Doors-Off Helicopter Tour Over New York: An Unforgettable Adventure

Flying in a helicopter is an experience in itself, but when you add the thrill of soaring over New York in a doors-off helicopter, the excitement reaches a whole new level. If anyone had told me in the past that I would one day experience this, I would have called them crazy. But here we were, living out this Jure’s dream, and I couldn’t have been happier to share the moment.

Let’s go through the whole process from planning to the whole experience. If you want to experience a flight like this, you need to book in advance with one of the many helicopter companies that offer this service. It is advisable to check the reviews and choose a reputable company with a good safety record. We booked it at FlyNYON, where in our case, the price per person was USD 190 for a 16min flight at 1 p.m. Prices vary depending on the day of the week or time of day – sunset is the one that offers the most ‘instagrammable’ photos and is consequently the most expensive. Pro tip: Keep an eye on their website for promotions and discounts, as there are often great deals to be had. And don’t forget to check out their Instagram feed – it’s full of breathtaking photos and videos that will have you even more excited for the adventure ahead!

When you buy, pay attention to the discount section of your order – there is almost always a discount code somewhere between 50% and 70% at the top of the page, and there is also a box in the order itself that says “Get XY% discount and 2 weeks SkyClub membership”. If you choose this option, you will also be signing up for their club, which does come with certain benefits, but if you are only in NY once, it’s not worth it, and is charged at $5.99 per month from the date of purchase. So ignore this box and just enter the discount code at the top of the page in the discount code box and it will give you the exact same discount on the flight, without any membership.

FlyNYON is located in South Kearny in an industrial area about 25 km outside Manhattan. Logistically, this is not a problem, as you have subway, buses or Uber available at any time, but please note that some combos might be required (there is no subway in that area). We were lucky enough to have a flight from Trieste to Newark Liberty International Airport, which made it easier for us to plan our trip. We spent the first night near the airport, took a helicopter ride the next morning, saw New York from the air, and then went to explore New York “on the ground”. To find your way around, use Google Maps or Rome2Rio, where all the public transport options are listed. There is also Uber, which is a slightly more expensive option (from Newark Airport to the FlyNYON base was about 25$).

As the city with the supposedly most lawsuits, it’s only fitting that this experience was a safe one. Flying in a helicopter requires certain precautions, and even more so if we are talking about flying with open doors.

• Weighing in – Each passenger is first weighed to determine who goes in which helicopter and which seat will be allocated, in order to achieve the best balance. Of course, you can pay extra for your own specific seat and surely get an outside seat. We didn’t do this ourselves, as we judged that, given that the helicopter holds 5 passengers and only one seat is “in the middle”, there was a good chance that at least one of us would be sitting outside 100% of the time. Fortunately it was Jure, because it was he who wanted to experience this more than I.
• Video guide – In a special room, a video is shown to brief you on the entire flight and give you instructions on what to do and what not to do. Afterwards, a member of staff explains it all again.
• Safety belts and straps: Before the flight, you will be given a safety harness and straps to ensure that you are safely secured during the flight. They also protect your phones, cameras and camcorders with strap holders to prevent them falling out of your hands during the flight.
• Suitable clothing: It is advisable to dress warmly as it can get quite cold with the door open. And wear shoes with laces so you don’t lose them. I also advise women to wear trousers, as a longer skirt will make it harder or impossible to fasten your harness.
• Emergency test: Each passenger activates the harness release in the event of an accident on the signal of an employee.
• Pilot Instructions: Pilots are experienced professionals who ensure our safety. Again, you will be given detailed instructions on how to behave and what not to do during your flight.

I advise you to take your time and set aside half a day for this experience, as a 15-minute helicopter ride actually means 2 hours of preparation. If you include the journey there and back to the centre…

There are several different flights on offer, of varying lengths and, of course, with different views of New York. We chose a 16 min flight. For those few minutes, the pilot became not only our pilot, but also our guide. He carefully described each attraction and directed us what and where to see. We saw:

• The Statue of Liberty
• Ellis Island
• Wall Street
• 9/11 Memorial
• One World Trade Center
• Lower Manhattan…

And in the distance also the Empire State Building, Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Flying with the doors off is not only a visual spectacle, but also a real adrenaline rush. It’s hard to describe the sensations of floating a few 100m above such iconic buildings, the Hudson River, circling the Statue of Liberty, and feeling the helicopter tilt as you look straight down over the bustling streets of New York, where thousands of people rush about in a city that never sleeps, an experience that is hard to compare with anything else.

If you are a photography enthusiast, this is the perfect opportunity to capture unique images. Without obstructed views, you can capture New York in all its beauty. We were honestly enjoying the view more than taking photos in those short minutes, but we managed a few anyway. It’s even better if you go for a flyover in good weather and at sunset. We visited New York at the end of April – beginning of May and we had some bad luck with the weather, as it actually drizzled a few minutes before take-off. Flying in a helicopter with the doors open over New York is definitely one of the experiences we will never forget. In those few minutes we experienced adrenaline, excitement, a feeling of total freedom and a breathtaking view over a city that you usually see on TV in many series and films. If you are a thrill seeker and want to see New York in a unique way, this is an adventure not to be missed. With the right precautions and preparation, this is sure to be one of the most spectacular experiences of your life. For any additional restrictions and risks, please consult your flight provider to ensure that your experience is as beautiful as possible.