
Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 61 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air worth booking?
Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air is a 8-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $558 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 61 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (61)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $558 per person
Fly up the spine of the South Island, enjoying panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea on one side and Lake Pukaki, arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful lake, on the other. Marvel at the most awe-inspiring aerial views of the summit ridge of Mt. Cook and the Tasman Glacier. Experience unparalleled aerial views of the Franz and Fox Glaciers on the West Coast and the Tasman Glacier within Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park Land in Mt. Cook National Park at Aoraki/Mt. Cook Airport on the picturesque outskirts of Mt. Cook Village. Spend up to 5 hours on the ground exploring Mt. Cook Village, with lunch at The Hermitage Hotel or enjoy walking Hooker Valley Track. Follow a different flight path on your return flight to Queenstown, taking in the tussock-drenched Lindis Pass. Experience it all from your window seat!
What you get
About this experience
Fly up the spine of the South Island, enjoying panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea on one side and Lake Pukaki, arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful lake, on the other. Marvel at the most awe-inspiring aerial views of the summit ridge of Mt. Cook and the Tasman Glacier. Experience unparalleled aerial views of the Franz and Fox Glaciers on the West Coast and the Tasman Glacier within Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park Land in Mt. Cook National Park at Aoraki/Mt. Cook Airport on the picturesque outskirts of Mt. Cook Village. Spend up to 5 hours on the ground exploring Mt. Cook Village, with lunch at The Hermitage Hotel or enjoy walking Hooker Valley Track. Follow a different flight path on your return flight to Queenstown, taking in the tussock-drenched Lindis Pass. Experience it all from your window seat!
What's included
Included
- Child/booster seats available on request, baby earmuffs also provided
- Your knowledgeable, highly skilled local pilot will provide interesting and informative commentary
- Departures from Queenstown Airport
Not included
- This is not a Glacier landing our aircraft land at Mt. Cook Airport
- Lunch - available to purchase in Mt. Cook Village should you wish
What you'll see and do
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Spend approximately 5 hours discovering Aoraki Mt. Cook village, enjoy lunch at The Hermitage Hotel, check out the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre, walk the Hooker Valley Track before boarding your return flight to Queenstown.
300 minutes here
Hooker Valley Track
The Hooker Valley Track is the most popular short walking track within the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand. At only 10-kilometres length and gaining only about 100 m in height, the well-formed track can be walked by tourists with a wide range of level of fitness.
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Queenstown
Check-in time is 30 minutes prior to departure at our desk inside the main building. Queenstown Airport Terminal Parking A is the closest parking to our check-in and costs a maximum of $20 for the day. For the closest free on-street parking please head to Douglas Street or McBride Street.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Check-in time is 30 minutes prior to departure at our desk inside the main building. Queenstown Airport Terminal Parking A is the closest parking to our check-in and costs a maximum of $20 for the day. For the closest free on-street parking please head to Douglas Street or McBride Street.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Glenorchy Air Services and Tourist Co. Ltd
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum numbers required to operate this flight
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 60 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
60 verified traveler reviews for Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
An incidental Mt Cook adventure
We originally booked the Milford sound fly-cruise-fly experience. But this had to be cancelled owing to bad weather. Glenorchy offered us a full refund or the Mt Cook experience instead. We took the opportunity to visit Mr Cook and glad that we did. The mountains were stunning. Our pilot was fantastic. Very knowledgeable. The whole experience was just so relaxed and easy. From getting picked up at our hotel, going on the flight and being dropped off again our hosts were incredibly friendly and hospitable. Would definitely recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Spectacular Scenery and an Unforgettable Flight
Absolutely spectacular scenery! We were so lucky to have a beautiful sunny day with clear skies. Just see the photos! A special thank you to our pilot, Gemma Bray, who was friendly and professional and made the flight even more enjoyable. Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Can’t miss flight of Mt. Cook
From the communication throughout the whole experience and back, there was exceptional. Customer service warmed into your greetings and engagement, very informative and educating while in the flight.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful feedback. It’s great to hear you felt welcomed and well looked after throughout the experience. We love sharing this incredible part of New Zealand with our guests, so it’s especially nice to hear you enjoyed learning more about the region along the way. Thanks again for taking the time to leave a review
via Tripadvisor
Great flight- great views - AWESOME!
Awesome experience weather permitting. If you have the opportunity, it is well worth the money. To see Milford sound from below on the water one thing but to experience it from above is a whole other experience. The pilot was awesome. He made the flight smooth and moved around the clouds so that we could maximize our viewing from the plane. Additionally, it was awesome not to have to drive back 4 1/2 hours in a Coach versus 45 to 50 minutes in a plane. If you plan to travel to New Zealand from a distance, you have to spend slightly additional extra money and take a flight back from Milford sound.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It's great to hear the day delivered on expectations and became such a memorable part of your visit. We really appreciate your kind feedback about your pilot and the care taken to make the most of the conditions on the day. We'll be sure to pass this on. Thanks again for your recommendation and for choosing to travel with us.
via Tripadvisor
Great experience with...
Great experience with pilot Jim. Incredible knowledge at flights, mountains, geology, glaciers and history of the region. Highly recommend to all visitors;)
Response from the operator: Thank you for your great feedback, it’s wonderful to hear the experience left such a strong impression. We really appreciate your kind words about Jim and the insight he shared along the way, and we’ll be sure to pass this on. Thanks again for your recommendation, we appreciate your support. Kind regards, Glenorchy Air
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $558 to $959
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 21
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Glenorchy Air Services and Tourist Co. Ltd, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.7.
See everything Glenorchy Air Services and Tourist Co. Ltd runsWhy this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.
How much does Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air cost?
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Prices start at $558 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Queenstown usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Queenstown is not rushed.
Is Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 61 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Queenstown, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?
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Around 21 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Queenstown can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Queenstown and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Queenstown within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Queenstown?
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On Outty we rank every Queenstown experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Queenstown?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?
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Included: Child/booster seats available on request, baby earmuffs also provided; Your knowledgeable, highly skilled local pilot will provide interesting and informative co; and Departures from Queenstown Airport. Not included: This is not a Glacier landing our aircraft land at Mt. Cook Airport; and Lunch - available to purchase in Mt. Cook Village should you wish. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?
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Check-in time is 30 minutes prior to departure at our desk inside the main building. Queenstown Airport Terminal Parking A is the closest parking to our check-in and costs a maximum of $20 for the day. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air?
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Across 61 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include photo opportunities, knowledge and storytelling. The views and photo stops come up again and again.
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