Best Helicopter Tours In Nyc
Manhattan Island Helicopter Tour
If you want a closed-door tour with a birds-eye view of some of the citys most famous highlights, the Manhattan Island Helicopter Tour is perfect for you. Leaving from Lower Manhattan at the Downtown Heliport at Pier 6, this is a really convenient option that doesnt require you to travel too far outside of the city!
Starting at just under $200 per person, this helicopter tour has many different meeting points to choose from so that you can decide how long your helicopter tour over NYC lasts. They have many different options the tours vary from 12-30 minutes long!
Throughout the tour, the audio guide will narrate and explain the importance of the landmarks below! They also have audio guides that you can listen to in other languages. These landmarks include Central Park and the Hudson River.
If there isnt excellent visibility, the tour will be rescheduled for everyone so that the views will be totally visible! In fact, this New York helicopter tour comes equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows that will allow you to get the best view and photos of the skyline possible.
Perks of this Helicopter Tour: departs from Lower Manhattan, airport fees already included , shorter flight options at a great price, large windows, complimentary locker, photos available for purchase
Things to be aware of on this Helicopter Tour: $50 rescheduling fee if you need to change your reservation
Iconic Landmarks Helicopter Tour
Taste of NYC Helicopter Tour
Basics About Nyc Helicopter Trips
As more and more visitors have discovered the draw of viewing New York from the air, scores of helicopter tour companies have sprung up. Each outfit has its own marketing focus and level of service, some offering inexpensive jaunts and others providing white-glove service. Yet most of them share a number of commonalities that you should consider prior to booking a tour.
A large number of operators begin their tours at Downtown Manhattan Heliport . Also known as the Wall Street Heliport, its a high-traffic area that serves numerous executives, as well as police and medical flights. It has even hosted the president of the United States multiple times.
Its no wonder that most tour flights originate from this helipad and that youll have to pay an additional fee in order to use it. Be forewarned that each passenger will need to pony up $35 to $40 in addition to the cost of the tour.
Dont expect the majority of tours to last for lengthy periods of time. They often run anywhere from 12 to 60 minutes, although private rides can offer more flexibility. Most helicopters can accommodate six or seven passengers, and you should expect for those seats to be filled on a public tour.
And while operators charge on a per-person basis, they also take weight into account. If you weigh 300 pounds or more, you may need to pay double.
What Is The Best Time For A Helicopter Flight In New York
It depends on the view you want to get. If you want to see New York’s buildings in all their splendor, and see the city 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 8:00 pm.
Alex’s Traveller Tip
For all helicopter experiences, without exception, you will have to pay an extra fee at the heliport, which is always $40 per person.
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From Where Do Helicopters Take Off
Almost all New York helicopter rides start from Downtown Manhattan Heliport, located at Pier 6 at East River.
It is also known as Wall Street Heliport.
We recommended that you arrive at the Heliport at least 30 minutes before your scheduled helicopter tour.
Sincethe heliport is in Manhattan, one doesnt end up wasting air time the momentyou are airborne, you start seeing sweeping views of the city.
If you book a night tour of New York, the take-off will be from Linden Airport.
From New Jersey: Nyc City Lights Helicopter Tour At Night
Welcome to Linden, New Jersey where for an evening NYC flight adventure. Reach Linden by NJ Transit from Manhattan’s Penn Station or via car with plenty of free parking available. Upgrade to a private flight experience and benefit from round-trip transfers from Manhattan.Your journey begins by flying directly over Newark International Airport towards Manhattan. En route to New York Harbor, view the illuminated Statue of Liberty before viewing the skyscrapers of the Financial District, home of The New York Stock Exchange.Flying north along the Hudson River, catch a glimpse of the Empire State Building, as well as Madison Square Garden, Hudson Yards, Chelsea, The West Village, SOHO and TRIBECA. 9/11 Memorial and One World Trade Center are also in view. Be prepared to get some great pictures as you fly past Times Square, Central Park and Yankees Stadium before flying over the George Washington Bridge, returning along the same path, offering spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline. The flight is approximately 25-30 minutes long.
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Our Experience Of A Helicopter Ride Over New York
And whats it like flying in a helicopter over New York? Good question. So heres our little experience report on our helicopter ride over New York.
Since time on a trip to New York is usually very limited, after all, you want to see as much as possible, we decided for a take off at 7:00 in the morning. That way we were back at our hotel in Manhattan by 9:45 and didnt lose much time despite the long journey.
We were picked up at 5:30 am by a private driver at the hotel and then it was straight to Westchester. The airport is primarily used for private and charter flights by business people and by Wings Air for its helicopter tours.
