Helicopter tour from Reykjavik: Hengill Area with at site landing

The best part of this helicopter flight is not simply seeing Iceland from above. It is landing in the Hengill geothermal area, where you can leave the aircraft, walk around a thermal pond, and take in the volcanic ground at close range. From the air, you also see places that are hard or impossible to reach on a normal sightseeing route.

I like the small group limit of five and the fact that fuel surcharges and landing fees are already covered. I also like the route itself: you get volcanoes, mountain areas, geothermal power stations, and Reykjavik in one compact flight.

The main drawback is the price, about $599.56 per person, and the flight depends on good weather. At 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, this is a special-occasion outing rather than a casual add-on.

Key points to know before booking

• A real landing in Hengill: You spend about 25 minutes on the ground near a thermal pond, rather than viewing everything through the helicopter window.
• Five-person maximum: A small cabin makes the outing more personal and gives everyone a good chance to see out.
• A strong geothermal route: Hellisheiði, Hengill, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, and Nesjavallavirkjun show how Iceland turns underground heat into usable power.
• Reykjavik from above: The city comes near the end, after the flight has covered the volcanic and geothermal areas.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, so keep your schedule flexible.
• Useful weight rule: The total weight allowed per passenger is 265 pounds.

Why the Hengill landing is the heart of the trip

Many helicopter flights give you a fine view and then return to the airport. This one adds a proper stop in the Hengill geothermal area. That small difference matters.

You fly from Reykjavik Domestic Airport toward the Hengill region, then land for about 25 minutes. During that time, you can walk around the site and see a thermal pond at ground level. The area is known for volcanic activity and hot water, so the landing gives you a closer sense of Iceland’s heat below the surface.

From the air, geothermal areas can look like colored patches and winding lines. On foot, you can better notice the contrast between dark volcanic ground, water, steam, and the surrounding mountains. The stop also gives you a chance to stretch your legs and take photographs without shooting through a window.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is not a long hike or a full geothermal bathing session. The available details describe a landing and a walk near a thermal pond, not a visit to a spa or a chance to soak. If you want an active trek, this flight will feel brief. If you want a close look at volcanic terrain without committing half a day to a trail, the stop is well judged.

Flying over Hellisheiði and the volcanic interior

After leaving Reykjavik, the helicopter flies over the Hellisheiði Plateau. This is where the trip begins to feel different from a city sightseeing flight.

The plateau gives you a broad view of Iceland’s volcanic interior. From the cabin, you can see how the built-up capital quickly gives way to open mountain country. The flight also shows parts of the volcanoes and high ground that are difficult to appreciate from roads below.

The changing view is one reason this route offers more than a simple aerial look at Reykjavik. You see the city only during part of the trip. Most of the route is aimed at the volcanic and geothermal areas east of the capital.

A helicopter also lets the pilot adjust the route visually. The available information notes that the pilot flew slowly from side to side over notable features and answered questions. That is useful here because the scenery is not arranged like a museum display. A river, gorge, hot-water field, or mountain ridge can be easy to miss from a road but clear from above.

Hengill, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, and Nesjavallavirkjun

The flight includes two major geothermal power facilities: Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun. These are not decorative stops. They help explain how Iceland uses its volcanic setting in daily life.

Hellisheiðarvirkjun is covered after the Hengill visit, while Nesjavallavirkjun is also viewed from the air. You may find the power stations especially interesting if you want more than pretty scenery. They connect the steam, hot water, and volcanic ground below with the practical systems that supply energy.

This is one of the better features of the route. You are not only looking at mountains from a helicopter. You are seeing a working part of Iceland, where geothermal heat is tied to infrastructure. The combination gives the flight a bit more substance than a pure photo trip.

The power facilities are flyover points, not ground visits. That distinction matters. You will not be touring the plants or receiving a detailed indoor explanation. Their value comes from seeing how they fit into the surrounding volcanic terrain and from any commentary your pilot provides during the flight.

Bláfjöll and the return over Reykjavik

Bláfjöll is another flyover area on the route. The mountain region adds variety after the geothermal fields and power stations. From above, you can take in the scale of the volcanic country more easily than you can from a single viewpoint on land.

The order of the flight is sensible. You first move away from the city, see the plateau and geothermal areas, make the Hengill landing, then cover the other key points before returning over Reykjavik. By the time the city appears again, you have a useful contrast between Iceland’s capital and its raw volcanic surroundings.

The final city flyover is a pleasant finish. You may recognize Reykjavik’s layout more clearly from above than from street level, even if the urban section is shorter than the mountain portion. If you are staying in the capital, this also gives you a fresh view of the place where your Iceland trip is based.

