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New York helicopter tour reviews and how to book
Thousands of guests have already rated these flights. Here you can read what the numbers say, what recent reviews tell, and the steps to book without choosing the wrong option or departure point.
Check availabilityfrom $273 · free cancellation
Editorial team, giroinelicotteronewyork.comUpdated on October 17, 20267 min read12 sources
In short
- 01The flight this site covers
- The HeliNY tour has 4.79 out of 7,321 reviews on GetYourGuide.
- 02Statue and skyline
- The Statue and skyline flight has 4.73 out of 7,328 reviews.
- 03Things to check
- Not all flights depart from Manhattan: it depends on the option.
- 04When to book
- HeliNY recommends booking at least 2 weeks in advance.1
- 05If you change your mind
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on the HeliNY flight.
What the numbers say
There are many New York helicopter tour reviews, and that is already a useful fact: for these flights the rating is not based on a handful of opinions. The HeliNY Manhattan tour has a rating of 4.79 out of 7,321 reviews on GetYourGuide. The Statue of Liberty and skyline flight, very similar, has 4.73 out of 7,328 reviews. These are high numbers, built on thousands of ratings.
Some listings also show the rating for each individual aspect, which tells you more than the average. Another panoramic tour from Pier 6 has 4.77 out of 2,234 reviews, and the partial ratings are 4.8 for the guide, 4.8 for the transfer, and 4.3 for value for money. The lowest of the three is the value for money rating: the flight is impressive, but it is not cheap. That is a useful signal for you: expect a carefully crafted experience and budget it as an important trip expense, not as a last-minute extra.
The same pattern appears on other flights. The night skyline flight has 4.78 out of 119 reviews; the value for money aspect gets 4.7. The shared flight from Westchester has 4.65 out of 74 reviews, with 4.9 for the guide and 4.5 for value for money. Always look at the rating together with the number of reviews: a very high rating on few reviews carries less weight than a slightly lower rating given by thousands of people, because isolated cases get lost in the average there.
Book
From choice to takeoff, in five steps
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First
Choose your option
From Manhattan 12-15, 17-20, or 25-30 minutes, or from New Jersey.
-
Right after
Check the departure
The departure point depends on the option you booked.
-
Next
Set the date
-
At checkout
Book now, pay later
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
-
On the day of the flight
Check-in
30 minutes before, or 45 minutes after 15:30.
What recent reviews say
Reading the most recent reviews of the HeliNY flight, some themes come up again and again. There are those who were afraid of flying and write that they got off thrilled, those who got the seat in front next to the pilot and took stunning photos and videos, and those who describe the pilot as friendly and capable of pointing out every landmark. These are not statistics, but they give you a good idea of what to expect during those minutes above the city.
There are also critical observations, and it is worth reading them. Someone reports that the air conditioning in the cabin was not working, others recall that the price is high and that the flight should be budgeted carefully. Those who chose the longer flight explain that the city is enormous and that the extra minutes help you understand that. These are details that help you choose the right option more than the stars do.
The front seat next to the pilot is not something you can choose. The seats on board are decided by the weight of all passengers on the flight. On HeliNY Bell 407 helicopters there is 1 seat next to the pilot, 2 facing backward, and 3 facing forward.3 If you end up in the middle of the cabin, remember that the windows go from floor to ceiling and the view is great from every seat.4 Those who write about flying in front describe it as a stroke of luck, not a choice.
The ratings
The rating of flights over New York
out of 5
Ratings and numbers
Flight reviews compared
| Flight | Rating | Reviews | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeliNY Manhattan tour | 4,79 | 7.321 | Manhattan or New Jersey |
| Statue of Liberty and skyline | 4,73 | 7.328 | Pier 6 |
| Panoramic tour | 4,77 | 2.234 | Pier 6 |
| Private for couples | 4,84 | 294 | Westchester |
| Shared flight from Westchester | 4,65 | 74 | Westchester |
| Skyline from New Jersey | 4,72 | 86 | Essex County Airport |
Ratings and number of reviews as shown on each GetYourGuide listing.
Which to choose
The right flight according to reviews
Read the rating alongside what matters to you.
HeliNY tour
4.79 out of 7,321 reviews, live commentary in English.
Statue and skyline
Recorded audio guide that includes Italian, 4.73 out of 7,328.
Skyline at night
4.78 out of 119 reviews; value for money scores 4.7.
Private for couples
4.84 out of 294 reviews, private flight departing from Westchester.
A departure from New Jersey
There are no Sunday flights from Manhattan, but there are from New Jersey.
Due to limited availability, we recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance.
Reading a review with a critical eye
A review tells you about a flight on a specific day, with its weather and its pilot. If someone complains about fog or low clouds, that rating says little about the flight itself and a lot about that particular day. HeliNY reminds you that light rain that does not reduce visibility is fine to fly in, while heavy rain or fog leads to cancellation.5 Between the two extremes are gray days, which take the color out of photos.
Also look at the date of the reviews. Rules change: from September 1, 2025, all operators at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport must pass an annual third-party safety audit.67 A review from a few years ago may describe a different organization than today, with different wait times and procedures. The reviews from the most recent season tell you the most about the current service, so start there.
