Helicopter flights from Franz Josef at a glance
A scenic flight from Franz Josef is a short trip over the ice with a landing on the snow. It is not the same as a heli hike. On a flight you step out on the snow for a few minutes, take photos and fly back. On a heli hike you spend up to two and a half hours on the ice with a guide. The heli hike page covers the longer option.
The three flights below are the ones The Helicopter Line lists from Franz Josef. The stated tour time includes the landing, so do not read it as pure flying time. The operator asks you to allow about one hour in total for check-in, the safety briefing and the experience, and check-in closes 30 minutes before departure. Route and landing depend on the weather and the pilot's decision.
Three flights, one heli hike
Prices are per person in New Zealand dollars as listed in 2026. The operator's detail pages show older validity notes, so confirm the price when you book.
| Option | Time | What you see | Listed price 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Névé Discoverer | 25 min including landing | The Franz Josef Glacier and a snow landing | NZ$395 |
| Twin Glacier | 35 min including landing | Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, with a snow landing | NZ$495 |
| Mountain Scenic Spectacular | 40 min including landing | Both glaciers, Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier, with a snow landing | NZ$695 |
| Franz Josef heli hike (for comparison) | Up to 4 hours, up to 2.5 hours on the ice | Guided walk on the glacier | NZ$899, valid to 30 September 2027 |
| Fox Glacier heli hike (for comparison) | Up to 4 hours, up to 3 hours on the ice | Guided walk on the glacier | Check the current rate |
The operator states that landing and concession fees are included in the price. Glacier Helicopters, another operator, also flies from Franz Josef and Fox. Its price list carried the validity date of 30 September 2026, so ask for the current fare.
Our picks: helicopter flights
Flights from Franz Josef over both glaciers, with an alpine landing, or towards Mount Cook from Fox Glacier.
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.
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier flight with a snow landing
A 30-minute flight over both glaciers plus a snow landing, with pilot commentary. The listed 35 minutes include the landing; no exclusions are listed.
Check availability →
Fox Glacier and Mount Cook flight with a snow landing
A 35-minute flight with a pilot, commentary and a snow landing of about ten minutes. No exclusions are listed.
Check availability →
25-minute flight with an alpine landing
Safety briefing, pilot, commentary and headset are included. A Comfort Seat is not included, and the front seat is only available on request.
Check availability →Helicopter flights and heli hikes
Snow landings, two-glacier flights and guided walks on the ice from Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, with live prices and availability.
Mount Cook helicopter flights from the West Coast
The big combination flight, and its limits.
The Mountain Scenic Spectacular is the longest of the three flights. It takes in both West Coast glaciers, Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier, plus a snow landing, in 40 minutes of total tour time. It is a round trip from Franz Josef. No transfer to Mount Cook Village is included, so it will not get you to the other side of the Alps.
If you plan to stay at the mountain, flights from that side of the range are covered in the Mount Cook scenic flights guide. The Tasman Glacier has its own guide too.
Which flight fits you
Start from what you want out of the day.
You have little time or budget
The Névé Discoverer is the shortest of the three at 25 minutes, including the landing, and the lowest listed price at NZ$395.
You want to see both glaciers
Twin Glacier covers Franz Josef and Fox in 35 minutes, with a snow landing.
You want the big mountains
Mountain Scenic Spectacular adds Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier for NZ$695 as listed in 2026.
You want to walk on the ice
A flight with a landing is not a hike. Take the Franz Josef heli hike or the Fox Glacier one, both described on their own pages. See also Fox Glacier.
Heli hike →Weather and cancellations
The West Coast is wet, and flights depend on it.
Heavy rain, strong wind and low cloud stop helicopters. The final decision is made close to departure, and a valley forecast alone does not settle it. The heli hike operators recommend booking early and using your first day for the tour, so that a delay can be absorbed. One of them suggests a stay of at least two days. The same logic holds for a scenic flight: do not book it for your last day.
Average rainfall is high in every month, as the weather page shows. If your flight is cancelled, the hot pools page has ideas for a wet day, and the valley walk and Lake Matheson are options for a break in the rain.
Tandem skydive from Franz Josef
A different kind of flight, listed here because many visitors compare it.
Skydive Franz and Fox offers a 13,000 ft tandem jump for NZ$429 per person in 2026. A Double Deluxe for two people costs NZ$699. The freefall lasts about 45 seconds, and the whole experience takes about 3 hours. The meeting point is 63 Cron Street in Franz Josef.
The regular maximum weight is 100 kg. Up to 115 kg is possible case by case, decided by the tandem master and the weather, and a surcharge may apply. The jump depends on the weather, and a view of the glacier is not guaranteed.
Franz Josef helicopter flights: frequently asked questions
Do the helicopters really land on the snow?
The three flights above include a snow landing. The route and the landing depend on the weather and the pilot's decision on the day.
How long is a flight in practice?
The stated 25, 35 or 40 minutes include the landing. Plan for about one hour at the base for check-in, the safety briefing and the flight, and arrive before check-in closes 30 minutes before departure.
What if my flight is cancelled for weather?
With The Helicopter Line you can rebook or get a full refund. Read the terms of any other operator or booking site before you pay.
Can I fly from Franz Josef to Mount Cook and stay there?
No. The Mountain Scenic Spectacular is a round trip from Franz Josef with views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, and it includes no transfer to Mount Cook Village.
Can I see the glacier without a flight?
Yes, from the valley lookout, which was about 3,000 m from the ice on 20 October 2026. The valley walk page explains the track and the parking.
Is this site run by a helicopter company?
No. It is an independent guide, and the operators named here are mentioned for information only.