”Now I can die in peace” was exactly what I said to Konrad after we landed on Kearny terminal. My biggest dream just came true!
I knew that if I ever visited NYC I’d want to see it from above. NYC Heli ride was on top of my ”to do” list since I remember and I finally DID IT. The whole experience was a pinch me moment; tears of joy, adrenaline levels through the roof, but honestly, it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life, and I absolutely loved every moment of it!
Now, emotions aside – let me tell you all about the organisation, cost and safety of NYC Helicopter ride.
FlyNYON
We chose FlyNYON because it’s the only company providing Doors Off experience. I spent hours researching, reading reviews, and watching videos of other people’s experiences. The thought of seeing New York City from a bird’s-eye view, with no windows obstructing my view, was beyond exciting.
There are two types of experiences, 15min or 30min and I would say go for 30min. We chose 30min ride and it literally flew by so fast, I can only imagine what 15min ride felt like. By choosing longer ride, you’ll see more, here’s the difference:
15min ride includes:
- Statue of Liberty
- Ellis Island
- Wall St
- Freedom Tower
- 9/11 Memorial
- The Oculus
- Lower Manhattan Money Shot
30min ride includes:
- Statue of Liberty
- Ellis Island
- Wall St
- Freedom Tower
- 9/11 Memorial
- The Oculus
- Lower Manhattan Money Shot
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Empire State Building
- Midtown
- Times Square
- The Vessel
- Central Park
Prices
Please bear in mind the prices may vary depending on time/day/season – as per 06/08/2024 the prices are:
- 15min ride – $165 pp
- 30min – $300 pp
Additional fees:
- Shoe Selfie Seat Guarantee – $150
- Weather Insurance – $150
- Booking Fee – $100
- Transport from NYC to Jersey
Summary; 30min flight + Shoe Selfie Guarantee + Weather Insurance + Booking fee = $700 pp
Of course you can pass on some extras, such as Shoe Selfie Guarantee or Weather Insurance – however, I highly recommend the 2nd option. Weather insurance means you will receive a refund for your flight in the event of a cancellation due to weather. If you are unable to reschedule during your visit, a refund will be given for the cost of your purchased seat less the cost of insurance. However, if you decide not to get the weather insurance, FlyNyon should rebook your flight for another day, but after reading the reviews online I found out that it’s usually quite problematic, especially if you visit NYC for a short period of time – and you don’t get your money back either. It’s as risky as it sounds really.
Not getting Shoe Selfie seat is also risky. You may be lucky and get a seat by the door, but again, it’s not guaranteed unless you purchase the Shoe Selfie option.
Booking fee applies to everyone, there’s no way to overcome this unfortunately.
Things you should know before booking
FlyNYON terminal/office is based in Kearny, New Jersey. Most travellers visiting NYC are depending on public transport so I’m assuming you’ll be travelling to New Jersey by bus. Unfortunately, there are no direct buses from NYC to FlyNyon office.
You can easily get there by public transport, but please bear in mind this is going to be (most likely) an all day activity. The buses are usually late and packed, so you may need to wait for the next one. You should arrive to FlyNyon office at least 1h30min prior to your flight time for preflight information and safety briefing. They will make sure waivers are signed, and cameras secured, so please, please make sure you leave early and arrive even 2hrs before your flight. I’ve read so many complaints online from people being late and there’s honestly nothing you can do to stop them from charging you for not showing up on time.
Safety
When it comes to safety, I need to be transparent with you. Such activities can be dangerous due to many, different reasons. In 2018 FlyNYON had a fatal accident (read more here) – I really want to believe that the safety regulations are in place and that the company is taking things seriously – I’m nowhere near aviation specialist, but the whole flight prep seemed serious and I really felt safe and well taken care of before, during and after the flight.
Would I do it again? Absolutely, without any hesitation!
No Comments