The Helicopter Line

The Helicopter Line is a New Zealand scenic helicopter company operating in the South Island. It says it began in 1986, when three separate helicopter companies combined, and describes itself as the largest locally owned helicopter company in the country and the largest provider of scenic flights nationally. The helicopters carry a red, blue and white colour scheme.

Experiences

• Scenic flights, with featured options such as the Franz Josef Neve Discoverer, Mountains High from Glentanner Park, Queenstown Panorama, Franz Josef Twin Glacier and the Southern Glacier Experience
• Heli hike experiences
• Private charters, including trips departing Queenstown to Milford Sound
• Wine and gin tours
• Weddings

The company also offers private charter rates and carries out commercial work. It holds a significant number of concessions from the Department of Conservation, which lets it fly to parts of the country that are otherwise hard to reach.

Bases and fleet

The fleet is made up of Airbus helicopters, specifically AS350 Squirrels and H130 T2s, configured for flying in and around mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, lakes and valleys, with views from every passenger seat. The company says it holds the highest level of Civil Aviation Authority certification for scenic helicopter operations. Bases are:

• Queenstown, at Queenstown Airport
• Aoraki / Mount Cook, at Glentanner Park
• Franz Josef, on Main South Road
• Fox Glacier, on Main South Road
• Milford Sound (Piopiotahi), with flights departing Queenstown

Company facts

• Operating since 1986
• The company says its pilots have specific experience flying around mountains and glaciers
• Supports the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment
• Site operated by Totally Tourism Ltd
• Queenstown office hours 8am to 5pm; Franz Josef and Fox Glacier 7:30am to 5:30pm