New York Helicopter Flight: Grand Island

New York City, United States of America

See the entire City of New York on a comprehensive 25-minute helicopter tour of the Big Apple! As well as the most popular sights, such as the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero and New York Harbor, you will fly over Central Park, landmarks like the George Washington Bridge and New Yankee Stadium, and enjoy spectacular views over New York's five boroughs on this Grand Island helicopter tour.

Taking off from Manhattan's Downtown Heliport, you will fly past the former US Army post of Governor's Island to get a close-up of the majestic Statue of Liberty, a nineteenth century gift from the people of France. You'll then soar over beautiful Battery Park to reach the site of Ground Zero, scene of the tragedies of September 11, 2001.

Your flight will proceed along the Hudson River past Wall Street, Chinatown, Little Italy and the bright lights of bustling Times Square before continuing north to reach New York's world-famous Central Park, an oasis in the urban landscape!

Sports fans will be thrilled as your helicopter rounds the bases of the New Yankee Stadium, the world's third most expensive stadium when completed in 2009. You will then fly over George Washington Bridge and head back over Manhattan to take in New York's world-famous skyline featuring the Empire State Building, the Met Life Building and the art deco magnificence of the Chrysler Building.

You'll see the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island, and fly over the Queensboro, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges. The aerial views of the United Nations Building and South Street Seaport are unforgettable as your flight brings you back to New York Harbor over Ellis Island, the first stop on American soil for over 20 million immigrants.

Whether this is your first time in New York City or you are a regular visitor to the Big Apple, a New York Grand Island Helicopter Flight is a thrilling way to see this great city and its five boroughs!

USD $269.99

Traveler Reviews

Review by: Victor B	January 2012
Poor value. Don't take the 4 seater heiicopter._br/_ Not a very good for photo if you get seted behind the pilot or worse sat in the middle of the rear seat._br/_ We were told that we were only two people booked on the flight but four people were put on the flight.

Review by: Malcolm F	January 2012
Spectucular.

Review by: FunList2012	January 2012
Not what we paid for. No audio - and "30 min" flight means "15 min" I expected more from Viator. I will never book with them again.

Review by: Paul D	January 2012
3rd US helicopter flight - others Grand Canyon and San Francisco - this was worst - delayed, crammed and a couple split to fill flight. Least space of all craft. I flew with son and partner - both prof photographers - had reasonable views but little useful commentary from pilot - keeping craft a little steadier would have also helped. Half-assed comments about dropping in on Yankee stadium after rapid banking and turning not really appreciated. Time also about five minutes short from advertised. _br/_ As in many other aspects of life, you make the most of what you have. My son's partner had never been in a helicopter before and she thought it an excellent experience. Son flew facing rear and appreciated my warning him of specific sites coming up - e.g. Statue, the bridges, Cent Park - and he took some pretty good photos I hear. Fairly cramped for space in rear seat - three of us - felt sorry for mid seat passenger who had to lean forw to see much. Fairly happy with my pix._br/_ Overall, if there are bigger helicopters - there are - I saw them - then I would fly with them instead. As an experience this offered reasonable views on an excellent day for flying in later December - something to definitely do - just not with their vendor.

Review by: Roger D	November 2011
Very poor. The weather was bad, but they was still intent of doing the trip evan though low cloud and rain you could not see anything. Be prepaired.

Review by: Kaye T	October 2011
My goodness!!! What to say? The whole experience was wonderful - from booking to check-in, to safety explanations, to the flight, through to the photo, it was all excellent. I have been on other helicopter tours, and this was one of the best. Spend the extra money, and take this tour in New York, you will not regret it.

Review by: Susanne H	September 2011
This was a badly organized event, firstly there was very little telling us that this was a Viator trip. It could have been anyone arrangeing this event. When we arrived, the place was crammed and we emmideatly realized that they would never be able to hold the schedual. This is especially annoying when you are requierd to call and confirm your booking the day before flying. we where informed that our flight would be at 4.00 we flew at 6-this lost us hour dinner reservation at a table which was really hard to get in a place booked months ahead, that we where looking forward to soo much. There where a woman flying on here own there at the same time, she had to wait even longer for her turn...her plans for the afternoon where totally off, as you can imagine. I would never use this company again, as i think it´s just disrespectful to get such a treatment wen you pay so much money for something, and the set-up is sooo bad. Oh and did i mencion the lockers, to few off course.

Review by: Johanna M	September 2011
Absolutely awesome! Would have enjoyed getting a closer look at the Statue of Liberty but all in all it was fantastic.

Review by: barney1	September 2011
Beware of the $20.00 wharf charge. Expect to wait for an hour.

