Helicopter tour from Reykjavik: Hengill Area with at site landing

Hengill is the heart of this helicopter trip: after flying out from Reykjavik, you land in a geothermal area where you can step out and look around. From the air, you’ll also see the Hellisheiði Plateau, power stations and Bláfjöll, then fly over the capital on the way back.

I like two things in particular: the landing turns a scenic flight into time on the ground, and the group is capped at five, so the trip stays small. The fuel surcharge and landing fees are included in the price, too, which makes the cost easier to assess upfront.

The main drawback is the price: at $599.56 per person, this is a splurge, and the flight depends on good weather. You also get about 25 minutes at Hengill, not a long hike or an extended visit to the geothermal area.

• A 25-minute stop at Hengill gives you time to get out and walk near a thermal pond.
• The flight covers several distinct sights, including the Hellisheiði Plateau, two geothermal power stations and Bláfjöll.
• A maximum of five travelers keeps the group small.
• Fuel surcharges and landing fees are included, while food is not.
• The total flight lasts about 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, depending on the trip.

From Reykjavik to the Hellisheiði Plateau

The trip begins at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavík Airport, the city’s domestic airport. From there, the helicopter heads over the Hellisheiði Plateau, a broad highland area on the route toward Hengill. This change of viewpoint is the main reason to take a helicopter: you can see the terrain as a whole rather than piecing it together from separate roadside stops.

The tour is a flightseeing trip, but not one spent entirely behind a window. The pilot lands in the Hengill Geothermal Area, and you have about 25 minutes on the ground. That pause gives the experience a useful balance: first you take in the volcanic and geothermal terrain from above, then you can walk around and see a small part of it at ground level.

The total outing lasts roughly 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. That range is worth noting when you plan the rest of your day. It is short enough to fit into a Reykjavik visit, but the actual duration varies, so leave a little breathing room around it rather than arranging your day down to the minute.

Hengill: the flight’s essential stop

Hengill is the most hands-on part of the tour. The helicopter lands in the geothermal area, and you can get out to walk near a thermal pond. One of the most appealing details of the experience is that it is not just a quick photo stop: you get time to look around, take in the colors and views, and feel the difference between watching a place from the air and standing in it.

Keep your expectations in line with the schedule. The stop is about 25 minutes, not a long walk or a full geothermal excursion. You will have time to explore the immediate landing area, but this is not a substitute for a longer visit to a geothermal site. The attraction is the combination of a brief ground visit and an aerial route that would be difficult to experience in the same way from land.

The setting can look very different depending on the weather and light. A passenger described the colors near the hot springs as striking, while the pilot on another flight took time to pass slowly over notable features and answer questions. Those details are not a guarantee of exactly what your own flight will include, but they help set a sensible expectation: this can be both a scenic flight and an opportunity to ask about what you are seeing.

Wear practical clothing and shoes suitable for walking outdoors. The tour information does not specify what footwear is required, so I would not assume the landing area is paved or that you will be walking on a smooth path. Keep your camera or phone handy, but leave some time to look around without a screen in front of you.

Geothermal power from the air

After Hengill, the flight covers Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun, two geothermal power stations. These are not simply background landmarks. They connect the volcanic setting to a practical part of Icelandic life: geothermal energy is being used on a large scale, and seeing the facilities in context helps you understand the relationship between the region’s natural features and its energy infrastructure.

The helicopter perspective is especially useful here. From the ground, a power station can be hard to place in the wider terrain. From above, you can see the facilities alongside the plateau and volcanic area, and grasp how the built structures sit within the surrounding environment. The tour information does not promise a landing or a close visit at either station, so think of them as aerial sights rather than stops.

The pilot’s commentary can add value to this section. On one flight, the pilot described features along the route and answered questions, which is the sort of detail that can turn a view into a better understanding of what you are seeing. You can ask questions, but the exact commentary will depend on your pilot and the conditions.

Bláfjöll, then Reykjavik from above

Bláfjöll is another named sight on the route. The tour covers it from the air, giving you a wider view of the area than you would get from a single ground-level viewpoint. The precise appearance of the mountains depends on the weather, and the tour details do not promise a landing there. Treat this as part of the scenic flight, not a separate excursion.

The flight then passes over Reykjavik after covering the other locations. This final stretch gives you a different view of the city from the one you get on foot: streets, buildings and the urban edge appear in relation to the surrounding terrain. It is a satisfying way to finish a trip that begins in the city, heads out over geothermal country, and returns with a broader sense of where Reykjavik sits.

