Glacier Helicopters Fox Glacier — Local services in South Island

Here is my experience and hope folks can figure out the outcome. Initially, I had booked a 30 minute twin glacier landing for 425 NZD. On THE day, they informed that landing might not be possible as there are clouds hovering over and in that case it will be a 20 minute flight and you will be charged accordingly which accounts to 330 NZD for a 20 minute flight. We took off as planned and as expected they said we cannot land. Showing us the glacier took hardly 10 minutes and then for the remaining 10 minutes they showed us the landscapes and lakes nearby; which was unnecessary and it was something which we never signed up for.

We were back to the base and they took us back to the office saying that we might get a refund of certain amount as there was no landing done. Instead of charging us 330 NZD, they said its 390 NZD. Now comes the explanation: One bloke says, in the 20 minute flight, 12 minutes is flying time and 8 minutes is SNOW landing. So the 330 NZD is for the 12 minute flying. But as we were flying for all the 20 minutes, there was extra 8 minute fuel burnt and hence its not 330 NZD, but it is 390 NZD; which they will never inform initially. Moreover, they merged us with another flying company just located in the opposite side of the road.

So, here are the main things to focus on before getting on the flight: Make sure you are aware of the following: Duration of the flight; 20 minutes or 30 minutes? Glacier landing or not? Cost for 30 minute glacier landing, cost for 20 minute SNOW landing Record the conversation...

I ran into quite a few issues with the experience. I booked the Mt. Cook and Fox Glacier tour, but when I called to confirm they told me the flight time I’d booked was unconfirmed so they moved me to an earlier time. They didn’t tell me that it was a different flight path. We ended up spending more time flying over the rainforest I had just driven five hours through than the glaciers (on a glacier tour.) I later found out that it was too windy to fly to Mt. cook that day, but they could’ve at least informed me. And maybe adjusted the flight path to be less rainforest.

I was in the middle seat on a very full flight, so I ended up seeing more of the peoples’ hands and phones who were in the window and front seat taking pictures than I saw of the flight. Most of the available window space was taken up by their bodies or their phones outstretched for pictures. That was the most disappointing part. You won’t have any idea which seat you’ll get until you check in, so when you book, you won’t know if this is going to happen.

The nature is absolutely gorgeous and the snow landing was phenomenal. I just wish I got to experience more of the...

I was a bit disappointed with my experience as I had a flight booked for 12:30 today, I was staying in Franz Josef so I had to drive down to fox glacier only to find it had been cancelled after I had already arrived. There was no communication prior to leaving that the flights for the day had been cancelled, eg no phone call, email or text. I will say I am partially to blame as I re-read the email after to find that it’s best to confirm 24 hours before departure but I do feel as if it should be on the business to contact customers of any changes or cancellations due to weather especially since it is stated that the groups taken up are small. Since I did book through a third party I was not able to obtain a refund the same day and have to email the provider I booked with so that they can email this company before...