Review by: Rosemary F	August 2011
Excellent, great way to see the whole of New York

Review by: Bernard F	August 2011
Great trip took the longest available well worth extra money highly recommended

Review by: damien f	July 2011
i booked the Grand Island and it only lasted 18.5 minutes. The Helicopter did not take the path as outlined in the brochure(it did not take in Yankee stadium not did it go over to the Veresanno bridge. My camcorder shows a time of 18.5 minutes . It was meant to be 25 to 30 mins. I believe i got the tour listed below the grand island. Is there anything that can be done. I will be in new york again next year

Review by: Pauline A	July 2011
Didn't enjoy at all. Had to stand out in the sun for an hour then flight was very disappointing. _br/_ '

Review by: Susan M	July 2011
Be prepared to encounter chaos. They will tell you to come 15 minutes early and then you will wait one hour with no one really telling you what is going on. If you are a size 8 or below you will fit nicely in the seats. Be prepared to squeeze if you are over that.

Review by: Glenn A	July 2011
Great trip, certainly worth doing as an introduction to New York before hitting the streets on foot.

Review by: Peter E	June 2011
The helicopter tour itself was very good. However, we had a terrible experience at check in and as a result we will never recommend your comapny to anyone. One of your employees pushed us to bribe him with cash ( he asked for a $50 bribe to allow us to make our scheduled take off time.) I am from New York and my guests were from Switzerland. I was embarassed and they were shocked. The employee's name was Louis. We complained to the cashier inside and she ignored us. All in all, a disgraceful way to do business.

Review by: Roslyn P	June 2011
Sensational. What other words can describe this experience?

Review by: Thomas G	May 2011
Superb trip,definately the highlight of any stay in New York

Review by: Wayne H	April 2011
Nearly the best thing we have ever done, outstanding, excellent service, poor weather meant a change of day, staff fantastic in making sure we fitted the flight in before leaving NY Only way to really get a feel of who big the big apple is

Review by: Javier G	March 2011
We had a small problem that avoid us to flight when it was scheduled. Apart of that, the views are incredible!

Review by: Sandrine G	March 2011
A bit expensive (the grand island tour lasts 5 minutes more than the other tours, and you don't see a lot more....) But it's worth doing this flight over Manhattan, breathtaking view ! The people from Zip are very welcoming and quite professional. I recommend it to anyone who wants to have a wonderful bird eyeview and an amazinh memory of their stay in the Big Apple !

Review by: BHAVEN P	February 2011
the helicopter ride itself was good but very cramped - we had 3 large men cramped in the back seat of the helicopter trying to take pictures. The ride was advertised as 25 minutes but we ended up with a quick 18 minutes. We were promised a 11am slot but the booking agent told us that the flight was booked in their records for 12 noon. No apology was given for any of the delay and the staff were rude. Would i book again - NO !!!!!

Review by: Jean B	November 2010
Terrific time! Took great photos! Pilot was really informative too! Only negative was being the middle passenger. I don't think they should smoosh three adults in the back.

Review by: Lisa O	November 2010
This was really a spectacular tour, if you can do only one tour this would be the one to do!

Review by: Allan P	October 2010
Brilliant and I would recommend anyine does this. However when I booked this there was about 5 different trips to chose from. I chose the 25-28 minute helicopter ride. We were in the air for 20 mintues only. Then I found out that there only 2 types of helicopter routes. So I feel ripped off. The ride was ace but I paid for more and didn't get it. I tried to complain in the office but they didn't care. $2 for a locker if you have a bag and $15/20 to take a photo outside the chopper! Just don't bother! Safety was excellent, the views are excellent, the pilot was excellent. Do it, just choose wisely.

Review by: Ashley F	October 2010
one of the worst organised tours i have been on i was only in nyc for 2 days and it took 3 days to confirm my booking as the office shut down then my flight was 2 hours late going up and the we only got to fly when i said either i go now or i want a frefund. this took away what was ment to be a great specil treat and made it a waste of part of my visit would never recomend them in a milion years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review by: Jacqueline F	October 2010
Took my boyfriend for the tour for his birthday. Great pilot- very friendly and informative, beautiful views but for the amount we paid, I expected a much longer trip. There is no way this was 20 minutes. Definitely not worth $500. Save your money and go the top of the empire state building if you want views of NYC.

Review by: Anonymous	April 2010
poli orea ebiria.blepeis oli tin poli kai ta perixora.omos exeretika akribi. ean periseun to kaneis. an kai itan poli orea de nomizo na ta axizei tosa lefta.

