Manhattan Sky Tour: New York Helicopter Flight
4.5

Manhattan Sky Tour: New York Helicopter Flight

By Zip Aviation - Helicopter Tours & Charters
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From Downtown skyscrapers to the Statue of Liberty, New York City is larger than life, with an iconic skyline. This helicopter flight over the Hudson River and beyond gives you panoramic views of the city that you can’t get from street level. Spot One World Trade Center, Ellis Island, and the Empire State Building, and snap memorable photographs from above during this flight.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 6 per group
Duration: 15m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
Audio guide: German, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, French, Spanish
More

Highlights
  • See New York City from the air for a new perspective on the city
  • Fly above the skyline with views of skyscrapers and top landmarks
  • Bring home unique photographs of New York
  • Frequent departures make it easy to squeeze into a busy day of sightseeing

  • 12-15-minute Helicopter tour
  • Local taxes
  • Entry/Admission - Zip Aviation - Helicopter Tours & Charters
What's not included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • The listed price does not include a US$40 per person (including infants) 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.

Make your way to a heliport at Pier 6 and the East River in Downtown Manhattan to meet the pilot and climb into a state-of-the-art helicopter. Lift off above Manhattan as the view opens up to include city parks, buildings, and landmarks. On your trip, you’ll spot Governor’s Island, Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor, and get an amazing perspective on the skyline. When you reach the WWII-era USS Intrepid, bank back along the Hudson River, watching for the Chrysler Building, MetLife Building, and Empire State Building. Keep your camera ready, as the top-down photo opportunities are unmatched from beginning to end. When your flight concludes, touch down at the Manhattan heliport, close to public transit and top Manhattan attractions.

Start:
  • 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:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Infants must sit on laps
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Pushchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
    • 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: 5024MANSKY

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
    • Most travellers can participate
    • 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 experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date 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.

    The tour operator has provided the following answers to customers’ questions.
    What is the departure location for the Manhattan Sky Tour: New York Helicopter Flight?
    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)
    Answered Apr 2021
    Can I take public transportation to get to the Manhattan Sky Tour: New York Helicopter Flight?
    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.
    Answered Apr 2021
    Is there parking near the departure point for the Manhattan Sky Tour: New York Helicopter Flight?
    Parking is not available at the heliport, but there is a cash municipal parking lot at the next exit just west of Pier 11.
    Answered Apr 2021
    How early should I arrive for the Manhattan Sky Tour: New York Helicopter Flight?
    Please arrive one hour prior to your confirmed flight time.
    Answered Apr 2021

