Frequently Asked Questions
Subject to weather conditions, flights are available 7 days a week, year round. We only fly during daylight hours (which change seasonally).
Our priority is safety first, above all else. Ongoing pilot and ground crew training are an essential element of our safety culture.
Our experienced team of pilots have your safety as their number one priority. The weather can be changeable and our pilots sometimes have to make decisions about whether it’s safe to fly or to land on the snow. They also sometimes need to adapt the flight to suit the conditions and to provide value for money.
- Sunglasses
- Covered shoes (sneakers or trainers are fine) or hiking boots
- Plenty of room on your memory card and/or phone for photos. Please note: Ipads or similar tablets are a safety risk and not permitted onboard, Selfie sticks, especially extendable ones, are also a safety hazard and are not permitted on our flights
- Clothing - Wear comfortable outdoor clothing suitable for wearing on the snow. Occasionally the temperature can be 5-10 degrees cooler on the snow than it is in the village. Check with our ground crew if you are unsure of what to wear.
Yes.
Yes.
Selfie sticks, especially extendable ones are a safety hazard and are not permitted on our flights.
To make a booking we do require your credit card details. These are required to confirm a reservation and are held for security purposes only (to hold your booking) and you may choose any available option for payment when you check in (Cash, EFTPOS/Debit card, Credit Card). We simply hold your booking and no amount is charged until check in time - when we know that weather conditions are suitable. This will avoid cancellation fees by your bank should the weather be unsuitable and your flight is postponed or cancelled.
No, ipads and tablets are a safety risk and cannot be taken onboard our helicopters by passengers
Yes, passengers are matched with other passengers to achieve minimum numbers.
There is no limit to how far ahead you can book. For peace of mind we recommend booking your flight in advance as walk-in bookings on the day may not always be possible. If you have booked in advance, we highly recommend contacting us 24hrs prior to check expected weather conditions as we may suggest a better departure time to maximise the weather opportunities.
Check in is 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure and must be at the correct base (each base operates on a separate schedule). There is parking at all of our bases.
If you cancel your booking within 12 hours of your scheduled departure or fail to show for your flight we will charge the full fare if we are unable to fill the empty seats, to your credit card details supplied or invoice the agent you made the booking with. Please see our full cancellation policy.
If the weather is bad on the day of your flight and the flight is cancelled then we will endeavour to get you on another flight that same day or the following day. If you have prepaid we will either refund your payment or refer you back to the agency where you purchased your flight with a confirmation your flight was cancelled due to weather conditions.
Yes – our pilot’s are well-informed and love to share their knowledge of the areas that they are flying in.
For our standard flight options not already specially priced, Children are charged at 50 percent of the adult fare and infants 3yrs and under (and less than 15kg) are free of charge sitting on an Adult lap. (Excludes "Fantastic Special Deal" with special rates for Children and Infants). NOTE: our Haast Base options are per seat with family rates available on request. https://www.heliservices.nz/franzjosef/ - Franz Josef / https://www.heliservices.nz/foxglacier/ - Fox Glacier