Franz Josef & Fox Glacier Helicopter Flights & Heli Hikes
Updated: 31 st March 2026
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier Helicopter Flights & Heli Hikes
Experience Franz Josef and Fox Glacier from above with unforgettable helicopter flights and guided heli hikes on New Zealand’s West Coast.
Fly over towering icefalls, deep crevasses and rugged alpine peaks, with options ranging from short scenic helicopter flights to landing on the glacier itself. For the ultimate experience, the Franz Josef Glacier heli hike combines a breathtaking flight with a guided walk across the ice.
Whether you’re looking for a quick helicopter tour or a once-in-a-lifetime glacier hike, these West Coast experiences deliver some of the most dramatic scenery in New Zealand.
Helicopter Flight Options
✔ Short scenic flights (20–30 mins)
✔ Snow landing flights
✔ Fox Glacier helicopter flights
✔ Franz Josef helicopter tours
Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike
✔ Helicopter access to the glacier
✔ Guided hike with equipment
✔ Small group experience
✔ One of NZ’s most iconic adventures
Helicopter Flights & Glacier Heli Hikes in Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Helicopter Flights vs Heli Hike – What’s the Difference?
Helicopter Flights: Short scenic flights over Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, often including a snow landing. Ideal for those wanting incredible views without walking on the glacier.
Heli Hike: A longer experience combining a helicopter flight with a guided hike on the glacier itself. Includes crampons, guides, and time exploring ice formations up close.
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier Helicopter Flights
Take off from Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and experience the West Coast glaciers from above. These helicopter flights offer some of the most dramatic scenery in New Zealand, with views of icefalls, crevasses, alpine peaks and rainforest.
Many flights include a snow landing, allowing you to step out onto the glacier for a truly unforgettable experience.
Choose Your Helicopter Flight Experience
✔ Scenic helicopter flights over Franz Josef and Fox Glacier
✔ Snow landing flights on the glacier
✔ Fox Glacier helicopter tours
✔ Franz Josef helicopter flights
✔ Combination heli hike experiences
About The Helicopter Line
The Helicopter Line operates from both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, offering a range of scenic flights and heli hike experiences on the West Coast.
With experienced pilots and access to some of New Zealand’s most remote alpine environments, these flights provide a safe and unforgettable way to explore the glaciers.
Book Your Glacier Helicopter Experience
Choose from the flight options below to find the perfect helicopter tour or heli hike for your visit to Franz Josef or Fox Glacier.
Mountain Scenic Spectacular
Flight Time: 40 minutes:
Price:Adult $687 (15 years and over)
Price: Child $477 pp (aged 4 to 14 )
Price: Infant $342 pp (aged 0 to 3 yrs of age)
Departs: Franz Josef – Choose flight time options when booking
✔ 40-minute helicopter flight
✔ Snow landing on a glacier
✔ Views of Franz Josef, Fox Glacier & Aoraki / Mt Cook
✔ Departs Franz Josef
Fly over both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier before landing high on the snowfields of the Southern Alps. This extended flight also includes views of Aoraki / Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier, making it one of the most comprehensive helicopter flights on the West Coast.
Fox & Franz Twin Glacier Flight
Flight Time: 35 minutes
Price: Adult $508 (15 years and over) per person
Price: Child $361 pp (aged 4 to 14 )
Price: Infant $258 pp (aged 0 to 3 yrs of age)
Departs: Franz Josef – Choose flight time options when booking.
✔ 35-minute helicopter flight
✔ Snow landing included
✔ Views of Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
✔ Departs Franz Josef
Soar above Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, following the ice flows into the mountains before landing on the glacier for a closer look at this dramatic alpine landscape.
Neve Discoverer Flight
Flight Time: 25 minutes: includes snow landing Price: Adult $403 (15 years and over) per person
Price: Child $282 pp (aged 4 to 14 )
Price: Infant $205 pp (aged 0 to 3 yrs of age)
Departs: Franz Josef Choose flight time options when booking
✔ 25-minute helicopter flight
✔ Snow landing included
✔ Short glacier experience
✔ Departs Franz Josef
Take in sweeping views of the West Coast where mountains meet the ocean. Land on a glacier and experience the constantly changing ice formations up close.
Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike
Flight Time: Two Hours Hiking + flight allow 3 hours
Price: Adult $795 (15 years and over) per person
Price: Child $795 pp (aged 8 to 14 )
Departs: Franz Josef Choose flight time options when booking.
✔ Helicopter access to the glacier
✔ 2-hour guided glacier hike
✔ All equipment included
✔ Small group experience
Fly onto the Franz Josef Glacier before exploring ice formations on foot with an expert guide. Equipped with crampons and glacier gear, you’ll spend around two hours discovering ice caves, pinnacles and crevasses.
Helicopter flights From Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier & Mount Cook
Flight Time: 35 minutes: includes snow landing
Price:Adult $508 (15 years and over) per person
Price:Child $361 pp (aged 4 to 14 )
Price: Infant $258 pp (aged 0 to 3 yrs of age)
Departs: Fox Glacier Choose flight time options when booking.
✔ 35-minute helicopter flight
✔ Snow landing included
✔ Views of Fox Glacier & Aoraki / Mt Cook
✔ Departs Fox Glacier
Experience the scale of Fox Glacier from above before landing on a snowfield surrounded by towering ice formations. On your return flight, enjoy spectacular views of Aoraki / Mount Cook.
Fox Glacier - Twin Glaciers
Flight Time: 35 minutes: includes snow landing
Price:Adult $508 (15 years and over) per person
Price:Child $361 pp (aged 4 to 14 )
Price: Infant $258 pp (aged 0 to 3 yrs of age)
Departs: Fox Glacier Choose flight time options when booking.
✔ 35-minute helicopter flight
✔ Snow landing included
✔ Views of Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers
✔ Departs Fox Glacier
Take off from Fox Glacier and fly over both major West Coast glaciers. Follow the ice flows into the Southern Alps before landing on the glacier to take in the incredible alpine scenery.
Franz Josef Glacier Recce
Flight Time: 25 minutes: includes snow landing
Price:Adult $405 (15 years and over) per person
Price:Child $284 pp (aged 4 to 14 )
Price: Infant $205 pp (aged 0 to 3 yrs of age)
Departs: Franz Josef Choose flight time options when booking.
✔ 25-minute helicopter flight
✔ Snow landing included
✔ Ideal quick glacier flight
✔ Departs Franz Josef
A shorter scenic helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier, including a snow landing on one of the glacier’s upper snowfields. Perfect if you’re short on time but still want the full glacier experience.
Mountain Scenic Spectacular
Flight Time: 40 minutes: includes snow landing
Price:Adult $687 (15 years and over) per person
Price:Child $477 pp (aged 4 to 14 )
Price: Infant $342 pp (aged 0 to 3 yrs of age)
Departs: Fox Glacier Choose flight time options when booking.
✔ 40-minute helicopter flight
✔ Snow landing included
✔ Views of both glaciers & Aoraki / Mt Cook
✔ Departs Fox Glacier
This extended helicopter flight showcases the full scale of the West Coast glaciers, including Franz Josef, Fox Glacier and Aoraki / Mount Cook, with a snow landing on a remote alpine glacier.
So Book Now and experience this region of untamed beauty with
The Helicopter Line.
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier Helicopter Flights – FAQ
The Helicopter Line operates multiple options from Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, including Mountain Scenic Spectacular (40 minutes), Twin Glaciers (35 minutes), Neve/Adventure flights (25 minutes) with snow landings, plus the Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike (~3 hours; flight + 2-hour guided hike).
Flights run for 25, 35 or 40 minutes. Current prices on this page start from NZD $403–$405 (adult) depending on departure base, with child fares from $282–$284 and infant fares from $205 where applicable. Exact prices vary by tour and are shown alongside each option.
Yes. The 25, 35 and 40 minute scenic flights include a snow/glacier landing (weather and conditions permitting).
You’ll fly onto the glacier, land, and spend around two hours on the ice with an experienced guide, exploring crevasses and ice formations. All necessary equipment is provided.
Helicopters provide unmatched access and views of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers—dramatic icefalls, seracs and alpine peaks—with the unique opportunity to land on snow in remote terrain.
