---
title: "Scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?"
description: "Compare the scenic flight, glacier and helicopter tour operators visitors book in New Zealand. Share of Search among Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, Air Milford, The Helicopter Line, Volcanic Air, Over The Top and Air Safaris, the scenic flight and heli tour operators Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-scenic-flight-operators"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?

Compare the scenic flight, glacier and helicopter tour operators visitors book in New Zealand. Share of Search among Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, Air Milford, The Helicopter Line, Volcanic Air, Over The Top and Air Safaris, the scenic flight and heli tour operators Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Scenic flight and heli tour operators
- **Market**: New Zealand
- **Brands compared**: 6
- **Month measured**: Aug 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, 23.4%

## Which brand is most popular in search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand?

- In August 2026, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters was the most searched among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand, with an estimated 1.1K branded searches and 23.4% estimated Share of Search within this set.
- Air Milford is in 2nd place, 1.5 percentage points behind at 21.9% Share of Search.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters’ estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand increased from 19.5% to 23.4%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Air Milford’s estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand increased from 19.7% to 21.9%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, The Helicopter Line’s estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand decreased from 24.4% to 19.3%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Volcanic Air’s estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand decreased from 18.6% to 16.1%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Over The Top’s estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand increased from 10.7% to 12.7%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters’ estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand peaked at 26.5% in June 2026 and was lowest at 14.2% in November 2025.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Air Milford’s estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand peaked at 24.3% in March 2026 and was lowest at 18.3% in November 2025.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, The Helicopter Line’s estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand peaked at 31.1% in January 2026 and was lowest at 17.6% in July 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Volcanic Air’s estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand peaked at 21.1% in July 2026 and was lowest at 15.1% in June 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Over The Top’s estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand peaked at 12.7% in August 2026 and was lowest at 6.2% in January 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Air Safaris’ estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand peaked at 7.4% in June 2026 and was lowest at 4.8% in December 2025.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters rose from 3rd to 1st among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, The Helicopter Line fell from 1st to 3rd among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Air Safaris held steady: its estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters vs Air Milford: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/air-milford-vs-glacier-southern-lakes-helicopters): 23.4% against 21.9% Share of Search.
- [Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters vs The Helicopter Line: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/glacier-southern-lakes-helicopters-vs-the-helicopter-line): 23.4% against 19.3% Share of Search.
- [Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters vs Volcanic Air: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/glacier-southern-lakes-helicopters-vs-volcanic-air): 23.4% against 16.1% Share of Search.
- [Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters vs Over The Top: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/glacier-southern-lakes-helicopters-vs-over-the-top): 23.4% against 12.7% Share of Search.
- [Air Milford vs The Helicopter Line: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/air-milford-vs-the-helicopter-line): 21.9% against 19.3% Share of Search.
- [Air Milford vs Volcanic Air: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/air-milford-vs-volcanic-air): 21.9% against 16.1% Share of Search.
- [Air Milford vs Over The Top: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/air-milford-vs-over-the-top): 21.9% against 12.7% Share of Search.
- [The Helicopter Line vs Volcanic Air: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/the-helicopter-line-vs-volcanic-air): 19.3% against 16.1% Share of Search.
- [The Helicopter Line vs Over The Top: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/over-the-top-vs-the-helicopter-line): 19.3% against 12.7% Share of Search.
- [Volcanic Air vs Over The Top: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/over-the-top-vs-volcanic-air): 16.1% against 12.7% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for New Zealand scenic flight and heli tour operators in August 2026?

