Helicopter tour from Reykjavik: Hengill Area with at site landing

This kind of Iceland trip is interesting because you are not just looking at geothermal country, you are getting high above it first, then coming down onto it. I love the small group setup, which keeps the flight feeling personal, and I especially like the at-site landing, because it turns a scenic ride into something you can actually experience on the ground.

One thing to think about: this is a weather-dependent flight. If conditions are poor, you may need to reschedule, so it helps to have some flexibility in your Reykjavik plans.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Immediately

• Max 5 travelers for a calmer, more tailored experience in the air
• Landing at the Hengill geothermal area, not just a drive-by view
• Fuel surcharge and landing fees included, so the price is more predictable
• Stops over Hellisheiði Plateau, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, and Bláfjöll, giving you range
• English-guided flying, so you can follow what you are seeing without guessing
• Modern, clean helicopter experiences that prioritize passenger comfort and safety

What You’re Really Buying: A Helicopter Ride With a Real Landing

This tour is designed for people who want Iceland’s geothermal zones to feel real, not distant. You fly from Reykjavik, then build in a landing at the Hengill area, where the whole point is to experience the terrain up close, not just watch it glide past your window.

The “worth it” factor here is simple. You are paying for a helicopter with a small headcount, and landing fees are already included. Overhead-only tours can be nice, but this one gives you that extra step where you can feel the place under your feet.

Price and Value: About $600, With Fees and Landing Included

At $599.56 per person for roughly 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, this is not a budget activity. But it is also not just paying for time in a helicopter. You’re also paying for the included landing and the included fuel surcharge and landing fees, which are often the kinds of add-ons that quietly raise the final total on other tours.

The small-group cap of five travelers matters more than you might think. Fewer seats usually means the pilot can fly with a lighter, less crowded feel, and it is easier to get views from where you are sitting. One consistent theme from people who did this is that the scenery worked from all sides, not just from a single “lucky” seat.

If you are the type who gets restless with passive sightseeing, you will likely appreciate the structure. You get flight time, multiple aerial passes, and then a ground moment. That combo is what makes the price feel justified.

Getting There: Ace FBO and a Short Ride to Takeoff

Your departure starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík, Reykjavík Airport, and your tour ends back at the same meeting point. That “back to where you started” setup is convenient, especially if you want to keep your day simple after the flight.

You’ll also want to plan for the fact that this is a domestic airport setting. Even though the tour is short, you should arrive early enough to handle check-in calmly, use the restroom, and get seated without stress. The good news is that the meeting location is described as near public transportation, which can make it easier if you do not want to rely entirely on a private car.

You will receive a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking time. In other words, you are not left wondering if you are actually on the manifest.

The First Big View: Hellisheiði Plateau From the Air

After leaving Reykjavik domestic airport, the helicopter begins with a flyover of Hellisheiði Plateau. This matters because it sets the tone right away. From the sky, you see how the terrain stretches and layers, and geothermal regions look different when you can see the bigger shapes of the land.

This is also the moment when your brain starts mapping Iceland in a new way. Hellisheiði gives you a wide-angle context, so later you can recognize places you would not be able to line up from the ground.

If you care about photography, plan to use your first minutes for getting your bearings. Once the pilot starts moving between sights, it becomes harder to settle into a rhythm, so you’ll want to be ready early.

Hengill Geothermal Area Stop: Why the Landing Changes Everything

The heart of the experience is the Hengill Geothermal Area stop, which includes time at the site. It is listed as 25 minutes, and admission is free for the landing stop.

What you do with that time is the difference between a “pretty view” and a “I remember it” moment. Aerial geothermal scenery can be astonishing, but it is still flat from above. When you land, you can notice textures and scale in a way that is hard to replicate on foot elsewhere in Iceland.

Many people are especially excited about the walkaround feeling. One guest described getting to walk near a thermal pond after landing, and another mentioned a chance to walk on nearby ice. Since landing conditions can vary by weather and the final landing area, think of this stop as your best shot at a real ground experience, not just a photo stop.

Also, keep your body language calm when you step out. You’ll want to watch your footing and give yourself a moment before you start wandering. Even if it feels informal, it is still a guided operation with safety rules.

Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun: Seeing Power Plants as Part of the Land

After Hengill, the flight continues over key geothermal infrastructure: Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun. From the ground, these areas can feel like industrial zones you drive around. From the helicopter, they become part of the landscape story.

Why is that valuable? Iceland’s geothermal energy is not just a power source, it is how the country shapes and uses its heat. When you see the plants from the air, you can understand spacing and layout in a way that helps the whole region click.

It’s also one of the spots where the pilot’s flying style helps. You are not stuck with one straight pass. The route is structured to cover different areas, so you get more than one angle on the same general zone.

