Best Helicopter Tour

Flightseeing adds a dynamic dimension to tourism, combining breathtaking sights with a thrilling experience. Helicopter tours offer unparalleled panoramic vistas, transforming any landscape into an unforgettable spectacle. Whether soaring over cityscapes, mountains or coastlines, passengers gain a new perspective on the iconic landmarks and hidden gems below. From the Hawaiian Islands to the Florida Panhandle, we've pulled together some of the nation's finest helicopter tours.

These 10 helicopter tours were selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.

Congratulations to our 2024 winners; you can now visit our 2025 Best Helicopter Tour contest.

1. Rainbow Air—Niagara Falls, NY

Rainbow Air offers a stunning vantage point from which to view the natural wonder of Niagara and Horseshoe Falls. Flown by expert pilots, their McDonnell Douglas 500E helicopters feature a quiet turbine engine and window seating for all four passengers. Longer flights and limousine service from the Niagara Falls airport are available on request.

2. Guidance Air—Sedona, AZ

Consistently earning top ratings and reviews, Guidance Air offers stellar service and an array of tours including Sedona, Prescott and the Grand Canyon. All flights include air-conditioning and guaranteed window seats, plus a post-landing drink after your tour. If you want to continue the adventure on the ground, you can combo your flight with a slingshot or razor rental.

3. Alaska Helicopter Tours—Anchorage, AK

Since 1985, Alaska Helicopter Tours have taken guests on awesome flightseeing tours with views of Alaskan valleys, glacier walls and mountaintops. In addition to glacier tours, they also offer glacier adventures like snowshoeing, heli hiking and summer dogsledding on Knik Glacier. With a spotless safety record and 5-star ratings, it's no wonder they're one of the top ways to explore Alaska's roadless wilderness.

4. FlyNYON—New York City/Kearny, NY

You can get some of the best panoramic views and photos of the Big Apple's landmarks in a helicopter tour from FlyNYON. Their Bell 206 L3 and L4 helicopters have club seating, providing maximum visibility out the aircraft sides. Whether doors-on or -off, their flights are designed for aerial photography, and they offer camera rental if you left yours behind as well as flight concierges that can offer tips for getting the best shots.

5. Black Hills Helicopters—Keystone, SD

Owned and operated by veterans, Black Hills Helicopters prizes customer safety and comfort, launching their tours in new choppers from the area's only FAA-approved heliport. Their private tours explore the stunning and unique landscape of South Dakota's Black Hills as well as the colossal sculptures at Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.

6. Ali'i Air Tours & Charters—Lihue, HI

Offering the best tours of the lush island of Kauai, Ali'I provides an aerial view of gorgeous Manawaiopuna Falls, the cliffs of Napali Coast, the Mt. Wai'ale'ale crater and other majestic Hawaiian landmarks. Their Robinson R44 helicopters seat three passengers with only window seats, and both doors-on and -off tours are available, offering unobstructed and unparalleled views.

7. Papillon—Las Vegas, NV

Soar above the Vegas Strip and into the heart of the Grand Canyon with Papillon, a leading helicopter tour company for over 50 years. Papillon explores the entire canyon and partners with the park for exclusive landing sites. Guests can witness breathtaking sights from ECO-Star helicopters with unobstructed views and forward-facing theater seats.

8. Panhandle Helicopters—Panama City Beach, FL

Family owned since 2008, Panhandle Helicopters offers tours over Panama City Beach and the 30A route in a Robinson R44. Well-trained and congenial, their pilots zip you over beautiful beaches and aquamarine waters, helping you spot wildlife down below. For leery flyers who want just a taste, they offer a Fast Lap and an Intro tour that last only a few minutes.

9. Fly-KeyWest—Key West, FL

Both thrilling and educational, the tours from Fly-KeyWest offer truly stunning views over the Keys and the islands beyond. Ideal for threesomes, these cozy flights set out in a Robinson R44 Clipper II. Those interested in learning can even take the Discovery Flight tour to get a taste of piloting. If you like it, these professionals also offer flight training on site.

10. Colorado Vertical Helicopters—Canon City, CO

Flying a five-seater, jet-engine-powered Robinson R66, the highly experienced pilots at Colorado Vertical Helicopters give spring and summer tours of the Royal Gorge and Pikes Peak regions of Colorado. Strap in for outstanding mountain and canyon views. While geared toward family fun, they also offer proposal tours that make a truly memorable way to pop the question.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Panel of Experts

Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business, a travel blog that aims to inspire people to fit more travel and adventure into the lifestyle they already have. Since starting her blog in 2010, Amanda has traveled to more than 60 countries on six continents from her home base in Ohio and has been working with brands and destinations to promote responsible and thoughtful travel for more than a decade.

Chez Chesak is an award-winning adventure travel writer, 29-year veteran of the outdoor industry, Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and chair of The Society of American Travel Writers' Central States Chapter. Learn more about him at www.chezconnects.com.

Jennie is a fourth-generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for many years and still spends several weeks yearly traveling as a tour director. She's been a guide in both Alaska and Washington and is a field editor for The Milepost and the host of the Alaska Uncovered Podcast as well as the Washington State Hiking Podcast. She loves sharing her favorite places with visitors, newcomers and her fellow locals. Follow her travels at ordinary-adventures.com.

Keryn is a digital publisher, freelance writer and travel expert living in Long Beach, CA. She founded Walking On Media, LLC in 2011, which has launched such websites and publications as TwistTravelMag.com, Twist Travel Magazine, DCTravelMag.com and PCHTravelMag.com. Thanks to her publications, Keryn has been asked to do travel TV segments for Good Morning Washington and Good Day DC in Washington, D.C., as well as freelance writing for national publications like Thrillist.com, Travel Age West, ParentMap magazine, and many more publications and outlets looking for well-researched, informative and fun content for their own platforms.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.