Glacier Country Helicopters Ltd

Cancellation & Changes
We ask if you want to cancel your booking for 24 hours' notice. Late cancellations and no-shows will be charged for their flights. If your day doesn't go to plan and you are late, please do reach out as soon as possible, we will try to fill your seats so you can rescheduled to a later flight or the next day when possible.

Weather Conditions
Being a highly weather dependent activity, we reserve the right to change flights, routes and landings subject to weather conditions at the pilot’s discretion. Flight durations are approximate. Wind, rain and cloud could all affect your flight. We will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible but the weather here changes extremely fast and if we are unable to fly you will be refunded. Please be kind to our team - we can't control the weather and safety is our priority.

Minimum Numbers
We require a minimum of 4 pax for a flight to depart. Smaller and solo bookings are welcomed, and we will pair you up with another small group. In the event we do not have numbers you will be offered to upgrade to a Private Charter, reschedule or take a refund.

Weight Limits / Comfort Seats
We do not have a weight limit per passenger but any passengers who weigh in at 120kg or more at check in (including any gear) will be required to purchase a ‘Comfort Seat’. These are half the retail price of your flight and will guarantee an empty seat next to you. This allows us to balance the helicopters correctly within their individual weight and balance requirements.

Our helicopter seats are 40cm wide, if you think you are wider than this or would prefer extra space, we also recommend booking a ‘Comfort Seat’ which will guarantee an empty seat next to you.

Please Do Not Bring
There is not a lot of space in the helicopters. Selfie sticks, extendable go pro handles and all bags need to all be left behind, or with office staff for safe keeping.

What You Should Bring
We recommend a jacket, sunglasses, solid shoes and your camera or phone for photos. The helicopter is a comfortable temperature, and the snow landing sites varies. In the winter the temperature is generally about 5° colder than town and in the peak of summer it is often warmer than Franz Josef township. We will be able to offer advice at check on the day's current conditions.

Check In
Check-in is at our office at 10 Main Road, Franz Josef, you should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. We’ll conduct a weight and balance, complete any payments due and safety brief you before transporting you by van to our helipad at the edge of town.

Seating
You can’t pick your seat, but you can request a Front Seat Upgrade where we will aim to seat you the helicopters front seats. These are free to request and if confirmed at check in you will be charged the upgrade fee then.

Seats are allocated at check in after weighing each passenger and then we seat according to each helicopter’s specific weight and balance regulations – this is for safety reasons. The front seats have the most restrictive conditions. Private charters do have more flexibility, and we are happy to discuss seating with your charter booking but there are still specific weight and balance regulations for each helicopter we need to meet.

Children & Infants
Infants are up to 3yrs old (and a maximum of 15kgs), they must be sitting on an adult's knee and are subject to availability. We will supply an infant's belt and earmuffs for them, we recommend you bring a dummy for them to suck during the last part of the flight while we descend. Maximum of one infant per booking. There is no minimum age for flying with us. Children must fly with an adult.