Franz Josef is one of the two glacier villages on New Zealand's West Coast — and one of the easiest places in the country to get airborne: six operators fly from bases right in the village, from an 18-minute overflight to 90-minute Aoraki/Mount Cook panoramas, most with a snow landing. Every listed flight is free to cancel up to 24 hours ahead.
The entry point: 15–25 minutes over Franz Josef Glacier, with a snow landing included. Five operators fly this profile — compare prices and ratings side by side.
A 25-minute flight above the ice pinnacles and crevasses of Franz Josef Glacier, continuing into the Southern Alps for a snow landing at altitude — flown by the family-run village operator.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuideBest price | NZ$395 | ★ 4.8 (693 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
| Viator | NZ$395 | ★ 4.8 (227 reviews) | Book at Viator |
A compact 20-minute trip over the ice falls, snowfields and crevasses of Franz Josef Glacier, with a snow landing to see the icy landscape up close.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | NZ$385 | ★ 4.9 (56 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
From sea level into the heart of the Southern Alps: 25 minutes of flight time over the ice falls of Franz Josef Glacier, plus a snow landing.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Viator | NZ$395 | ★ 4.9 (238 reviews) | Book at Viator |
The short way to touch snow: 15–20 minutes of flight time up Franz Josef Glacier with a snow landing on the névé.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Viator | NZ$395 | ★ 4.6 (40 reviews) | Book at Viator |
A 25-minute scenic trip over the glacier with a touchdown on the snow plains for photos — conservation and concession fees are included in the price.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | NZ$385 | ★ 4.9 (7 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
Twenty minutes above Franz Josef Glacier with views of some of New Zealand's highest peaks and a snow landing, flown from the Alpine Adventure Centre on Main Road.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | NZ$360 | ★ 4.9 (190 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
A scenic flight with a 15-minute exclusive landing on Franz Josef Glacier — standing on the ice without any hiking, run by the glacier's own guiding company.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuideBest price | NZ$699 | ★ 4.7 (2 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
| Viator | NZ$717 | ★ 5.0 (4 reviews) | Book at Viator |
The most popular upgrade: both West Coast glaciers in a single 30–35-minute flight with snow landing.
Two of New Zealand's biggest glaciers in one 35-minute flight — Franz Josef plus either Fox or Tasman, whichever conditions favour — with a 10-minute snow landing along the way.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuideBest price | NZ$495 | ★ 4.9 (527 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
| Viator | NZ$495 | ★ 4.8 (394 reviews) | Book at Viator |
Twice the ice: Fox and Franz Josef in one 35-minute flight, landing on the glacier along the way to compare two very different ice formations.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuideBest price | NZ$485 | ★ 4.7 (402 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
| Viator | NZ$497 | ★ 4.8 (159 reviews) | Book at Viator |
Franz Josef and Fox in one go: 20–25 minutes of flight time in a twin-engine six-seater, landing in the snow at the head of one of the two glaciers.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuideBest price | NZ$485 | ★ 4.7 (11 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
| Viator | NZ$497 | ★ 4.6 (188 reviews) | Book at Viator |
Both glaciers in a 30-minute round trip with a 10-minute snow landing, plus views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | NZ$460 | ★ 4.9 (152 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
From 30 minutes towards the Tasman Glacier up to 60–90 minutes across the main divide: these flights add Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak, to the glacier views.
