Frequently Asked Questions.

Well...why wouldn’t you?  Milford and Doubtful Sounds provide a step back into our prehistoric past.  These are landscapes untouched for centuries, the type of place where you half expect dinosaurs to still roam.  Famous writer Rudyard Kipling called Milford Sound ‘the eighth wonder of the world’ with good reason – this unique environment is truly one of Earth’s best.  For most who travel here, one or two days is all they will have. Within this fleeting period it can be hard to appreciate the scale and wonder of the sounds and their surroundings.  The investment in a scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound is therefore an astute one – this incredible place deserves no less.

Flights to Milford Sound operate approximately 250 days per year due to the weather.  Fiordland gets an average of 7 metres of rain (300 inches) per year and the weather is very changeable. This is why it is important you call us 1.5 hour prior to your flight departure.

To quote our good friend Dr Seuss, “Oh the places you will go!”  You’ll travel across a divide created by an almighty battle between two tectonic plates – the Australian plate to the west and the Pacific plate to the east.  The geographical turmoil created by this collision has resulted in towering mountains, deep oceans and very little between the two.  It can’t be said enough – this is a spectacular vista we are privileged to share with you.

Yes, we do – and these are popular with many passengers looking to continue on with their Milford Sound trip by coach, by hiking or by car.  You can read further information here. 

Yes, we typically take a set route over the Southern Alps into Milford Sound and then a different route back on the flight to Queenstown.  These routes are changeable depending on the varying weather conditions.

If you have the time to see Milford Sound from road, sea and air, it is well worth it. One of most popular itineraries for the day (albeit a long one) is a combination sightseeing trip, which can include a coach journey, boat cruise and scenic flight.

• Flight – The flight back from Milford takes approximately 35 minutes and you will see fantastic aerial views of Alps, glaciers, waterfalls and the impressive valleys and terrain of Milford Sound.
• Coach – To make the most of this sightseeing trip, we recommend you join the tour on its earliest departure time from Queenstown (first coach departs at 7am). Take a wonderful drive to Milford Sound from Queenstown (your accommodation) in a comfortable, air-conditioned luxury coach.
• Cruise – Enjoy a cruise on Milford Sound on one of the smaller boats operating in the Sound. Seats are limited on each sightseeing trip, seating and vantage points plentiful and an informative commentary provided by the friendly crew.
• Finally, get dropped off at your accommodation and we can (almost) promise you a very good night’s sleep.

View more information about Milford Sound sightseeing trip. “Go by road, sea and air for the most memorable sightseeing trip of Milford Sound.”

As you can probably guess by the name, it’s sightseeing on a flight.  Flightseeing here offers visitors some fantastic opportunities to view New Zealand’s landscapes.  Our flightseeing trips out of Queenstown are a great way to see the big picture of a region and while hearing all of the smaller, interesting details about the land and its people from our knowledgeable pilots.

We offer flightseeing tours over Central Otago and Southland regions of New Zealand with a long-standing international reputation for having some of the best scenery and landscapes in the country.  You’ll get to see up close some of our dramatic mountain ranges (such as the Remarkables and the Southern Alps) soar across the beautiful lakes, rivers and tributaries such as Wakatipu, Clutha, Taieri and Manuherikia, swoop down across the precious Tasman and Hooker glaciers and fly across some of the most incredible scenery New Zealand’s National Parks have to offer, including the Westland, Mount Aspiring and Aoraki / Mount Cook parks.

The Southern Alps are particularly impressive by air and include New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook, which towers at 3,754 metres high. With over sixteen peaks above 3,000 metres, the Alps provide plenty of adventures for mountain climbers and skiers. For the flightseeing visitor these rugged mountains deliver incredible vistas of snow-white, rugged peaks and mysterious winding valleys.

Milford Sound boat cruises are a relaxing way to take in both the sea and the coast in this acclaimed landscape. At Air Milford we provide you with the chance to make the most of your time in this very special and unique New Zealand landscape.  You can enjoy not only a breathtaking scenic flight in and out of Milford Sound but also one of its world-renowned boat cruises too.

Our flights connect with our friends at Southern Discoveries Nature Cruise timetable in Milford Sound. 

