Air Safaris
Air Safaris
5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
We offer some of New Zealand’s best flightseeing experiences so you can go further and see more. Enjoy spectacular alpine scenery, from Aoraki Mt Cook and snowy mountain ranges to turquoise lakes, epic glaciers, and amazing ice fields flowing through West Coast rainforests to the Tasman Sea! Choose from fixed wing or helicopter flights with our experienced local pilots. Every seat is a window seat for incredible views, and our pilots offer entertaining commentary with multi-language brochure supplied. Fly from Tekapo, Glentanner Park/Mt Cook, or Franz Josef. We also offer wedding and engagement packages, and flights to Milford Sound. We’re a family-owned business offering friendly, personal service since 1970! Contact our friendly team for bookings or more information
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingSimilar Experiences
Travellers talk about
(83 reviews)
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
365 reviews
Excellent
345
Very good
15
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
2
NJ LV
5 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
The decision to book was almost made on impulse and we are so glad we did. People buy from people and both pilots at the Lake Tekapo office were very helpful and professional. Our plane was piloted by Justin who was informative and gave you complete confidence in undertaking the trip. The views on the 50 min journey were breathtaking , the commentary was enough to give you the full overview. This was a major highlight of our trip and one of the memories I will keep for ever.
Written 24 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NJCricketer
NJ535 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
It was a trip that almost never happened. There was a cloud hanging over Mt. Cook and it was a chance all of us were taking. The pilot Matthew said he could take us up and if there was a cloud cover we could get a slightly lower rate. We had never done one of these rides whether in Hawaii or Grand Canyon but were brave enough to go for it . We were close to Mt. Cook when the cloud cover moved and we got a wonderful view of both Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman, the two tallest peaks in NZ. The lakes Tepako and Lake Pukaki were beautiful especially the rivers and the deltas flowing into it,
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jem
4 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
Wow! What an incredible experience, 100% would recommend. Woke up to glorious weather in Lake Tekapo, and with the forecast not looking great for our travels to Mount Cook Village the following day we made a last minute impulse purchase, booked online at 9am and on the aircraft at 12pm- very straight forward! Our pilot, Amit, was very friendly and talked us through all the landmarks we could see on our flight. The views were amazing and we took away some great memories (and photos!)
Written 9 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chelsea P
3 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
This has been by far my favorite excursion in the 30+ countries I have traveled to. A bucket list item for anyone!! The staff is so friendly and very accommodating. Matthew, our pilot, was very knowledgeable and gave us interesting information the entire flight. My husband and I sat in the very back of the plane and had an excellent time. Overall I can’t recommend this enough. It has been the highlight of my trip to New Zealand!
Written 26 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for flying with us and posting a review !
We are thrilled you enjoyed your flight with Matthew he certainly loves sharing his knowledge of the area.
Written 31 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Caroline L
Melbourne, Australia86 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Wow! We were so impressed with this spur of the moment activity. We booked the day before on a whim and were not disappointed. The communication from the family run business was excellent and they obviously take pride in what they offer tourists. Running since 1970, they really know what they are doing. We got a very experienced pilot who made me feel really safe. The flight was smooth and so very scenic, not to be missed. We did the Grand Traverse from Lake Tekapo which went over the Mt Cook area. As a side note, I was particularly impressed by one of the young members of the team working the desk, who communicated to some of the international tourists in their own language. What a professional team!
Written 5 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg
Sunshine Coast, Australia22 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
The scenic flight from Tekapo was the highlight of our 4 week trip around the South Island. After poor weather caused a 2 hour delay we were so pleased when given the go ahead and not disappointed from the moment we left until we landed. The staff at the booking office gave us great service and then keeps us informed of the delays. Our pilot Amit Dhiman was excellent and gave us a continued commentary on what was coming and history of the area. I’m just glad I put a new memory card in the camera and had lots of battery life on my iPhone as they both got a serious work out. Well worth adding to your plans - you won’t be disappointed.
Written 29 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scarcev
165 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Wow the views! Not sure what else to say. First time in a small plane, always felt safe, the staff were fantastic and so professional, the commentary was great and the views. You just have to do this if you are around Lake Tekapo, we were going to do it in Queenstown but so glad we waited to get out here.
