NYC Helicopter Tour: Manhattan Skyline & Statue of Liberty
See Manhattan from Both Sides of the Helicopter in 30 Minutes
You board a shared helicopter at Linden Airport in New Jersey and fly 25–30 minutes over Manhattan, passing the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Empire State Building, Hudson River, and George Washington Bridge. The pilot narrates live, windows wrap around both sides of the cabin, and you choose daytime, sunset, or night departure. A free shuttle runs from Linden Station, and all landing fees are included in the price.
Step-by-step itinerary
Helicopter flight over NYC landmarks
- Fly above Linden Airport
- Fly above Staten Island
- Fly by Coney Island
- Fly above New York Harbor
- Glide past Statue of Liberty
- Fly past Ellis Island
- Fly above Verrazzano Bridge
- Fly past Governors Island
- View Manhattan Skyline
- See One World Trade Center
- Fly past 9/11 Memorial
- View Empire State Building
- Fly past Chrysler Building
- Fly by Little Island
- See Intrepid Museum
- Fly by Chelsea Piers
- Fly past Rockefeller Center
- View Hudson Yards
- Fly by The Vessel
- See Madison Square Garden
- Fly past One Vanderbilt
- Fly by Times Square
- Fly by Central Park Tower
- Fly by Central Park
- Fly past Columbia University
- Fly above George Washington Bridge
- Fly past Yankee Stadium
- Fly by Palisade cliffs of New Jersey
The experience
The shuttle from Linden Station runs a bit behind schedule, which means you're standing in the heliport office with five other people, all of you checking your phones and wondering if you're going to miss the window. Then the pilot walks in, hands you a waiver, and suddenly the whole thing feels real. You sign, they check your ID, and within ten minutes you're buckled into a seat with windows that go floor to ceiling, and the rotors are already spinning. The New York City helicopter tour departs from Linden Airport in New Jersey (just a short ride from the train station), and it's the only sightseeing flight that runs on Sundays, which is worth knowing if you're planning around a weekend.
The flight itself is 25 to 30 minutes, and it covers a lot of ground. You lift off and head south over Staten Island, then swing past Coney Island and into New York Harbor where the Statue of Liberty sits smaller than you'd expect from the ground but somehow more present when you're at eye level with it. The pilot narrates the whole thing: pointing out Ellis Island, the Verrazzano Bridge, Governors Island with downtown Manhattan rising behind it. Then you turn north and follow the Hudson River up the spine of Manhattan. Central Park appears like a green rectangle in the middle of all that concrete. The Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, Hudson Yards with the Vessel sitting in the middle of it like a sculpture someone dropped from space. Times Square glows if you're on a sunset or night tour. You pass over the George Washington Bridge, see Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, and then you're heading back down to Linden.
The windows are the thing. You get views from both sides of the helicopter as it banks, so there's no bad seat. The cabin is climate controlled, and the pilot's narration is live, not a recording, so it changes depending on what's happening that day. If you choose the sunset tour, you'll watch the city light up beneath you as the sky goes from blue to orange to dark. The night tour is different: Times Square and the buildings are all lit up, and the whole skyline looks like someone turned on every light at once. You can bring a camera and your phone, but that's it. Everything else goes in a complimentary locker. The fuel surcharge and heliport fees are included, so there are no surprises when you check in.
Getting there is straightforward if you're coming from the city. Take NJT to Linden Station, and you can request a free shuttle to the airport. It's about a 10-minute drive. If you'd rather not wait for the shuttle, Uber and Lyft both serve the station. You'll need a current government-issued photo ID on the day you fly, and all passengers sign a waiver before boarding. Children under 2 sit on an adult's lap at no charge. Older kids need their own seat. The helicopter is wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed.
What’s included
Your tour includes heliport landing and facility fees, a shared helicopter flight with other passengers, fuel surcharge, live pilot narration throughout the flight, floor-to-ceiling windows for views from both sides of the cabin, a climate-controlled cabin, and complimentary lockers to store your belongings. A free shuttle from Linden Station to Linden Airport is available by request.
Information
Lasts 25m–30m, runs every day, 11 start times, from US$ 330 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 6 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated yesterday
Operated by HeliNY
Is this one for you?This works well if you want to see the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, and major landmarks from the air without arranging your own transportation or worrying about hidden fees. The flight time is short enough to fit into a day trip, and the Sunday schedule makes it an option when ground tours are crowded.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How long is the helicopter tour?
The flight is 25 to 30 minutes in the air, departing from Linden Airport in New Jersey.
Can I bring a camera on the helicopter?
Yes. You can bring a camera, cell phone, and sunglasses. All other bags go in complimentary lockers at the heliport.
Is there a free shuttle from the train station?
Yes, a free shuttle runs from Linden Station to Linden Airport by request. The drive is about 10 minutes. Uber and Lyft are also available if you prefer.
What landmarks do I see on the tour?
The flight passes the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Central Park, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, Hudson Yards, the Vessel, Times Square, George Washington Bridge, Yankee Stadium, and the Hudson River.
Are there different tour times?
Yes. You can choose daytime, sunset, or nighttime departures. The night tour is the only sightseeing helicopter flight available on Sundays from this location.
What's included in the price?
The price includes heliport landing and facility fees, the shared helicopter flight, fuel surcharge, live pilot narration, and use of complimentary lockers.
Do I need ID to fly?
Yes, a current valid government-issued photo ID is required on the day of travel. All passengers must sign a waiver before boarding.
Is the helicopter wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the helicopter and heliport facility are wheelchair accessible. Service animals are also allowed.
What if I weigh over 275 pounds?
Passengers weighing over 275 lbs or requiring a seat belt extender may be unable to fly due to aircraft weight and balance limits. Contact the operator before booking to confirm eligibility.
NYC Helicopter Tour: Manhattan Skyline & Statue of Liberty
25m–30m · EN
from US$ 330 per person