New York City Tours
The Manhattan Helicopter Tour of New York
4.5

The Manhattan Helicopter Tour of New York

By Charm Aviation NYC
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It might seem impossible to see the highlights of New York City in just a few minutes, but this small-group helicopter tour makes it a reality. Listen to commentary from your pilot as you fly by the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Central Park, the Chrysler Building, and other landmarks. See more of the city on this tour than you would in an entire day of exploring by foot.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 6 per group
Duration: 12–15 minutes
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Audio guide: English
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Highlights
  • In-depth commentary on the sights from your guide
  • Perfect for those short on time who want a comprehensive overview
  • Small group guaranteed—the helicopter seats five to six people
  • Easy to fit into your schedule, with several departure times

  • Helicopter flight with shared experience among other travelers.
  • On-board live commentary and cabin with climate control.
What's not included
  • Photos available for purchase as souvenirs.
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off.
  • The heliport fee of $40 per person must be paid during check-in.

The tour leaves frequently from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Arrive with plenty of time prior to your flight, and be prepared to pay the heliport fee. After boarding the helicopter, sit back and enjoy the panoramic views as your pilot (and guide) narrates the sights through your personal headset. Fly over the World Trade Center and whiz by the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings. See the MetLife Building and the Woolworth Building on the way over to the Hudson River, the Empire State Building, and Ellis Island. See more sights in a few minutes than you could in a day of exploring by foot. With no lines or crowds, it’s a perfect option for those short on time. After your whirlwind tour, land back at the heliport and be on your way to explore further.

Start:
  • 6 East River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA
    Charm Aviation NYC- Downtown Manhattan Heliport 6 E River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Pushchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Infants must sit on laps
    • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2770HIGH

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Most travellers can participate
    • To ensure a timely departure, passengers are required to arrive at the heliport at least 30 minutes before their scheduled flight. For reservations after 4 PM, please account for heavy commuter traffic and allow at least 45 minutes for travel to the heliport to avoid late fees.
    • Passengers weighing over 275 lbs./124 kg. are required to buy an extra seat at 100% of the retail price. Due to weight restrictions, seat assignments cannot be guaranteed.
    • A valid photo identification, such as a passport or driver's license, is required and match reservation.
    • Passengers are required to undergo scanning by a metal detector.
    • All bags are subject to inspection. Free lockers are provided to store your belongings during the flight.
    • Helicopter window seats aren't guaranteed due to weight and balance factors.
    • No parking on site.
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2770HIGH

