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Find cheap flights to South Island from $436

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from the United States to South Island departing on 8/14. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
0 bags
Thu 7/11
Thu 7/18

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Best South Island Flight Deals

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Christchurch
Christchurch1 stop$771
Queenstown
Queenstown2 stops$853
Dunedin
Dunedin3 stops$1,347
Nelson
Nelson1 stop$1,164
Blenheim
Blenheim1 stop$1,634

Good to know

Low season

September

High season

December

Cheapest flight

$436
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 6% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 23% increase in price.
Flight from Los Angeles to Queenstown

FAQs - booking South Island flights

  • How long is the flight to South Island?

    An average nonstop flight from the United States to South Island takes 24h 04m, covering a distance of 8255 miles. The most popular route is San Francisco - Christchurch with an average flight time of 14h 05m.

  • What is the cheapest flight to South Island?

    The cheapest ticket to South Island from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $771. The most popular route is from San Francisco to Christchurch and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $771.

  • What are the most popular destinations in South Island?

    Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Christchurch (54% of total searches to South Island). The next most popular destinations are Queenstown (28%) and Dunedin (8%). Searches for flights to Blenheim (5%), to Nelson (4%) and to Invercargill (1%) are also popular.

  • How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding cheap flights to South Island

  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest South Island flight deals.

Top 5 airlines flying to South Island

Need help choosing which airline to fly with from the United States to South Island? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.1
Air New ZealandOverall score based on 601 reviews
7.6Food
8.4Boarding
7.8Entertainment
8.1Comfort
8.7Crew
Airline reviews

Short flight so no entertainment, turbulence so no food service - overall flight as expected

8.0 ExcellentMichelle, Apr 2024NPL - AKL
Read more about Air New Zealand reviews

Short flight so no entertainment, turbulence so no food service - overall flight as expected

Great meal. Best seats ever! They need to teach other airlines how to do that.

Overall excellent but the Captain kept the seat belt sign on for far too long, especially at the beginning and end of the flight. It was 2 hours after take-off before the crew were able to start the service (on an 11 hour night flight, reducing our sleeping time) and the seat belt sign on went on during breakfast (90 mins before landing) and was not turned off again until we landed. This made for an uncomfortable journey of trying to limit fluid intake because it was unclear when the toilets would be available for use.

Food was not good. We asked for Muslim food and it was weird tasteless type of boiled veges.

Crew were pleasant, happy to be there and were a joy to be around. Entire operation was professional, well thought out and ran like a Swiss clock.

United flight from SFO to PDX was cancelled. I will ask for a refund. Had to book on Alaska

They announced food service but then never came around. We also couldn’t land so kept trying to get to runway and then had to come up and go around happened like 3 times and cause the child next to me to start throwing up

There was a snafu with confirming seats at check which left us in limbo for the second leg of our trip. I believe the ANZ app is not well integrated with the systems at the terminal resulting in this disconcerting error.

Flight attendants are always pleasant and helpful. Pilot kept us updated.

Just a hiccup being added to the NZ Traveller Declaration a bit late.

Business class Seats on the A350 from Nan to YVR were wonderful. The flight crew was okay but could do with better training. Toilets were clean but ran out of paper towels towards the end of the flight. The food/menu and the wine offered really needs considerable improvement. Dinner options were either Bolani, a beef sandwich (even this could be made much better), or paneer butter masala. Unfortunately, if you are not a fan of Fijian food, there isn’t much choice. Dessert was either turmeric ice cream or fruits but unfortunately, they were out of fruit! So the only option was turmeric ice cream. I’m not certain how many passengers like turmeric but I am not one of them. They need to cater to a more diverse group of people. Perhaps they need a new chef? The movies& tv shows were mostly older so I didn’t find that interesting either. It was however, fun to view the plane’s exterior cameras as we take off and land. The best thing about this flight are the business class seats.

Comfortable as one can get in Economy, food was very good, staff were super friendly & efficient.

Really liked the plane and business class seat. Food was ok but could be better. Service was very good.

Better connections, much better cabin crew, much cleaner cabin that Qantas, American and probably other carriers.

Better connections, much better cabin crews, much cleaner aircraft than Qantas, American and probably others.

Fiji left without me because American Airlines was too stupid to get to LAX on time. Fiji should have offered a standby on another flight but they told me tough luck. I will never fly with this company again.

The A350 aircraft business class experience was very good. Comfortable and well appointed pod, and supplemental bed pad available for sleeping. Food was very good.