    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: 5024MANSKY

    From
    £201.04
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
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    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • 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.
    • 1
      ZIP AVIATION offers helicopter tours of New York City and private charter services from NYC to the entire Northeast United States. Three different helicopter tours of NYC are available, ranging from 15 to 30 minutes in length. Visit our location where you will watch a safety video and meet our team.
      Pass by
      Governors Island National Monument
      Statue of Liberty
      New York Harbor
      Manhattan Skyline
      Lower Manhattan
      Ellis Island
      Intrepid Museum
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Zip Aviation - Helicopter Tours & Charters
      999
      United States
      Joined in April 2008
    • anders_R7425RB
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      To short trip
      Nice trip. Mostley nice staff. Flight should last 18-20 min but we were back on ground again after exactly 15 min. Felt really bad.
      Written 25 October 2024
    • Standone
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Use another company for your flight this one doesn’t look after you
      The company cancelled hours before we were due to fly we had to move the time from 1pm to 5pm, this was for our daughters birthday, we had other plans which we had to cancel, it cost us hundreds of dollars we asked this company to just cover the cost difference in taxis which was $91 but this company management team refused they cost us money by doing what they did but didn't care if we had cancelled they would of kept the money anyway it is a terrible company and not recommended in the end the company they sell through decided that we shouldn't of been out of pocket due to this companies poor handling of the situation and refunded the $91 themselves, use another company this company does not care if they screw you over we have used a few helicopter tours and flights in the past and had much better service, we even had several friends going to the same area and asked who we used we have made sure they do not use this company because they will only let you down and not honour customer service values,
      Written 13 October 2024
    • Nomad37374580255
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      Be polite , change the tape !
      Not very good experience although we were had great expectations. Rude employees except one. They were calling us by mooving their finger and without any smile. The guide tape during our flight was destroyed and if we have not had seen all these spots from the ground the previous days it would be impossible to recocnize what we were looking. The pilot was excellent. It is an expensive activity and they had to be much more proffesional and kind.
      Written 1 August 2024
    • martinofrombelgium
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      YOLANDA, BEST CISTOMER SUPPORT IN AVIATION
      One of the best customer service in aviation I have ever experienced with so much knowledge and understanding of our needs. Yolanda got our expectations from ZIP aviation to another level! I certs recommend this company and will book all my future charters in NY through this company. Thank you Yolanda for the great service.
      Written 18 December 2023
    • Winkler6
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Don't leave Manhattan and regret not doing it
      Forgot to leave a review at the time so here it is now. If I had to suggest just one must-do thing when visiting Manhattan this would be it. We were lucky to have a cloudless blue sky day for our 20 minute tour as well. The 20 minute option isn't cheap, but its certainly worth it - after all its not likely something that most of us would do again.
      Written 25 November 2023
    • 210jakubv
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Best sightseeing ever
      Very professional service and kind staff. Flight around the Manhattan is much better than flight from Prague to New York :-)
      Written 16 August 2023
    • CMRontour
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Famtastic helicopter ride above Manhattan
      Absolutely fantastic service my son loved it. We arrived and 15 minutes later her was on a 30 min tour of Manhattan while I relaxed in their comfortable waiting room. Thanks to Osualdo & the team for making this trip memorable.
      Written 20 July 2023
    • bobd319
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      USD 40 additional per person
      Additional 40usd/person makes comparison unfair. So 1 out of 5. The rest was good. Good staff. Organisation ok. And the famous picture for 37... difficult to avoid...
      Written 6 July 2023
    • cherlynno
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Clear skies, all smiles
      Checking in was very efficient! When you come in, they just scan your ticket and you head right in. They check for your ID and just ask how much you weigh, all of those check in things and then you sit in the waiting area. They take a photo of you in front of the helicopter, which you have the option of purchasing after the flight (either framed or digital (we got a digital copy!)) The flight started earlier than we expected so we were lucky. There are headsets for every seat so you can hear the tour guide, I'm not sure if this was just a personal problem, because I'm hard of hearing, but for some reason I could barely hear the guide, I mostly heard the sound of the chopper (and yes my head sets were on max volume). Other than that, it was truly a remarkable experience because the view was amazing, skies were clear for us and they really the delivered to the time we paid for! 10/10.
      Written 18 June 2023
    • Lord-Vader-FL
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great experience
      Really enjoyable experience! Would recommend to anyone visiting NYC. Can’t fault the experience and make sure you get there 45mins early.
      Written 30 May 2023
    • 742rl
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Zip Aviation Tour
      Fabulous way to see NYC. It's a must do! Zip Aviation pilot and crew were awesome. Highly recommend.
      Written 27 May 2023
    • annoC896KA
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Do it ….
      It was all a great experience from beginning to the end. My partner had his Birthday and they let him sit at the front with the pilot. Would highly recommend.
      Written 14 May 2023
    • brianbG8109ON
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Ride of a lifetime
      This was one of the best trips on my visit to New York. I highly recommend this trip especially the views of NYC from above!!
      Written 5 May 2023
    • Bengt L
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent tour
      It was just as good as I read in the reviews and the group of guys handling all the preparations and of course the pilot himself did an excellent job, making us feel safe snd on top of things throughout the entire tour. Highly recommended!
      Written 22 April 2023
    • tomas_cid1
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing
      It was amazing! The ride was extremely smooth and the pilots were so friendly. I would definitely recommend to anyone who want to see the city that never sleeps from above.
      Written 17 April 2023
    See all 999 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.

