Our curated list of the planet's most jaw-dropping aerial experiences — from Iceland's glaciers to Hawaii's Nā Pali Coast.
After years of curating helicopter tours globally, we've narrowed the world down to the flights that consistently leave passengers speechless. These aren't just popular — they're the flights pilots themselves talk about.
1. Nā Pali Coast, Kauai — towering green cliffs and hidden waterfalls accessible only from the air. 2. Grand Canyon West Rim — the only place a helicopter can land below the canyon rim, on Hualapai tribal land. 3. Iceland glacier landings — touch down on a 1,000-year-old ice cap above Reykjavík. 4. Mont Blanc, French Alps — circle Europe's highest summit with an optional Mer de Glace landing.
5. Milford Sound, New Zealand — fjords carved by glaciers, often combined with a snow landing. 6. Mount Everest base camp tour from Kathmandu. 7. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe — the legendary 'Flight of Angels'. 8. Dubai Palm Jumeirah at sunset, with Burj Khalifa and the World Islands. 9. Manhattan skyline at golden hour. 10. Niagara Falls — twelve minutes that justify the trip.
What makes a great helicopter tour? Three things: a landscape that's transformed by the aerial perspective (canyons, coastlines and glaciers all qualify), an operator with a strong safety culture and modern aircraft, and a route designed so every seat enjoys the view. The tours above all meet that bar.
Most of these flights cost less than you might think — many start under $400 per person — and almost all are bookable through HelicopterCharters.com. For private departures, anniversaries or routes that aren't offered as scheduled tours, our charter desk can arrange a bespoke quote in 2 hours.
Looking to plan a multi-destination helicopter trip? We'd suggest pairing Las Vegas + Grand Canyon, Reykjavík + South Coast Iceland, or Nice + Monaco + Saint-Tropez for an unforgettable week in the air.