Our pilot came around 6:40 and after a short introduction we walked across the airfield to a small, orange helicopter. We were surprised by how small the helicopter was. Our pilot then quickly removed the doors and we received a short security briefing.
To be honest, there isnt too much to pay attention to. The seatbelts were like in a car, and we also got life jackets. Packed in a kind of fanny pack, we just put the jackets around our waist.
We could stow our bags under the seats and then it began. We got headphones that dampened the roar a little bit and that we could use to talk to each other during the flight.
It took a few minutes for the rotors to reach their full capacity and then it went up slowly but surely. The initial queasy feeling of flying without doors quickly gave way to the excitement about the great view.
What Happens In Case Of Bad Weather
New York helicopter tours only operate during good weather, so, if conditions are poor, then your flight will be postponed. Try and book your experience towards the start of your trip just in case!
Most companies offer refunds if you are unable to reschedule your excursion, but do check the terms and conditions when booking.
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Overview Of Providers And Prices For A Helicopter Tour Over New York
Lets start right away with the most important question: how much does a helicopter ride over New York cost?
The prices start at about 250 dollars for a short flight with several passengers. For longer or private sightseeing flights youll pay between 550 and 1,700 dollars.
When youre on the search for a helicopter ride over New York, youll quickly find that there are countless offers that often look very similar at first glance.
So weve selected three flights out of the mess of many providers that, in our opinion, offer the best value for money:
Youll find the most important info on each of the three helicopter flights in the following table. Detailed information for each of the offers follows below the table.
How Much Does A Helicopter Tour In Nyc Cost
A helicopter tour in NYC usually costs between $150 and $300. However, with our helicopter ride specials, you can save up to 70% on your reservation. Choose from short 15-20-minute flights to see a landmark up close, or book onto a 30-minute aerial experience to soak up the whole city from above.
Browse our current deals to find great savings on helicopter tours, including night flights and couples’ discounts. Want to take the wheel yourself? We have offers on private helicopter lessons, too.
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The 11 Best Helicopter Tours In Nyc
A helicopter tour is one of the most exciting things you can do during your stay in NYC, but picking the best helicopter tour in NYC is not an easy task, especially if you have no idea what to look for. Luckily for you, we have tried and tested them all!
In this article, we will compare all of the best helicopter tours in NYC as well as recommend to you our absolute favorite, which is in our opinion has the best value for money.
Looking for a shortcut? Click here to compare the helicopter flights, see my personal recommendation or see all details including my review of the helicopter tours.
Last but not least try our Helicopter Flight Finder that helps to find the perfect helicopter tour for you!
New York City Helicopter Adventure
Soar above Manhattans towering skyscrapers on an amazing 20-minute helicopter ride over the beautiful Big Apple. You’ll see some of the most iconic sights, sailing past Wall Street, over historic Governor’s Island, and coming face-to-face with Lady Liberty herself!Youll head up the Hudson river, continuing up the west side, and cruising past the piers in Chelsea, past the USS Intrepid and its awesome array of military planes, and then up to Central Park, the playground for New Yorkers.On the way down the other side of the island, you’ll have a jaw-dropping view of the Empire State Building and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Youll fly over Ground Zero where you can have a birds-eye view of the awesome construction taking place, with a tower now over 80 stories tall!Youll make a sweep over all 5 New York boroughs, and see all the major bridges and sights the Big Apple has to offer. In addition, youll pass over Yankee Stadium and Grant’s Tomb before safely flying back to the heliport!Flight Path: Your 20-minute flight departs the Downtown Heliport and flies past Governors Island, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island before continuing up the Hudson River. You will continue past Madison Square Garden and the Intrepid Air and Space Museum and Central Park. Continue on past Harlem where you will turn around at the George Washington Bridge for the return to the heliport
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Manhattan Highlights Helicopter Tour
One of the most popular helicopter flights in New York whisks you off on an adventure over Manhattan Island. After a short briefing, youll take off from the Manhattan Heliport and enjoy aerial sightseeing around landmarks like Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building.
Floor-to-ceiling windows make for perfect panoramic viewing. Youll also be able to spot the One World Observatory and the Chrysler Building so keep those cameras handy.
The icing on the cake is a fly past of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, with New York Harbor providing the perfect backdrop. Your pilot will provide live commentary throughout, so you wont miss a thing. Greenwich Villageand the World Trade Center are also on the cards.
After a thrilling scenic flight, youll be returned to the heliport.
The Helicopter You’ll Fly In
On your helicopter tour of NYC, you will be flying in the Bell 407GX. These machines are state of the art helicopters equipped with the latest functionalities and safety features – Global Positioning Systems , Synthetic Vision Display Units and Terrain Warning Avoidance Systems . The choppers are also equipped with the latest in noise reduction technology. The Bell 407 GX can seat a maximum of 6 people, has a 375 mile range and can fly at speeds of upto 160 mph.
