Helicopter tour from Reykjavik: Hengill Area with at site landing

Hengill’s geothermal country is impressive from the ground, but from a helicopter you see how the steaming valleys, volcanic ridges, rivers, and power plants fit together. The best part is the landing itself: you get about 25 minutes on the ground in the Hengill geothermal area, not just a quick pass over it.

I like the small maximum of five people, which makes the flight feel personal, and I like that the price already includes fuel and landing fees. The main drawback is cost: at $599.56 per person, this is a major splurge, and the short flight time means you need clear weather to feel you received good value.

Key points at a glance

• A real landing in Hengill: You have time to walk around the geothermal area and take in the views on foot.
• A five-person maximum: The compact group gives each person a better chance at a window and a clear view.
• Several sides of Iceland’s volcanic power: The route includes Hellisheiði, Bláfjöll, Hengill, and two major geothermal power stations.
• About an hour in the air: The total flight lasts approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, depending on the day’s operation.
• A modern helicopter and careful flying: The pilot is described as experienced, and the helicopter as modern and clean.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Leaving Reykjavik for Iceland’s volcanic interior

The tour begins at Ace FBO Reykjavik, at Reykjavik Airport. This is a convenient starting point if you are staying in the capital and want to add a high-impact outing without committing to a full-day road trip.

Once airborne, the helicopter heads toward the Hellisheiði Plateau. From above, you get a quick change of scenery: Reykjavik’s urban spread gives way to broad volcanic ground, ridges, valleys, and geothermal features. The shift is part of the appeal. You are not simply looking down at one famous viewpoint. You are watching the city give way to the raw forces that power much of Iceland.

The total flight takes roughly 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. That is long enough to cover several distinct areas, but still short enough to fit into a busy Reykjavik itinerary. You will return to the same meeting point at Reykjavik Airport.

The small group size matters here. With no more than five people, the cabin should feel less crowded than a large sightseeing flight. The supplied information does not promise a specific seat, but a five-person limit gives you a better chance of seeing clearly from the aircraft rather than trying to look past a large group.

Hellisheiði shows the scale of Iceland’s geothermal country

The first major part of the route crosses Hellisheiði, a high volcanic plateau between Reykjavik and the south coast. You will see this area from the air before reaching Hengill, which helps you understand its size and shape.

From the ground, Iceland’s volcanic areas can feel like separate points on a map. From the helicopter, the connections become easier to see. The plateau, volcanic ridges, geothermal zones, and power facilities form one large system. That broad view is one of the strongest reasons to consider this flight instead of a simple city sightseeing ride.

You should also keep your expectations practical. A helicopter flight is not a full geological lesson, and the supplied details do not promise a fixed script or a specific number of passes over each feature. The pilot does provide commentary and answers questions, according to the experience details, so it is worth preparing a few questions about the geothermal areas before takeoff.

The Hengill landing is the heart of the experience

The helicopter stops in the Hengill geothermal area for about 25 minutes. This is the part that changes the outing from an aerial viewing flight into a short Icelandic field visit.

You can walk around the landing area and see the geothermal setting at close range. One account specifically describes walking around a thermal pond, with striking colors and broad views from the landing spot. Those details are useful because they show what the landing adds: you are not confined to the cabin, and you have time to take photographs, look around, and feel the ground beneath you in an active volcanic region.

The landing also gives you a welcome break from looking through a helicopter window. A 25-minute stop is not long enough for a hike, and you should not expect a guided trek across Hengill. It is best viewed as a carefully chosen viewpoint and a short walk, with the geothermal surroundings doing most of the work.

Bring suitable outdoor clothing even if Reykjavik feels mild. The tour information does not list a required clothing standard, but a remote geothermal landing can feel different from the city. You will want to be comfortable standing outside for the full stop.

Some descriptions of the experience refer to walking near hot springs and, in one account, a glacier. The confirmed route information centers on the Hengill geothermal area and thermal features, so I would book this for the geothermal landing rather than expecting a glacier walk.

Power stations reveal Iceland’s practical side

After Hengill, the helicopter covers Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun. These are not decorative stops. They show how Iceland turns underground heat into useful energy.

From the air, geothermal power facilities become easier to understand as part of the surrounding terrain. You see the relationship between the industrial structures and the volcanic ground that supplies their energy. For me, this is more interesting than flying over scenery without context. Iceland’s natural attractions are also working places, and these power stations help tell that story.

The route does not describe a landing at either power station. You should expect to see them from above, with the pilot offering commentary and answering questions as the helicopter moves over the area.

This portion may appeal most to you if you enjoy seeing how nature and daily life connect. If you only want dramatic peaks and untouched scenery, the power plants may feel less scenic than Hengill itself. Still, they add useful variety to a short flight.

Bláfjöll adds ridges, valleys, and open views

The route also includes Bláfjöll, a mountainous area near Reykjavik. Flying over it gives you another view of the volcanic country around the capital.

The pilot reportedly moves slowly over the most interesting areas, including gorges and rivers, rather than racing from point to point. That matters on a flight this short. You need enough time to understand what you are seeing and to take photographs without feeling rushed.

