Search & book flights with Stewart Island Flights
Buy Stewart Island Flights with Alternative Airlines
Stewart Island Flights is a local airline based on the southern island of New Zealand. It is headquartered at Invercargill Airport and is a locally owned and operated company. Stewart Island Flights was previously called Southern Air and then Southern Air 1997 Ltd. South East Air Ltd is the parent company and holder of the Air Operator Certificate, under which Stewart Island Flights and Invercargill Aircraft Maintenance are operated. The airline operates three flights a day between Invercargill and Stewart Island, as well as scenic flights on an ad-hoc basis around the island. Other domestic airlines in New Zealand include Sunair Aviation and Mount Cook Airlines.
Flying domestically in New Zealand? Check out our guide to the cheapest domestic flights in New Zealand.
Alternatives to Stewart Island Flights
Please click on the logos below to find out more about airlines that fly similar routes:
More than 100,000 happy customers per year
This was my first booking and I used Alternative Airlines twice on this trip. I must say by far the best online booking experience ever.
Buy now, pay later
Buy your flights now and pay later
No way, really?! Yes! We’ve partnered with some amazing BNPL payment providers to allow you to pay for your flights over time, with ease.
About Stewart Island
Stewart Island, also known as Rakiura, is the third-largest island in New Zealand. It is 30km south of the southern Island across the Foveaux Strait. It has a tiny population of less than 500. The original Maori name, Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, places Stewart Island firmly at the heart of Māori mythology. Translated as The Anchor Stone of Maui’s Canoe, it refers to the part played by the island in the legend of Maui and his crew, who from their canoe, the South Island, caught and raised the great fish, the North Island. Rakiura is the more commonly known and used Māori name. It is usually translated as Glowing Skies, possibly a reference to the sunsets for which it is famous or for the Aurora Australis or the southern lights as they are also known.
Baggage Policy
Passengers flying with Stewart Island Flights are able to bring 15kg of checked baggage per person as well as one small item such as a laptop or handbag. Any excess baggage may have to wait to be loaded onto the next flight as due to the size of the aircraft, baggage space is limited.
Check-In
Check-in for Stewart Island Flights is to be completed once you have arrived at the airport. The airline is located at the main terminal at Invercargill Airport. Check-in closes 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. It's advised that those flying with Stewart Island Flights, arrive in good time to avoid delays.
Hub Airport
Invercargill Airport is 2km west of the city centre of Invercargill at the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the Commonwealth's most southern airport. Currently, the runway length is 2200 meters. In 2013 the airport announced a new terminal building was to be constructed at a cost of $13.3 million, with construction funded by Invercargill City Holdings Ltd (Holdco); the then-current terminal was over 50 years old and had major seismic issues that needed to be brought up to new safety codes. It was deemed more economical to demolish and rebuild a new terminal. Construction of the new single-storey structure began in 2014 and gradually built over the site of the old terminal in three stages over approximately 20 months. Opened in 2016, it has an area of 2,900 m2, only slightly bigger than the existing terminal of 2,600 m2but makes better use of the floor area. It services flights from Air New Zealand, Air Nelson and Mount Cook Airlines.
Fleet
Stewart Island Flight's fleet consists of the following aircraft:
- Cessna 185
- Britten Normal Islander.
- Piper Cherokee six