Which side of the plane to sit on an Auckland (AKL) to Queenstown (ZQN) flight?

Which side of the plane gives you more scenic views when flying from Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) to Queenstown, New Zealand (ZQN) (and back).

Best Answer

To answer my own question I sat on the same side of the plane there and back which would have given me a full picture (well, not really as path there and back is slightly different). Unfortunately, clouds were covering most of the view on the way back so I'll only show pictures of flying (with Jetstar) TO Queenstown and sitting on the RIGHT.

Just took off from Auckland airport and turning west: enter image description here

You would be able to see the Sky Tower, the harbour bridge, Rangitoto and other landmarks.

Then for the next 30-40 mins all you can see is an ocean (people sitting on the left were probably seeing Tongariro and Mt Taranaki).

Then you enter South Island. Farewell split and Marlborough sounds are seen from the left, however after a period of time plane's path is slightly to the east of Southern Alps so you get a great overview of them from the right (I think left side would be mostly plains and several hydrolakes).

Hills on the north of South island (Westport area):

enter image description here

Alps begin:

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There were hardly any snow as we were flying in the end of summer.

Mt Cook (New Zealand highest mountain): enter image description here

Lake Pukaki and Mt Cook. Note that this really is the lake's natural color. enter image description here

More of lakes and mountains: enter image description here

Lake Wanaka (for a day I thought it was the most scenic place in New Zealand, however the next day we got to Queenstown which was just unreal). enter image description here

Descending (flying quite low now): enter image description here

On the picture above there're 7 motorhomes climing up the road (and it wasn't even 9am yet!).

Approaching Queenstown: enter image description here

Landed: enter image description here

So, left side view could be very scenic as other people suggest but I couldn't complain either.

Pictures about "Which side of the plane to sit on an Auckland (AKL) to Queenstown (ZQN) flight?"

Which side of the plane to sit on an Auckland (AKL) to Queenstown (ZQN) flight? - Silhouette of People Sitting Waiting to Board

Which side of the plane to sit on an Auckland (AKL) to Queenstown (ZQN) flight? - Silhouette of People Sitting Inside the Airport

Which side of the plane to sit on an Auckland (AKL) to Queenstown (ZQN) flight? - Inside of modern airplane cabin with passengers sitting on comfortable seats and cabin crew standing at passageway

Which side of Plane flies to Queenstown?

Welcome to Queenstown. Don't forget to Bungy jump ;) And naturally, flying back up to Auckland, you'll want to sit on the right hand side for this scenery.

How far is Auckland from Queenstown by plane?

Distance from Auckland to Queenstown The shortest distance (air line) between Auckland and Queenstown is 648.53 mi (1,043.70 km).

Air New Zealand - Queenstown (ZQN) to Auckland (AKL) - Airbus A320 Flight Review

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: cottonbro, Kelly, Kelly, Natã Romualdo