The exact route and viewing time can change with weather and flight conditions. Do not treat the listed areas as a guarantee that every feature will receive the same amount of attention. The flight’s strength is its range: you see geothermal ground, mountain ridges, power facilities, and the city in one compact outing.

Reykjavik from above completes the picture

After the rural and volcanic sections, the helicopter flies over Reykjavik before returning to the airport. This final pass gives you a useful contrast with the earlier views.

From above, the capital looks connected to the terrain around it rather than separated from it. The city is framed by open ground and volcanic mountains, and the return flight lets you compare Reykjavik’s streets and buildings with the steaming and rugged areas you have just visited.

This is also a good reason to choose this tour if you have already spent time exploring Reykjavik on foot. You will see familiar parts of the city from a fresh angle without taking a separate urban sightseeing flight.

What the small helicopter group changes

The maximum group size is five people. That is a meaningful feature at this price. A small cabin generally makes it easier to hear the pilot, ask questions, and avoid the packed feeling that can affect larger sightseeing activities.

The experience is offered in English. The pilot provides commentary and responds to questions, and one particularly positive account describes the pilot as highly capable and reassuring. Another describes the helicopter as modern and clean. Those details matter because comfort and confidence are especially important when you are paying for a flight rather than a standard bus excursion.

The information does not specify the helicopter model, seat layout, or a guaranteed window seat. If aircraft seating is important to you, ask the operator before booking. The five-person limit helps, but it does not replace confirmation of the seating arrangement.

Each passenger has a total weight limit of 265 pounds. That figure should be checked carefully when booking, especially if your party includes larger passengers. The supplied information does not explain how weight is measured or whether a combined group limit also applies, so ask GlacierHeli if you need clarification.

Is $599.56 a fair price?

At $599.56 per person, this is expensive by ordinary sightseeing standards. You are paying for aircraft operation, a pilot, a tiny group, a remote landing, and access to views that would take much more time and effort to reach by road.

The value is strongest if you have limited time in Iceland and want to see several kinds of scenery in one outing. You can cover Hellisheiði, Hengill, Bláfjöll, two geothermal power stations, and Reykjavik without spending most of a day in a vehicle. The included fuel surcharge and landing fee also make the final cost easier to understand.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply to see Reykjavik from the air. A city-only flight would likely be a more focused choice, though this particular experience is built around the wider Hengill route and landing.

I would also think about your wider Iceland plans. If you already have a full day planned around geothermal areas and mountain scenery, the helicopter may repeat some of what you will see from the ground. If you are staying mainly in Reykjavik and do not have time for longer drives, the flight can pack a great deal into roughly an hour.

Weather, timing, and cancellation rules

The tour requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator can offer another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful, but you should still avoid scheduling the flight immediately before an international departure if missing it would cause a problem.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted under the stated policy.

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the ticket is available on your mobile device. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back at Ace FBO Reykjavik.

Food is not included. Since the flight is short, this is not a serious issue, but you should eat before or after if you need a proper meal. The tour details do not promise snacks or drinks.

Who should book this helicopter flight?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want a special Iceland memory, have a generous activity budget, and care more about access and perspective than saving money. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value a quiet, personal outing over a large sightseeing operation.

It is also a good fit if you want to see geothermal Iceland without spending hours on the road. The 25-minute landing gives you a physical connection to the area, while the flight covers far more ground than a short walk near Reykjavik.

I would think twice if you dislike flying, need a guaranteed specific route, or are working with a tight budget. The weather can affect the schedule, and the landing is a short visit rather than a long hike. You are buying a concentrated aerial experience, not a full-day expedition.

The activity is recommended by 93 percent of participants and has a 4.9 rating from 15 reviews. That is a very strong response, though the sample is small. The most praised points are consistent: dramatic views from every seat, a capable pilot, a clean modern helicopter, a welcoming coordinator, and the chance to walk around the geothermal landing area.

Should you book the Hengill helicopter tour?

Book it if you want to see Iceland’s volcanic and geothermal setting from a rare angle, and if $599.56 fits comfortably into your trip budget. The Hengill landing is the key feature, while the flyovers of Hellisheiði, Bláfjöll, the power stations, and Reykjavik give the short flight useful variety.

I would place this high on your list for a special occasion or a first visit built around memorable experiences. Just leave room for weather changes, confirm the passenger weight rule if needed, and choose it for the combination of flight and landing, not for a long walk or a low-cost view of the capital.

FAQ

How long does the helicopter tour last?

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

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Ace FBO Reykjavik, located at Reykjavik Airport in Reykjavik.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Ace FBO Reykjavik.

Does the helicopter land during the tour?

Yes. The tour includes a landing in the Hengill geothermal area.

How long is the Hengill landing?

The scheduled stop in the Hengill area lasts about 25 minutes.

What places does the helicopter fly over?

The route includes the Hellisheiði Plateau, Hengill, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, Bláfjöll, and Reykjavik.

Is the landing fee included?

Yes. The tour includes the landing and landing fees, along with the fuel surcharge.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of five travelers.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You can be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled.