What is the difference between an “internet discount” fare and a “standard” fare?

Internet fares are cheaper than standard fares but have less flexible terms and conditions -

Internet Discount Fares ($86 / $102)

• - Transferable
• - Non-refundable
• - $25 surcharge re-schedule booking outside 48 hours of departure
• - Booking cannot be re-scheduled inside 48 hours of departure

Standard Fares ($96 / $112)

• - Transferable
• - Full refund up to 48 hours prior to departure
• - 50% refund if cancelled inside 48 hours of departure
• - No refund if cancelled within 24 hours of check in time
• - Free to re-schedule booking outside 48 hours of departure
• - $25 surcharge to re-schedule booking inside 48 hours of departure
• - Booking cannot be re-scheduled inside 24 hours of departure

Frequent Flyer Programme ($820 / $970) (Ten Trip Ticket)

• - Transferable
• - Tickets valid for 12 months from purchase date
• - Non-refundable
• - Free to re-schedule booking outside 48 hours of departure
• - $25 surcharge to re-schedule booking inside 48 hours of departure
• - Booking cannot be re-scheduled inside 24 hours of departure

How do Frequent Flyer Programme Fares work?

Sounds Air offers a Ten Trip Ticket between Wellington and Picton/Blenheim and Wellington and Nelson. These are paid in advance and are available for purchase online by clicking on the “book online” button and clicking “purchase a 10 trip ticket”, if this is the first time you are purchasing a Ten Trip ticket then you will need to follow the links and create a login which you will use for future bookings. Once you have created this login, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to activate the account. Once this is completed you will then need to select “purchase a 10 trip ticket” again, log in to your account and then purchase your tickets for your desired destination. The Terms and conditions for the tickets are as follows -

Frequent Flyer Programme ($820 / $970) (Ten Trip Ticket)

• - Transferable
• - Tickets valid for 12 months from purchase date
• - Non-refundable
• - Free to re-schedule booking outside 48 hours of departure
• - $25 surcharge to re-schedule booking inside 48 hours of departure
• - Booking cannot be re-scheduled inside 2 hours of departure

How do I pay for my travel?

Sounds Air accepts Visa and Mastercard Credit and Debit Cards. We do not accept American Express or Diners Cards. If you do not have access to a Credit or Debit cards, numerous House of Travel, travel agents and Information Centres are agents for us. You can pay by cash or EFTPOS at those locations.

What type of aircraft will I be flying in?

Sounds Air operates three Cessna Caravan's. The Caravan is a late model turbo prop aircraft. It holds 12 passengers. The Caravan is world renowned as a safe reliable aircraft. It offers a fast and comfortable flight, with full size airline style seating, it is high winged for maximum visibility, and all seats have great views. The Cessna Caravan is operated by instrument flight rules; this means we are able to fly in all weathers.

Where do I check in?

Check in must be completed 30 mins prior to flight departure.

• - BLENHEIM - WOODBOURNE AIRPORT, BLENHEIM. Please note:
    This is NOT Picton Airport. Contact phone number between 6.15am-7.00am - 03 579 6413.
• - PICTON - Picton Airport (8km south of Picton on SH1).
• - NELSON - Main Terminal, Nelson Airport.
• - WELLINGTON - Go directly to Gate 4, Wellington International Airport.

Can I view or change my booking via Online Reservations?

You can manage your booking online by going to the following link: View Booking and entering your booking number in the space provided.

Can I transfer my tickets to someone else?

Yes

Can I get a refund if I can't fly for some reason?

Internet Discount Fares ($86 / $102)

• - Non-refundable

Standard Fares ($96 / $112)

• - Full refund up to 48 hours prior to departure
• - 50% refund if cancelled inside 48 hours of departure
• - No refund if cancelled within 24 hours of check in time
• - Free to re-schedule booking outside 48 hours of departure

Frequent Flyer Programme ($82 / $97) (Ten Trip Ticket)

• - Non-refundable

What if I have excess baggage?

Sounds Air will guarantee to carry 15 kg per person. There will be a charge of $3.00 per kg in excess of 20 kg per person. Maximum weight for any luggage item is 25 kg, any weight over this will need to be repacked in to additional bags. Passengers travelling in groups may pool their allowance - maximum weight for any luggage item is 25 kg, any weight over this will need to be repacked in to additional bags.

All over sized items of luggage will incur an additional fee.

• - Push Bikes (disassembled and bagged) - $30.00
• - Car Seats - $10.00
• - Push Chairs - $20.00

Sounds Air does not guarantee carriage of excess baggage - subject to space and weight availability

Please note: It is not possible to take bikes, pushchairs or any other items of bulky luggage on the morning (06:00am) Wellington to Blenheim or Wellington to Nelson flights.

