TourTruth score 9.5 out of 10
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Manhattan Helicopter Sightseeing Tour 15 min
TourTruth score 4.4 out of 10
Below average
163 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score
- New York City
- Updated November 2, 2026
Fly past the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan’s iconic skyline on a 12–15-minute helicopter tour from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.
About this tour
See Manhattan’s landmarks from a fresh perspective on a 12–15-minute helicopter flight from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. This Manhattan helicopter sightseeing tour begins near the Statue of Liberty, then sweeps past the city’s celebrated skyline.
Look down on Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, the 9/11 Memorial, Battery Park, and the Financial District. Continue above the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and Central Park, with the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum also among the sights. The short flight offers a memorable way to take in many of the city’s best-known landmarks when time is limited. Local taxes and the $40 per-person heliport fee are included, and free cancellation is available.
Arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled flight with government-issued identification for every passenger. Flight timing may shift with weather and operational conditions. Book your Manhattan helicopter sightseeing tour and experience the city from the air.
Highlights
- Admire the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from above
- Take in Manhattan’s skyline, from One World Trade Center to Central Park
- Spot Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and the Empire State Building
What's included
Included
- 12–15-minute helicopter tour
- Local taxes
- $40 per-person heliport fee
Not included
- Gratuities
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
4.25 / 5 · 163 reviews
Important information
- Check in 45 minutes before your scheduled flight to avoid extended waits or forfeiting your flight
- All passengers, including children, need a government-issued ID or passport
- Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
- Passengers over 250 lb (113 kg) must purchase an additional seat directly from the operator; maximum weight is 300 lb (136 kg) per passenger
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- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health; suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible, with accessible transportation options and surfaces
- Public transportation is available nearby
- Audio language selection is subject to availability and is not guaranteed; commentary may default to English
- Flight times are approximate and may change due to weather, weight restrictions, operational needs, or passenger flow
- For bookings made before March 2, 2026, the $40 per-person heliport fee is payable at check-in
Frequently asked questions
How long is the helicopter tour?
The flight lasts approximately 12–15 minutes.
When should I check in?
Check in 45 minutes before your scheduled flight time. Late arrival may mean an extended wait or forfeiture of the flight.
What identification do passengers need?
All passengers, including children, need a government-issued ID or passport.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
The tour lists wheelchair-accessible transportation options, areas, and surfaces.
Is the heliport fee included?
The $40 per-person heliport fee is included, except for bookings made before March 2, 2026, when it is payable at check-in.
How this score is calculated
This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.25 from 163 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.
How the score works and rating distribution in New York City
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 4.4.
Provider rating distribution in New York City
How many tours in New York City have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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