Franz Josef, Fox and Tasman in a single 45-minute flight, with a snow landing high in the Southern Alps for sweeping photos of the mountain scenery.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuideBest price | NZ$695 | ★ 4.8 (162 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
| Viator | NZ$695 | ★ 4.8 (135 reviews) | Book at Viator |
The 60-minute grand tour across four glaciers — Franz Josef, Fox, Tasman and Shackleton — with two separate snow landings for photos.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuideBest price | NZ$895 | ★ 4.8 (30 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
| Viator | NZ$895 | ★ 4.7 (49 reviews) | Book at Viator |
Glacier Country's longest tour: 90 minutes through the glacier world of the Southern Alps, snow landing included.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | NZ$1,495 | ★ 5.0 (1 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
Forty minutes of flight time from Franz Josef across the main divide towards Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Viator | NZ$672 | ★ 4.9 (14 reviews) | Book at Viator |
Forty minutes across two national parks divided by the Southern Alps, with a 5–10-minute snow landing en route.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Viator | NZ$672 | ★ 5.0 (38 reviews) | Book at Viator |
Three glaciers in one 40-minute flight — Franz Josef, Fox and the ice fields towards Mount Cook — with a snow landing amongst ancient ice.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | NZ$655 | ★ 3.9 (13 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
The 40-minute Grand Tour across the Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman glaciers, with views of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman and a scenic snow landing.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | NZ$615 | ★ 4.4 (21 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
Thirty minutes of flight time over Franz Josef Glacier and across to the Tasman Glacier, with a snowfield landing — departing from the Franz Josef heliport.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuideBest price | NZ$399 | ★ 4.8 (84 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
| Viator | NZ$399 | ★ 5.0 (3 reviews) | Book at Viator |
The 60-minute Grand Circle over the region's most iconic glaciers, landing on the Tasman — New Zealand's longest glacier — with views of Mount Cook.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | NZ$699 | ★ 4.3 (13 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
A whiskey tasting on glacier ice, or the quickest and cheapest way up — an 18-minute overflight without landing.
Fifty minutes out to the remote Shackleton Glacier, named after the Antarctic explorer — on the ice, a complimentary sample of Shackleton whiskey is served with glacial ice.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuideBest price | NZ$795 | ★ 5.0 (2 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
| Viator | NZ$795 | ★ 4.9 (9 reviews) | Book at Viator |
The quickest way into the air: an 18-minute overflight of both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier without a landing — taxes and concession fees included.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | NZ$395 | – | Book at GetYourGuide |
Helicopter transfer onto Franz Josef Glacier and around two and a half hours exploring ice formations with an expert guide — boots, crampons and rain gear are provided.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuideBest price | NZ$899 | ★ 4.8 (397 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
| Viator | NZ$922 | ★ 4.6 (659 reviews) | Book at Viator |
The small-group extended version: up to five and a half hours on the ice with your guide, including a glacier picnic lunch.
| Sold by | from | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | NZ$1,549 | ★ 5.0 (1 reviews) | Book at GetYourGuide |
Every flight listed here can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before departure — checked on each product page.
Flights depend on the weather. If your flight is cancelled, operators offer an alternative date or a full refund.
Weight rules apply: several operators require passengers of 120 kg and over to purchase an extra comfort seat at check-in; INFLITE states a passenger weight limit of 116 kg.
Glacier Country Helicopters includes the NZ$30 landing fee in its prices — it is refunded if weather prevents the landing.
The shortest flights start at the lowest price shown above; long Mount Cook panoramas and private-style experiences cost the most. Each card compares every platform that sells the same flight, so you always see the current best price.
Almost all do — the 18-minute Twin Glacier Overflight is the deliberate exception. Landings depend on the weather: Glacier Country Helicopters, for example, includes a NZ$30 landing fee in its prices and refunds it if conditions make the landing impossible.
Every flight listed here can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before departure — we checked each product page. If the operator cancels because of weather, you are offered an alternative date or a full refund.
Yes. Several operators require passengers of 120 kg and over to purchase an additional comfort seat at check-in — at Glacier Country Helicopters it costs half the flight price. INFLITE states a passenger weight limit of 116 kg. For heli-hikes, Franz Josef Glacier Guides requires a minimum age of 10, a minimum weight of 35 kg and a maximum of 115 kg.
All six operators have their base in or right next to the village: Glacier Country Helicopters at 10 Main Road, HeliServices.NZ at the Alpine Adventure Centre (29 Main Road), Glacier Helicopters at 30 Main Road, The Helicopter Line on Main South Road (SH6), Franz Josef Glacier Guides at 63 Cron Street and INFLITE at the Franz Josef Heliport / 69 Cron Street. Check-in is typically 15–30 minutes before departure.
Three of the operators here — The Helicopter Line, Glacier Helicopters and HeliServices.NZ — also run their own base in Fox Glacier village with a mirrored programme, and every Twin Glacier flight overflies both glaciers anyway. Fly from whichever village fits your itinerary; the Fox Glacier page lists the departures from there.
