Flying over Aoraki/Mount Cook
Flights leave from three places: Mount Cook Airport near the village, Glentanner Park on the shore of Lake Pukaki and the airfield at Lake Tekapo. They run from 25 minutes to about an hour. Some include a landing on snow, some only fly over the glaciers. Which one you choose depends on how much time and money you have and whether a landing matters to you.
Prices on operator pages are displayed offers, not final checkout totals. No operator can promise clear skies or a landing. Route and landing are decided by the pilot on the day, so keep a spare day in your plan if the flight is the main reason for your trip.
Flights from Mount Cook Airport
Displayed offers from Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters (INFLITE), 2026. The base is Mount Cook Airport.
| Flight | Length | Displayed price | Landing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tasman Taster | 25 min | NZ$379 | Alpine landing in the mountains, snow not specifically promised |
| Tasman Discovery | 25 min | NZ$429 (shown as an offer, was NZ$449) | Ski plane, snow landing on the Tasman Glacier |
| Ultimate Alpine Experience | 45 min | NZ$549 to NZ$599 | Tasman Glacier, ski plane and helicopter combined |
| Glacier Highlights | 45 min | NZ$699 | Glacier landing, by ski plane or helicopter |
| Grand Circle | 55 min | NZ$799 | Glacier landing |
The Ultimate Alpine Experience shows NZ$599 on the operator's front page and NZ$549 for adults on its own product page, so ask which price applies on your date. The product page runs it on 7 days a week. Confirm child fares and age limits with the operator before you book. Free transfers from accommodation in the village are offered.
Our picks: scenic flights
From Mount Cook Airport, from Glentanner and from Lake Tekapo.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
55-minute helicopter flight over the glaciers
A helicopter flight with pilot commentary. The alpine landing in snow depends on snow depth. Free transport to and from Mount Cook Village may be possible.
Check availability →
50-minute scenic flight from Tekapo
A 50-minute flight towards Mount Cook with commentary from a local guide and a flight information booklet. Hotel transfer is not included.
Check availability →
Ski plane and helicopter glacier flight
Two flights in one trip, by ski plane and by helicopter, with all taxes and fees included. Parking at the airport and Wi-Fi are free.
Check availability →Mount Cook scenic flights and glacier tours
Helicopter flights, ski plane flights and snow landings over Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier, with live prices and availability.
Flights from Glentanner and Lake Tekapo
Two more operators fly over the same peaks from the south and the east.
Helicopter flights from Glentanner Park
The Helicopter Line lists four flights from Glentanner Park: Alpine Vista (25 minutes), Alpine Explorer (35 minutes including an alpine landing), Mountains High (40 minutes) and Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Glaciers (55 minutes). Allow about an hour for the Alpine Explorer, because check-in and the briefing come first. Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure. Flight times include the landing, and the pilot decides route and landing. The fares on the operator's page carry an older validity note, so ask for the current price before you plan around one. If weather cancels the flight, you can rebook or get a full refund, and a minimum number of passengers applies.
Flights from Lake Tekapo
Air Safaris flies from an airfield about 4 km west of the town on the main road, with free parking. The fares below are valid from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027. Adults pay the first price, children aged 3 to 13 the second.
| Flight | Length | Adult | Child 3 to 13 | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Traverse from and to Tekapo | About 50 min flying, 1 hour in total | NZ$535 | NZ$430 | Aeroplane flight, no snow landing included |
| Grand Traverse from and to Glentanner | About 50 min flying | NZ$560 | NZ$450 | Aeroplane flight |
| Grand Traverse between airports | – | NZ$605 | NZ$485 | Choose from Tekapo, Glentanner, Mt Cook and Pukaki |
| Mount Cook Alpine Grandeur from Tekapo | 45 min | NZ$695 | NZ$560 (infant NZ$350) | Helicopter, snow landing at Liebig Dome |
| Mount Cook Franz and Fox Magic from Tekapo | 60 min | NZ$975 | NZ$780 (infant NZ$490) | Helicopter, snow landing at Liebig Dome |
Air Safaris asks passengers to tell it in advance if they weigh more than 125 kg on one page and more than 130 kg on another, so mention your weight when you book if you are close to either limit. The Franz and Fox Magic flight reaches the glaciers on the west side of the main range. For flights that start over there, see the guide to helicopter flights at Franz Josef and Fox Glacier.
How to choose a flight
The names sound alike, so compare these points.
Is a snow landing included?
Read the landing line, not only the title. The Tasman Discovery and the Ultimate Alpine Experience name the Tasman Glacier. The Tasman Taster lists an alpine landing in the mountains and does not promise snow. The Grand Traverse by aeroplane does not include a landing.
Ski plane or helicopter
The Ultimate Alpine Experience combines both in 45 minutes. The Glacier Highlights uses either a ski plane or a helicopter, so check which one you get.
Where you start
Mount Cook Airport suits you if you stay in the village, because transfers are offered. Glentanner Park is on the shore of Lake Pukaki, and Tekapo works if you stay there. Look at the driving times before you pick a start.
Total time, not only flight time
Allow check-in, a safety briefing and the walk to the aircraft on top of the flight. For the Alpine Explorer, plan about one hour in all.
Weather and cancellations
Mountain weather changes quickly, and cloud over the main range can stop a flight even when the village is clear. Operators decide on the day. The Helicopter Line lists rebooking or a full refund if it cancels for weather. For other operators, read the terms before you pay.
Book a flight early in your stay so that a second attempt is possible. The weather guide explains the seasons, and the page on the Tasman Glacier and Tasman Lake shows what you see from the ground. Flying over Milford Sound is a different trip and has its own guide for Milford Sound scenic flights.
Mount Cook scenic flights: frequently asked questions
How much does a Mount Cook scenic flight cost?
The 2026 offers compared above run from NZ$379 for a 25-minute flight to NZ$975 for a 60-minute helicopter flight from Tekapo. They are displayed prices for adults, not final totals, and some operators show different prices on different pages.
Does every flight land on snow?
No. The Tasman Discovery, the Ultimate Alpine Experience and the Tekapo helicopter flights name a snow landing. The Tasman Taster lists an alpine landing without promising snow, and the Grand Traverse by aeroplane has no landing. Even when a landing is listed, the pilot decides on the day.
Where do the flights leave from?
From Mount Cook Airport near the village, from Glentanner Park at Lake Pukaki and from Tekapo airfield, about 4 km west of Lake Tekapo. Check which start point your ticket names.
Is there a transfer from Mount Cook Village?
Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters offers free transfers between village accommodation and the airport. For other operators, check the meeting point when you book.
What if the weather is bad?
Flights are cancelled or changed when conditions are unsafe. The Helicopter Line lists rebooking or a full refund for weather cancellations. Terms differ by operator, so read them before you pay.
Are there weight limits?
Air Safaris asks heavier passengers to tell it in advance and names 125 kg on one page and 130 kg on another. Mention your weight when you book if you are near that range.