⏱️ TL;DR: I spent a month in New York and booked the two most popular helicopter companies myself: FlyNYON (doors off, from New Jersey) and HeliNY (closed doors, from Manhattan). HeliNY is the one I recommend for most visitors: you board at Pier 6 in Lower Manhattan, 5 minutes on foot from the subway, the heliport fees are already in the price and you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before.
4.8
GetYourGuide4.8(7.9k+)Every New York helicopter company promises the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, and the prices look alike until the fees appear at checkout. The real differences are where you take off, whether the doors are on and what you end up paying. So I booked and flew the two most popular companies myself: FlyNYON at night with the doors off, and HeliNY by day in a closed cabin.
I judged the logistics, the route, the cabin, the commentary and the value for money. Below is the short version: which one I recommend, why, and when another tour is the better pick for you. The full reviews and all my photos are in my complete NYC helicopter tour ranking.
How the 5 NYC Helicopter Tours in My Ranking Compare
| Tour | Price | Best for | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 HeliNY Manhattan Sightseeing Tour 12 to 30 min, Pier 6 Manhattan ✓ Tested in person 4.8Rating on GetYourGuide GetYourGuide4.8(7.9k+) | From $272 | First-timers who want an easy, all-in flight from Manhattan | Closed windows can cause reflections in photos |
| FlyNYON Doors-Off 16 or 30 min, Kearny NJ ✓ Tested in person 4.6Rating on FlyNYONFlyNYON4.6(11.5k+) | From $149/seat + fees | Doors-off shoe selfies and night flights | Terminal in New Jersey, fees added at checkout |
| Charm Aviation 12 to 30 min, Pier 6 Manhattan 4.8Rating on GetYourGuide GetYourGuide4.8(2.4k+) | From $272 | A backup from the same heliport if HeliNY is sold out | Does not fly on Sundays |
| Zip Aviation 15 to 30 min, Pier 6 Manhattan 4.7Rating on GetYourGuide GetYourGuide4.7(7.5k+) | From $269 | Statue of Liberty and skyline routes | Pre-recorded narration, a $40 boarding fee can apply |
| Wings Air Private for Couples 30 to 45 min, Westchester 4.9Rating on GetYourGuide GetYourGuide4.9(290+) | From $995 per couple | A private flight for two | $35 airport fee each, far from Manhattan |
I flew HeliNY and FlyNYON myself. Charm Aviation, Zip Aviation and Wings Air are compared from their current GetYourGuide listings.
Why HeliNY Is the One I Would Book
To be honest, FlyNYON gave me the bigger thrill: dangling my legs out of an open door over Manhattan at night is hard to beat. But it is also the harder flight to reach, and the price you see is not the price you pay. HeliNY is the tour I would send a friend on for a first trip: easier to reach, simpler to book and priced all-in. Here is what I found.
1. You Board in Manhattan, No Trip to New Jersey
The Downtown Manhattan Heliport at Pier 6 is a 5-minute walk from the South Ferry subway station. Check-in was quick: a security check, the waiver and the safety video, then my bags went into a locker. The helipads are right next to the terminal, so there is no shuttle van to wait for.
FlyNYON flies from Kearny, New Jersey. I needed a train and then an Uber, and a freight train blocking the road nearly made me late for check-in.
2. One Price, Heliport Fees Included
On GetYourGuide HeliNY starts at $272 per person with the heliport fees already included, and you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before. FlyNYON starts at $149 per seat for 16 minutes and $330 for 30 minutes, but fees are added at checkout.
3. Three Route Lengths, All Past the Statue of Liberty
Every route circles the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and passes Battery Park, Wall Street and One World Trade Center:
- 12 to 15 minutes: the harbor loop with the essentials.
- 17 to 20 minutes: continues up the Hudson for Midtown and the southern edge of Central Park. This is the most popular choice.
- 25 to 30 minutes: the full length of Manhattan, up to the George Washington Bridge and Yankee Stadium.
4. A Closed Cabin With Live Pilot Narration
The doors stay closed, so nobody needs a harness and the flight works in any weather. You wear a headset with live English narration from the pilot. It is the calmer choice if open doors make you nervous, or in winter, when an open door can make it too cold to enjoy.
Right before boarding, the staff take a photo of each group in front of the helicopter.
What I Didn't Love
- The cabin got hot on my flight. I flew during a June heat wave and the air conditioning blew cold air straight at me. With the closed cabin, I felt motion sick by the halfway mark. If you get motion sick easily, keep this in mind.
- Closed windows can cause reflections. Hold your phone close to the glass for cleaner photos.
- No doors-off shoe selfie. That is what FlyNYON is for.
- The group photo costs extra. Digital copies of the pre-flight photos were $40.
- Bags go in a locker. You cannot take them on board.
Quick Questions
How long is the flight?
You choose 12 to 15, 17 to 20 or 25 to 30 minutes. The 17 to 20 minute route is the most popular, because it adds Midtown and the edge of Central Park to the harbor loop.
Where do I board?
At the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, Pier 6, a 5-minute walk from the South Ferry subway station. The helipads are next to the terminal, with no shuttle.
Are the fees included?
Yes. The GetYourGuide listing includes the heliport fees. The only extra I paid for was the optional $40 photo package.
What times does it fly?
On the GetYourGuide calendar for Saturday 14 November 2026: 12 to 15 minute flights every 30 minutes from 10:30 to 18:30, 17 to 20 minutes from 10:00 to 15:30, and 25 to 30 minutes at 10:00, 12:00, 12:30 and 16:00. Times change by season.
HeliNY or FlyNYON?
HeliNY for an easy closed-door flight from Manhattan with the fees included. FlyNYON for a doors-off or night flight from New Jersey, from $149 per seat plus fees.
My pick for your NYC helicopter tour
HeliNY from Pier 6 in Downtown Manhattan. If your budget allows, take the 17 to 20 minute route to see Midtown, not just the harbor.
CHECK DATES & BOOK →🔒 Instant mobile ticket • Free cancellation up to 24 hours • Secure checkout via GetYourGuide
