New York City

New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island

New York City, USA

Overview

Get an aerial view of New York City on this comprehensive helicopter ride. The sightseeing flight reveals all the top landmarks—from Central Park and Times Square to the Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge. This enables you to see more in minutes than you could in a day of exploring on foot, making the tour ideal for first-time visitors who want to get acquainted with the city.
  • See NYC from the sky on a helicopter sightseeing tour
  • Snap aerial photos of the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyline, and more
  • This comprehensive tour fits in views of all the quintessential NYC landmarks
  • A helicopter tour ensures an intimate, small-group experience

What's Included

  • 25–30-minute helicopter tour
  • Local taxes
  • There's a 4 passenger minimum to book this tour
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • The listed price does not include a $40 per person heliport/security fee

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • 6 East River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA

    Google Maps provides the correct navigation route, all other navigation options will take you to Chelsea Piers. Please ensure the end of route address matches the address above. Located on Pier 6 (2 Building North of Staten Island ferry and the East River). Look for Zip Aviation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Ascend into the sky starting at the heliport in downtown Manhattan and get ready for some thrills on this Grand Island helicopter ride throughout New York City. Get an up-close and personal view of the Statue of Liberty and then cruise right by One World Trade Center, the tallest building in North America, before flying along Frank Gehry's dynamic 76-story 8 Spruce Street tower and the Brooklyn Bridge. Fly right over Chinatown and the Lower East Side heading north before seeing bustling Times Square below. 

Keeping flying north, going over that giant swath of green known as Central Park and head up to the Bronx where you get a great view of legendary Yankee Stadium, the world's third most expensive sports stadium. After this, head back south, passing by the George Washington Bridge, the United Nations, and the historic South Street Seaport. 

There is no better way to get a great sight of New York City than via a helicopter and this thrill-a-second helicopter journey is the way to do it. 

Please note: The listed price does not include a heliport/security fee, payable at the time of tour check-in. The heliport/security fee is mandated by the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and is not within our control.

Brooklyn Bridge (Pass By)

Statue of Liberty (Pass By)

Chrysler Building (Pass By)

Empire State Building (Pass By)

Ellis Island (Pass By)

Central Park (Pass By)

Times Square (Pass By)

Yankee Stadium (Pass By)

George Washington Bridge (Pass By)

Manhattan Bridge (Pass By)

Governors Island National Monument (Pass By)

Zip Aviation - Helicopter Tours & Charters (Pass By)

New York Harbor (Pass By)

Queensboro Bridge (Pass By)

Williamsburg Bridge (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Total weight per passenger: 300 lbs
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Helicopter seating is based on a 4- or 6-passenger helicopter, whichever is available at the time of your tour. Minimum 4 people required to book this tour.
  • Check-in is 45 minutes prior to the scheduled flight time. Failure to do so may result in extended wait times or forfeiture of flight.
  • A $40 (USD) heliport fee per person (including infants) is due at check-in.
  • Due to comfort and weight / balance of the aircraft, passengers weighing over 250lbs (113kgs) will be required to purchase an additional seat. This is payable directly to the tour operator on the day of the tour. 300-lb (136kg) maximum weight per passenger.
  • All passengers including children must have a government-issued ID/Passport or you may be denied your flight.
  • Please note, that audio language selection is not guaranteed and is based on availability. Should more than 2 languages be requested on the same flight, the audio commentary may default to English. Due to the unpredictable nature of technical difficulties, we cannot provide assurance for the audio functionality of the headsets.
  • All flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.
  • Infants 24 months and younger must sit on an adult's lap
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:What is the departure location for the New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island?

A:The helicopter tour departs from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at Pier 6 on the East River. The building is located just north of the Staten Island Ferry and just south of the Pier 11 South Street Seaport. (6 East River Piers, NY NY 10004)

Apr 2021

Q:Can I take public transportation to get to the New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island?

A:Public transportation can be taken from anywhere in Manhattan using the MTA Subway. You want to take the R train to the Whitehall stop and walk north past the Staten Island Ferry to the gray two-story building on the right with the large clock on it.

Apr 2021

Q:Is there parking near the departure point for the New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island?

A:Parking is not available at the heliport, but there is a cash municipal parking lot at the next exit just west of Pier 11.

Apr 2021

Q:How early should I arrive for the New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island?

A:Please arrive one hour prior to your confirmed flight time.

Apr 2021

Q:Do I have to go through security before the New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island?

A:Yes. When you approach the heliport, a representative will accompany you to a security checkpoint where you are scanned by a metal detector to ensure safety.

Apr 2021

Q:Do I need an ID to fly on the New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island?

A:Yes, all passengers including children must have ID/Passport or you may be denied your flight.

