Milford sound scenic flights with Air Milford - A Full Review

Air Milford offer visitors the chance to experience the thrill of flying over Fiordland while exploring some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery. Aboarda flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, visitors are offered extraordinary views of the regions sparkling lakes, ragged peaks and dramatic dark fjords. Flying out of Queenstown Airport, Air Milford offers flights to Milford Sound and the Southern Alps that let visitors experience the breathtaking scenery of Fiordland and Mount Cook.

Acclaimed as one of the world’s top travel destinations, Milford Sound has been known to local Māori for over 1000 years. The Māori name for the Sounds ‘Piopiotahi’ means “Place of the singing Thrush” and is part of the story of the legendary hero Maui. The area was not explored by Europeans until 1812, who incorrectly named is a sound despite it actually being fjord at over 12km long and up to 320 meters deep!   

 

The world renowned scenery of Milford Sound (Photo credit Air Milford)

Air Milford provides a wide range of Milford Sound tours that offer truly unparalleled views of the regions deep fjords, thundering waterfalls and native rainforest. The Milford Sound flight from Queenstown takes 35mins (as opposed to a 5hr drive) and takes passengers over the Southern Alps and past the distinctive Mitre Peak before exploring the fiord below. Air Milford’s most popular excursion is called the Fly/Cruise/Fly (4hr trip duration) that has passengers fly from Queenstown to Milford Soundbefore embarking aboard a specialist cruise boat. Milford Sound cruises provide the perfect chance to spot some of the Sounds’ unique marine life. This includes Bottlenose dolphins, Fur Seals and the world’s rarest penguin, the Fiordland Crested.

Alongside MilfordSoundscenic flights, Air Milford also fly tours to Doubtful Sound, which at 421 meters deep is the regions deepest Fjord. Sometimes known as ‘the Sound of Silence’ due to its isolation, it has a sheltered atmosphere that contrasts with the better known Milford Sound. Doubtful Sound is located 100km south of Milford Sound and is inaccessible by car so a scenic flight is a great way to view the Sounds’ twisting inlets and rich flora and fauna. Air Milford also offers an excursion called the “Southern Alps Discovery”, which features the 3754 metre Aoraki Mount Cook (New Zealand’s highest mountain) and includes a ski plane landing on The Tasman Glacier.    

The striking peaks of the Southern Alps (Photo credit Air Milford)

Air Milford operates a fleet of four modern aircraft and has one of New Zealand’s highest operational and safety audit ratings. Their two 14 seat Cessna Caravans feature comforts like air conditioning and leather seating, while the aircrafts high wings allow for unobstructed views from the cabin.  

As a TripAdvisor number #1 rated outdoor activity, a Milford Sound tour from Queenstown flying with Air Milford is an unforgettable experience. Visitors looking to travel to Queenstown from Christchurch can hire a rental car from Christchurch Airport  and take the opportunity to enjoy one the New Zealand’s best scenic drives.