Business class seats and amenities were excellent, crew very attentive. Slept well. Food good, lounge experience nice. Would fly them again. A350 aircraft excellent, very quiet.

The flight attendants were extremely friendly and helpful. Everything ran on time. I highly recommend Fiji Airways.

The experience was lovely in every respect. The crews were delightful.

There was nothing I didn’t like, prices a little lower would help

1) crackly headphone jack 2) one of the emergency seats recline. Usually second row does. But in this case neither did 3) food was scrambled eggs or fruit. 4) fruit should not be the option to eggs 5)miserable unpleasant crew not a smile. Thought that was a virgin thing

Amazing! Was put on the earlier flight and I requested for an aisle seat and was given it. Thanks Qantas!

It was nice having space in the way back where it thinned out with passengers, most folks in the far back were able to lay down and sleep. That was a pleasant surprise. Made the 15 hr flight go by pretty smooth, watching a few movies and resting. I had previously never used an airplane toilet, but finally used one. It wasn't too bad. All workers were very helpful and friendly. Their hospitality was welcomed as well

Enjoyed the new possibilities of in flight entertainment. Been awhile since I've flown, and that was a nice surprise. Being able to pick from such a variety was personalized and welcomed.

Boarding was terrible - the ground staff member Fredeya at lax was more military than customer service, have never encountered a customer service representative as rude as her. Apart from that all other staff were wonderful and the flight was good.

I travelled first class from LAX to MEL and it was a series of disasters which I put down to lax staff who dont care and a suck it attitude to customers - its all lip service and no delivery. The flight was delayed due to aircraft refuellers putting on 300,000 litres of fuel on a 380Q1. I entered via the first class bridge loaded my bags in the overhead locker. the lady in the next isle in first class also had hers in there as she wasn't allocated a locker over her seat. The attendant asked would I like a champagne - I said yes please. he promptly delivered a empty glass and the glass left on the desk. Then he ignored me for 20 minutes. When i asked him is he out of champagne he gave me the usual rubbish I was distracted. There are four staff and 15 first class passengers - give me a break. the glass stayed there on takeoff and then was still there 9 hours into the flight. When I arrived to my seat I told him I had eaten and wouldn't be eating on the flight - it was 10.30pm. Yet he comes by later 4am ( I happen to be awake) and says are you eating with us? I asked for the bed to be made up - they put a 3 inch 7cm mattress on the chair but as usual the break in the chair - the mattress sinks into it - so I had to move it around so I didnt get my back sunk in the V - Im 187cm tall. The cabinet next to 1K is for staff bags and the toilet is next door. I tried to avoid this seat but couldn't change - in to the flight 8 hours and the cabin rest change over kicks in - this attendant is shining his torch in my eyes taking out and returning his bag. Then the toilet starts flushing and forget trying to get to sleep. Yet no-one else needed torch! 11 hours into the 15.5 hour flight I ask for breakfast - I order two poached eggs, bacon on multigrain toast, tomatos and mushrooms. I get no bacon or toast and have to order it and the eggs are cold. Then I order a coffee which is so badly spilled - and not by air turbulence she brings back a serviette and replaces the first one rather than providing a clean dry saucer! First class in Qantas is a joke as the staff just don't get the meaning of prompt service and attention to detail. I will fly business class rather than first on Qantas as its better value for money but I have been very impressed with United First Polaris and given I fly internationally every month this is going to be my choice.

I was in premium economy. My seat didn’t recline much - it was broken. My phone charger didn’t work.

Experience was great. My only advice is to have a pasta dish on the menu. Otherwise everything was excellent.

Short flight. Needed a smart phone to watch any movie.

Why does it have to be painful to fly long distances?

It is a modern tragedy that any airline expects you to travel for 14 hours in such discomfort and that the only way to add comfort is exorbitant prices. I was in pain by the time we landed. Shameful.

Original plane sidelined. Had to wait an hour for replacement.

Crew was very cooperative and professional. Passenger's first checked in bag should be free.

No real agent onsite helping you for missing luggage there. Not like the other airline next to UA desk, they have staff attending in their desk assisting answer/helping luggage issue, even after midnight.

Horrible, the flights kept delaying, so it is obvious that we won't be able to make it to the next connection. No easier/real agent on site to help you figure this out. UA agent on other counters refuse to assist you and direct us to use the QR code/call customer service. So inefficient and poor. While technology seems convenient, but it's not the best interest/experience for customers need help while there is active issue need assistance.

