If you are looking to experience New York City in a fun and unique way, you have to add a helicopter tour to your bucket list! You get to see and experience the iconic city skyline from a new perspective in an unique and exhilarating way! There are a bunch of different helicopter tour companies who offer amazing rides over New York City. And to make your helicopter tour even more adventurous and thrilling – you have to try a doors off helicopter experience in NYC! Removing the doors allows for unobstructed, panoramic views of the New York City skyline, landmarks and attractions. In this guide, I will be sharing my doors off helicopter experience in NYC, as well as all the details on the best New York City helicopter tours.
FlyNYON
If you want to have a doors off helicopter experience in NYC, FlyNYON has the best helicopter tour. You will get the opportunity to take the most epic shoe selfie with New York City’s most iconic sites.They operate year round and the flights depart out of a heliport in Kearny, NJ. They also offer doors-on flights and private flights. You can even take one of their focus flights and fly over the Thanksgiving parade, get aerial views at midnight on New Year’s Eve, or see the fireworks from above on the Fourth of July.
FlyNYON Helicopter Tour Options
Doors Off Tours
NYC Helicopter Experience Tour
Flight Duration: 16-19 minutes | Price: $165 + $40 heliport fee
On this tour, you will see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Wall Street, Freedom Towwer, 9/11 Memorial and the Oculus.
NYC Helicopter Classic Tour
Flight Duration: 30-33 minutes | Price: $299 + $40 heliport fee
This tour includes all the sites in the NYC Helicopter Experience Tour plus the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Midtown, Times Square, The Vessel, and Central Park.
Doors On Tours
NYC Helicopter Intro
Flight Duration: 15-18 minutes | Price: $124 + $40 heliport fee
On this tour, you will see the same sites as the doors off NYC Helicopter Experience Tour, but the doors will be on.
NYC Helicopter VIP
Flight Duration: 28-30 minutes | Price: $249 + $40 heliport fee
This tour includes all the same sites as the doors off NYC Helicopter Classic tour, but the doors will be on.
Dynamic Pricing
A great option that FlyNYON offers is their “Buy Now Schedule Later” feature. You can purchase a ticket and then schedule your flight whenever you are ready!
Preparing for your FlyNYON Flight
To prepare for your FlyNYON helicopter tour, please bring a valid photo ID and arrive to the terminal an hour and 15 minutes prior to your flight time. During this time, you will be provided preflight information, a safety briefing and fill out a waiver. Inside the building, you’ll also find a locker to store your valuables.
For the preflight information and safety briefing, you will be watching safety videos and get to know your harness. The instructor teaches you how to put your harness on and take it off in case of emergency.
Before you fly out, the pilot also gives you your seating assignment. They take six passengers per flight. It is calculated on the computer and based on the passengers’ weight so the helicopter is evenly distributed. This is the only downside of the experience since there is a risk you will be in the middle seat and not be able to let your feet hang out.
How to Take Photos on a Helicopter Tour
If you are wondering how you can take photos on your doors off helicopter experience in NYC, you can take photos on your own phone or camera. If you are bringing a camera, you must have a strap. For your phone, FlyNYON will give you cell phone straps on a special holder to put your phone in. You will have to remove your phone case and they tighten your phone to the holder. The holder is super secure and you can take amazing photos glare free!
What should I wear on a Helicopter Tour?
Keep in mind that is super windy if you are going on a doors off helicopter tour. It is also windy as you are walking to your helicopter. I recommend wearing pants or shorts, a comfortable shirt and closed-toe shoes. If you are doing a tour in the winter, I would dress warm with layers since the wind will make it super chilly during the flight.
My FlyNYON Experience
The doors off helicopter experience in NYC that I did was incredible and such an adrenaline rush! I booked the 30 minute NYC Helicopter Classic tour. It was so cool seeing the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge from above and flying over Central Park. The pilot we had was great because he would slow down above all the landmarks to give us the opportunity to get the perfect shot and appreciate the moment. I had the best time and the FlyNYON team was amazing!
The FlyNYON doors off helicopter experience in NYC is 100% worth it! It’s not every day you get to see one of the world’s best cities from the sky.
Doors On Flight Tours
If you are interested in going on a traditional helicopter tour with the doors on, there are a bunch of great tour companies you can choose from.
Here is a list of the best NYC helicopter tours that you can book with the doors on:
Manhattan Helicopters
Manhattan Helicopters have 10+ years of tour experience and they were recently awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. This means that customers wrote wonderful reviews to make them a top-rated company!