If you like learning while you look, this segment is usually where your questions start. The tour is offered in English, and the whole point is that the sights mean something, not just that you are passing over them.

Bláfjöll and the Volcano Perspective You Can’t Get From Roads

The itinerary also includes coverage of Bláfjöll. This is a big deal for anyone who wants the “volcano and high country” view that road travel simply cannot replicate.

From the ground, you tend to see what is directly in front of you. From the helicopter, you see how volcanic and geothermal areas sit together, and you can spot patterns in terrain that make it easier to understand Iceland’s forces.

This is the part of the experience that fits the highlight promise: you get a chance to see parts of the volcanoes you would not be able to see from land. You’re also moving quickly enough that you get a sense of scale without turning it into a full day of driving.

If you’re deciding between a long driving tour and a short flight, this is the argument. Time is compressed, but the perspective is wide.

Flying Back Over Reykjavik: Turning a Short Flight Into a Full Circle

After covering the geothermal spots, the helicopter flies over Reykjavik. This last approach is smart. It brings you back from remote, industrial, and high country into recognizable city geography.

I like this final segment because it helps you “land” mentally, even if you are still in the air. You can see how the city sits in relation to the surrounding terrain, which makes your whole Reykjavik stay feel more connected.

It also gives you one last chance to look for details, like how coastlines and inland textures shift in visibility. On a clear day, you may feel like the entire country map is being drawn for you in real time.

The Seats, the Pilot, and the Safety Feel

This is a max five travelers tour, so you are not packed into a big cattle-car group. People consistently talk about getting great views from all seats, which tells me the layout is planned for sightlines, not just for fitting bodies.

Pilot quality also shows up in the best experiences. One account praised a pilot named Clements, and they noted the helicopter felt modern and clean. Another review emphasized that a coordinator was kind, courteous, and helped people feel safe with an experienced, skilled pilot.

Even without you doing anything special, that kind of professionalism matters. In a helicopter, the difference between a relaxed ride and a tense ride is everything, and good communication reduces that edge you might feel when you realize you are flying above active geothermal zones.

Weather, Time, and How to Set Yourself Up for Success

This tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That policy is comforting, but the practical takeaway is to avoid booking this as your only activity on a tight schedule.

Since the flight is relatively short, you do not want to lose the day waiting around. If you can, plan your flight earlier in your stay, with a backup plan in the Reykjavik area for the rest of the day.

Timing-wise, expect around 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. That is long enough to feel like you did something significant, but short enough that you can still enjoy the rest of your trip afterward.

What’s Included, What’s Not, and What You Should Plan Around

Included:

• Landing
• Fuel surcharge

Not included:

• Food

Because food is not included, I suggest you eat before you go, especially if you tend to get hungry fast. The overall trip time is short, but you might not want to be searching for a quick meal between check-in and boarding.

Also note the total weight per passenger limit of 265 lbs. If you are near that limit, check with the operator before booking. This is one of those “easy to overlook” details that can make or break participation.

Who Should Book This Helicopter Tour With a Hengill Landing

This fits best if you want:

• High-impact sightseeing in a short window
• A small-group experience instead of a big group tour
• A route that mixes aerial views with a real landing time
• English narration so you can connect the places you see

It is also a solid fit for people who dislike long driving days. If your itinerary is already full of stops, this gives you a different kind of Iceland highlight without adding hours behind the wheel.

It may be less ideal if you need a super predictable schedule. Weather can affect flight operations. Also, if you strongly dislike flying or have low tolerance for being in an aircraft, you may want to consider a ground-based geothermal tour instead.

Should You Book This Hengill Helicopter Tour? My Take

If you want the biggest “Iceland wow” per hour, I think this is one of the strongest choices out of Reykjavik. The combination of multiple aerial passes plus a landing at Hengill is the key. You get the bird’s-eye story first, then the ground-level reality.

The price is high, but it is not just paying for motion. It includes landing and fuel surcharges. And the max of five travelers keeps the vibe focused and calm rather than crowded.

My advice is to book it if your schedule can flex for weather and you are comfortable with a flight duration of about an hour. If that sounds like you, this tour is a practical, memorable way to see geothermal Iceland in a way roads cannot do.

FAQ

How long is the helicopter tour to the Hengill area?

The tour lasts approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes.

What is the tour language?

The experience is offered in English.

How many people are on the tour?

This tour/activity has a maximum of five travelers.

What does the price include?

The listed inclusions are landing and the fuel surcharge.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

Where is the meeting point?

You start at Ace FBO Reykjavík, Reykjavík Airport, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are there any weather limits or cancellation rules?

The experience requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.