Air tours on the West Coast of New Zealand offer a unique and breathtaking way to experience the region's stunning landscapes, including ancient glaciers, snowy peaks, and lush rainforests. Some of the top options for air tours in the area include Glacier Helicopters, which has been pioneering glacier and snow landings in New Zealand since 1970, offering a 50-minute scenic flight tour covering Aoraki Mount Cook and the Westland World Heritage area. Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters provide ski plane and helicopter tours with glacier landings, allowing experiences like skiing or snowboarding on the Tasman Glacier.
Glacier Country Scenic Flights depart from the base beside the Whataroa River, offering a 50-minute scenic flight tour over the West Coast. This tour includes views of lush sub-tropical rainforests, alpine snowfields, and stunning peaks such as Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. The Helicopter Line offers both scenic flights and a Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike, providing an exciting exploration of the glaciers and surrounding landscapes. Mountain Helicopters, a small private company focusing on personal service, offers flights from both Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier.
Scenic flights are available in various regions throughout New Zealand, including Northland, Auckland, the central North Island, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, the West Coast, Queenstown, and Fiordland. These flights offer a unique perspective on the breathtaking landscapes, showcasing coastlines, beaches, volcanic cones, glassy lakes, and ancient forests.