Private New York City Helicopter Tour for 2-6 from Westchester

Very disappointing costumer service

I booked a helicopter tour with Wings Air Helicopters for my family of four (including myself) as a special gift to celebrate my parents’ anniversary. I paid $3,000 for a 45-minute flight, specifically choosing this tour because their website promised we would “FLY DIRECTLY OVER PARTS OF MANHATTAN INCLUDING CENTRAL PARK AND THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING ”something that had been a lifelong dream for my parents.Unfortunately, about an hour before our scheduled departure, a mass shooting occurred in Manhattan. Due to this unexpected and serious event, we were informed that “air police” had restricted access to Manhattan airspace. As a result, our flight only circled the outer parts of the city and did not enter Manhattan airspace as advertised.We fully understood and respected the circumstances, however after the flight I politely asked how this situation would be addressed since we didn’t receive the experience we paid for. An employee called his manager/boss, who told me (and I quote), “THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO AND YOU GOT YOUR MONEYS WORTH”, simply because we still had a flight, even though it didn’t include the main attractions we came for. Also their base is located far outside of Manhattan. If you book a 30 minute tour, you barely make it to the city before turning back so in my opinion, anything under 45 minutes doesn’t give you the real NYC helicopter experience and feels misleading.That said, the pilot was excellent, and the flight itself despite the circumstances was smooth and enjoyable. But overall, I’m disappointed in how the company handled the situation and the lack of customer service in response to a $3,000 experience that didn’t deliver on what was clearly promised.

Response from the operator: The public flight tracking data from your tour (https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a2a618&lat=40.884&lon=-73.930&zoom=10.0&showTrace=2025-07-28&leg=7) clearly shows the helicopter flying over Manhattan and Central Park (from east to west), then continue around both sides of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Given that helicopter routes over Manhattan are heavily regulated, and most companies can only fly along the Hudson River, you DID actually get great value for your money. Despite additional challenges with air traffic control that evening due to police activity, we were still able to operate the tour as advertised. If you had specific expectations or requests, we would have been happy to discuss them prior to the flight. However, becoming confrontational with the pilot mid-flight is unacceptable under any circumstances, and compromises the safety and experience of everyone onboard. As the flight was completed according to the advertised itinerary, we are unable to offer a refund or any type of compensation after the fact.

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Fantastic experience

We chose the 45 minute trip on board a twin engine helicopter. We had a wonderful trip. To get so close to the famous landmarks was amazing. We have some fantastic photographs! Definitely would recommend.

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Family trip memories for a Life Time

Booked a 45min private flight at beginning of an 8 night visit to NYC (recomended as weather is fickle and allowed rebooking) Left our booking a little late so had to travel to Westchester squeezed into an Uber instead of take off from city. Was careful to check the conditions for weight restrictions and full refund option if weather intervenes. Cancelled and rebooked with minimum of fuss. 4.30pm booking meant take off at Sunset (Recommended) Renegotiated on site before take off to finish and land in the city (Recommended) Spectacular sights, Sunset, all the landmarks lit up, SIL, ESB, MSG, the bridges Yankee Stadium, the Edge etc etc etc, absolutely no doubt was the highlight of our time in NYC. High confidence in safety (super important as whole family on board) The 45min flight became 60 mins and because we were landing in the city spent much longer over the city. Could not recommend any more highly as a bucket list item

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Bucket list stuff Highlight of the trip Sunset takeoff.. dropped of in Manhattan Stunning views Something never to be

Good communication Rescheduled after the weather turned Sunset outstanding timing Some luck involved recommend ending trip back in the city

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A once in a lifetime experience (or more :-))

Everything was incredible, from lift-off to landing, worth every dollar! Very professional and courteous staff, nicely looking and well kept helicopter, and a pilot with skills second to none.

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