- 1Fixed wing flights from Queenstown Airport to Milford Sound take about 40 to 45 minutes each way, depending on the operator.
- 2A fly cruise fly trip takes about 4 to 5.5 hours with a cruise of about 1.5 to 2 hours; Air Milford puts a coach day at 12 to 14 hours return.
- 3Air Milford says its flights to Milford operate approximately 250 days a year because of the weather, so book early in your stay.
- 4For helicopters, or for the road and the coach, see our helicopter guide and Milford Sound planner.
01 / Short answer
Should I fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound?
Fly if your time is short and you can keep a spare day for the weather. A fixed wing fly cruise fly trip swaps the long road for about 40 to 45 minutes in the air each way and fits into about half a day. The trade off is the weather: Air Milford says its flights to Milford operate approximately 250 days a year. RealNZ says that, aside from road closures for snow, its coach day cruise is likely to go ahead in most weather. Helicopters have their own guide.
02 / Options
What are the ways to fly to Milford Sound from Queenstown?
| Option | How long | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Fly cruise fly | About 4 to 5.5 hours | Fly to Milford Sound, cruise the fiord for about 1.5 to 2 hours, then fly back. Air Milford, Glenorchy Air, Milford Sound Scenic Flights and RealNZ list it. |
| Overflight | Varies by operator | A round trip over Milford Sound with no landing. Milford Sound Scenic Flights lists a 1 hour 15 minute overflight; Air Milford lists a Big 5 Glaciers and Milford Sound Overflight. |
| Coach, cruise, fly | Coach in, fly back | Travel in by coach, cruise, then fly back to Queenstown. Air Milford says that if the flight cannot go, you return by coach: back about 4.15pm by air, or about 7.30pm by coach. |
| One way flight | About 35 minutes | Air Milford says its one way flight back to Queenstown takes about 35 minutes, for visitors who drive or take the coach in. |
03 / The flight
How long is the flight, and what will I see?
Each operator flies its own route, and Air Milford says routes change with the weather.
- Flight time
RealNZ gives approximately 45 minutes each way. Air Milford and Glenorchy Air give 40 minutes each way.
- The whole trip
Milford Sound Scenic Flights and RealNZ give 4 to 5 hours for fly cruise fly; Air Milford says allow 5 hours; Glenorchy Air gives 5 to 5.5 hours from check in.
- On the way
Air Milford names Skippers Canyon, the Paradise area, the Donne glacier, remote alpine lakes and Sutherland Falls (580 m). Glenorchy Air names the Olivine Ice Plateau and the Earnslaw Burn and Mt Tutoko glaciers. Milford Sound Scenic Flights crosses Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks.
- The landing
Air Milford flies the length of Milford Sound before landing at Milford Airport beneath Mitre Peak, which rises 1,692 m. Queenstown Airport says the aerodrome sits at the head of a narrow fiord; its proving flight was on 10 July 1956.
- The cruise
About 1.5 to 2 hours, by operator: Air Milford about 1 hour 30 minutes, Glenorchy Air 1 hour 45 minutes, RealNZ 1.5 to 2 hours. Air Milford suggests a jacket for the cruise.
04 / Aircraft and seats
Which aircraft fly to Milford Sound, and will I get a window seat?
- Milford Sound Scenic Flights
Based at Queenstown International Airport, with three GA8 Airvans (7 passengers) and three Cessna Grand Caravans (13). It says it guarantees window seats.
- Glenorchy Air
Six aircraft carrying 7 to 13 passengers, including the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX. It says it guarantees window seats.
- Air Milford
At 3 Tex Smith Lane, Queenstown Airport, with four Cessna Caravans seating 12, plus a Cessna 185 and a Cessna 206. The Caravans have a one and two layout, so three seats are in the middle; ask for a window seat when you book.
- RealNZ
Says it guarantees window seats on its fly cruise fly.
- Weight
Milford Sound Scenic Flights weighs all passengers at check in and asks anyone over 130 kg to contact it before booking.
05 / Weather
What happens if the weather stops my flight?
- How often flights go
Air Milford says flights to Milford operate approximately 250 days per year due to the weather, and DOC says Milford gets up to 7 metres of rain a year. Book early in your stay so there is a spare day to move to.
- The weather call
Air Milford asks you to call on arrival in Queenstown and again 1.5 hours before departure. Glenorchy Air asks for a call 1 hour before.
- If the operator cancels
Air Milford moves you to the next probable departure or fine weather day, with no charge for weather cancellations. Milford Sound Scenic Flights offers a full refund or a new date.
- If you cancel
Terms differ. Air Milford is free more than 48 hours out, charges a 10% fee from 24 to 48 hours and the full fare inside 24 hours. Milford Sound Scenic Flights and RealNZ charge in full inside 24 hours.
- If the return flight cannot go
Glenorchy Air arranges coach transfers back to Queenstown. Check with your operator that flights into Milford Sound are running on your dates.
06 / Decide
Should I fly, take the coach or book a helicopter?
- Fly cruise fly
Suits half a day, a spare day for weather, and seeing the fiord from the air and the water.
- Coach or drive
Suits seeing the Milford Road itself. DOC puts Queenstown to Milford at about 4.5 hours one way without stops; our Milford Sound planner covers the road day.
- Helicopter
Suits an alpine landing: Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters lists a season dependent alpine or glacier landing on its Milford flights. Our helicopter guide covers those flights.