More about: New York Helicopter Tours: Tickets and Prices
Taking a helicopter ride over New York is definitely the experience you have to talk about when you return from your trip to New York. Get ready to admire the city's majestic skyscrapers from their very height and fly over the Big Apple.
Most tours last around 15 minutes, but there are some differences between them. I'll tell you about all of them to make it easier for you to choose the right one for you.
New York City Essential Helicopter Tour
A bird's-eye view of Manhattan at the best price
Perfect if you want to enjoy the exclusive experience of flying over Manhattan by helicopter without breaking the bank. You will see the Brooklyn Bridge, the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty.
This helicopter tour of New York is the short option, although it includes all the main sights of Manhattan. The flight departs from the Downtown heliport and will take you to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You will have spectacular views of Ground Zero, the One World Observatory and Manhattan's most popular skyscrapers, such as the Empire State Building.
You'll also see Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Bridge, which you'll see up close.
Why I like this tour: You'll see the highlights of Manhattan and although it may seem a little shorter, you won't miss anything.
Recommended if... you want to enjoy the experience without having to spend too much.
New York City Extended Helicopter Tour
Extend your trip a bit longer to get into Manhattan
The best option to enjoy a more complete tour in which you will fly over the Hudson up to the height of Times Square and the famous Madison Square Garden.
If you don't mind spending a little more, this helicopter tour is the best value for money itinerary, as you can enjoy the sights of New York at a leisurely pace. In 20 minutes, you'll have time to make the round trip around Manhattan via Madison Square Garden. You will reach the height of Times Square, which will give you a better view of Central Park, the Chrysler Building and other areas of Midtown.
Please note that, for safety reasons, the helicopter cannot fly between Manhattan buildings, so the tour follows the Hudson River. Still, the views are breathtaking.
Why I like this tour: 20 minutes will give you more time to savor the experience and allow you to get closer to the most relevant points of interest in Midtown.
Recommended if... you want to enjoy the experience and don't mind spending a little more.
Other helicopter flight options over New York City
In addition to the more classic helicopter tours of New York, there are more sophisticated proposals and if you can afford them, they will be unforgettable:
If flying over Manhattan is not enough for you, you can book a long helicopter tour, in which you will also pass through the five boroughs: Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island. You will have approximately 30 minutes of flight time and you will have a much more complete souvenir of New York from the air.
And if you want an exclusive and VIP experience, you can book a private helicopter tour of New York. This flight is designed for you to share with your partner or travel companions (up to 5 passengers) and together with your pilot guide, you can spend about 30 minutes in the air while you enjoy the landmarks of New York and enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne.
Ah! And if you want to enjoy a real light show in New York, sign up for the night helicopter flight that departs from New Jersey. Get ready to see the city's illuminated skyline from above.... It's amazing!
Compare helicopter flight options over New York City
A bird's-eye view of Manhattan at the best price
Perfect if you want to enjoy the exclusive experience of flying over Manhattan by helicopter without breaking the bank. You will see the Brooklyn Bridge, the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty.
Extend your trip to get into Manhattan
The best option at an economical price to enjoy a more complete tour flying over the Hudson to the height of Times Square and the famous Madison Square Garden, among other places.
Fly over Manhattan and the five boroughs
A long duration tour, around 30 minutes, over the Big Apple and more! You will be able to see Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island from the sky, among many other points of interest.
An exclusive and private experience
Enjoy a private tour with your companion or small group, accompanied by a pilot guide. During the flight, which lasts approximately 30 minutes, you will enjoy a glass of champagne. New York at your feet and just for you.
Why is a helicopter tour over New York worthwhile?
The city's skyline is a spectacle in itself, even more so if you book your helicopter flight over New York. Moreover, it is a unique experience, in which the wonderful views of the city meet the adrenaline of flying in a helicopter over New York at more than 200 kilometers per hour.
Information about helicopter flights in New York City
I answer some questions you may have when booking your helicopter flight in New York:
- Helicopter model: the helicopter used by most operators to do the New York helicopter tour is the Eurocopter/Airbus AS350B2, recognizable by its red color. Extended duration flights and VIP flights use the Bell 206L4 or Bell 407GX.
- Operators: Most tours work with two operators: Liberty Helicopters and Zip Aviation. Both companies have passed strict safety certifications and apply them to all their experiences, which vary only in duration and route. These are closed helicopter flights in which you will not be able to lean out of the window or get out of the aircraft at any time.
- Safety: All the helicopter tours I have recommended are perfectly safe, and I have made sure that they are organized by operators who have a series of safety certificates.
- Routes: It is important to note that you will not be flying over buildings in New York. All routes follow the Hudson River and some follow the East River to give you panoramic views, but in no case will you see the skyscrapers up close.
- Special Christmas flight: If you spend Christmas in New York, one of the plans you want to make is to see the Christmas lights. How about doing it from the air? This time of year you can book a helicopter flight to see the Christmas lights from New Jersey for a unique experience.