Food is very bad and entertint not too many options ... flight attendet service is not good

After the morning frenzy of 35 min wait through CLT security at 4;30 AM, it was nice to have a smooth pleasant boarding experience. This 6:30 AM flight was not full. We were able to get seated swiftly and took off promptly. Nice touch they distributed the old fashioned headsets with 8 mm jacks. Snacks were decent and arrival was uneventful.

My window shade didn’t work. So I missed coming into my city. ☹️

Flight was delayed in the gate by 5 hours and ultimately cancelled- rebooking service by United agents was terrible

Paid for premium economy had no tv the whole time the crew tried to reset/reboot but would not work they said they would put a trouble ticket in for it. We had 3 seats my tv was the only one that didn't work. They cancelled our flight re worked us on another that left us at airport over night on the floor I have a ten year old and a 78 diabetic mother which also had shingles and suffers from nerve pain in legs and back. Requested wheelchair service at all airports after the re route NO wheelchair service was there to help. WORST experience we have ever had. Went to American airlines assistance it was closed. I AM FURIOUS!!! I expect some sort of compensation from this traumatic experience and no need for flying points we don't plan on using American airlines again!!!!

This is by far the worst experience I have had with American Airlines. The start of this trip was a complete disaster. I purposely planned my trip so that I would weather any delays so that I could make very important meeting at the Pentagon. My flight was cancelled because of maintenance and I was put on the first flight the next day but I was late to the meeting. After a long week at the Pentagon I just wanted to go home and my flight home which was early in the day was delayed. Eventually the flight was delayed until the next day. I was not authorized a hotel room because DCA was my point of origin. So I paid for a hotel out of pocket. The flight this morning was boarded then deplaned because the aircraft was hot. The flow of information was not happening in DCA and made it worse when the news was bad. I am going to take a break from American for my next few military flights. Hopefully whatever has been going on with American Airlines will be resolved.

We had a 2 hour delay. The seats were smaller than most other airlines. The person in front of us wanted to lay back and we had to stop her because she was pressing against my girlfriend’s legs. We had to ask her to sit up and not lay back due to the lack of room.

Information when booking said the flight would be with American Airlines but the flight was actualy with British Airways. Check in from Orlando was nice and quick. I agreed to put my cabin case in the checked luggage as it was a full flight. Case came back damaged (unable to put the handle down) so will have to dispose of it. Seats were quite cramped with very little leg room, even for economy. This was the experience of both the outgoing and return flight. Cabin crew were ok and flight time was punctual.

Everything was fine once we actually got on our flight. It was more then annoying they canceled (delayed) our flight. We lost out on a day of our trip along with money on our stay. Plus we had to book another hotel. So expensive.

This flight was canceled and delayed several times without explanation. The plane was freezing cold and no wifi for messaging. Getting off the plane was terribly unorganized and felt like it took forever….

The flight was delayed several times without explanation. The seats were terribly uncomfortable and wifi isn’t included. All these make for a less than ideal flight.

The flights was delayed by hours and it was the firmest landing I have experienced in my life. My back is still sore.

Internet service was erratic. Crew service was poor and slow. My luggage on this non-stop flight was lost and not recovered

Terrible. I didn’t fly and I had an important meeting the next day.

Book Cheap South Island Plane Tickets

Recent round-trip flight deals

11/28Thu
1 stopFiji Airways
18h 20mSFO-CHC
12/12Thu
1 stopFiji Airways
19h 00mCHC-SFO
$771
11/21Thu
1 stopFiji Airways
18h 20mSFO-CHC
12/3Tue
1 stopFiji Airways
19h 00mCHC-SFO
$784
8/12Mon
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
36h 09mSEA-CHC
8/19Mon
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
33h 11mCHC-SEA
$1,001
11/3Sun
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
41h 41mSEA-CHC
11/14Thu
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
31h 55mCHC-SEA
$1,030
11/2Sat
1 stopAir New Zealand
20h 35mLAX-ZQN
11/21Thu
2 stopsAir New Zealand
19h 30mZQN-LAX
$1,035
10/20Sun
1 stopAir New Zealand
17h 25mLAX-CHC
11/1Fri
1 stopAir New Zealand
14h 45mCHC-LAX
$1,035
11/27Wed
1 stopUnited Airlines
27h 15mLAX-CHC
12/10Tue
2 stopsUnited Airlines
24h 13mCHC-LAX
$1,247
11/4Mon
1 stopUnited Airlines
27h 15mLAX-CHC
11/20Wed
2 stopsUnited Airlines
22h 26mCHC-LAX
$1,258
11/4Mon
1 stopQantas Airways
21h 20mLAX-CHC
11/20Wed
1 stopQantas Airways
20h 50mCHC-LAX
$1,492
12/2Mon
2 stopsQantas Airways
24h 00mSFO-CHC
2/25Tue
1 stopQantas Airways
20h 25mCHC-SFO
$1,497

