From Reykjavik: Helicopter Tour to Hengill with Landing

Hengill’s steaming ground is the star here. You fly from Reykjavik across Hellisheiði, a broad volcanic plateau marked by black lava, moss, basalt ridges, and hot springs, then land in the geothermal area below Hengill volcano. It is a fast way to see Iceland’s raw volcanic side without spending half a day on the road.

I like the small group of five, which should make it easier to hear the pilot and see out the windows. I also like the landing itself: about 15 minutes on geothermal ground gives you more than a flyover and lets you stand among the hot springs. The main drawback is the price, $529 per person, for a flight lasting about an hour.

Key points

• A 15-minute Hengill landing gives you time to see geothermal springs from the ground.
• Hellisheiði’s lava fields and basalt mountains fill the flight with strong volcanic scenery.
• Groups are limited to five participants, a useful advantage on a small helicopter.
• English live commentary and an audio guide explain Reykjavik, the surrounding region, and Iceland’s volcanoes.
• The total flight lasts 50 to 70 minutes, with 25 to 35 minutes devoted to the guided flight.
• Ace FBO Reykjavík is the meeting point, with cancellation available up to 24 hours ahead.

Taking off from Ace FBO Reykjavík

Your tour begins at Ace FBO Reykjavík, the aviation base listed for the activity. This is not a bus excursion with a long transfer to a distant trailhead. You meet at the airport facility and move quickly into an aerial view of the Capital Region.

That short setup is part of the appeal. In roughly an hour, you can leave Reykjavik behind, cross a large volcanic plateau, land near Hengill, and return. If your Iceland schedule is tight, the tour fits neatly into a morning or afternoon plan, assuming the available starting time works for you.

The operator, GlacierHeli, limits the group to five participants. That matters more in a helicopter than it does on a coach. You have fewer people competing for views, and the guide’s explanations should be easier to follow. The aircraft itself is small, so seating and sightlines can still vary. I would not book this expecting every person to have the same window view throughout the flight.

The published duration is one hour, while the detailed timing gives a range of 50 to 70 minutes. Plan around the longer figure rather than treating the trip as an exact 60-minute appointment. The aerial portion includes about 25 to 35 minutes of guided flying, with around 15 minutes set aside for the Hengill landing.

Crossing the Hellisheiði volcanic plateau

The flight heads across Hellisheiði, also written Hellisheidi, one of Iceland’s most active volcanic areas. From above, you see broad fields of dark lava broken by bright basalt mountains and greenish moss covering older rock. The view is not polished or gentle. It is a place shaped by fire, steam, and cooling stone.

You may also spot rows of cairns stretching into the distance. These small piles of stones add a human mark to an otherwise stark setting, though the main visual story remains volcanic. From the air, the scale becomes clear. Lava fields that can feel endless from the road take on a different form when you see their folds and channels from above.

The route includes views around Hengill, Bláfjöll, and the Hellisheiðarvirkjun geothermal power station. Nesjavallavirkjun is also listed among the points connected with the tour. These power facilities show how Iceland uses the heat beneath its crust, turning geothermal activity into electricity and hot water.

Do not expect a stop at every named highlight. These are areas associated with the flight route, not a promise of separate landings. The value is in seeing how the volcanic ground, mountains, steam, and power plants fit together in one compact region.

The pilot provides live English commentary, and an English audio guide is included. One especially useful part of the narration is the connection between what you see and how it formed. A good guide can turn a black lava field from a pretty view into a clear picture of Iceland’s active geology.

A verified booking from October 2025 specifically praised Laura for explaining volcanoes and sharing useful information. Laura may not guide every departure, so I would treat her name as a helpful detail rather than a guarantee. Another departure had a pilot who explained the route calmly and pointed out Reykjavik and the surrounding area during the flight.

Landing in Hengill’s geothermal area

The landing is what separates this trip from a standard helicopter sightseeing flight. Instead of circling Hengill and returning directly to the city, you touch down in the geothermal area named after the volcano.

You have about 15 minutes on the ground. That is not enough for a long walk, but it is enough to change the pace of the outing. You are no longer looking down through glass. You can stand near steaming geothermal springs, see the broken volcanic rock at close range, and take in the silence and open space around the landing site.

The pilot guides you around the area and shows you the geothermal features. This is a simple but valuable addition. Steam rising from the ground can look abstract from the air. Up close, it becomes a physical reminder that heat remains active below Iceland’s surface.

The stop is also the best chance for photographs. The helicopter flight gives you broad views, while the landing gives you texture: rough rock, moss, steam, and the slopes of Hengill. Your time is limited, so I would focus on enjoying the setting instead of trying to record every second.

Conditions will shape this part of the tour. The October departure described clear weather and wide views, but the tour data does not promise similar conditions on every date. A landing flight is most rewarding when the weather allows both a clear view from the helicopter and a comfortable stop on the ground.