- What sights you'll see: Throughout the helicopter flight, you can see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Ground Zero, the Hudson River, One World Observatory, the Empire State, Brooklyn, Madison Square Garden, Central Park, the Chrysler Building and even other areas of Midtown.
What you should know before booking your helicopter flight in New York City
When booking your helicopter flight over New York, it is important to know:
- How the seats are distributed on the flight: Seats are assigned according to the weight of the travelers, which should be evenly distributed in the helicopter. They will not be definitive until the moment of the flight, as each person's belongings must be taken into account. For this reason, you cannot choose your seat on the flight, although you can communicate your preference to the operator.
- How many people fit in a helicopter: 5 to 6 people not including the pilot. Tour operators can organize groups of up to 9 people, and make a distribution in two groups at the time of the helicopter flight over New York.
How does the New York helicopter flight booking work?
When you book your helicopter flight over New York, you purchase a voucher that is valid for the duration of your stay in New York and has an indicative date and time. Once you are in New York, you will need to reconfirm with the operator by calling their US number (which will appear on your voucher).
Once you purchase your voucher, you will be given instructions on how to set the date and time of your tour with the operator. If you have any problems or do not speak the language, Hellotickets can contact the operator and confirm for you.
- How to contact the operator: You can do it from the hotel or contact Hellotickets and we will do it for you. Therefore, I recommend that you make the reservation for the first day you arrive in New York, and then establish the date that suits you best with the operator. This way, you will have a margin to do the tour in case of bad weather.
- Can I choose the flight time: For most flights, once you have booked, you confirm with the operator a day and they will suggest a time. If it doesn't suit you, you can talk to the operator to change it if there are other options available.
What is the best time for a helicopter flight in New York?
When booking your helicopter flight in New York, consider the best time. It's very personal, as it depends on the views you want to have:
- If you want to see the buildings in all their splendor, and see New York expand to the horizon, try to get a time close to noon.
- If you want to see the city covered in sunset light and the first evening lights, try to pick a time at the end of the day. Normally, tours are not offered beyond 8 pm.
For all helicopter experiences, without exception, you will have to pay an extra fee at the heliport, which is always $40 (about €37) per person.
Organize your helicopter flight in New York City
Where do helicopter flights in New York depart from?
If you book your helicopter flight in New York you should know that the flights depart from the heliport located in Downtown Manhattan, at the southernmost point of Manhattan. You will recognize the place by the constant noise of helicopters taking off and landing and the ones you will see flying around, plus it is quite well signposted.
- Address: 6 E River Bikeway, New York, NY. 10004
- Nearest subway: Whitehall St.
- Located on the East River, south of the Brooklyn Bridge.
What time should I arrive at the heliport?
It is best to be there 15 minutes before your flight time, to have everything ready in advance and, most importantly, to go feeling the nerves before you get on the helicopter!
What can I take with me on the tour?
All bags and backpacks are stored in lockers, so do not take anything too large or valuable. Take your passport, the heliport fee, and about $5 (about $4.5) for the ticket office. You can ride in the helicopter with your phone and camera.
What documentation do I need?
You will need to bring your passport and present it before boarding the helicopter. It is a must, so be sure to bring it!
Can I ask for pictures of my tour?
Most operators offer a photo service with photos of what you will see from the helicopter and a photo at the heliport.
Where to eat after the helicopter flight over New York City
Since none of the tours include food and the Manhattan helicopter flight may make you a little hungry, here are a few recommended restaurants near the heliport for when you enjoy your New York helicopter flight:
- Thunder Bun: a 5-minute walk from the Downtown heliport. If you are looking for fast food like burgers or sandwiches but with style, this is your place.
- Pranzo Pizza & Pasta: a neighborhood restaurant where you can find the classic New York pizza slice, pasta, and Italian-style sandwiches.
- Mad Dog & Beans: a Mexican food restaurant known for its friendly waiters, guacamole and generous portions. It is only 7 minutes from the heliport.
- Leo's Bagels: the perfect choice if you're flying by helicopter around noon, as you can stop by for a pastrami brunch, egg sandwich or typical New York bagel.
Last tip: get the best picture of your helicopter flight over New York City
If you book your helicopter flight over New York, keep in mind this last tip: You are probably thinking about taking pictures to immortalize your helicopter trip. Keep in mind that you will be in constant motion and the helicopter is not entirely stable, so to get the perfect shot you will need a fast shutter speed on your camera (over 250/1).
Also, increase the aperture as much as you can and raise the ISO (from 400 to 3200) as the day goes on. You will have some noise in your photos, but in return, you will capture New York's buildings with sharpness. If you don't want to complicate things, use the Sport mode on your camera or cell phone to avoid blurry photos.
You know all the details about how to take a helicopter ride in New York...now, enjoy the experience!