Amazing experience not to be missed! Me and my wife drove all the way to franz Josef purely for this helicopter ride and snow landing, and... read moreMe and my wife drove all the way to franz Josef purely for this helicopter ride and snow landing, and it was totally worth every penny! The view and scenery was totally worth it! ALTHOUGH sometimes they require a minimum number of people to fly even if you have already booked the tour, so we were glad that someonelse joined in the last minute so we were able to fly. I recommend checking that with them before you confirm. read ess

Amazing experience....and a view that needs to be seen to be believed! We spent one night in Franz Josef last week and thought that it would be more practical and less expensive... read moreWe spent one night in Franz Josef last week and thought that it would be more practical and less expensive to see the Franz Josef glacier, by foot. We did some research on Trip Advisor and it soon became apparent to us that walking to it wouldn’t be as good as flying over it. Our motel suggested Fox and Franz Josef Heliservices and rang them on our behalf to see if they had any seats available. Luck was on our side as well as the weather and there were seats available on a morning flight. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by the friendly staff. Firstly Brad P was so friendly and helpful ensuring we understood the safety requirements and also helped us on and off the helicopter. Bill, our pilot, made us feel at ease immediately and provided lots of information during the flight, about the glacier. Being able to land on the top and take the most amazing photos was a highlight. If your tossing up whether to do the walk or the flight, don’t think too long and do the flight! It was the most amazing experience that my husband and I have had the privilege to do. To see the most spectacular view so close up was a privilege we will never forget. Thanks to the team, we would highly recommend, absolute value for money. Jo and Wayne, Australia. read ess

Stunning trip - amazing view of the glaciers Staying near the top end of Lake Wanaka in Makaroa I was a three-hour drive from Franz Josef but couldn't... read moreStaying near the top end of Lake Wanaka in Makaroa I was a three-hour drive from Franz Josef but couldn't resist the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the glaciers. Given the tight timeframe, I opted after hearing positive recommendations to do the twin-glacier flight with a snow landing. I was lucky enough to score a front seat on the first leg, however all the 6 passenger seats on the Airbus chopper have great views. The staff at check-in were so friendly and helpful, and pilots give on overview of the glaciers during the flight via the headsets. We had a great view of both the Fox and Franz glaciers, landing on a mountain top in the snow to experience the mountain air and take more photos.

Well worth the extravagance to fit this trip in I'll never forget it - absolute bucket list thing to do!

Tip: try and book a flight in the morning, the earlier the better. The weather can close in later in the day and morning flights are less likely to be weather affected. More read ess

Snow Angel This was simply the best experience of our trip to New Zealand. It was my first experience with snow and... read moreThis was simply the best experience of our trip to New Zealand. It was my first experience with snow and I loved it. Our pilot Bill was so informative and appreciated my need to lay on the snow and create my very own snow angel. This tour is 2nd to none! read ess

'Simply the Best' We stayed in Haast en route from Wanaka to Franz Josef. On the morning of our departure we decided to... read moreWe stayed in Haast en route from Wanaka to Franz Josef. On the morning of our departure we decided to see what Haast Heliserviceshad to offer. We were very warmly greeted and the options were clearly explained to us. We fancied a glacier flight but we didn't want the 'industrial' scale operations found for Fox and Franz Josef. What we got was an extraordinary, memorable and wonderful experience. My wife and I flew with pilot Scott in the smaller of the two modern aircraft that are on offer. Our trip high above the Haast Pass gave superb views of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman but stunning close up views of the pristine glaciers atop Mt. Dechen. Scott flew us expertly and with great local expertise and knowledge. The whole experience felt personal and bespoke in an area where glacier flights are an industry in themselves.

I urge anyone considering glacier flights in this part of New Zealand to look beyond the highly publicised Fox and Franz Josef options. Visit these guys in Haast because they are SPECIAL!! No recommendation is high enough and we came away just thrilled by our time above this World Heritage Area in the company of Scott.

What a fantastic hour we had!! read ess

An absolute must do!!!!! My partner and I booked in advance because they can be quite busy. When we turned up at the office... read moreMy partner and I booked in advance because they can be quite busy. When we turned up at the office the super helpful Dan took our payment and ran us through a safety briefing. He gave us a great insight about the area in and his interests in firewood and artillery. After that we were then driven out to the hangar where our immaculately presented helicopter was awaiting. My wife was estatic. Once on board (this was our first time in a helicopter) it was very smooth and the views were spectacular! We did the number 5 flight and were glad we did as we saw everything there was on offer in the area including Mt Cook and west coast glaciers. We landed in the snow and got some pictures and had a chat to our pilot jeff who pointed out and named mountains and local fauna. On the way back the views of the Mackenzie basin were amazing. I would recommend this trip to anyone as it's the best way to see the mountains and glaciers and a snow landing was a highlight. read ess

An unbelievable experience Came to Fox Glacier specifically for the glaciers (obviously!) but decided to not do the 4 hour trek as I... read moreCame to Fox Glacier specifically for the glaciers (obviously!) but decided to not do the 4 hour trek as I was a bit lazy 🙂 Decided to go for the 30 minutes Flight B option (Fox Glacier and Mt Cook) to allow us to have maximal views. My wife and I turned up early (we booked 11 am flight) as we checked out of our motel at 10 am. We were the only people flying after 10 (2 flights went out earlier) so we requested 1030 flight (which was kindly approved). The day was sunny and clear; and the whole experience was unbelievable.

First off, the service and friendliness of Kevin (front desk) and Toby (pilot) were of the highest standard. They made us welcomed and explained everything carefully throughout our whole trip. As it was only the 2 of us, we were both seated up front with Toby so we could both have the best view and the view was amazing. It was just spectacular and Toby was really good at guiding us through the flight plus he was very gentle on the flight pattern. We then got 10 minutes of time on the ice up Fox Glacier and he was very good at photo-taking too. The whole experience was amazing and if you are able to do it, this is a must do!! You will not regret coming with this company. read ess

Fantastic Fantastic helicopter ride, for both the thrill of a helicopter ride and to be on top of the Franz Josef... read moreFantastic helicopter ride, for both the thrill of a helicopter ride and to be on top of the Franz Josef glacier. We were heading north and first stopped in at Fox. No-one was flying due to cloud cover, and maybe try tomorrow. We couldn't stay overnight, so we were very disappointed. As we went through Franz Josef we stopped just on the remote chance... And yes, they were flying again. Within an hour we were walking to the helicopter. The staff were all friendly and helpful and the safety aspects taken very seriously. The helicopter ride was thrilling, the pilot friendly and professional, and the views! Oh the views... Landing on the glacier was a bonus. It's just one of those things you must do... read ess

Once in a life time experience Originally we wanted to do a glacier hiking, but I have a doubt whether I am physically fit as I... read moreOriginally we wanted to do a glacier hiking, but I have a doubt whether I am physically fit as I was pretty tired after so many hike and trek along the journey, we decided to do twin glaciers helicopter tour, weather was not so good on the day that we arrived, all the helicopter tour were cancelled, thus we hope the next day will be better, in the morning we went for a walk to the base of the glacier, back to hostel the front office staff told us that the weather is good and most of the helicopter start to operate the tour, thus we just walk to the helicopter nearby our hostel and book the trip, we came back 2 hours later and great things is only me and my friend, we were happy to have our private tour, the view is amazing, wonderful and exciting experience, bonus point is the 10 mins snow landing whereby it was really breath taking ! A must do if you are not ready for glacier hiking, if not, why you come to Franz Josep ? read ess