What the small helicopter group changes

The maximum group size is five people. That is a meaningful advantage for a helicopter flight.

A smaller group usually makes the experience feel less like a scheduled shuttle and more like a private outing. You have fewer people sharing the cabin, less crowding at the landing site, and a better chance to speak directly with the pilot. The available feedback also points to an experienced, careful pilot and a modern, clean helicopter, though the pilot’s name is not reliably provided.

The small group does not guarantee that every passenger will have the exact same view at every moment. Helicopter seating still matters, and the aircraft is compact. But a five-person limit is far more appealing than a large sightseeing group, especially when the flight includes a stop outside the city.

The pilot’s role is important here. Good aerial sightseeing depends on more than flying from point A to point B. Slow passes over gorges, rivers, hot-water areas, and other features give you time to understand what you are seeing. You can also ask questions rather than simply taking photographs as the scenery slips away.

Price, timing, and the value of the flight

At $599.56 per person, this is an expensive Iceland activity. You should compare it with what you want from your day, not with the cost of a standard bus tour.

The price includes the landing and fuel surcharge, which removes two costs that can otherwise make helicopter trips feel less clear at checkout. It also buys a compact route with several different subjects: volcanic mountains, geothermal sites, power plants, an off-airport landing, and Reykjavik.

I see the value most clearly for someone with limited time who wants a high-impact view of Iceland without spending a full day driving. You can reach the Hengill area, see distant volcanic features, and return to the capital in roughly an hour.

The value is weaker if you are mainly looking for a long walk, a hot spring soak, or a low-cost way to see Iceland. A road tour gives you more time on the ground for much less money. This flight is about access, perspective, and the unusual landing, not quantity of activity.

The duration is listed as approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. That range suggests some flexibility in the exact flight length. Plan your day around the longer estimate, especially if you have another booking afterward.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the flight to you if you want a memorable Iceland experience but do not want to spend hours hiking or driving. It suits photographers, couples, small groups, and people who value unusual access more than a low price.

It also works well for a first visit to Reykjavik. You see the capital, but you also get a quick introduction to the volcanic and geothermal setting that defines much of Iceland.

People who are nervous about helicopters may find the small group and reported attention to safety reassuring, but you should still be comfortable with air travel in a compact aircraft. The flight requires suitable weather, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

The experience is also practical for people who can manage ordinary walking at the landing site. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not describe detailed mobility arrangements at Hengill. If you need specific assistance, ask the operator before booking.

Practical details that can affect your booking

You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Airport, with the listed postal areas 101 and 102 in Reykjavik. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

You receive confirmation when you book, and mobile tickets are supported. The experience is offered in English and is near public transportation, which makes the airport meeting point relatively easy to reach from central Reykjavik.

The total weight limit is 265 pounds per passenger. Take this seriously and check how the operator applies the rule if you are close to the limit. Helicopters have strict weight and balance requirements, and this is not the sort of detail to leave until departure morning.

Food is not included. That is not a major issue for a flight lasting about an hour, but eat beforehand if you are scheduling it between other activities. There is no meal component at the Hengill landing.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the flight, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of bookings is not reached.

Because weather can change quickly in Iceland, I would avoid placing this flight immediately before an important airport transfer or a fixed evening reservation. The flight may run as planned, but a weather-related change is easier to handle when your schedule has breathing room.

Should you book the Hengill helicopter tour?

Book it if you want a rare view of Iceland and are willing to pay for it. The combination of a small group, a real landing, a thermal pond, geothermal power sites, mountain flyovers, and Reykjavik from above gives the trip a clear identity.

I would be less likely to recommend it to you if your priority is a long ground excursion or the best possible value per hour. In that case, use the money for a longer road tour or another activity with more time outside the vehicle.

For a special day in Reykjavik, though, this is a strong choice. The Hengill landing is the feature that justifies the cost. You do not simply look down at Iceland and return to the airport. You briefly step into the volcanic setting, then see how the surrounding power plants and capital fit together from the air.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start and end?

It starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Airport in Reykjavik. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the helicopter flight last?

The approximate duration is 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes.

Does the helicopter land outside Reykjavik?

Yes. The helicopter lands in the Hengill geothermal area, where you spend about 25 minutes on the ground.

What can you see during the flight?

The route includes the Hellisheiði Plateau, Hengill, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, Bláfjöll, and an aerial view of Reykjavik.

Are fuel and landing fees included?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum is five people.

What happens if the weather is too poor for the flight?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.