Apr 2021

Q:What type of helicopter is used during the New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island?

A:The fleet includes luxurious six-passenger Bell 407 aircraft.

Apr 2021

Q:How many seats are there on the New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island?

A:The Bell 407 helicopter carries six passengers in addition to your professional pilot and boasts comfortable leather seating, more headroom, and luxurious amenities.

Apr 2021

Q:Can I request a specific seat during the New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island?

A:Seating in the helicopter is arranged by weight and balance to maximize safety and security. Persons with disabilities are accommodated accordingly. You may make a request, but it cannot be guaranteed.

Apr 2021

Q:What can I bring with me on the New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island?

A:You are permitted to bring a camera, phone, and glasses/sunglasses aboard the aircraft. Purses, bags, handbags, camera bags, scarves, hats, and other loose items of clothing need to stay at the heliport in a private, secure locker.

Apr 2021

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
Lecinda B
What an amazing experience with Zip Aviation! We flew all around New York City and got to see things we'd never before seen. Its such an amazing experience seeing the city from that view! I've lived in NYC 12 yrs and I so recommend it for any and all!

Reviews

4.0
282 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 282 reviews
Great Job By All Involved!
mark_r, Dec 2023
The staff was kind and playful which made my family very at ease. This set the tone for our wonderful flight that was both safe and enjoyable! Great job by all involved!!!
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hello Mark, So happy to hear your family had a wonderful flight! Cheers!
It’s was nice seeing the...
Andrew_S, Nov 2022
It’s was nice seeing the city but it was from a far we did not get very close to any of the sites we traveled up and down the river
Average
Helena_C, May 2022
The process, the safety, and the flight were great. There were several main things that made the experience disappointing. The pilot was unable to speak because of air traffic so there was almost no explanation of anything, the views were amazing but having no guide talking made it less enjoyable. Also, One side of the cabin fits three people so the person squished in the middle doesn’t have as good of a view or experience as those sitting by a window. And there is a panel separating windows that blocks the view. There was no introduction or talking with the pilot at all, just felt that was lacking in the whole experience.
I am very afraid of...
Nadezda_K, Oct 2021
I am very afraid of heights and thought it would be scary. But our pilot Ed made our flight very soft, insanely beautiful flight. Now I want to come back again😅 Thank you guys!
Amazing. Awesome. Romantic. An unforgettable experience.
Gregg_J, Jul 2020
The heliport was easy to find and modern. Everything was well organized and extremely safe. Every precaution was taken to ensure our safety - helicopter was clean and modern. Staff was very professional on every level. Great experience - well worth the money. The views are breathtaking. Simply amazing. We did it to celebrate a birthday. Made it unforgettable.
Very satisfied
Adrian_H, Sep 2019
From the moment we arrived attendants and staff were very courteous and helpful. The pilot was friendly and the flight was amazing. Highly recommend taking the flight.
Amazing flight!
Anders D, Apr 2019
Booked the Grand Island heliflight back home and rescheduled when in NY due to weatherconditions. Everything worked just smooth and the flight in perfect weather was a bucket-list thing to do. My wife who is really afraid of flying came over it since the pilot was really gentle with the shifts and she really enjoyed it in the end. Strongly recommend it to everyone who can afford it! Anders Danemo and wife
What a Wonderful View!
Lecinda B, Aug 2018
What an amazing experience with Zip Aviation! We flew all around New York City and got to see things we'd never before seen. Its such an amazing experience seeing the city from that view! I've lived in NYC 12 yrs and I so recommend it for any and all!
This was a fun little trip, We were...
Brian_M, Jan 2018
This was a fun little trip, We were a group of 5 so we had the helicopter to ourselves. The pilot was very clear in telling us what landmarks to look at etc. It was a very very smooth ride, highly recommend this tour
Trip was very rushed, they seemed in...
Lisa H, Dec 2017
Trip was very rushed, they seemed in a hurry to get you on helicopter and get you off to get the next people on. You are not allowed to take bags on board and they make you put in a locker then charge you 2 dollars for the privilege. The sights were good. The pilot did not have much personally, and never really spoke much. The trip would have been better at night with all the lights. Good trip but not great.
Great flight around NYC...
Ann_P, Sep 2017
Great flight around NYC! Professional company looking after your safety whilst friendly informative tour seeing sights from up above. Thankfully it was a good clear day when we took our first helicopter flight. Lovely smooth ride. Make sure you read the small print and take required paperwork. Enjoy!
A helicopter tour is a great way to...
Jane_N, Sep 2017