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    4.5
    4.5 of 5 bubbles171 reviews
    Excellent
    129
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    19
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    5
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    5
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    13

    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.

    Mirjam G
    Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,836 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My daughter and I went to Pier 6 around 4:30 in the afternoon to ask if they still had a spot in a helicopter.
    We were lucky and were able to come at 17. Just the time we wanted.
    She was allowed in the front and I was in the back with 4 others. Beforehand a short safety instruction, a life jacket was put in a bag around your waist. At the helicopter you were photographed (you could buy it afterwards for too much money).
    There was a beautiful sunset and it was really magical to see all those lights and the beautiful sky.
    We flew 15 minutes and paid $289,- pp. I thought it was really worth it.
    Automatically translated
    Written 15 December 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.

    Rynorman
    Cancelada, Spain121 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We saw the helicopters making short tours of Manhattan Island from a short boat tour we were on and decided on the spur of the moment to see if they had any flights available as we hadn’t pre-booked on-line. The guys were really helpful and whilst I was concerned that we wouldn’t be able to get on (and we were leaving later that day) there was availability that we were able to take advantage of for the same price.
    The helicopters were modern, safe and clean. The pilot, Jesse, was super-friendly and made us feel relaxed and comfortable. The tour was perfect and gave us great views of this impressive city
    There was a comfortable reception and waiting area where we could take refreshments before the tour and we had a safety briefing before the flight.
    A great way to see the city and take great videos and photos. Particular thanks to Neftali for getting us on the flight and Xavier for helping us on and off the helicopter, as well as our pilot Jesse previously mentioned
    Highly recommended
    Written 28 November 2021
    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.

    billieboh
    Kent, UK161 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our helicopter ride was absolutely amazing. We arrived 45 minutes ahead of our scheduled time and the booking in process was quick. The staff were very friendly. We got our photo taken and the helicopter was spacious and nice. We got window seats and the view was amazing. The flight itself was almost 20 minutes long, longer than advertised. We were lucky with the weather. Our pilot was a lady called Lauren who was just brilliant and very friendly. The audio recording was fab too. We booked through Get Your Guide and had good directions and information. Don’t forget that you’ll need to pay the $40 per person heliport fee on arrival.
    Written 1 May 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.
    Hello! Thank you for your review. We are so happy to hear you an amazing experience. Our Pilot Laura is one of the best! We will let her know about your kind words. Cheers!
    Written 11 June 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    LuciaLuf2000
    Andorra117 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2022
    Disappointing and overpriced.
    A disappointing experience.
    They just play a tape explaining what you see... we would explain the Pilot to do that, to interact, talk himself, maybe some music playing in the back ground. It was very boring this way.
    Terribly overpriced... We were 5 and still had to add 200USD on site as heliport fee, which made the entire trip 20% more expensive in our case.
    Written 6 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.
    Hello LuciaLuf2, Whether you book on our website or with a Travel partners like Viator/Trip Advisor or Get-Your-Guide, the $40 Heliport Fee is disclosed front and center. Again, it is a Heliport Fee or a Facility Fee, it does not go to us, we just collect it. Some people decide it's worth it while some people decide it's too expensive. Over a decade ago we made the decision to provide narrated pre-recorded audio tours on all our flights to minimize the interaction with customers and crew. This was never meant to create distance or disconnection with customers, it was solely to provide an extra layer of safety where pilots can focus on air traffic and radio calls within the busiest airspace in the country. The Customer Service Team
    Written 6 November 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    lifespeachy16
    Newcastle, Australia1 contribution
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    We booked a joy flight with this company 9 months in advance. It was gifted to our children as Christmas presents as were were traveling from Australia and had little room for presents. We had it scheduled for NYE and two days before the departure they cancelled. Apparently the company had exceeded the amount of flights they could take this year. This left us very frustrated as our experience was booked so far in advance and we thought we would be a priority. We were also given no explanation as to how this mix up occurred. The only option they offered was to reschedule after the 2nd January, which happens to be the day we fly out of New York. We how have three very disappointed children thanks to Zip. This company is not reliable and I would not recommend booking a flight with them.
    Written 29 December 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.
    Hello! We apologize for the last minute Cancellation of your Tour and the inconvenience this has caused you. We feel bad that you couldn't reschedule once we were allowed to fly again. Thank you.
    Written 5 March 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    thorsten443
    Karlsruhe, Germany36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2022
    The check-in was smooth and we took off right on time. Andrew Wood, our pilot, was a pleasure to fly with and showed us the highlights along the Hudson River, including of course a great view of Lady Liberty.
    IMO pricey, but worth it.
    Written 18 August 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.