Pregnant women should not book this activity. That is the only stated suitability restriction, but the operator can provide the most accurate advice for any personal concern before you reserve.

The return flight and the changing view

After the landing, you fly back toward Reykjavik. The return is not just a repeat of the outbound trip. From the air, the angle changes, and features that were distant on the way out may become easier to place.

This is where the route’s range becomes useful. You move between Reykjavik’s urban setting, the Hellisheiði plateau, Hengill’s geothermal ground, and the volcanic ridges around Bláfjöll. The contrast is sharp. Iceland’s capital is close to a region that still looks newly made.

The pilot’s commentary adds context during this section. One October departure included information about Reykjavik and its surrounding area, not only the volcanoes. That helps you connect the aerial views to the places you may visit by road later in your trip.

The total guided flight time is about 25 to 35 minutes, apart from the landing. Since the entire activity is short, every minute matters. You are paying for access to a difficult-to-reach view, not a full-day excursion with several stops.

What the $529 price really buys

At $529 per person, this is a major splurge. I would compare it with the cost of a full-day Golden Circle or South Coast outing before booking. A road tour gives you more time, more stops, and usually a lower price. It cannot, however, give you this particular combination of aerial scale and a geothermal landing in under two hours.

The helicopter earns its price through time saved and access gained. You avoid a lengthy drive to the volcanic plateau, see a wide sweep of terrain from above, and land in a geothermal area that is not presented as a normal roadside stop. For a short visit to Iceland, that can be a sound trade.

The value is strongest for someone who has already seen Reykjavik’s main sights and wants one memorable view of the country’s volcanic character. It also suits a special occasion, a first visit with limited time, or an itinerary that cannot spare a full day for distant scenery.

The value is weaker if you are mainly seeking hiking time. The landing lasts only about 15 minutes, and the tour does not promise a long trail walk or several ground-level stops. You will see more territory than you could on foot, but you will spend most of the experience in the helicopter.

The small group helps justify the cost. A maximum of five participants creates a more personal setting than a large sightseeing operation. Still, I would book only if the aerial perspective matters to you. At this price, a brief flight can feel expensive if you prefer slow travel and long walks.

Guide quality and the practical feel of the trip

The strongest personal detail available is the quality of the explanations. Laura was described as friendly and professional, with useful information about volcanoes. Another pilot was praised for being calm, kind, and clear while explaining the flight and showing the geothermal springs.

That kind of guiding matters on a short tour. You do not have hours to build a picture of the area, so clear commentary makes the flight more than a silent scenic loop. English is the stated language for both the live guide and the audio guide.

The organization has received less enthusiastic feedback than the flight itself. Parking at the meeting point was described as good, but the overall organization was only considered acceptable. I would allow a little patience around the start of the activity and avoid scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful in Iceland, where weather can affect plans, but they do not guarantee that a flight will operate in every condition. Check the available departure times and the operator’s current instructions before you commit your day.

Who should book this helicopter landing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see Iceland’s volcanic ground from several angles and have limited time. The combination of a city departure, Hellisheiði flyover, Hengill landing, and return flight packs a lot into one compact outing.

It is also a good match for photographers who value changing viewpoints. You get wide views of lava and mountains from the helicopter, followed by close views of steam and rock at the landing site. Clear conditions will make a major difference.

You may prefer a road tour if you want waterfalls, villages, long walks, or a fuller day outdoors. This experience is focused tightly on volcanic geology and aerial access. The named power plants and mountain areas add context, but they are viewed from the air rather than explored on foot.

The small group is a plus for solo visitors and couples who do not want a crowded aircraft. It does not turn the trip into a private charter, though. You are still sharing the helicopter with other participants, and individual seating preferences may not be possible.

My call on the $529 Hengill flight

Book it if you want a short, high-impact look at Iceland’s volcanic interior and are happy to pay for the helicopter viewpoint. The Hengill landing is the key feature, not a minor extra. It gives the tour a physical moment on the ground and lets you see geothermal activity at close range.

Skip it if the price would force you to cut a full day of sightseeing, or if you prefer hiking to flying. For the right budget and a clear-weather window, GlacierHeli’s Hengill trip offers an efficient and unusual way to experience the volcanic region just beyond Reykjavik.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour meet?

The meeting point is Ace FBO Reykjavík.

How long does the activity last?

The activity is listed as one hour. The detailed timing gives a total duration of about 50 to 70 minutes.

How much time is spent on the guided flight?

About 25 to 35 minutes are allocated to the guided flight, in addition to the landing period.

How long is the landing at Hengill?

About 15 minutes are allocated to landing in the geothermal area.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide and audio guide are offered in English.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to five participants.