The 15 Best Fjord Scenic Flights

1.Milford Sound Flight and Cruise ex Queenstown (incl Lunch)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 672 reviews · from $518Our pick

You’ll fly with Air Milford from Queenstown to Milford Sound, hearing live commentary from pilots such as Antony, Emma, Corey, or Tim. After a 1-hour-45-minute nature cruise with lunch, you’ll return by air over Sutherland Falls, Lake Te Anau, and the Southern Alps. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“This was a fantastic experience. Definitely flying to Milford Sound is the only way to get there. The flight was augmented by commentary from the pilot that made it great.”

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2.Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 324 reviews · from $557

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a 16-seat Mercedes van with a local guide, stopping at Lake Te Anau, Mirror Lakes, and Fiordland National Park. Cruise for two hours, then fly back over Fiordland and Lake Wakatipu when weather allows. Guides include Tommy, Alana, Shelley, and Nev.

“Our guide Jono was fantastic. Loved his enthusiasm and the information he gave. He also took us to additional sites that wouldn’t be possible with a large tour bus. Jono went above and beyond trying to switch us to a larger plane flight when he thought that the small plane would not be able to take us due to the rainy weather. Unfortunately and fortunately no flights could take off with the huge amount of rain that came through, but that made the waterfalls amazing. Jono was great to drive back with as well.”

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3.Queenstown: Milford Sound Flight and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 283 reviews · 4h 30m · from $403

Fly with Glenorchy Air from Queenstown across Lake Wakatipu, Mount Aspiring National Park, glaciers, and Milford Sound. After a 1-hour-45-minute cruise beneath Mitre Peak, return by air on a different route. Pilots such as Jim, Will, Annabel, and Joseph provide commentary.

“We had an amazing trip. The weather was amazing and everything from the air was so beautiful - the highlight of our holiday. Our pilot, Annabel, was very knowledgeable and provided us with great information about what we were seeing. She checked in with our group to make sure we were all together to get back on the bus to return to the plane after the boat tour. Would highly recommend doing this tour.”

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4.Misty Fjords Flightseeing 1 hour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 280 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $379

Take a one-hour flight from Ketchikan over granite cliffs, waterfalls, wildflower fields, and remote lakes in a De Havilland Beaver. Your pilot narrates through a two-way headset, and every passenger gets a window seat. Weather can change the view, so build in flexibility.

“I am so glad I chose Seawind Aviation. My dad has mobility issues and was worried about being able to get in and out of the float plane. The staff is great and so helpful. They made sure he got on and was comfortable.”

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5.Misty Fjords Seaplane Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 234 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $425

From Ketchikan’s Berth 2, you’ll ride to the airport and board a six-passenger DeHavilland Beaver. Pilots Michelle, Adam, or Melissa narrate the flight over Misty Fjords, then land on a quiet lake or bay for about 30 minutes. Every passenger gets a window seat.

“It was a pleasure flying with Michelle and Island Wings. She took us on an amazing flight pattern and landed us in such a pristine lake. Her 39 year knowledge of the bush was instrumental in our total enjoyment of this experience. Thank you for hiring the best of the best! John L. Utah”

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6.Milford Sound Flight and Cruise ex Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · from $490

Fly with Air Milford from Queenstown over Coronet Peak, Glenorchy, the Southern Alps, and Fiordland National Park. Land at Milford Sound for a 1-hour-45-minute nature cruise, then return by a different scenic route. Pilots including Tom Watson, Emma, Hank, and Jim provide commentary.

“Excellent flight and cruise to Milford sound - well organised, beautiful sceneries and explanations.”

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7.Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise & Helicopter Alpine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 165 reviews · 4 hours · from $786

Fly with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters over Fiordland, land in Milford Sound for a scenic cruise, then return by helicopter with an alpine or glacier landing. Pilots such as Luke, Jeremy, Michael, and Andrew provide commentary, while flight routes and landing spots depend on weather.