Can I take my infant's stroller or carseat?

Yes, however as these are classed as excess luggage items an additional cost will apply

Push Chairs - $20.00, Car Seats - $10.00

Can I transport my bicycle or surfboard with me?

Yes, however as these are classed as excess luggage items an additional cost will apply

Push Bikes (disassembled and bagged) - $30.00, Surf Boards/Skis - $10.00

Does Sounds Air have Group Travel options?

Please contact us on 0800 505 005 or charters@soundsair.com with dates of travel and number of passengers, and we will be pleased to provide you with a quote.

Can I fly with an infant on Sounds Air?

Infants over 7 days old and under 2 years in age are welcomed on all flights, subject to seat availability. A maximum of two infants are allowed on each flight. If booking more than one infant, an adult must be booked to accompany each infant. Infants travel free of charge provided they do not occupy a seat. Infants not occupying a seat do not have a baggage allowance. If you require a seat for your infant, the normal child fare applies.

Does Sounds Air have Children's Fares?

Yes, children aged from 2 to 12 years have a reduced fare. When booking online please select this from the drop down box, or advise reservation staff if booking via telephone or instore.

How can I send my child unaccompanied on a Sounds Air flight?

Yes, children aged between 7 years and 12 years inclusive may travel as an 'Unaccompanied Minor' subject to seat availability. All bookings for unaccompanied minors must be made by telephone or in person and will require an authorisation form to be completed and signed. Please contact Sounds Air directly for more details or click for the Unaccompanied Minor Form. Click here for form. Please complete form and fax to 04 801 0113 or post to Sounds Air, PO Box 116, Picton. (We must receive this prior to travel)

Can I fly animals with Sounds Air?

Yes you can.

• - Cats - $10.00
• - Unaccompanied Cats - $20.00
• - Dogs (small only) - $15.00
• - Unaccompanied Dogs (small only) - $25.00

All animals must be caged, maximum height of cage is 36cm (360mm)

Can I speak to the Sounds Air Customer Call centre, calling from outside New Zealand?

Yes, please phone +64 3 5203080 during the hours of 7.30am and 5.00pm New Zealand time.

Will my credit/debit-card details be secure?

Yes, We use DPS (Direct Payment Solutions) a secure purchasing site - DPS have a dedicated and purpose built development and data centre, specially designed for payments processing. DPS have invested and continue to re-invest in state of the art, bank grade security and infrastructure. DPS are fully certified as Visa AIS and MasterCard SDP (PCI-DSS) compliant at processor level; using an approved QSA for quarterly scans on systems and full onsite audits, annually. All sensitive information is encrypted with the 3DES protocol, with Atalla Network Security Processors.

Do you have a shuttle in Picton?

Yes, all shuttle pick ups are 45 MINS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TIME and must be booked in advance. Shuttle cost - $7 per person each way, applies to all types of fares available.

Picton pick up points are as follows:

• - Westside Waikawa Marina - Please phone 0800 505 005 to advise pier number
• - Jolly Roger Cafe - Waikawa Marina
• - Bayview Backpackers - 318 Waikawa Road
• - Picton Superette (On The Spot Dairy)- 100 Waikawa Road
• - The Yacht Club Hotel - Cnr Wellington and Waikawa Roads
• - Cougar Line Water Taxi Office - Town Wharf, London Quay
• - Picton Police Station - 36 Broadway
• - Sounds Storage - 7 Market Street
• - Picton Railway Station - 3 Auckland Street
• - Picton Ferry Terminal - Auckland Street
• - Queen Charlotte College Bus Bay - Waikawa Road
• - Launching Ramp - Picton Marina

Are there any restricted articles or dangerous goods I cannot take with me?

Articles such as the following may not be carried in passengers’ luggage (carry-on or checked):

• - Flammable or poisonous compressed gases
• - Corrosive materials (acids, mercury, etc.)
• - Explosives (fireworks and other articles that are easily ignited)
• - Magnetised materials
• - Oxidising substances
• - Poisonous, toxic, infectious substances
• - Radioactive materials
• - Other dangerous goods

Can I take valuable/fragile items?

Valuable and fragile items are carried solely at the passenger's risk unless Sounds Air has accepted them for travel in writing. Valuable items include cash, shares, important documents, jewellery, antiques or any other item of similar value. Commercial goods, samples and tools of trade are classified as freight.

Will my privacy be respected?

All information that is retained by Sounds Air is private and will be treated as such. This information will only be used for the purposes of providing the services offered by the website and will not be given or sold to any third party without your prior permission.