great to see the blue ice from above!
barbror453,Feb 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We were supposed to do this bit the weather made it impossible. That was a bit of a disappointment but it was great seeing the glaciers blue ice from above.
Great and recommendable
966j rgw,Jan 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was real great. We could feel the "family"-spirit of the whole team. We got a very good preflight instruction not to take too much "material" with us as the später in the machine is quiet small. All in all: very recommendable!
Glaciers from a privileged perspective
Haiz09,Dec 27, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the 3 glaciers and snow landing tour for our first day of staying in Franz Josef, in anticipation that it could be postponed depending on the weather. That's right, the company notified us that same day first thing in the morning that they would not be able to make departures that day, so they gave us the option to postpone it to the next day (or cancel it and receive a full refund). From the moment of check-in everything was well organized. We were able to really enjoy the flight, since we saw the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers very close, thanks to the pilot's efforts to offer us a privileged perspective. Unfortunately, the weather did not allow us to see another glacier or land in the snow, but the company promised to refund us the difference.
Related Experiences
Operated by Glacier Country Helicopters