They have two types of helicopters – one holds six passengers and the other holds four. All groups will be split into either six or four passengers depending on which aircraft is available. Please keep in mind that you don’t get to choose your seat in the helicopter. The seating arrangement in the helicopter is arranged by weight and balance to maximize safety and security, but they always try to keep groups together.
They are also one of the only helicopter tour companies to offer guided tours in nine different languages (two at a time) through a premium aviation headset.
Departure Point: They are located at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at Pier 6 on the East River. Their building is located just north of the Staten Island Ferry and just south of the Pier 11 South Street Seaport.
They have a handful of different Manhattan helicopter tours that you can choose from including private tour options. Private tour options are perfect for birthdays, wedding proposals, anniversaries or any special occasion!
Classic Manhattan Helicopter Tour
Flight Duration: 12-15 minutes | Price: $229 + $40 heliport fee
This New York helicopter tour departs from the downtown Manhattan Heliport and begins at the Statue of Liberty. Some of the iconic landmarks you will see are Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, Empire State Building, Times Square, and Central Park.
Deluxe Manhattan Helicopter Tour
Flight Duration: 18-20 minutes | Price: $279 + $40 heliport fee
In addition to the sights included in the classic tour, passengers will get to fly over uptown Manhattan and see Columbia University, Harlem, the Bronx and Yankee Stadium.
Liberty Helicopter
Liberty Helicopter is the largest and most experienced helicopter tour service in the Northeast. They are located in the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 6 East River Piers and are open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6:30pm. Their helicopters seat five to six passengers and they offer both private and group helicopter tours.
Manhattan Tour
Flight Duration: 12-15 minutes | Price: $189 + $40 heliport fee
On this NYC helicopter flight tour, you will get to see a bird’s eye view of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, Chelsea Piers, Times Square, The Intrepid, and Central Park.
Big Apple Tour
Flight Duration: 17-20 minutes | Price: $239 + $40 heliport fee
This tour includes everything from the Manhattan Tour plus Columbia University, Grant’s Tomb, Yankee Stadium, The Palisades, George Washington Bridge, and the northern tip of Manhattan.
Empire Tour
Flight Duration: 25-30 minutes | Price: $329 + $40 heliport fee
This is their premium and longest tour option that includes everything from the Big Apple tour plus the Verrazzano Bridge and Brooklyn.
New York Helicopter
The New York Helicopter tour company has been giving tours of New York City for more than thirty years. Their experienced pilots will show you the best of New York from the comfort of a luxurious helicopter. Their helicopters seat six passengers and you can depart from Kearny, New Jersey or Manhattan. They offer three different tour options.
The Liberty Tour
Flight Duration: 12-15 minutes | Price: $224 per person + $45 heliport fee
You will see all the sites of lower Manhattan on the Liberty tour. The flight path will take you to the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridge and Wall Street Financial District. You will get to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and Empire State Building. Before the tour is done, you will also get a glimpse of Central Park.
The Central Park Tour
Flight Duration: 17-19 minutes | Price: $274 per person + $45 heliport fee
In addition to all the iconic sites from the Liberty Tour, this tour will include Central Park and the George Washington bridge.
The Grand Tour
Flight Duration: 25 minutes | Price: $354 per person + $45 heliport fee
The Grand Tour is an unforgettable New York City experience. You will see everything from their other tours plus more world famous sites. You will catch a glimpse of city neighborhoods, Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx, Yankee Stadium, and Battery Park.
Late Fees: Check in time is forty five minutes prior to your scheduled flight. Keep in mind that if you don’t arrive forty five minutes early, you will be charged $50 per person late fee. If you arrive thirty minutes or less, you will be charged $100 per person late fee.
HeliNY
HeliNY is one of New York City’s most established, largest, and successful premier helicopter sightseeing tour companies. They have one of the largest fleets of Bell helicopters, highly skilled experienced pilots, and a highly dedicated staff. They operate from two primary locations – the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (NYC) and Linden Airport (NJ).
HeliNY: NYC Departures
The New Yorker Tour
Flight Duration: 12-15 minutes | Price: $199 per person + Facility Fee and Fuel Surcharge (seasonal pricing)
On this tour, you will see 17 major landmarks from downtown to Central Park. Every passenger will receive noise cancelling BOSE headsets and a live pilot narration. Some of the following sites you will see is the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governor’s Island, One World Trade Center, Madison Square Garden, Empire State Building, The Vessel, Times Square, and Central Park.
The Ultimate Tour
Flight Duration: 17-20 minutes | Price: $249 per seat + Facility Fee and Fuel Surcharge (seasonal pricing)
This is their most popular tour option where you will get to see 23 major landmarks throughout the entire island of Manhattan. In addition to the sites from the New Yorker Tour, you will get to see more of Upper Manhattan like the George Washington Bridge and Yankee Stadium.