    From
    AU$419.99
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
    Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • 6 East River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA
      Charm Aviation NYC- Downtown Manhattan Heliport 6 E River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA
    • Pass by
      Statue of Liberty
      Ellis Island
      One World Trade Center
      Chrysler Building
      Central Park
      Times Square
      Empire State Building
      Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex
      Intrepid Museum
      MetLife Building
      Governors Island National Monument
      Rockefeller Center
      New York Harbor
      The Seaport
      The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
      Brooklyn Bridge
      Manhattan Skyline
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Charm Aviation NYC
      476
      Linden, United States
      Joined in July 2020
    • Skyy T
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      1st time on a helicopter; awesome experience!
      I loved this experience! Everything was very well organized and safe. They explained the safety procedures to us and gave us life jackets. We left our bags in the lockers. The views were amazing and our pilot was educated on the fun facts about New York. The buildings looked so beautiful from the helicopter view. I’ve never been on a helicopter before and I enjoyed the experience and definitely would do it again. They also take photos for you and you can buy them digitally for $35 which was a fun touch.
      Written 7 January 2025
    • 19KEM77
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      I wish I could but never got to see the sights
      They cancelled the tour the day before our tour as due to bad weather then said no ties until the 3rd January as all cancelled but I see they have advertised again on earlier dates but inflated prices. We booked this over 8 months ago and was looking forward to this but seems like they want to make a few more dollars 🤷🏻
      Written 29 December 2024
    • Mobile07128902396
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Definitely have to do it!
      Highly recommend and pilot was awesome! It was a little bit of a drive but that actually made it that much more amazing because you get to fly into the city from afar. We’ve been lucky to experience some nice things in life but this was truly breathtaking.
      Written 24 November 2024
    • 822joannee
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Disgusting
      Disgusting, cancelled out trip less than 24hrs before we went. We booked and paid in full July. No apologies. Was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime with family. Completely ruined our five day break and came all the way from the UK. Not impressed and very disappointed
      Written 21 October 2024
    • TravelerWise
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Really amazing!
      Very friendly staff from booking, to ground crew, pre flight and flight. The pilot (Brandon) was super friendly, personable and informative. Seeing Manhattan from the air is a must and Charm Aviation made it a breeze. We were also really lucky to have the perfect weather for the flight. We took the Big Apple Tour which actually seemed like a pretty long flight. Thanks
      Written 4 July 2024
    • kevine454
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great Experience
      The staff were very professional. The views were amazing. The pilot was super friendly and highlighted all the sights.
      Written 9 June 2024
    • ScottishTourist01
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Charm..ed by the sights of NYC on this tour
      Great fun. Everything is well organised, safety briefing is short but very clear so enough to make you feel comfortable not scared out your mind. Staff were friendly and helpful, everything clearly explained. Helicopter looked nice and clean and modern, pilot was great, friendly, gave useful information and answered any questions people had. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend Charm Aviation NYC.
      Written 3 March 2024
    • Stothersfrances
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Family trip
      Absolutely brilliant helicopter ride well organised and would recommend this company, all very helpful and friendly
      Written 17 February 2024
    • J8032BNwaynej
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      No better way to see New York!
      This is no way a cheap experience but was defiantly the highlight of my trip, certainly for views of NYC, if you can afford it! The ride is only 30 minutes but the views are spectacular. We went up and down the Hudson and saw the New York skyline in such a perfect way. I was speechless at the views of New York and much further away. You just need to do it the once but worth every penny (or dollar)
      Written 24 January 2024
    • 974ronnyc
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Don’t hesitate! Book!
      Charm Aviation were so extremely helpful when my original tour had cancelled my helicopter tour. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. I would give them 10 stars if I could! THANK YOU!
      Written 29 December 2023
    • g_khang745
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A "must-do" thing in NYC
      Amazing experience! We had just a few days to visit NYC and a helicopter tour is definitely a "must". All staff members from the entrance to the pilot were helpful and super kind. Special thanks to Neftali! I will definitely re-do this trip on my next trip. Note: The helipad is very easy to access by subway.
      Written 15 December 2023
    • Christy A
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Incredible experience overall. The process and procedures were clear and reassuring for first time fliers.
      4.5 out of 5, with the only very slight downside being how tightly squeezed in we were. Our group included 4 men all 6’3” or over which made it a little uncomfortable space wise but everything else was perfect.
      Written 12 December 2023
    • Relax05072764780
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Horrible
      Llegamos 45 min antes y nos sentaron de espaldas a La nevé, llegamos mareados y vimos solamente New Jersey no Manhatan We arrived 45 min before hour flight and they sent us to the helicopter 5 minutes after our arrive sat us whit our back to the helicopter we arrived sick and only saw New Jersey
      Written 27 November 2023
    • stefankB452CZ
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Highly recommended
      Basically, the service provider is very flexible and can bring a flight on request, but tripadviser states that there are no additional fees, this is slightly different. There are local fees, I can provide you with the receipt. It was a very good activity without any other criticism
      Written 7 November 2023
    • Tony S
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      Big Apple helicopter tour with Charm Aviation
      The actual flight was amazing with a very knowledgeable pilot who gave us an extremely smooth flight and provided good commentary on the landmarks. The negative feedback is with the wait for departure. I had an 11:30 am flight booked and didn't fly until nearly 12:30. I was told multiple times the delay was due to helicopter refuelling. Surely Charm Aviation need to build refuelling times into their schedule and not have this impact flight pans. Check in stated be there at least 30mins before departure. We were there 45 mins before our flight time to make sure on time so ended up waiting for nearly two hours for our flight on the last day of our trip. This impacted our plans on the last day of a special trip so very disappointed
      Written 25 October 2023
    See all 476 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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    4.5
    4.5 of 5 bubbles327 reviews
    Excellent
    227
    Very good
    41
    Average
    18
    Poor
    11
    Terrible
    30

    These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
    This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

    Simon J
    Widnes, UK15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Due to unseen circumstances, my original flight time was cancelled,but after a couple of emails to and fro, Charm Aviation managed to accommodate me on the same day,just at a later time..
    Great response from them when I first started communications over re-booking in with them.they went above and beyond..and as for the flight and experience itself...well, wow! it was smooth the pilot was informative and encouraged questions and chit chat throughout the flight..
    The views of manhattan are just BREATHING! It was a lifetime ambition to do this and Charm Aviations made every part of the experience one I'll never forget..what an experience
    Written 29 April 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    aileen
    Düsseldorf, Germany2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice experience!

    Everything was professional and problem-free. We arrived about 45 minutes before the scheduled departure and flew earlier. We didn't have to wait long and there are lockers for valuables.

