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New York Helicopter Tour of the Empire

TourTruth score 5.6 out of 10

Average

49 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • New York City
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Take a narrated helicopter flight from Manhattan Heliport and admire New York City landmarks, from the Empire State Building to Central Park.

About this tour

See New York City’s famous skyline from a fresh perspective on a narrated helicopter flight departing from Manhattan Heliport. This New York helicopter tour pairs sweeping aerial views with live commentary on the city’s modern and historic landmarks.

From the climate-controlled cabin, look for the Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Times Square, the Intrepid Museum, Central Park, and Yankee Stadium. The shared flight offers a memorable way to take in the scale and variety of the city, with takeoff and landing at Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Your fare includes the flight, onboard commentary, and listed fuel and heliport charges; check the booking date, as the $40 per-person heliport fee was not included for reservations made before March 2, 2026.

Bring valid government-issued photo ID and arrive early for check-in and security screening. Book your New York helicopter tour for a bird’s-eye look at the landmarks that define the Big Apple.

Highlights

  • Soar above New York City’s iconic skyline on a narrated flight
  • Admire the Empire State Building, One World Observatory, and Times Square
  • Spot Central Park, Yankee Stadium, and the Intrepid Museum from above
  • Take off and land at Manhattan Heliport

What's included

Included

  • Shared helicopter flight
  • $5.00 fuel surcharge
  • $40.00 per person heliport fee for reservations made on or after March 2, 2026
  • Live onboard commentary
  • Climate-controlled cabin

Not included

  • Souvenir photos available for purchase
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Heliport fee for reservations made before March 2, 2026: $40.00 per person

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Check in at least 30 minutes before your scheduled flight, or 45 minutes after 4:00 PM
  • Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license; passengers without ID cannot fly and will not receive a refund
  • Children aged 2 and older need their own seat and pay the full fare
  • Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
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  • Passengers over 275 lb (124 kg) must purchase an additional seat
  • Seating is assigned according to passenger weight for safety
  • Security screening is required before entering the building
  • Changes within 24 hours and missed flights incur a rebooking fee; missed flights are nonrefundable
  • Flights may be canceled if minimum requirements are not met; an alternative flight or full refund will be offered
  • No parking is available on site
  • Sunset views are not guaranteed
  • Wheelchair accessible; strollers and service animals are allowed
  • Meeting point: Charm Aviation NYC, Downtown Manhattan Heliport, 6 E River Piers, New York, NY 10004

Frequently asked questions

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Charm Aviation NYC at Downtown Manhattan Heliport, 6 E River Piers, New York, NY 10004.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled flight, or 45 minutes if traveling after 4:00 PM.

What identification is required?

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license. Passengers without ID cannot fly and will not receive a refund.

Do children need their own seats?

Children aged 2 and older must have their own seat and pay the full fare. Infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

What happens if the flight is canceled?

If minimum requirements are not met, you will be offered an alternative flight or a full refund.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.31 from 49 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 5.6.

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.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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