Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Christchurch to Rotorua. While takeoff favors the right for Southern Alps views, the landing approach to Rotorua strongly favors the left for Lake Rotorua and geothermal features. Since the landing provides more dramatic and distinctive scenery specific to Rotorua's unique geography, left is the overall choice for this route.

During takeoff from Christchurch International (CHC), sit on the Right side for the best views. Christchurch typically departs runway 02 (northbound) or 20 (southbound). Right-side seats offer views of the Canterbury Plains stretching north and the foothills of the Southern Alps to the west. The Southern Alps' eastern face is more visually prominent from the right during northbound climbs. Notable sights include: Southern Alps (eastern face), Canterbury Plains, Rakaia River valley, Banks Peninsula (to the southeast, visible on initial climb).

When landing at Rotorua (ROT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Rotorua typically uses runway 05 (northeast) or 23 (southwest). Left-side seats during descent offer views of Lake Rotorua itself and the geothermal features of the Rotorua caldera. The lake dominates the visual approach and the thermal areas around it are distinctive from altitude. Notable sights include: Lake Rotorua (main caldera lake), Rotorua geothermal field (steam plumes visible), Kaingaroa Forest (dark green expanse), Mount Tarawera (distant peak to the southeast).

The flight from Christchurch International (CHC) to Rotorua (ROT) takes Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Waikato region. Notable features include the Waikato River valley (visible as a green corridor), transition from Canterbury's flat plains to the more rolling terrain of the central North Island, and the gradual approach to the Rotorua geothermal plateau. Lake Taupo may be visible to the west during the midpoint of the flight, appearing as a large blue expanse on the horizon.