Presidents Day weekend is one of those rare winter breaks that sneaks up on everyone. It’s not a major travel holiday, but it does offer an extra day, just enough time to plan something memorable for you and your family. If you’re spending the long weekend in New York City, few experiences feel more rewarding (or more uniquely New York) than seeing the skyline from the sky aboard a HeliNY helicopter tour or charter.
Whether you’re looking for a bucket-list sightseeing flight, a private luxury experience, or a creative way to celebrate with family or friends, HeliNY turns a winter weekend into something you’ll talk about all year. Here’s how to make Presidents Day weekend extraordinary, entirely through the lens of HeliNY.
Presidents Day has always been rooted in American history and civic pride. There’s no better backdrop for that than New York City, home to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Freedom Tower, and the most cinematic skyline in the country. Seeing these landmarks from the sky adds context and scale that ground-level sightseeing can’t match.
HeliNY tours include sweeping views of:
During clear winter days, especially in February, visibility is exceptional. Crisp air creates sharper detail and a more photogenic skyline, making it one of the best seasons for aerial photography and sharing time with family.
HeliNY offers multiple flight types to fit every group, occasion, and level of adventure—from shared sightseeing tours to private charters. Below is how each one fits into a winter-long weekend.
Best for: Visitors short on time, first-time flyers, families with young kids, and anyone looking for a quick but iconic skyline experience.
The flight delivers an unforgettable introduction to New York, tracing a path over Lower Manhattan’s signature sights, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Freedom Tower, and Hudson Yards before returning to the heliport. It’s a natural match for a patriotic weekend, pairing skyline views with some of America’s defining landmarks.
Best for: Couples, families, and small groups who want the whole skyline experience without going private.
The Ultimate Tour extends the route into Midtown Manhattan, flying past the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Central Park, and Times Square. It strikes an outstanding balance between duration, coverage, and value, making it especially compelling during holiday weekends when travelers are seeking standout experiences.
Best for: Visitors who want maximum airtime and full skyline coverage.
This extended route includes everything on The Ultimate Tour. It continues farther north along the Hudson River, offering riverfront views, bridges, and the upper reaches of Manhattan. For travelers who love collecting bucket-list experiences, this is a serious highlight.
Best for: Couples, celebrations, anniversaries, proposals, and VIP moments.
Private sunset flights showcase the Manhattan skyline at its most cinematic. Winter sunsets in particular create vivid colors, clear skies, and dramatic light transitions as the city begins to glow. If Presidents Day weekend is doubling as a milestone celebration, this is one of the most memorable experiences you can book in New York.
Best for: VIP travel, weekend getaways, airport transfers, and fast regional transportation.
HeliNY offers premium helicopter charters across the Northeast, pairing modern Bell aircraft with attentive service and meticulous execution. From corporate itineraries to custom leisure travel, every flight is designed to provide comfort, privacy, and an effortless journey from start to finish.
Presidents Day weekend aligns naturally with helicopter sightseeing for several reasons:
For visitors and locals alike, the timing works.
HeliNY tours resonate with different types of travelers for different reasons:
It’s a rare winter activity that combines excitement, history, and visual spectacle—all without requiring ski gear or hours of planning.
Adventure is only fun when safety is solid and HeliNY has built its name on precisely that. All tours and charters operate on a state-of-the-art fleet of Bell 407 helicopters, known for reliability, smooth handling, and exceptional passenger visibility. The aircraft’s design makes it particularly well-suited for sightseeing and charter operations in a dense urban environment like New York.
But safety isn’t just about equipment. HeliNY has earned two significant third-party safety distinctions:
These designations represent the highest safety benchmarks in the air tour industry and require rigorous audits, ongoing compliance, and advanced safety management protocols — exceeding baseline regulatory requirements. For guests, that means peace of mind before takeoff, during flight, and on landing.
During a winter holiday weekend, that level of assurance makes the experience even more enjoyable.
HeliNY isn’t just safe, it’s consistently praised by travelers. Across major travel platforms, HeliNY maintains strong star ratings:
Not everyone knows what they want to do over a long weekend, and that’s where HeliNY gift cards are handy. They allow the recipient to choose a tour date, flight time, and preferred experience at their convenience. If you’re looking for a flexible holiday gift or a creative way to surprise someone, this is an excellent option.
To make the experience as smooth as possible:
The process is straightforward, and the payoff is significant.
If you’re looking for an experience that feels meaningful, patriotic, and unmistakably New York, a HeliNY helicopter tour or private charter is the perfect way to elevate the long weekend.
It turns a small winter holiday into something unforgettable, offering breathtaking views, shared memories, and a completely different vantage point of America’s most iconic city.
HeliNY runs tours daily from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Choose your flight, pick your time, and make Presidents Day weekend a skyline adventure you’ll never forget.
