Classic Flights

Delightful team, and an exceptional experience. The tours side of there services may not be front and center on their website, but I have to suggest it should be! They were very thoughtful in accomodating our group (including two kids under five) and providing an experience none of us will soon forget. They coupled our flight with an excellent tour of Milford Sound, and when we took a slightly more scenic route to meet the boat on time, the pilot ran ahead to make sure they'd not leave us behind. All in all, a top group to have had the pleasure of working with... we're extremely grateful for the rich experience!

Cannot speak more highly of this place!!! One of our best experiences in our whole New Zealand holiday! We were very lucky to have Peter as our pilot, on a Waco aircraft that could fit 2 person in front. He was an absolute delight and gave us a real treat. Top class service, helped us take pictures also did some tricks while we were on our scenic flight. Organization and communication was great from the staff; we managed to book on short notice as weather was not great the day before. They were very helpful and sincere about providing us a good experience. Best yet, my now-fiancé planned to propose to me after our flight, and he managed to organize with Peter to pull off an A M A Z I N G surprise. He knew exactly what to do and made our moment special.

Flight cancelled on the morning of the flight due to Pilot sickness. My issue is that the company had no back up for such a situation After ensuring the weather forecast was good we travelled 6 hours from Christchurch the previous day, stayed overnight in Wanaka, and my Wife and I had taken a day off work. Our Son had purchased a gift voucher for me. We cannot risk a repeat of this situation. I asked for a refund of the voucher price. Was refused and met with rudeness. So thankyou Classic Flights for 1,000kms of travel, 2 days wasted, and considerable expense.

Where do I start with the review on this one? Looking for something for my family and to celebrate my son’s birthday that was exciting enough for him and his girlfriend age 23, my wife and myself in the older bracket. I went through all the activities in Wanaka when I come upon this one. Romantic flight in a Tiger Moth. I rang the company and spoke to lovely lady called Julie (the boss) I explained I was looking for something exciting but not to over the top. Julie took down my information and asked if she could come back with some suggestions. Julie followed through with her promise and did come back with a mind blowing idea. She suggested we use 2 Tiger moths and one Cherokee fly over the lakes and land on a high country station farm have a picnic lunch and fly back again. Julie then added another kicker into the idea with using the Cherokee they could give us a flying lesson as well. The Tiger mother carries 1 passenger and a pilot, the Cherokee is a 4 seater. Julie gave me the cost for the experience and I felt this price and very reasonable and very fair for what they where offering. I immediately booked the activity offered to pay for it straight away Julie inform me they would take full payment on the day and no need for a deposit. On arrival at the company you could feel their passion for what they where doing and how much they wanted to share their love of flying and of the area. Julie even came to work on her day off to make certain every thing was right. We where introduced to our pilots Peter head pilot, Alex and Lucy. I was very impressed with their professional approach. My son and his partner went in the Cherokee this plane was piloted by Lucy she introduce my son to flight with a pre flight check followed by a flight lesson. My wife and myself followed them in the Tiger Moths, the plane I flew in was piloted by Peter and my wife’s plane was pilot by Alex. Getting ready to go for a flight in a tiger moth is adventure in itself they give you set overall to wear and a real leather helmet, you are then strapped in ready for take off up up and away, its like you have step back in time. The day could not have been better the sun was shinning the sky was blue, What a experience flying in a open cockpit breeze blowing in your face flying over Wanaka over the lakes so beautiful so exciting. We caught up with my son landing on a small high station strip where a beautiful delicious picnic lunch was waiting for us provide by the company. Just imagine this picnicking beside your tiger month middle of no where and to top it off a view die for. We swapped with my son and is girlfriend for the trip back to Wanaka airport, they flew on the Tiger Moths and we returned on the Cherokee plane. Alex was our pilot for the return trip. Alex even gave me a flight lesson to top it all off. I talked to my son afterwards about his flight lesson with Lucy and he was very impressed with her passion her skill and patience in teaching him a little about flight and I can say the same thing about Alex. Peter is the head pilot very skilled pilot and very good organizer. You could hear Peter direct the day events over the radio and when he was not being a pilot very good photographer a good picnic organizer. There is not one bad part of this experience. My whole family is still talking about it. My wife is so proud of herself she flew in a open cockpit and I recon for me one of my top experience I have ever had. Peter and Julie Thank You Thank you. We are coming back I think our next experience will be Milford Sound but I will ask Julie and Peter’s advice.

Aircraft look great but unfortunately was unable to get off the ground because staff neglected to check the voucher number I provided, then did not honor my certificate when I arrived despite previously confirming the date and time. We scheduled part of our family trip to NZ around this appointment, and were denied because their boss was not reachable by phone to verify the voucher. Incredibly poor handling and huge disappointment.

So cool to fly in such a classic aircraft on a still sunny day! Pilot Austin Jones (no relation) did a great job. 90mph max and feeling the wind. Highly recommended.

This is a must do! I took the Tigermoth flight and called a day in advance because the weather was spotty in Wanaka. Was happy to delay it a day because the next day after I was picked up in front of the Wanaka YHA and the experience was second to none. Would highly recommend it to anyone.

thanks so much for the awesome tiger moth flights today great memories relived for 85 yr old sam we both agree only way to fly !