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CHC → ROT
Which side of the plane to sit from Christchurch International Airport (Christchurch) to Rotorua Regional Airport (Rotorua)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to New Zealand's most dramatic geological wonders, including the Seaward Kaikoura Range and the spectacular volcanoes of the Central Plateau.
Search flights from CHC to ROT
Seaward Kaikoura Range
Dramatic views of massive snow-capped peaks that run parallel to the coastline.
Marlborough Sounds
A labyrinth of sunken river valleys and turquoise waterways at the top of the South Island.
Tongariro National Park
Close-up views of Mount Ruapehu and the iconic symmetrical cone of Mount Ngauruhoe.
Lake Taupo
The massive caldera of a supervolcano, appearing as a vast inland sea.
Sit behind the wing for the clearest views of the volcanoes. Morning flights are ideal as the sun illuminates the western faces of the mountains. In winter, the snow coverage on the Central Plateau is breathtaking.
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Banks Peninsula
The rugged, circular remnants of two ancient volcanoes visible shortly after takeoff.
Kaikoura Peninsula
Watch for the distinct shelf where the deep ocean trenches approach the shoreline.
Wellington Harbour
A distant but clear view of the capital city's harbor and surrounding hills.
Kaingaroa Forest
One of the largest man-made forests in the world, appearing as a vast green grid.
The right side is perfect for early morning flights to see the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. Look for the distinct color changes in the water near the Kaikoura Canyon where deep-sea nutrients rise to the surface.
Book Hotels in RotoruaDistance: 678 km (421 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 8 min
Departure: CHC (-43.48939895629883, 172.53199768066406)
Arrival: ROT (-38.10919952392578, 176.31700134277344)
Route Type: Domestic
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