Recognition from the Tour Operators Program of Safety underscores HeliNY's aviation safety and operational excellence leadership 1HeliNY - helicopter sightseeing, charter, and medical transport services NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, November 5, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- HeliNY, New York City's premier provider of helicopter sightseeing, charter, and medical transport services, is proud to announce that it has been awarded certification from the Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS)—the nation's most respected safety accreditation program for helicopter tour operators. This distinction marks a significant milestone in HeliNY's commitment to safety, pilot training, and operational integrity. HeliNY is the sole helicopter operator in the New York metropolitan region holding this elite certification. TOPS is an independent nonprofit organization that sets the gold standard for air tour safety—surpassing even FAA requirements. Earning the designation requires compliance with a comprehensive set of safety benchmarks covering pilot qualifications, maintenance programs, risk management systems, and overall safety culture. Certified operators must also undergo annual third-party audits to ensure full compliance and continuous improvement. “We congratulate HeliNY for passing our stringent air tour certification process and becoming a member operator,” said Christopher Young, Executive Director at the Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS). “All of our member operators voluntarily hold themselves to a much higher safety standard than other industry operators, and we are thrilled to welcome HeliNY into this organization.” "Being recognized by TOPS is a tremendous honor," said Paul Blodgett, CEO of HeliNY. "It reinforces our belief that unforgettable experiences start with uncompromising safety. As the largest sightseeing helicopter operator in the New York metro area, maintaining the highest levels of safety training and oversight is not just our responsibility—it's our identity." Since 1994, HeliNY has served the New York City metro area with a state-of-the-art fleet of Bell helicopters, operating from two key departure points: the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and Linden Municipal Airport in New Jersey. With over 80,000 collective pilot hours and 78,000 passengers flown annually, HeliNY has earned a reputation as one of the most trusted names in urban air tourism. The achievement of TOPS Certification provides an additional layer of confidence for passengers who choose HeliNY for sightseeing tours, private charters, regional getaways, or medical transportation—knowing their experience meets the industry's highest safety and operational standards. Key Standards Required for TOPS Certification - Annual independent safety audits - Implementation of proactive Safety Management Systems (SMS) - Pilot training and maintenance programs that exceed federal regulations - Transparent reporting and continuous safety enhancement To learn more about the Tour Operators Program of Safety, visit topssafety.org. About HeliNY Founded in 1994, HeliNY (Helicopter Flight Services, Inc.) is the largest sightseeing helicopter operator in the New York metropolitan region. The company provides world-class sightseeing tours, private charters, and medical transport services from Manhattan and New Jersey. Known for its modern Bell 407 fleet, experienced pilots, and exceptional service, HeliNY delivers a range of unforgettable flight experiences—from scenic skyline tours to luxurious regional escapes. Learn more at heliny.com. About TOPS The Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS) is the leading independent safety certification for helicopter tour operators across the United States. Through rigorous standards, transparent audits, and a collaborative approach to risk management, TOPS ensures that participating operators maintain the highest levels of safety, maintenance, and operational excellence. Learn more at topssafety.org. Bert Solivan HeliNY (Helicopter Flight Services, Inc.) berts@heliny.com
Highlighting HeliNY’s Strong Safety Culture and Commitment to Exceptional Guest Experiences NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — HeliNY, a leading helicopter sightseeing, charter, and medical organ transport operator in the New York metro region, today announced it has achieved WYVERN Wingman certification, one of the aviation industry’s most respected safety designations. The certification was granted on December 2, 2025, following successful and ongoing collaboration in the Flight Leader Program, which validates HeliNY’s operational excellence, pilot training, maintenance programs, and Safety Management System. HeliNY is the first helicopter operator at the Downtown Manhattan Skyport (JRB) to meet the heliport’s newly enhanced safety standards, which took effect on September 1, 2025. Located at Pier 6 on the East River, JRB requires all operators to undergo an annual third-party safety audit, the results of which are provided to Downtown Manhattan Skyport. These results may also be shared with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). In its certification notice, WYVERN stated: “We congratulate HeliNY for demonstrating compliance with the WYVERN Wingman Standard. Their validated SMS and strong participation in the Flight Leader Program reflect a commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.” Paul Blodgett, CEO of HeliNY, said: “We are deeply proud to achieve WYVERN Wingman certification, and we extend our sincere thanks to the WYVERN team for their partnership and the meticulous audit process. This recognition—coming just weeks after our TOPS certification—underscores our unwavering commitment to operating at the highest levels of safety and professionalism. As the first operator at the JRB to meet these enhanced safety standards, this achievement marks a major milestone for our company and offers every guest added confidence when they fly with us.” This milestone follows HeliNY’s November certification from the Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS), marking two significant safety achievements this quarter. About HeliNY Founded in 1994, HeliNY (Helicopter Flight Services, Inc.) is the largest sightseeing helicopter operator in the New York metropolitan region. The company provides world-class sightseeing tours, private charters, and medical transport services from Manhattan and New Jersey. Known for its modern Bell 407 fleet, experienced pilots, and exceptional service, HeliNY delivers a range of unforgettable flight experiences—from scenic skyline tours to luxurious regional escapes. Learn more at heliny.com. About WYVERN WYVERN is an ISO-9001-certified global leader in aerospace safety-risk management. Founded in 1991, the company delivers industry-leading audits, certifications, coaching, and safety-intelligence solutions that help organizations elevate performance and strengthen safety culture. WYVERN’s Wingman Standard and Flight Leader Program are trusted worldwide as benchmarks of aerospace excellence. To learn more about the WYVERN Wingman Certification, visit https://www.wyvernltd.com/wingman-and-certifications-2025/. Media Contact Bert Solivan, HeliNY (Helicopter Flight Services, Inc.), 1 201-679-2289, berts@heliny.com, https://heliny.com/ SOURCE HeliNY (Helicopter Flight Services, Inc.)