• Southern Discoveries Catamaran (usually "The Pride of Milford") with a large open-top deck and comfy interior cabins.  
• Cruise is up to 2 hours in duration. The longer cruise duration allows the vessel to linger for longer when some of the beautiful local wildlife is encountered during the journey. 
• Spacious cabins and unobstructed views through full-height windows
• Comprehensive commentary from Southern Discoveries  passionate skippers pointing our wildlife, flora and fauna of the area. 
• Licenced bar on board
• Air Milford guests receive exclusive reserved seating onboard.
• Air Milford customers receive complimentary morning tea (hot muffin + coffee/tea) on the 10.30am cruise, Free Picnic Lunch on the midday cruise and complimentary beer / wine on the 3.15pm cruise.  

For more info visit: Milford Sound Fly/Nature Cruise/Fly 

There are refreshments available, complimentary tea, coffee and filtered water.  If you’re feeling peckish after the flight you can purchase snacks on board your Milford cruise too.  There’s also an informative commentary from the friendly boat crew, which offers you an insight into the history, geology and marine life of this incredible place.

Quite simply – every which way you can.  If you have the time to see Milford Sound from road, sea and air it is well worth it.  One of the most popular itineraries for the day (albeit a long one) is a combination sightseeing trip. This can include a coach journey, boat cruise and then a scenic flight back to Queenstown.

Coach – To make the most of your sightseeing trip we recommend you join the tour on its earliest departure time from Queenstown (the first coach departs at 7am).  Take a wonderful drive to Milford Sound from Queenstown in a comfortable, air-conditioned luxury coach.

Your coach driver provides time for photo stops and short walks along the Milford road journey. A picnic lunch is included on the cruise which includes a sandwich, cheese & crackers, seasonal fresh fruit, crisps, a cookie, and a small chocolate bar. There is food available for purchase on the cruise, however it is suggested that you bring extra snacks along with you too. Bringing a few extra layers in a backpack is always suggested, as well as a rain jacket, non-slip shoes, and a camera. The temperature in Milford is quite similar to Queenstown, so you can dress accordingly on this day.

Cruise – You’ll then embark on a cruise on Milford Sound on one of the smaller boats operating here.  As seats are limited, there are plenty of prime vantage points and an informative commentary provided by the friendly crew. 

We will be in contact with your coach driver on the day regarding the status of your flight. Therefore you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your journey! If we are unable to fly, your driver will advise you of this and you will return to Queenstown by coach. Your return time to Queenstown will be approx. 4:15pm if your flight proceeds, or approx. 7:30pm via the coach if we are unable to fly. 

Flight – After the sights and sounds found sea level, it’s time to take to the air.  The flight back from Milford takes approximately 35 minutes, during which you’ll see fantastic aerial views of the Southern Alps and the glaciers, waterfalls and impressive valleys of the terrain around Milford Sound.  Finally, you’ll be dropped off at your accommodation in town for what we promise will be a sound sleep – it’s a big day and you’ll undoubtedly be exhausted and utterly content after it. For more info check out our Milford Sound Coach Cruise & Scenic Flight experience. 

To proceed with a booking for the Coach-Cruise-Fly experience, we recommend contacting our coach and cruise partners at Southern Discoveries directly here: https://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz/milford-sound/scenic-flights/air-milford/ 

For the safety of younger travellers and in line with New Zealand law, all infants and children under 7 years must travel in an approved child seat on Southern Discoveries coaches. Child seats can be hired if needed— we recommend contacting Tots on Tour at +64 3 442 0409 to arrange this in advance.

When you book a scenic flight in Queenstown you should be 100% confident that you’re in good hands.  We have a 100% safety record – and our focus and hard work to maintain this record is behind the continued high standing of our reputation.  Nothing we do will compromise your safety and enjoyment on our flights around the South Island.

We have one the highest ratings in operations and safety from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority for good reason.  It starts in the hanger with a thorough and uncompromising maintenance process.  Nothing is left to chance – if every box isn’t checked and ticked we simply don’t fly.  Our highly experienced pilots are also used to flying over the mountainous terrain from Queenstown to our many scenic flight destinations.  They know this landscape like the back of their hand and are well trained to deal with every set of circumstances.

• Experienced pilots used to flying over mountainous terrain from Queenstown to our scenic flight destinations
• One of the best safety records in New Zealand
• Well-maintained aircraft
• One of the highest ratings from New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority for operations and safety

“When you choose New Zealand scenic flights with Air Milford, you’re in safe hands.”

Heck yes you should!  We regularly fly all types of flyers and are proud of how our flights can result in even the most nervous of flyers wanting to fly again with us upon their return.