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If you think New York is impressive from the ground, wait until you see it from 1,500 feet up. A helicopter flight with HeliNY isn’t just a sightseeing tour; it’s your front-row ticket to capture jaw-dropping urban air videos and create unforgettable urban air YouTube videos. With multiple flight options and views that redefine the skyline, these five helicopter routes showcase the city’s most iconic landmarks like you’ve never seen them before.
Whether you’re after quick skyline shots or a full cinematic journey, each HeliNY route offers a unique angle of New York’s most famous sights.
The starting line for many, The New Yorker Tour departs from downtown Manhattan and runs about 12–15 minutes, covering “17 major landmarks.”
This shorter tour is ideal if you’re pressed for time but still want to record some memorable urban air videos. Right from take-off next to the East River, you’ll glide past points like the Brooklyn Bridge, Battery Park, the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and Midtown.
For creators planning urban air YouTube videos, this route gives you quick, high-impact footage: a compact sequence of iconic sites, perfect for a dynamic montage. The key: charge your camera, use a wide-angle lens, and get the best seat for views of Lady Liberty from above.
Next up: The Ultimate Tour. At 17–20 minutes, this is HeliNY’s most popular flight. The route stretches from downtown Manhattan up to the northern tip of the island, including views of the George Washington Bridge.
What makes this route shine for filming: you’re getting a nearly whole-island overview. The progression, from harbor views and the Statue of Liberty, through Midtown and the Empire State Building, up to the north end, creates a natural visual story for your urban air videos. When editing for urban air YouTube videos, you can use this tour as your “full ride” segment: start with take-off, land into the skyline, and finish with the broad views up north.
Want to go big? The Deluxe Tour is the longest standard flight offered by HeliNY, 25-30 minutes, and includes the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Verrazano Bridge.
This is the one for creators who want more time, more scenes, and more flexibility in filming. Think sweeping harbor vistas, Staten Island coastline from above, Brooklyn’s southern reaches, and then returning for the Manhattan skyline again. For your urban air videos, you’ll have time to capture establishing shots, mid-flight panos, and close-ups of landmark buildings. In urban air YouTube videos, you can split them into chapters or highlight sequences—from statue to skyline to boroughs beyond Manhattan.
HeliNY also offers departures from Linden, New Jersey, specifically the New York City Skyline Tour. With a flight time of around 25–30 minutes, you get views of the harbor, Manhattan’s northern tip, plus the NJ Palisades cliffs.
For filming, the NJ departure offers a slightly different perspective—a less urban, cluttered take, with expansive shorelines and the skyline framed across the water. Your urban air videos will benefit from this “reflective” framing (water and skyline opposite). For urban air YouTube videos, consider using this route for establishing a “New York from the outside in” narrative that shows the city’s magnitude and coastal context.
If you’re serious about your footage, maybe for comp reels, influencer uploads, or an elevated travel vlog, HeliNY’s private charter option is where you can script your own ride. With a charter, you can choose departure time, route, and focus areas. Want extended hovering above the Statue of Liberty or slow fly-bys north of Manhattan? You’ve got the flexibility. This is ideal for high-end urban air videos and full-length urban air YouTube videos where you want multiple scenes, B-roll, and cinematic transitions. Many creators use charter flights to step up their production quality (and the footage shows it).
While all this talk of filming and scenic views is exciting, safety is non-negotiable—and HeliNY takes it seriously. The fleet consists of state-of-the-art Bell 407 helicopters, equipped with features like GPS, Synthetic Vision Display Units, Terrain Warning Avoidance Systems (TWAS), and modern noise-reduction tech.
Pilots are highly experienced, familiar with the complex airspace around New York, and the tours depart from prime locations (Downtown Manhattan Heliport and Linden, NJ) that ensure smooth operations. Their “Safety First” standards are well-published.
Customer reviews reflect that commitment: HeliNY holds 4.6 stars on Google, about 4.8 stars on TripAdvisor, and 4.8 out of 5 on Viator. So whether you’re filming for fun or professionally, you’re flying with a trusted operator.
Because you’re not simply riding, you’re creating content, here are quick tips to maximize your camera work:
From a short, skyline-focused 12-minute hop to a fully customized private charter, HeliNY’s tours offer incredible options for travelers who want more than just “sightseeing”; they want visual storytelling. By selecting the right route, timing your flight for optimal light, and prepping your gear, you can walk away with content worthy of high-quality urban air videos or engaging urban air YouTube videos.
If you’re visiting the New York region and want to add that wow-factor to your trip, book your HeliNY flight, clip in your camera strap, and get ready: the city you know becomes a cinematic set from above.
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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
