New York City is one of the most iconic places in the world to experience a helicopter ride. From Lady Liberty and the Manhattan skyline to Central Park and the Hudson River — these tours offer views you simply can’t get from the ground. Below is a helpful guide for best helicopter tours in NYC with prices, duration and sights everything compared.
Manhattan Helicopters
Manhattan Helicopters has been flying over New York since 2006. They’re a locally-owned operator with a good reputation among travelers, offering commentary in multiple languages for international visitors. Their team is known for helping first-time flyers feel comfortable, which can make a big difference if you’re nervous about heights.
Tour Options & Pricing
| Tour Name | Duration | Price | Sights |
| Classic Tour | 12-15 mints | $259 | Statue of Liberty • Ellis Island • One World Trade Center • 9/11 Memorial • Battery Park • Financial District • Empire State Building • Chrysler Building • Times Square • Central Park • U.S.S. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum |
| Deluxe Tour | 18-20 mints | $279 | All Sights of Classic • Grant’s Tomb • Columbia University • George Washington Bridge • Harlem • Spuyten Duyvil Bridge • Palisades Cliff |
| VIP Tour | ~30 mints | $389 |
Deluxe Sights • Verrazano-Narrows Bridge • Staten Island |
There’s additional $40 per person heliport fee.
Heli NY
HeliNY has been offering sightseeing flights over New York City since 1994. One of the oldest helicopter tours in NYC, they operate a large fleet and are one of the longest-running helicopter tour companies in the city. Tours depart from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, and some options are also available from Linden, New Jersey. In addition to sightseeing, they handle charter flights and specialized aviation services.
HeliNY is a popular choice for travelers who want big-window views and a smooth ride. They operate seven days a week and run hundreds of flights per week, so availability is usually good.
Tour Options & Pricing
| Tour Name | Duration | Price | Sights |
| The New Yorker Tour | 18-20 mints | $258 | Statue of Liberty • Ellis Island • Brooklyn Bridge • Governor’s Island • One World Trade Center • Billionaires Row • Madison Square Garden • Chrysler Building • Empire State Building • Little Island • Chelsea Piers • The High Line • The Vessel • Hudson Yards • Times Square • The Intrepid • Central Park |
| The Ultimate Tour | 17-20 mints | $289 | All Sights of New Yorker Tour • Columbia University • Yankee Stadium • The Palisades • George Washington Bridge • The Met Cloisters • Tip of Manhattan |
| The Deluxe Tour | 25-30 mints | $389 | All Sights of Ultimate Tour • Yankee Stadium • The Palisades • George Washington Bridge • The Met Cloisters • Tip of Manhattan • Verrazzano Bridge • Coney Island |
| Private Flights | – | From $5,000 | Hemlock Neversink Spa Retreat • NYC to Atlantic City Charter |
FlyNYON
Founded in 2012, FlyNYON has brought aerial experiences to a whole new audience — especially those who love photography and social content. The company has flown more than 750,000 passengers, building a large online community with over a million followers. What makes FlyNYON different is their focus on doors-off helicopter experiences, letting riders capture open-air views of New York City.
