Liberty Helicopter Tours

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The New York City skyline is one of the most breathtaking and famous sights in the world. Many movies, television series, and paintings use the views of this spectacular city as a backdrop such that most people, no matter where they are from, feel like they already “know” New York. However, to see the NYC skyline on a screen or even from an airplane taking off from or landing in JFK is not truly “seeing” it. In fact, the best way to get the real experience of New York’s famous skyline is to be so close you can almost reach out and touch it. With Liberty Helicopter Tours, you are able to do just that.

History

Established in 1986 as a charter service, Liberty Helicopter Tours is the largest and most experienced helicopter company in the northeastern United States. It maintains a fleet of 10 American Eurocopter helicopters, the largest helicopter-producing company in the world. These state-of-the-art flying machines include the AS350, AS355, and AS365 models which can accommodate five or six people plus the pilot.

Liberty Helicopter Tours began its tourism business in 1990 in response to a growing demand among tourists to the NYC area for new ways to experience the city. Since then, Liberty has maintained its market share as the largest company to offer helicopter tours in New York as well as established itself as a company where safety is paramount.  Liberty pilots generally hail from military and NYPD-backgrounds and they are specifically trained by the American Eurocopter factory training division on the specific needs of their aircraft. As a result, Liberty Helicopter Tours has received the 5 Star Diamond Award and the Eastern Regional Helicopter Council’s (ERHC) Fly Neighborly Award several times over.

Main Attraction

Located at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 6 East River Piers, Liberty Helicopter Tours offers a number of tourist and charter helicopter packages that are designed to fit multiple needs and budgets. Their most basic helicopter tour lasts 10-12 minutes and includes views of all of New York’s major attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis and Governors Islands, the Financial District, Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and U.S.S. Intrepid. They also offer and extended standard tour which lasts for 18-20 minutes. In addition to the above sites, this tour includes Yankee Stadium, the George Washington Bridge, and a complete fly-over of Central Park.

Additional, more personal tours include a Romantic/V.I.P. option that assures passengers that they will be the only ones in the chopper, as well as the option to get “Married over Manhattan.” Liberty also partners with other tourist agencies across New York to offer package deals which include biking over the Brooklyn Bridge, taking a tour along the Circle Line, or a tour of New York Harbor on the jet-powered thrill boat, The Beast.

Each helicopter can carry between five and six passengers along with the pilot. Therefore, individuals, couples, families, and small groups can all take advantage of a Liberty tour together. Tourists are encouraged to book their tours as far in advance as possible with the understanding that weather can ground tours.

Why It’s a Must-See

Seeing Manhattan from the window of a helicopter is like no other opportunity in the world. These buildings are so iconic in our popular culture that the chance to see Lady Liberty’s crown up close, for example, will remain a cherished memory for years to come.

While the cost of helicopter tours is understandably expensive, several tourist passes offer discounts and several times a year, especially in the spring and fall “off” season, the company itself will give discounts as well. This is one of those times when “saving up” can really pay off.

Where to Buy It

There are a number of ways you can enjoy admission to this attraction.

Save up to 20% online at Smart Destinations. If you add more than one attraction to the cart, you will get an automatic savings of up to 20%. It’s called Make Your Own Pass.

Pay Full Price and purchase a ticket from Liberty Helicopter Tours either online or in person.