- In August 2026, Air Milford overtook Volcanic Air to rank 2nd among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand, at 21.9%.
- In August 2026, The Helicopter Line overtook Volcanic Air to rank 3rd among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand, at 19.3%.
- In August 2026, Over The Top gained estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand, from 9.1% to 12.7%.
- In August 2026, Volcanic Air lost estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand, from 21.1% to 16.1%.
- In August 2026, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters lost estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand, from 25.5% to 23.4%.
- In August 2026, Air Safaris lost estimated Share of Search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand, from 7.3% to 6.7%.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 23.4% | 1.1K | 0.0% | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters |
| 2 | Air Milford | 21.9% | 1K | +22.9% | Air Milford |
| 3 | The Helicopter Line | 19.3% | 900 | +20.0% | The Helicopter Line |
| 4 | Volcanic Air | 16.1% | 750 | -16.7% | Volcanic Air |
| 5 | Over The Top | 12.7% | 590 | +51.3% | Over The Top |
| 6 | Air Safaris | 6.7% | 310 | 0.0% | Air Safaris |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | The Helicopter Line | 1.3K | 24.4% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Air Milford | 1.1K | 19.7% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 1.1K | 19.5% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Volcanic Air | 1K | 18.6% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Over The Top | 590 | 10.7% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | Air Safaris | 390 | 7.1% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | The Helicopter Line | 2.4K | 30.4% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Volcanic Air | 1.6K | 20.7% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Air Milford | 1.4K | 18.3% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 1.1K | 14.2% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Over The Top | 720 | 9.2% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | Air Safaris | 560 | 7.2% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | The Helicopter Line | 2.6K | 27.2% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Air Milford | 2.1K | 22% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Volcanic Air | 1.9K | 19.7% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 1.7K | 17.3% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Over The Top | 880 | 9% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | Air Safaris | 470 | 4.8% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | The Helicopter Line | 3K | 31.1% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Air Milford | 2.2K | 22.9% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Volcanic Air | 1.9K | 20.3% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 1.4K | 14.7% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Over The Top | 590 | 6.2% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | Air Safaris | 460 | 4.9% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | The Helicopter Line | 2.4K | 29.2% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Air Milford | 1.8K | 22.4% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 1.4K | 16.6% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Volcanic Air | 1.3K | 16.2% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Over The Top | 720 | 8.8% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | Air Safaris | 550 | 6.8% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | The Helicopter Line | 2.1K | 27.8% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Air Milford | 1.9K | 24.3% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 1.4K | 18% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Volcanic Air | 1.3K | 17.1% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Over The Top | 590 | 7.7% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | Air Safaris | 400 | 5.2% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | The Helicopter Line | 1.6K | 26.5% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 1.4K | 22.3% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Air Milford | 1.1K | 18.6% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Volcanic Air | 1K | 16.8% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Over The Top | 590 | 9.6% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | Air Safaris | 380 | 6.2% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 1.1K | 23.8% | 1 |
| May 2026 | The Helicopter Line | 1K | 22.7% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Air Milford | 840 | 18.7% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Volcanic Air | 760 | 16.9% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Over The Top | 480 | 10.7% | 5 |
| May 2026 | Air Safaris | 320 | 7.1% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 1.1K | 26.5% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Air Milford | 830 | 20.5% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | The Helicopter Line | 750 | 18.6% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Volcanic Air | 610 | 15.1% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Over The Top | 480 | 11.9% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | Air Safaris | 300 | 7.4% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 1.1K | 25.5% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Volcanic Air | 900 | 21.1% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Air Milford | 830 | 19.4% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | The Helicopter Line | 750 | 17.6% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Over The Top | 390 | 9.1% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Air Safaris | 310 | 7.3% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | 1.1K | 23.4% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Air Milford | 1K | 21.9% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | The Helicopter Line | 900 | 19.3% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Volcanic Air | 750 | 16.1% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Over The Top | 590 | 12.7% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Air Safaris | 310 | 6.7% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | Air Milford | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Air Safaris | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Over The Top | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | The Helicopter Line | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Volcanic Air | — | — | — |

## What is being compared

- **Air Milford**: Measured on the search terms “air milford”, “air milford fly cruise fly”, “air milford reviews”, “air milford scenic flight”, “airmilford”, “airmilford co nz” and “glenorchy air milford sound”, summed into one figure.
- **Air Safaris**: Measured on the search terms “air safaris”, “air safaris near me”, “air safaris new zealand”, “air safaris nz”, “airsafaris” and “airsafaris co nz”, summed into one figure.
- **Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters**: Measured on the search terms “glacier southern lakes helicopters” and “glacier southern lakes helicopters reviews”, summed into one figure.
- **Over The Top**: Measured on the search term “over the top heli”.
- **The Helicopter Line**: Measured on the search terms “helicopter co nz”, “the helicopter line”, “the helicopter line franz”, “the helicopter line near me”, “the helicopter line nz” and “thehelicopterline”, summed into one figure.
- **Volcanic Air**: Measured on the search terms “volcanic air”, “volcanic air nz” and “volcanicair”, summed into one figure.

- [Air Milford](/demand/nz/brands/air-milford)
- [Air Safaris](/demand/nz/brands/air-safaris)
- [Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters](/demand/nz/brands/glacier-southern-lakes-helicopters)
- [Over The Top](/demand/nz/brands/over-the-top)
- [The Helicopter Line](/demand/nz/brands/the-helicopter-line)
- [Volcanic Air](/demand/nz/brands/volcanic-air)

## Methodology

- [How is branded search demand measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand?

In August 2026, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters was the most searched among scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand, with an estimated 1.1K branded searches and 23.4% estimated Share of Search within this set.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Scenic flight and heli tour operators in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-scenic-flight-operators

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-scenic-flight-operators. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.