Finally, compare reviews of flights that depart from the same base. A flight from New Jersey brings the train and taxi journey with it, one from Westchester brings the Metro-North train, and one from Pier 6 brings only the subway. Those who complain about the transfer are often talking about that, not about the flight itself. With these filters the stars truly tell you whether a flight is right for you, and the choice becomes simpler: you look at the reviews for the flight that fits your plan, not the reviews for all flights.
Before confirming
The booking list
01
During booking
- The right option and its departure point
- Children's age and passenger weight
- A date that is not Sunday, if departing from Manhattan
02
On the day of the flight
- Arrive 30 or 45 minutes early
- Photo ID
- Only camera, phone, and sunglasses on board8
Calculator
The total for your group
Choose how many people are flying and compare the most reviewed flights.
People
Total from$545
per person from $273
Check availabilityfree cancellation"From" prices according to GetYourGuide, converted at the reference ECB rate. The exact price is shown at the time of booking.
Video
The helicopter tour told by an Italian traveler
The video loads only when you press play.
How to book a New York helicopter tour
To book a New York helicopter tour, start with the option, not the date. The HeliNY flight offers a 12 to 15 minute, 17 to 20 minute, or 25 to 30 minute flight from Manhattan, or the New York City Skyline Tour from New Jersey. The listing warns that not all flights depart from Manhattan and that the departure point depends on the option chosen. Read the name of the option carefully before proceeding.
Then choose the date. Remember that from Manhattan there are no flights on Sundays, while departures are available from New Jersey. HeliNY recommends booking at least 2 weeks in advance and scheduling the flight at the start of your trip, so you have time to reschedule if the weather does not cooperate.12 If your dates are tight, put the flight in the first few days and leave the last days free. Avoid arrival and departure days, when a flight delay can throw everything off.
At the time of payment you can book now and pay later, and you can cancel without charge up to 24 hours before, with a full refund. In the booking, indicate the age of children and flag any special needs: children from 2 years old have their own seat and pay the full price. The flight requires a minimum number of participants to depart, so keep an eye on messages from the operator in the days leading up.
On the day of the flight, no surprises
Arrive early. For flights from New York until 15:30, check-in is 30 minutes before; for those after 15:30, it rises to 45 minutes. The Downtown Manhattan Heliport is a 5-minute walk from South Ferry station, the terminal of the 1 line.9 From Times Square, allow about 30 minutes, more after 16:00 due to commuter traffic.10 If you arrive early, spend the extra time on the waterfront with a view of the harbor.
At the desk you will go through security checks. On another flight from Pier 6, a valid photo ID is required, and without it you cannot fly and do not get a refund. All passengers go through security screening before entering the building. Bring your passport even if your flight does not specifically ask for it: it is the simplest way to avoid any discussion. Keep your booking confirmation within reach, on your phone or printed.
Before boarding you watch a safety video, available in English, French, German, and Spanish. On HeliNY flights only a camera, phone, and sunglasses are allowed on board; bags, hats, and scarves stay in a free locker.8 After the flight the staff offers you a photo in front of the helicopter, which you can buy printed or digital.11 Decide calmly whether you want it: your photos from the window often suffice.
If something goes wrong
The most common case is weather. HeliNY warns that heavy rain or fog leads to cancellation, sometimes at the last minute, and that they always try to reschedule the flight.5 That is why HeliNY recommends booking at the start of your trip: you have time for a second attempt.2 Keep your phone reachable in the days before the flight and check your email even on the morning itself.
It can also happen that the flight does not reach the minimum number of passengers. On HeliNY tours, at least four confirmed passengers are required; if the minimum is not reached, they offer you another time or date.12 The listing of the flight on this site states it more generally: a minimum number of participants is required for the flight to depart. If you are traveling alone or as a couple, keep some flexibility on the time.
If instead you need to change your plans, you can cancel without charge as long as you do so at least 24 hours before the flight. After that threshold the rules become stricter, so decide in time. For questions about a completed booking, contact GetYourGuide customer service: it is the right channel for date changes, refunds, and information about the meeting point. Note your booking number: you will need it for any request.
Ready to fly?
Manhattan awaits you, seen from above
Choose duration, date, and departure point: the price is shown right away, payment can wait.
You ask,we answer.
What rating does the HeliNY flight have?
4.79 on GetYourGuide. The HeliNY Manhattan tour has a rating of 4.79 from 7,321 reviews.
Can you choose the seat next to the pilot?
No. The seats on board are decided by the weight of all passengers on the flight.
How far in advance should you book?
At least 2 weeks ahead. That is HeliNY's advice; they also suggest flying early in your trip to leave a weather buffer.12
Can you pay later?
Yes; you book now and pay later. On the HeliNY flight you reserve your seat now, settle the balance later, and cancel for free as long as it is at least 24 hours before takeoff.
Do flights operate on Sundays?
No, not from Manhattan. There are no flights from Manhattan on Sunday; flights from New Jersey do run.
Is an ID required?
On some flights it is mandatory. On a flight from Pier 6 you cannot board without a valid photo ID, and you will not receive a refund.
Is the safety video in Italian?
No. The HeliNY flight safety video is available in English, French, German, and Spanish.
Sources
Where the information comes from
- 1HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
- 2HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
- 3HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
- 4HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
- 5HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
- 6HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
- 7HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
- 8HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
- 9HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
- 10HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
- 11HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
- 12HeliNYHeliNY FAQ↩
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