Kathmandu, Nepal
Mountain Flight Airlines: Buddha Air, Yeti, Shree
Same price, three airlines. Pick the experience that suits you.
Buddha Air Mountain Flight
Buddha Air operates ATR 72 and Beechcraft turboprops on the Everest mountain flight, with about 6:15 AM departures. It is a good choice for frequent departures and flexible rebooking. Guaranteed window seat, USD 280 international.
Yeti Airlines Mountain Flight
Yeti Airlines flies ATR 72 turboprops with departures around 6:30 AM. It is known for the peak-identification map and in-cabin commentary. Cockpit visits are possible but not promised on every ticket.
Shree Airlines Mountain Flight
Shree Airlines offers a comfortable flight with clear views of the Himalayas. Same guaranteed window seat and fare.
Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines and Shree Airlines: Detailed Comparison
All three airlines fly the same scenic Himalayan route from Kathmandu, guarantee a window seat and charge the same fare. The differences are in aircraft, departure time and the feel of the onboard experience.
| Buddha Air | Yeti Airlines | Shree Airlines | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft | ATR 72 and Beechcraft turboprops | ATR 72 turboprops | Fixed-wing aircraft |
| Typical departure | About 6:15 AM | About 6:30 AM | Early morning |
| Onboard feel | Efficient, frequent departures | Guided: peak map and commentary | Same guaranteed window seat |
| Rebooking | Flexible, frequent flights | Subject to availability | Subject to availability |
| Price | USD 280 | USD 280 | USD 280 |
Choose Buddha Air if
you want frequent departures and easier rebooking if weather delays your flight. Read the Buddha Air mountain flight guide.
Choose Yeti Airlines if
you want to understand what you are looking at. Yeti Airlines is known for its illustrated peak map and cabin commentary. Read the Yeti Airlines mountain flight guide.
Choose Shree Airlines if
you prefer a different departure time or your first-choice airline is full. Fare and window-seat guarantee are the same.
How to Choose the Right Airline for Your Mountain Flight
- Start with your date. Availability on a given morning decides which airlines are open, so send us your date first.
- Think about comfort. If you are prone to airsickness or dislike engine noise, ask for Shree Airlines.
- Think about learning. If you want to identify peaks as they appear, Yeti Airlines is a good match.
- Think about flexibility. If your schedule is tight, Buddha Air's frequent departures help with rebooking.
- Tell us your preference. We confirm your airline, time and price before you pay.
Every passenger gets a window seat, the same flight duration of about 50 to 60 minutes, an Everest certificate and free weather rescheduling, whichever airline you pick.
Mountain Flight Timing, Check-In and Boarding
Each airline runs two early-morning departures a day, between about 6:00 and 7:30 AM. Check in at the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport one hour before departure. Bring your passport or ID, and keep hand baggage to 5 kg. Boarding follows a safety briefing from the cabin crew, and a route briefing is given before the Himalayan section begins.
See the best time for a mountain flight for seasons and weather, or the mountain flight price for fares.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airline is best for the mountain flight: Buddha Air, Yeti or Shree?
All three airlines cost the same and guarantee a window seat. Buddha Air has frequent departures and flexible rebooking, Yeti Airlines is known for its peak-identification map and cabin commentary, and Shree Airlines offers the same guaranteed window seat. Tell us your preference when you inquire.
Is the mountain flight price the same on Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines and Shree Airlines?
Yes. The fare is the same on all three airlines: USD 280 per person for international tourists, NPR 15,800 for Nepali citizens and INR 12,000 for Indian citizens. Children pay the adult fare. Your choice comes down to departure time and the kind of flight experience you prefer.
What time does the Buddha Air mountain flight leave?
The Buddha Air mountain flight leaves at about 6:15 AM from the Tribhuvan International Airport domestic terminal in Kathmandu. Buddha Air flies ATR 72 and Beechcraft turboprops, and runs regular daily departures. Check in one hour before take-off.
What time does the Yeti Airlines mountain flight leave?
The Yeti Airlines mountain flight leaves at about 6:30 AM from the domestic terminal in Kathmandu. Yeti Airlines flies ATR 72 turboprops and is known for its peak-identification map and cabin commentary. Check in one hour before departure.
Does Shree Airlines fly the mountain flight?
Yes. Shree Airlines flies the Everest mountain flight from Kathmandu. It has the same guaranteed window seat and the same fare as the other two airlines.
Which airline is best if I get airsick?
No airline is proven smoother. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask for the earliest departure and avoid a heavy meal. The mountain flight route is generally smooth in the early morning, and you can ask us to book Shree Airlines when you inquire.
Which airline is best for photography?
All three airlines give every passenger a window seat, so the views are equally good. Yeti Airlines hands out a peak-identification map and names peaks in the cabin, which helps you know what you are photographing. Bring your phone or camera ready and shoot as each peak is announced.
Can I choose my airline when I book?
Yes. Tell us your preferred airline in the inquiry form or on WhatsApp and we confirm availability for your date. If your first choice is full, we offer the next best departure on another airline at the same price.
What if my airline cancels the flight because of weather?
If weather cancels your flight, we reschedule you free of charge to the next available departure, subject to seats. The airline on the new date depends on availability. If the flight is cancelled before take-off and you cannot be rebooked, you receive a full refund.
Are Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines and Shree Airlines safe for the mountain flight?
All three are licensed Nepalese domestic airlines flying experienced mountain pilots on scenic daytime routes, and flights are cancelled when weather or visibility is not suitable. If you have a medical condition, check with your doctor before flying.
How long is the mountain flight on each airline?
The mountain flight takes about 50 to 60 minutes gate to gate on every airline. All three fly the same scenic Himalayan route and return to Kathmandu, and you are normally back at your hotel by mid-morning.
Do all airlines give an Everest flight certificate and the same baggage allowance?
Yes. Every passenger receives an Everest flight completion certificate, and hand baggage is limited to 5 kg on all three airlines. Oxygen is available onboard, and large bags are best left at your hotel.
How many departures does each airline have each day?
Each airline runs two early-morning departures a day, between about 6:00 and 7:30 AM. Availability depends on the season and the date, so send us your preferred date and we confirm the airline and time.
Can I book a mountain flight for a group on one airline?
Yes. Send us your group size and date and we arrange seats together on one airline where possible. Groups of more than two may qualify for a discount. Every seat is a window seat, so everyone in the group gets a view.
Which airline has the most departures for the mountain flight?
Buddha Air runs frequent daily mountain-flight departures, which helps if you book at short notice or need to rebook. Each of the three airlines runs two early-morning departures a day, and availability depends on the date.
What aircraft does Buddha Air use for the mountain flight?
Buddha Air flies ATR 72 and Beechcraft turboprops on the Everest mountain flight. Every passenger has a window seat.
How is Shree Airlines different from Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines?
All three airlines cost the same and guarantee a window seat. Shree Airlines is a good alternative when Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines is full on your date; tell us your preference and we confirm the airline and time.
Can I switch airlines after I book?
Contact us as early as possible. Changes depend on seat availability and airline rules, and we will tell you the options for your date.
Do all three airlines fly the same route?
Yes. All three fly a scenic loop along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu toward Everest and return to Kathmandu, taking about 50 to 60 minutes.
Is there a luggage difference between airlines?
No. Hand baggage is limited to 5 kg on the mountain flight, and large bags are best left at your hotel.
Which airline is best for first-time visitors to Nepal?
All three suit first-time visitors. Yeti Airlines is a good pick if you want guidance on which peaks you are seeing, and Buddha Air is a good pick if you want frequent departures. Tell us your preference and we confirm availability.
Make an Inquiry or Book Your Everest Flight
Tell us your date and group size and we will confirm airline, time and seats.