“Quite simply the best trip i have been on anywhere. From pick up being bang on time, friendliness of all the staff, the knowledge and expertise of our pilot, Andrew. the whole experience was faultless.”

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8.From Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 113 reviews · 9 hours · from $465

Travel the Milford Road by air-conditioned coach, stopping at Mirror Lakes, Monkey Creek, the Homer Tunnel, and The Chasm. Cruise Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries, then fly back to Queenstown with Glenorchy Air, with a guaranteed window seat and glacier views.

“The bus trip and commentary was great. And the flight home with Isabel was wonderful.”

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9.Queenstown: Milford Sound Flight and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 111 reviews · 4 hours · from $445

Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a small aircraft with a guaranteed window seat, then cruise beneath waterfalls and near Mitre Peak. Pilots such as Andrew, Jason, Laura, and Hamish provide commentary, while the boat crew points out seals, dolphins, birds, and local history.

“Absolutely beautiful, the whole experience from A to Z! Thanks to all the friendly staff and very knowledgeable pilot, Tamiway.”

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10.Milford Sound Heli Tour from Queenstown with 2 Alpine Landings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · from $859

Take a 90-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound with two weather-dependent alpine landings. Your pilot points out Mitre Peak, Tukuko Glacier, Fiordland lakes, and rugged Southern Alps scenery. Hotel pickup is included, and flights carry no more than six people.

“Fantastic experience, extremely well looked after, staff and crew were excellent. Highly recommended.”

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11.Scenic Flight Transfer to Queenstown from Milford Sound

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · from $357

Fly Air Milford from Milford Sound to Queenstown in about 35 minutes, with pilot commentary and views of Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Sutherland Falls, Lake Te Anau, the Southern Alps, and Lake Wakatipu. The flight holds up to 12 people and includes drop-off at a central Queenstown hotel.

“We had booked an excellent drive to and fly back tour to/from Milford Sound through Wild Kiwi tours & Altitude tours. Our guide/driver Gina kept in touch with our flight company and once the cruise was completed, she introduced us to ARead more”

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12.From Queenstown: Milford Sound Flight and Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 44 reviews · 5 hours · from $397

Fly in a 12-seat Cessna from Queenstown over Skippers Canyon, glaciers, Paradise, and Milford Sound. After landing beneath Mitre Peak, take a 1-hour-45-minute small-boat cruise with lunch, tea, wildlife viewing, and Stirling Falls before a different scenic flight home.

“Truly Amazing. Best thing to do in New Zealand”

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13.Milford Sound: 1.5-Hour Helicopter Tour with Two Landings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 1h 30m · from $807

From Queenstown, your pilot flies you over the Southern Alps, glaciers, rainforest, and waterfalls to Milford Sound. You land in the fjord for 15 minutes, then touch down at a remote alpine site, often snowy. Small groups of up to six receive live English commentary.

“Superbe! 10/10 for the flight and pilot. Communication could have been better after the online booking and there was some confusion with the pickup but it turned out ok. The provider should remember this activity is very expensive for some and does cause the clients some stress/anxiety. The easier the whole process is and the more info given, the more at ease the clients will be. 😉✌️”

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14.Trolltunga Helicopter & Waterfalss Sightseeing From Bergen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 8 hours · from $1,049

Travel from Bergen by private vehicle to Skjervsfossen, Hardangerfjord, Steindalsfossen, and a scenic helicopter flight over Trolltunga, fjords, waterfalls, and Folgefonna Glacier. An English, Spanish, or Norwegian guide leads the day, with lunch, snacks, water, and a tour video included.

“A great day. Very informative guide. Packed lots into the day”

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15.From Queenstown: Milford Sound Scenic Flight & Nature Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3 reviews · 4h 30m · from $328Best value

Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound with Glenorchy Air, hearing live commentary from your pilot, including Daniel on one recent flight. After a 40-minute scenic flight, spend two hours on short walks to Mitre Peak viewpoints, the foreshore, swing, and café before flying home.

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