    Emma S
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2022 • Couples
    This was without a doubt the highlight of our whole trip. My partner David was able to sit up front with our fantastic Pilot Irish Andrew. Andrew provided an excellent voiceover to our tour, pointing out all the major landmarks, and getting us so close to the Statue of Liberty of amazing photo opportunities. This is a tour that everyone visiting New York should do. It is well worth the money.
    Thank you Zip Aviation and massive Thanks to Andrew, you made our holiday!
    Written 31 August 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.

    Avis B
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I first visited New York in 2018 and with some trepidation took a helicopter flight. Our pilot was Captain Andrew Wood and he was so professional and knowledgeable putting us at ease throughout the whole experience. It was a truly amazing experience, so much so that on my return visit to New York in August 2022, I sought out Captain Wood to enable my family (including two 15 year old grandsons) to enjoy the amazing experience that I had previously had. To my delight Andrew (as I'm now allowed to call him!) was still doing the flights and we quickly booked him to be sure we would get the same fabulous experience. He talked us through all the sights and made it a very special day. We're home now but whenever anyone asks us what was our favourite part of the holiday the unanimous answer is the helicopter flight. If you're going to New York, make sure you take this opportunity to see the sights from the dizzying heights of a helicopter, they're fabulous!!!!!
    Written 31 August 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.

    MLF
    New Jersey17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I took this helicopter tour last summer, before all the chaos that 2020 brought, and it definitely ranks as one of my all-time favorite things to do in NYC. Captain Andrew Woods, the pilot, made the whole experience so incredibly amazing. I was a little nervous at the start, but he quickly made me feel very relaxed – perhaps it was his warm and witty Irish charm. Getting to sit up front with the pilot didn’t hurt either. The helicopter ride was very smooth and comfortable. Andrew had some great music playing in our headsets as we flew over Manhattan. He gave us interesting information along the way and pointed out things to us ahead of time so we knew what to expect and where to point our cameras. This was a truly unique experience, and I highly recommend. It’s something you will remember forever.
    Written 4 September 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.
    Hello MLF3NJ, Thank you for your review. You are right, a helicopter ride is a unique and uncomfortable experience. We're glad you had an unforgettable experience! Cheers!
    Written 30 November 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Brian C
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What an experience!!!
    I’d never been on a helicopter and was quite nervous, however we met our pilot Andrew and he chatted for a good 10/15 mins and i instantly felt at ease, so calm and reassuring, Andrew was simply brilliant.
    We did the 15 min tour and I LOVED it. Andrew pointed out loads of buildings and the flight was so smooth…. I could’ve stayed up there all day!!
    It was my wife’s 50th birthday that day , she absolutely loved it as well but I felt like it was my birthday sitting in front seat!
    Would highly recommend this company, and although I’m sure all the pilots are great guys if you get Andrew your in for a treat!
    We will definitely be doing more helicopter tours in future!….thanks to Andrew.

    Only downside was we bought a USB which only had 5 pictures on it….. I thought it was a video of our flight, and at $35 for 5 pics I felt was a bit steep.
    However, that didn’t detract from a fabulous experience with a fantastic pilot in Andrew.
    Don’t miss out and decide not to book…. You won’t be disappointed!
    Written 19 September 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.

    2025 Manhattan Sky Tour: New York Helicopter Flight provided by Zip Aviation - Helicopter Tours & Charters

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