What to Expect on Fly NYON's Open-Door Helicopter Tour Over NYC
This helicopter tour review takes you through a genuine open-door flight experience with Fly NYON, the only operator in the New York City area offering this type of unobstructed aerial adventure. The video follows a complete journey from booking and arrival through takeoff, the flight itself, and landing—all with honest commentary on what makes this experience thrilling and where the reality differs from the hype.
The tour launches from an industrial complex in Kearney, New Jersey (not Manhattan), and takes you soaring above iconic landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Empire State Building, and the Manhattan skyline. This experience suits adrenaline seekers, photography enthusiasts, bucket-list travelers, and anyone wanting a truly unique perspective of New York City—though it requires comfort with heights, reasonable physical fitness, and advance planning.
Key Moments
Key Sights and Moments During the Flight
- Wide-open helicopter doors for unobstructed 360-degree views and direct sightlines to buildings and landmarks below
- The "shoe selfie" moment—dangling your legs out of the helicopter for photos (with the caveat that wind resistance makes this harder to sustain than expected)
- Aerial views of the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Empire State Building, and Manhattan's grid of skyscrapers
- The cinematic drone-like perspective of seeing the city from above with your own eyes rather than through a screen
- Post-flight photo opportunity with the helicopter itself before heading back to the office
Booking Details and What You Need to Know
- Operator: Fly NYON is currently the only company in the NYC area offering open-door helicopter tours
- Flight duration: Book the basic 15-minute package, then upgrade to 30 minutes at the desk (usually cheaper than booking 30 minutes upfront); note that a 30-minute flight feels much shorter than expected
- Price and deals: Expect to pay roughly $300 or more depending on time of day and duration; wait for rotating weekly sales when flights drop to 70% off before booking
- Location: The facility is in Kearney, New Jersey's industrial area; use Uber or taxi directly to the doors, as public transportation is unreliable and may cause you to miss your flight
- Safety briefing: Mandatory and thorough; pay attention to procedures in case of emergencies, including what to do if your seatbelt comes loose mid-flight
- Weather: Flights can be cancelled at short notice due to bad weather; if you're only in NYC for a few days, this may impact your ability to fly
- Seat location: Two of the six seats cannot access the open doors (front left facing backward and middle seat); pay extra for a "shoe selfie guarantee" to secure a better seat, or hope your random assignment is favorable
- What to bring: Book a camera rental if you lack professional recording equipment; secure phone and cameras to your safety harness before takeoff
- Season: Book during warm weather months if possible, as the open doors and wind exposure make flights quite cold
Common Questions About This NYC Helicopter Experience
Is the open-door experience as safe as it seems?
Yes. The wind pressure from the rotor blades actually pushes you back into the cabin, preventing you from falling or extending your body too far. The video emphasizes that you never feel completely unsafe during the flight, though the safety briefing covers what to do if something goes wrong.
How long does the actual flight last?
A 30-minute flight is the recommended upgrade and offers better value than the basic 15-minute option, though the video notes that even 30 minutes feels surprisingly short—more like 8 minutes in subjective time.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Fly NYON will cancel your flight at short notice for safety reasons and offer a full refund or the chance to reschedule. If you're only visiting NYC for a few days, bad weather could prevent you from flying at all, so build in flexibility or plan your trip during a season with stable weather.
Can I bring my own camera or phone?
Yes, but secure it to your safety harness before takeoff. The video recommends having one dedicated video camera with image stabilization and 4K capability (at 50 fps minimum) and a separate camera for still photos. Trying to manage multiple devices simultaneously increases the risk of ruined footage.
What's the main drawback of this tour?
The shoe selfie (dangling legs out the door) is harder to sustain than photos and videos suggest, because wind and rotor blade pressure make it exhausting to hold the position for long. Additionally, two of the six seats cannot access the open doors at all—if you don't pay for a seat guarantee, you may end up unable to get the classic dangling-legs shot.