Review by: EDMOND S	April 2010
It took them 1 and a half hours to refuel our private chopper & we got a little resless and impatient with the staff. Otherwise a great experience. Just do it with another company for your own sake!

Review by: Lynda H, United Kingdom	March 2010
Thoroughly enjoyable trip - great sights, very good pilot and memorable experience. On the negative side - we waited an hour from the arrival time - not a problem but we weren't informed why we were waiting nor when our flight would be. Secondly, we went on the same tour as another couple that had paid less than us and had booked a different tour. Our tour lasted 20 minutes which was less than advised just - I guess the others benefited rather than we lost out! Must do it though!

Review by: Anonymous	March 2010
Was advertised as 22-25 minutes but was over in under 20 minutes. Helicopter very small, kept bashing my head on roof, and I am only 5'6". Yankee stadium was covered in snow so could not see the pitch.

Review by: Panagiotis K, Serbia and Montenegro	January 2010
The tour was great! The view amazing! No matter how long it lasts the flight is never enough! Definitely it was worth the money. The only disadvantage was the long delay, but when you are on-board you forget everything!

Review by: Myra C, United Kingdom	January 2010
A great finish to our trip to New York! Thank you.

Review by: lee m, United Kingdom	January 2010
The flight was fantastic the view was brilliant maybe one of the best things ive done in my life. The pilot was very helpfull on letting us know where everything was in the city. Anyone travelling to NYC has to do this. The staff at the port were polite and helpfull the only thing wrong was the waiting for the flight watching everyone leave and enjoying themselves. but 99 positivly superb thanks

Review by: Anonymous, Belgium	January 2010
We had an excellent helicopter flight! Highly recommended if you lack time and want to visit everything.

Review by: PANAGIOTIS K	January 2010
The tour was great! The view amazing! No matter how long it lasts the flight is never enough! Definitely it was worth the money. The only disadvantage was the long delay, but when you are on-board you forget everything!

Review by: Lee M	January 2010
The flight was fantastic the view was brilliant maybe one of the best things ive done in my life. The pilot was very helpfull on letting us know where everything was in the city. Anyone travelling to NYC has to do this. The staff at the port were polite and helpfull the only thing wrong was the waiting for the flight watching everyone leave and enjoying themselves. but 99 positivly superb thanks

Review by: MYRA C	January 2010
A great finish to our trip to New York! Thank you.

Review by: Anonymous, France	December 2009
It was a very good and exciting experience!! however, we had to wait there before flying for an hour... and the picture they take before take off is quite expensive... but the view in the sky is a great experience, something you have to try!!!

Review by: Anonymous, Netherlands	December 2009
Very good experience, professional club! The best views of New York City!

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	November 2009
I planned the trip for my boyfriend's birthday and I know I made the right decision. We arrived early and there was no waiting at all, just some preflight preparations and we were off. We had clear information from the Captain all throughout the flight. It was a fantastic experience.

Review by: David F, United Kingdom	October 2009
Although the person in the centre seat has paid the same fare they got a poorer view than the rest on the trip. And the trip was shorter than posted, but commenced on time.

Review by: Michael T, United Kingdom	September 2009
Fantastic beautiful views of the city!

Review by: Catherine R, United Kingdom	September 2009
Highlight of our already fantastic holiday! Faultless! From booking online, in an easy to use website, with all information we needed, to the actual trip, was a flawless experience! Staff were friendly & professional, and the trip is something we shall remember forever! I could write all day how perfect everything was, but I think i have summed it all up already. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend Viator to anyone. There cannot be a better company to book with, and as a visitor to New York, a flight with Viator, is the only way to see this wondrous city Thank you Viator for making out holiday complete!

Review by: Patricia S, United States of America	August 2009
The ride was great people were nice but waited almost 2 hours for the ride told it would be compensated for by the ride and we were only in the air 20 minutes.

Review by: Eduardo M, Spain	August 2009
This was a nice tour. The pilot explained all the sights through headphones, and the day was perfect for our flight. We departed on time, flying around Manhattan for near 30 minutes, and our landing was really soft. In a few words we had a good flight, a good pilot and wonderful views.

Review by: Adrian H, United Kingdom	August 2009
Very friendly people, excellent service, definitely recommended!

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	August 2009
What a fantastic trip! The pilot was friendly and informative, pointing out all the sights and giving lots of additional information about Manhattan and New Jersey. It was over far too soon!

Review by: Bernie P, United Kingdom	July 2009
Booked it as a surprise birthday gift for my partner, and we totally loved it. The views are fantastic, and the staff were great. Took some great photos. It is a once in a lifetime experience. A must when visiting the Big Apple!

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	July 2009
The best thing we did in NY. It is a must for everyone!