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Recent one-way flight deals

8/14Wed
3 stops
49h 40mLAX-ZQN
$436
8/13Tue
3 stops
49h 36mSFO-CHC
$444
8/11Sun
1 stopFiji Airways
17h 20mLAX-CHC
$524
8/13Tue
1 stopFiji Airways
17h 40mSFO-CHC
$683
11/22Fri
1 stopAir New Zealand
17h 50mLAX-ZQN
$834
9/2Mon
1 stopUnited Airlines
20h 35mLAX-ZQN
$847
8/4Sun
2 stopsUnited Airlines
45h 40mLAX-ZQN
$853
9/3Tue
1 stopQantas Airways
19h 45mLAX-ZQN
$982
8/14Wed
1 stopQantas Airways
19h 45mLAX-ZQN
$983
7/9Tue
2 stopsAir New Zealand
25h 00mSFO-CHC
$997

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Recent domestic flight deals

9/10Tue
nonstopJetstar
0h 50mWLG-CHC
9/17Tue
nonstopJetstar
0h 50mCHC-WLG
$36
7/23Tue
nonstopJetstar
0h 50mWLG-CHC
7/25Thu
nonstopJetstar
0h 50mCHC-WLG
$57
7/23Tue
nonstopJetstar
1h 20mAKL-CHC
7/31Wed
nonstopJetstar
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$58
12/3Tue
multi-stopJetstar
4h 35mAKL-CHC
2/24Mon
nonstopJetstar
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$61
12/2Mon
nonstopJetstar
1h 25mAKL-CHC
3/1Sat
nonstopJetstar
1h 20mCHC-AKL
$62
10/23Wed
multi-stop
4h 40mAKL-ZQN
10/25Fri
nonstop
1h 50mZQN-AKL
$117
7/23Tue
nonstopAir New Zealand
1h 15mCHC-ZQN
7/29Mon
nonstopAir New Zealand
0h 55mZQN-CHC
$126
11/25Mon
nonstopAir New Zealand
1h 00mCHC-ZQN
11/26Tue
nonstopAir New Zealand
0h 55mZQN-CHC
$134
7/2Tue
nonstopAir New Zealand
1h 00mCHC-ZQN
7/9Tue
nonstopAir New Zealand
0h 55mZQN-CHC
$137
7/25Thu
nonstopAir New Zealand
1h 15mCHC-ZQN
7/31Wed
nonstopAir New Zealand
0h 55mZQN-CHC
$139

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Last minute flights to South Island

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

6/14Fri
multi-stopAir New Zealand
21h 30mSFO-CHC
6/21Fri
multi-stopAir New Zealand
21h 35mCHC-SFO
$1,808
6/14Fri
multi-stopAir New Zealand
17h 25mSFO-CHC
6/21Fri
multi-stopAir New Zealand
23h 10mCHC-SFO
$1,864
6/14Fri
multi-stopAir New Zealand
27h 25mSFO-CHC
6/21Fri
multi-stopAir New Zealand
20h 50mCHC-SFO
$1,994
6/16Sun
multi-stopAir New Zealand
25h 45mEWR-CHC
8/24Sat
multi-stopAir New Zealand
24h 15mCHC-EWR
$2,121
6/16Sun
multi-stop
36h 00mEWR-CHC
8/24Sat
multi-stop
30h 58mCHC-EWR
$2,167
6/14Fri
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
25h 28mSFO-CHC
6/21Fri
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
27h 47mCHC-SFO
$2,216
6/16Sun
multi-stop
53h 00mJFK-CHC
8/24Sat
multi-stop
30h 05mCHC-JFK
$2,217
6/16Sun
multi-stop
36h 00mEWR-CHC
8/24Sat
multi-stop
33h 32mCHC-EWR
$2,226
6/16Sun
multi-stopQantas Airways
25h 40mJFK-CHC
8/24Sat
multi-stopQantas Airways
30h 05mCHC-JFK
$2,337
6/15Sat
multi-stopUnited Airlines
21h 05mLAX-ZQN
6/21Fri
multi-stopUnited Airlines
59h 35mZQN-LAX
$2,536

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Flights to South Island

Cabin classes:

$94
$83
$62
$28

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