The Deluxe Tour
Flight Duration: 25-30 minutes | Price: $339 per seat + Facility Fee and Fuel Surcharge (seasonal pricing)
The Deluxe Tour is the longest tour they offer. This expansive flight includes all iconic landmarks plus breathtaking harbor views. This tour extends south to the Verrazzano Bridge, offering you views of Staten Island and southern Brooklyn, including glimpses of Coney Island.
HeliNY: NJ Departures
If you’re looking to see New York City lights on one of their night tours or fly on a Sunday morning, check out their NJ departures from Linden, NJ.
City Lights Experience Tour
Flight Duration: 25-30 minutes | Price: $244 per person + Facility Fee and Fuel Surcharge (seasonal pricing)
Experience New York like never before on their City Lights Experience tour. This is their only tour that allows you to see the bright lights of the city skyline from above. You will fly up close to the Statue of Liberty before cruising above the Hudson River to the northern tip of Manhattan. You will even get to see the glow of Times Square!
City Skyline Experience
Flight Duration: 25-30 minutes | Price: $244 per person + Facility Fee and Fuel Surcharge (seasonal pricing)
The City Skyline Experience gives you spectacular vies of New York as you fly towards the Manhattan skyline. Some tours even fly over Newark International Airport! You will get to see the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, George Washington Bridge, Central Park and the NJ Palisade Cliffs.
Transportation to NJ Tours
If you are coming from New York City and are interested in doing these NJ departure tours, you can go to New York Penn Station and take NJ Transit to Linden. HeliNY offers a complimentary shuttle between Linden Station and Linden Airport. They also have parking at the airport.
Zip Aviation
Zip Aviation offers helicopter tours of New York City and private charter services from NYC to the entire Northeast United States. Their tours provide you with spectacular views and a unique experience. They also offer tours in nine different languages.
Liberty Harbor Helicopter Tour
Flight Duration: 15 minutes | Price: $229
In this tour, some of the sights you will see are the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, and more!
Big City Helicopter Tour
Flight Duration: 20 minutes | Price: $279
In addition to all the sites you will see in the Liberty Harbor tour, you will pass midtown Manhattan and get to see Harlem, Columbia University, Grant’s Tomb, the Bronx, Yankee Stadium, George Washington Bridge, Palisades Cliffs and parts of eastern New Jersey like Hoboken.
Grand Island Helicopter Tour
Flight Duration: 30 minutes | Price: $359
This is their longest tour option where it extends the Big City Tour and includes Coney Island beach and amusement park, the Verrazano Bridge, and parts of Staten Island.
Helicopter Ride
Price: $89
If you want to experience flying in a helicopter and going on an immersive introductory flight, check out this $89 special offer. It departs from Essex County Airport in Fairfield, NJ and the flight offers a scenic journey around the airport’s picturesque surroundings. This flight is only available on Saturday and Sunday.
NYC Night Skyline Tour
Flight Duration: 25 minutes | Price: $198
On this tour, you will get to see the skyline of Manhattan. This tour departs from Essex County Airport in New Jersey. This flight is available from 6pm to 9:30pm. You will get to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, Chelsea Piers, Times Square, The Intrepid, Newark Airport, MetLife Stadium, and American Dream Mall.
NYC Skyline Tour
Flight Duration: 25 minutes | Price: $198
On this tour, you will get to see the skyline of Manhattan and all the sites mentioned above. This tour is available from 12pm to 4:30pm.
Wings Air Helicopters
Wings Air Helicopters offer NYC Helicopter Tours from Westchester County Airport.
A cool helicopter tour they offer is a fall foliage tour! You will fly over the Hudson Valley to see beautiful fall foliage colors. These tours take place from September 15 to November 15.
They even offer helicopter proposal rides! You can customize these tours with various extras like professional photography and flowers.
They also have aerial photography flights on open door helicopters. This allows professional photographers to capture glare-free images of architectural wonders of the city. Their pilots will create a flight plan that works for your unique project.
30 Minute Helicopter Tour
Price: $330
Their 30 minute helicopter tours include views of Central Park, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Times Square, Madison Square Garden, Harlem, George Washington Bridge and Yankee Stadium.
45 Minute Helicopter Tour
Price: $475
Their extended 45 minute helicopter tours include all landmarks from above and flies all the way downtown to the Freedom Tower, Financial District, Battery Park, Ellis Island, and Statue of Liberty.
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