Other helicopters include the Bell 427 , Airbus EC130T2 , and the Airbus EC155
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Big Apple Helicopter Tour
This tour is the cheapest and the most popular helicoptertour to explore Manhattan and the rest of New York.
During this 15-minute trip, you will see Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and the sprawling Central Park and rest of the New York skyline.
As you fly over the Hudson River, you will also come faceto face with Statue of Liberty.
Therefore, this tour is also sometimes referred to as theNew York Statue of Liberty helicopter tour.
Cost of the tour: $217
*If you are looking for a helicopter flight with a little more focus on Manhattan views, check out the 15-minute long Manhattan Sky tour.
About Helicopter Tours In New York City
Highlights
- Enjoy aerial views of some of the most famous New York sites, including the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and Yankee Stadium.
- Listen to informative commentary about New York City while soaring above Manhattan.
- Choose from 15- to 30-minute tours.
- Combine a sunset helicopter ride with a cruise on the New York Harbor.
- Choose a nighttime helicopter tour to see the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, and Times Square illuminated.
Sightseeing FlightsNight Flights
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New York City Deluxe Helicopter Tour
When it comes to an NYC helicopter tour, more can be less.
The New York Deluxe helicopter tour is customized for adventure seekers.
On this tour, you will be flying in helicopters with large floor-to-ceiling convex windows.
With this chopper tour of New York, you get to see all the attractions mentioned in the previous two tours and more.
This particular Helicopter NYC tour has a high rating on all platforms.
On the tour booking page, you can choose the flight duration, and the cost will change accordingly.
Cost of helicopter tour
12 to 15 minutes: $24918 to 20 minutes: $29925 to 30 minutes: $389
When you book your helicopter tour of New York City, only the flight time is included.
The booking doesnt include Gratuities and hotel pickup and drop-off.
All helicopters seat 5-6 passengers plus the pilot, which means it wont be a private tour.
A free tour is included for your child if they are less than 15 Kgs, and you can show proof of age.
New York Helicopter Tours May Get Banned
The city of New York doesnt like helicopter tours.
For decades, the citys citizens have been citing air and noise pollution by the thousands of helicopter tours and asking them to stop.
Till 2016 there used to be almost 200 helicopter takeoffs every day.
Federal law prohibits these tour flights from flying directly over New York City, Governors Island, and Staten Island.
In April 2018, a new bill was discussed, which aimed to ban helicopter tours of Manhattan forever.
You may want to go on a tour before it gets banned.
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Helicopter Purchase Price And Upfront Costs
The price of helicopters can range from under $1 million to more than $50 million. Your bid should take into account the results of your analysis, including:
- Assessment of installed equipment and component values
- New or replacement component costs
- Cost of maintenance, repair, and overhaul
- Cost of refurbishing, reconfiguring, and relocating the helicopter
- Third-party valuation assessments and comparisons
- Subjective feelings about each candidate helicopter
Of course, you might want to customize and upgrade your luxury helicopter, whether a single-engine or a multi-engine. But its essential that you bring the condition of a used helicopter up to date with modern components/systems.
Where Do Helicopter Tours In New York City Start
Helicopter tours in New York City depart from different locations, depending on which flights you choose. Manhattan excursions often start at the Downtown Heliport which is on Pier 6 between South Street Seaport and the Governors Island Ferry.
The doors-off helicopter rides take off from the South Kearny Heliport across the river in New Jersey.
For the pilot experience, you will need to make your way to Westchester Airport in White Plains just outside New York City. This is easily accessible by public transport on the Metro-North rail from Grand Central Station.
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What Is A Sale Leaseback
A sale leaseback is an arrangement where you sell an asset and then lease it back from the buyer. You can refinance a helicopter by executing a sale leaseback transaction. Importantly, this type of transaction can remove the helicopter from your balance sheet and give you up to 100% financing. You should check with your CPA for further verification.
Best Helicopter Tour Nyc
There are numerous helicopter tours in New York, but our favorites are the Liberty Harbor Helicopter Tour, Grand Island Helicopter Tour, and New York City Deluxe Helicopter Tour.
We explain them below, and you can choose the most appropriate tour based on the time you want to spend in the air and your budget.
As for what route the helicopters take for the three of our recommended New York City helicopter tours, take a look at the
To know the path your chopper will take for each recommended tour, check out the helicopter route map below.
These helicopter tours of Manhattan in New York are in high demand, and if you book in advance, you are more likely to get your preferred time and date.
All three tours are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese.
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