A helicopter tour is a great way to see a number of attractions quickly, but I do not think it is an activity that we will do again. There was nothing done in error by the staff, but I think expectations were much higher than reality. Some notes/advice for future guests - The customer service team is very friendly and accommodating due to rainy weather on our tour date, they quickly rescheduled our tour to the following day. - The front desk staff are very friendly, and get you suited up quickly and ready to go. Please do your best to arrive early as requested so as to not hold up the entire group. Also know that you cannot take backpacks or purses with you on the helicopter lockers are available to rent at the Helipad so bring some dollar bills. - To balance the helicopter, my son age 7 had to sit in a middle seat. He told me after the flight that he could barely see out of the windows, so while it was exciting to ride in a helicopter, he saw none of the attractions besides the Statue of Liberty. For him to see the sites was my main reason for booking this activity, so unfortunately this missed the mark. - I'm not sure that they minded, but a couple in our group got split up he was in the back, she was seated in front. If you want to sit with each other, you may want to request this prior to booking. Also note that you will be grouped with strangers, unless you book the entire flight of six yourself. - We booked the Grand Island Tour, which while a longer ride, does not include many additional attractions. We got an extended flight over water while listening to background music. I think the mid-tier option may be the best bang for your buck. - When boarding we were told that we would be able to speak to each other, but the headphones and microphones did not seem to work during our trip. - I'm not sure if it's normal, but our pilot did not speak to us at all during the tour the only information was provided by the pre-recorded messaging as we passe each attraction. This led to a lot of dead air see note above about the background music. It would have been nice to get some local information or additional commentary during this time. So overall, there was nothing done wrong, as noted there were just some areas of expectation that fell a little short.
Was very disappointed and upset with...
mgagg, Jun 2017
Was very disappointed and upset with this booking, it was expensive and was only in the helicopter for maximum 15 mins. This was unacceptable and feel very let down by the trip.
Everyone should take this tour! Just...
Kim P, May 2017
Everyone should take this tour! Just when I thought I had seen it all -- after living here for 15 years -- seeing NYC by helicopter was a delightful surprise. The ride was smooth and professional. A little cramped, but you soon forget that once you're treated to the views. Highly recommend!
We were blessed with a great day of...
Kelvin M, Feb 2017
We were blessed with a great day of weather, flanked on either side with some pretty awful stuff rain and lots of cloud the day before and 9 inches of snow!! the day after. The trip took us out over the Statue of Liberty, Staten Island, over to Coney Island and then back up the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge and finally back to take off spot right by the Brooklyn Bridge. I was fortunate enough to sit up front with Dave, our pilot, who gave me a lot of detail during the 25 minute flight. The only element preventing me from giving this trip a five star rating was the customer service at time of booking confirmation. I booked a month beforehand and requested a 1pm-3pm slot, and was told that the exact time would be confirmed at a later date. When I called the booking confirmation number once in New York, the customer service lady told me, in a very matter of fact way, that my allocated slot was 3.30pm. I had already booked an early dinner, so found myself having to rush after this exciting trip. Not the end of the world but some kind of apology might have been nice
We paid extra as this tour was...
Saffron_J, Sep 2016
We paid extra as this tour was advertised as including a birds eye view over Central Park as well as the Yankee Stadium. When we boarded the flight, we were told that we could not fly over Manhattan or the East River at all, and, that the Yankee Stadium was temporarily a no fly zone. This was very disappointing especially being taken to see Coney Island instead of the Yankee Stadium. Additionally, the tour did not appear to last the full 25 minutes. I believe this may be due to earlier delays as a result of the presidential embargo and Zip Aviation trying to make up lost time. That being said, it is worth taking a helicopter flight of New York at least once although we would not have paid extra had we known that the views would be so limited.
Overall the tour was nice. However...
Mattheos K, Sep 2016
Overall the tour was nice. However, the guy or should I call him dude who made the sitting arrangements and went over safety instructions seemed to really hate his job and us. Also, the narration over the headphones was almost impossible to hear but I didn't care too much about it. I took the tour for the photos and the views and they both were well worth it.
This tour was worth every penny...
Tracy C, Aug 2016
This tour was worth every penny. The Grand tour, being a longer tour was well worth it. The views were spectacular. The tour, from start to finish, was well organized. Staff were friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend it and would do it again on my next trip.
Everything, from start to finish...
PAUL M, Jul 2016
Everything, from start to finish, was fantastic. Cannot recommend this highly enough. Thank you everybody at Zip Aviation for the experience.
I didn't like the fact that they...
Tim_W, Jul 2016
I didn't like the fact that they make you put your phone in a locker, so you can't take pictures for something you paid for so they can over charge for the pictures they took.
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From $363.00

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

  • 30 minutes
  • Flight time: 25 to 30 minutes
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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