FlyNYON Doors Off Tours & Prices
| Tour Name | Duration | Price | Sights |
| NYC Helicopter Experience | 16-19 mints | $99 | Statue of Liberty • Ellis Island • Wall St • Freedom Tower • 9/11 Memorial • The Oculus • Lower Manhattan Money Shot |
| NYC Helicopter Classic | 30-33 mints | $330 | NYC Helicopter Experience Sights • Brooklyn Bridge • Empire State Building • Midtown • Times Square • Central Park |
FlyNYON Doors On Tours & Prices
| Tour Name | Duration | Price | Sights |
| NYC Helicopter Intro | 15-18 mints | $137 | Statue of Liberty • Ellis Island • Wall St • Freedom Tower • 9/11 Memorial • The Oculus |
| NYC Helicopter VIP | 28-30 mints | $224 | NYC Helicopter Intro Sights • Lower Manhattan Money Shot • Brooklyn Bridge • Empire State Building • Midtown • Times Square • Central Park |
| NYC Helicopter Grand | 37-40 mints | $329 | NYC Helicopter VIP Sights • Brooklyn Bridge • Empire State Building • Midtown • Times Square • Central Park • Harlem |
FlyOn also run special “Focus Flights,” such as New Year’s Eve midnight flights and July 4th fireworks flights, which are timed specifically to capture major celebrations from the air. Also, there’s additonal $45 Facility fee and fuel surcharge per seat
Zip Aviation
ZIP Aviation offers helicopter tours and private charters across New York City and the Northeast. They provide quick access to destinations like the Hamptons, Atlantic City, Boston, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia, with flights often available on short notice. Their NYC tours run between 15 to 30 minutes and include multilingual audio options for travelers.
| Tour Name | Duration | Price | Sights |
| Statue Of Liberty Helicopter Tour | 12-15 mints | $259
Private tour also offered at $1554 |
• Statue of Liberty • Ellis Island • One World Trade Center • 9/11 Memorial • Brooklyn Bridge • Battery Park • Wall Street/Financial District • Empire State Building • Chrysler Building • Madison Square Garden • Times Square • U.S.S. Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum • Central Park |
| Big City Helicopter Tour | 18-20 mints | $279
Private tour also offered at $1674 |
Statue Of Liberty Helicopter Tour Sights • Grant’s Tomb • George Washington Bridge • Harlem and Harlem River • The Bronx and Yankee Stadium • Palisades Cliffs • Spuyten Duyvil Bridge |
| NYC Skyline Tour (4 Passengers minimum) |
25 mints | $275
NYC Night Skyline Tour also offered at $275 |
• Statue of Liberty • Ellis Island • One World Trade Center • Chrysler Building • Empire State Building • Chelsea Piers • Times Square • The Intrepid • Newark Airport • MetLife Stadium • American Dream Mall |
| Grand Island Helicopter Tour (4 Passengers minimum) |
25-30 mints | $389
Private tour also offered at $2334 |
Big City Helicopter Tour Sights • Verrazano Bridge • Staten Island |
There’s $40 per person heliport fee as mandated by the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.
Charm Aviation
Charm Aviation is a well-known operator offering helicopter tours over New York City. They provide shared flights with climate-controlled cabins, noise-cancelling headsets, and live commentary for passengers. Their tours range in duration and price, depending on how much of the city you want to see from the air.
| Tour Name | Duration | Price | Sights |
| The Manhattan Tour | 12-15 mints | $249 | • Statue of Liberty • Ellis Island • One World Trade Center • Chrysler Building • Central Park • Times Square • Empire State Building • Chelsea Piers • Intrepid Museum • MetLife Building • Governors Island • Rockefeller Center • 9/11 Memorial & Museum • Manhattan Skyline • The Seaport • Brooklyn Bridge • New York Harbor |
| The Big Apple Tour | 17-20 mints | $279 | • Everything from The Manhattan Tour • New Jersey Palisades • Yankee Stadium • George Washington Bridge • Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine • Columbia University |
| The Empire Tour | 25-30 mints | $389 | • Everything from The Big Apple Tour • Coney Island • Parts of Brooklyn • Verrazano-Narrows Bridge |
There’s +$40 heliport fee per seat that is subject to seasonal pricing.
Exploring New York City by helicopter is one of those rare experiences that really sticks with you. Whether it’s a quick flight past the Statue of Liberty or a longer tour stretching over bridges, stadiums and the full Manhattan skyline – each option offers a different way to see the city from above.
As more companies add new routes and unique doors-off flights, there’s something for every type of traveler. We’ll keep updating this guide as new tours and experiences launch — so stay tuned for more ways to take your NYC visit to new heights.
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