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PMR → CHC
Which side of the plane to sit from Palmerston North Airport (Palmerston North) to Christchurch International Airport (Christchurch)?
Right Side of the Plane
While both sides are scenic, the right side offers a continuous and breathtaking panorama of the Southern Alps and the inland Kaikoura Ranges, providing a grander sense of New Zealand's rugged interior geography.
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Tararua Ranges
Rugged, forest-clad mountains passing by shortly after takeoff from Palmerston North.
Wairau Valley
The heart of the Marlborough wine region, visible as a structured grid of vineyards.
Inland Kaikoura Range
Massive, often snow-capped peaks including Tapuae-o-Uenuku, the highest peak in the northeast.
Southern Alps
The 'backbone' of the South Island stretching into the distance with permanent snowfields.
Canterbury Plains
The iconic patchwork quilt of agricultural land divided by straight irrigation lines and shelterbelts.
The right side is the premium choice for mountain lovers. In winter, the snow coverage on the Kaikoura ranges is spectacular. Afternoon flights can be bright, so polarized sunglasses are recommended to cut glare from the snow and Tasman Sea. Look for the braided Waimakariri River just before landing, which is best viewed from this side.
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Kapiti Island
A prominent bird sanctuary island visible shortly after departure off the western coastline.
Marlborough Sounds
Intricate network of drowned river valleys with turquoise water and emerald-green hills.
Kaikoura Peninsula
The dramatic meeting point of the Seaward Kaikoura Range and the deep blue Pacific Ocean.
Pegasus Bay
A vast, sweeping sandy coastline that leads the aircraft directly toward Christchurch.
Banks Peninsula
The eroded remains of two massive extinct volcanoes visible to the southeast during the final descent.
Sit on the left for morning flights to enjoy the soft sunrise light reflecting off the Pacific Ocean. This side is superior for spotting marine life markers and the unique coastal shelf where the Kaikoura canyon begins. It is also the best side to see the distinctive circular shape of Banks Peninsula if the flight path arcs slightly east.
Get eSIMs for New Zealand
Get eSIMs for New ZealandDistance: 435 km (270 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 44 min
Departure: PMR (-40.32059860229492, 175.61700439453125)
Arrival: CHC (-43.48939895629883, 172.53199768066406)
Route Type: Domestic
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