Written 29 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil B
Ormond Beach, FL17 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We were greeted at the front desk of air, safaris by our pilot Amit, who also sold us on the trip. When we boarded the plane I do have to say for someone who is 6’3” it was a little cramped
however, he moved his seat up, so he gave me enough legroom. His commentary of the trip was easy to understand, and the whole experience left us awestruck. His copilot Tim also gave us some commentary about what we were seeing. I would highly recommend this trip. it is a once in a lifetime experience.
however, he moved his seat up, so he gave me enough legroom. His commentary of the trip was easy to understand, and the whole experience left us awestruck. His copilot Tim also gave us some commentary about what we were seeing. I would highly recommend this trip. it is a once in a lifetime experience.
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deirdre M
3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
I was disappointed with the experience. I was unable to hear the commentary and although every passenger does get a window seat where I was sitting the top of the wing obscured part of my view. As I was unable to hear the commentary I was unclear where we were and could not state if I had been over one glacier 3 times or if I did fly over 3 glaciers. I had to wait to board as couples were ask to board first after one single male passenger.
Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Deirdre,
We are sorry you were disappointed with your flight as it is usually a highlight for people visiting NZ.
You had the perfect day weather wise and everyone else on the flight really enjoyed the trip so we were concerned you didn’t.
The commentary was discussed with you after the flight and we did check and confirm the system was working ok. The rest of your group confirmed they heard the commentary fine so I'm sorry if you struggled to hear. The flight route guides (multi languages) available at check-in are handy for referencing where you are on the flight - all key points are highlighted with description..
As previously explained to you, during loading it is common for us to ask couples/families etc to stand together so when we load we can try and keep them together. We load passengers according to weight and balance for safety, there is no particular order based on singles or couples.
We would have offered you another flight but you were travelling as part of a coach tour and timing would not allow this.
Written 31 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lanmar
New Orleans, LA6 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Excellent one hour flight with an associated excellent commentary by the pilot
Despite the lowish cloud, the pilot turned the aircraft so that passengers on each side were able to view each particular sight in turn.
We have been on many flight experiences and this ranks amongst the best.
Despite the lowish cloud, the pilot turned the aircraft so that passengers on each side were able to view each particular sight in turn.
We have been on many flight experiences and this ranks amongst the best.
Written 6 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ikihappy
Hong Kong, China165 contributions
Hi there! We’ll be arriving at Lake Tekapo at ~4pm on 6 Dec and leave at ~1pm on the next day. For the first day we’ll go to the Mt John star gazing tour at night (time not yet confirmed, hopefully it won’t be in midnight haha) and I’m interested in the 45min helicopter “Mt Cook alpine grandeur”. Would you recommend us to take helicopter tour in the afternoon on the first day or in the morning of the 2nd day?
I will stay in Designer Cabin which is very close to the church of the good shepherd and is there any pick up-drop off service to our accommodation?
Thanks! :)
traveller2148
West Midlands466 contributions
We were advised to take the flight at first opportunity in case weather gets worse later. We did the plane flight over mt cook, fox and Franz Josef glaciers which was excellent. Only booked day before and there was plenty of space. Weather v hot so I expected it to be full. We drove to the airport not far from lake tekapo.
Mr John had nice little cafe overlooking lake...spectacular views.
Our other chance to do a flight was near Franz Josef when we went up west coast, but wrathervwas poor there, so we were glad we did it earlier
paulinecarroll7
Perth, Australia
Price for a couple in October
Air Safaris & Services Ltd
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand5 contributions
Good morning and thank you for your inquiry. When you book on our website the prices for the new season (October onwards) will be displayed to you when you select your preferred day and flight time. If it is not what you are expecting you can simply leave the site without booking. I hope this helps and we look forward to flying you around our stunning backyard. Regards, the team at Air Safaris
Jamie W
Fulshear, TX34 contributions
We are headed to Lake Tekapo in January and would like to book a flight. Is it best to book once we arrive in case of weather?
Air Safaris & Services Ltd
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand5 contributions
Hi Jamie,
Booking is advised as especially in the busier months some time slots can fill up. As mentioned in some of the other responses here we do not charge until on the day and any cancellations due weather are free of charge. We advise checking in with us when you arrive in town to check the conditions for your flight time.
If you wish to make a booking or have any other questions please feel free to check out our website where you will find a booking form and also our direct contact details.
We look forward to having you join us on a flight!
Kind regards,
Sarah
Air Safaris