    Each passenger has to pay $40, we didn't know that beforehand.
    Google
    Written 2 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Andrew N
    23 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Would highly recommend to anyone. All 4 of us had a great time and it's well worth the money. Our trip got cancelled due to the weather, but we were offered another time slot without any issues. All staff involved were very professional and could not do enough for us. We got to see so many of the signs of New York and the we could all see from seats with no one having a poor view.
    Written 24 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Lukasz
    Katowice, Poland7 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    July 2024 • Couples
    The views are definitely amazing! Be aware, that there are 6 people in the helicopter + the pilot. Everyone pays the same amount of money, but one is in the front with the pilot (VIP seat…) and the other one sits on the middle sit in the back - not sure if this is fair for everyone! Also, you are not allowed to take pictures on the helipad, which is part of the experience, but you can buy an extra photo taken by the operator for extra 30USD. Well… when paying so much, it would be nice to get something complimentary. So overall a good experience, but probably would not do it again.
    Written 28 July 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Matthew J
    1 contribution
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Was good. Weather was nice so we had great visibility. Of course you are rushed in and rushed out as they practice the law of large numbers. The only surprise was the 40 dollar port fee per person they spring on you at the last minute. If it was disclosed at purchase, I never saw it. Always a money grab.
    Written 15 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for taking the time to share your review. It was an absolute pleasure touring the skies of New York City with you. Should your travels bring you back to NYC, we will be delighted to host you again.
    Written 4 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Jonatan H
    1 contribution
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sept 2023 • Friends
    You get a good overview of the city with the most important sights and, depending on where you are in the helicopter, you can take some great photos. For the money, however, I would not recommend the sightseeing flight or do it again. The view from the free Staten Island Ferry is comparable and the excitement is at least as great.
    Google
    Written 5 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for taking the time to share your review. It was an absolute pleasure touring the skies of New York City with you. Should your travels bring you back to NYC, we will be delighted to host you again. We certainly hope to exceed your expectations on your next tour.
    Written 4 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Todd M
    1 contribution
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2023
    The helicopter ride was fine, but last minute additional $40 a person helipad charge was a classic bait and switch. I would have paid upfront if I've known. While checking in was told an additional $40 a piece. No one disclosed that at any point, I paid in advance, seems shady. Also, they will charge you $50 for being late but our flight was thirty minutes late. This part put a bad taste in my mouth from the start.
    Written 5 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Mohammad R
    Keighley, UK1 contribution
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    We booked for 1pm as that was the best time for the flight and the weather was good then. When we arrived we were told its been delayed by 15mins. 15mins passed then we were told its actually delayed by 30mins and this is because TOMORROW'S weather is bad. That didnt make sense i could only think that they were cramming people in today to make up for potential loss revenues and i was being affected. So after 30mins we went into building where a woman working at the desk said its 45mins delay and was unpleasant in her manner, received no apologies of the delay. Eventually we went on our trip 2 HOURS LATE. The weather turned cloudy and the ride 12 mins long. I missed the next excursion i booked and lost out on its money
    Written 29 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Kenneth L
    1 contribution
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2023 • Solo
    This service ruins quality of life for people living in New York City; the helicopters cause huge noise pollution throughout the area. They are also extraordinarily polluting, one helicopter is equivalent to 40 SUVs. Taking one of these flights immediately detracts from the vibrancy and health of New York City. Think of the city's residents and please do not take helicopter tours over NYC.
    Written 24 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We also appreciate your mention of our service. Your feedback is extremely important to us as it allows us to refine our services and procedures. It was an absolute pleasure touring the skies of New York City with you. Should your travels bring you back to NYC, we will be delighted to host you again.
    Written 27 June 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    sanibel3862
    Manchester, UK76 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What an absolutely amazing way to see the city that never sleeps at sunset over Manhattan. From beginning to end the professional manner of all the staff from us entering the building to safety information and then to boarding the helicopter and then the flight were simply OUTSTANDING. Wow, this has to be one of THE highlights of any visit to what I would say IS the greatest city on earth. Another item ticked off my bucket list, but to share and celebrate our wedding anniversary with my wife of 30 years was truly magical in itself. If I could give these guys 11 out of 10 I would, our pilots knowledge of the sights was immense. Yes, I know he must do this maybe 10 times a day but he was enthusiastic and funny too. Our first ever flight on a helicopter but this will not be our last. Thank you all at Liberty flights.
    Written 25 November 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    The Manhattan Helicopter Tour of New York provided by Charm Aviation NYC

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