The route is particularly appealing if you have already spent time exploring the capital on foot. From the air, familiar places may be easier to place in relation to the wider region. If this is your first activity in Iceland, the flight can also give you a quick visual introduction, though it will not replace the slower experience of visiting places on the ground.

What a small helicopter group changes

The maximum group size is five travelers. That is a meaningful feature at this price: you are not sharing the flight with a large crowd, and the small group can make it easier to hear the pilot and ask a question. The trip feels more personal than a large sightseeing operation, although the information provided does not specify the helicopter’s seating layout or guarantee a particular seat.

Passengers have described the helicopter as modern and clean, and one praised the pilot’s skill and the feeling of safety. That is reassuring, but it is not a promise about a particular aircraft or pilot on your departure. The pilot’s name has been given as Clements, though the spelling is uncertain, so I would not count on having that specific pilot.

There is a maximum weight of 265 pounds per passenger. Check this limit before booking if it may apply to you. The tour is offered in English, and a mobile ticket is available. Confirmation is received at booking, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Is $599.56 worth it?

This is an expensive short outing. At $599.56 per person, you are paying for a small-group helicopter flight, a landing in the Hengill area and views of several sites in a compact period. Fuel surcharges and landing fees are included, which avoids two extra costs, but food is not provided.

The value depends on what matters to you. If you want to see Iceland’s geothermal terrain from above and also set foot in the area, the landing makes this more distinctive than a simple scenic loop. A maximum of five travelers adds to the personal feel, and the route includes both natural features and energy infrastructure rather than focusing only on Reykjavik.

If you are comparing the price with a longer ground tour, remember that the experiences are not interchangeable. A road trip can give you more time at individual places, but this helicopter flight offers a viewpoint you cannot get from the road. On the other hand, if you mainly want a low-cost introduction to Iceland, or prefer long walks and extended stops, this may not be the best use of your budget.

The tour is booked on average 56 days in advance. That does not mean you must book that far ahead, but it is a useful signal to plan early if your schedule is fixed. Weather is a key part of the decision: poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund, so avoid building an essential connection or tightly timed activity around the flight.

Practical details before you go

You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík, Reykjavík Airport, and return to the same meeting point. The activity ends where it begins. The tour is near public transportation, which can make getting to the airport easier, but the information does not specify a pickup service.

Food is not included. Since the whole experience lasts about an hour, you may not need to plan a meal around the flight, but it is sensible to eat beforehand if you are likely to be hungry. The tour information does not specify whether drinks or other refreshments are provided.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the flight, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of travelers, and if that minimum is not met, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. If you cancel, you can receive a full refund by cancelling at least 24 hours before the start time; changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this flight?

This is a strong fit if you have limited time in Reykjavik but want to see more than the city, especially if geothermal terrain interests you. It also suits you if the chance to land and walk around matters as much as the aerial views. The small group and short overall duration make it a tidy addition to a city stay, provided the price fits your budget.

It is less suitable if you dislike flying, need a guaranteed departure time in uncertain weather, or want a long stop outdoors. It may also feel too costly if you are chiefly looking for transport between sights or a full-day excursion. You are paying for a specific combination: a helicopter, a small group, an aerial route and a short landing at Hengill.

The strongest reasons to book are the ground stop at a geothermal site and the chance to see the plateau, power stations, Bláfjöll and Reykjavik in one flight. The main reasons to pause are the high price, the short landing and weather dependence.

Should you book the Hengill helicopter tour?

Book it if an aerial view of Iceland’s volcanic and geothermal country is high on your list, and you want more than a flight without a landing. The 25-minute stop at Hengill gives the tour its character, while the small group and included landing fees make the experience feel more complete than a quick city flyover.

Skip it if you would rather spend the same money on a longer ground-based outing, or if your schedule cannot absorb a weather change. For the right person, this is a memorable way to see how Reykjavik, the mountains and geothermal infrastructure fit together. For everyone else, the price may be hard to justify for an outing that lasts about an hour.

FAQ

How long does the helicopter tour last?

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

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavík Airport in Reykjavik.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point at Reykjavík Airport.

How long is the landing at Hengill?

The stop in the Hengill Geothermal Area lasts about 25 minutes.

What places does the flight cover?

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

Are landing fees and fuel surcharges included?

Yes. The landing and fuel surcharge are included in the price.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is five travelers.

Is there a passenger weight limit?

Yes. The stated maximum weight is 265 pounds per passenger.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You are offered a different date or a full refund.