From Reykjavik: Helicopter Tour to Hengill with Landing

From Reykjavik, this helicopter flight carries you over lava fields and basalt mountains to Hengill, a volcanic area alive with steam and hot springs. The best part is not simply the flight itself, but the short landing that lets you step into this raw geothermal setting instead of viewing it only through a window.

I like the small group of up to five and the chance to hear useful information during the flight. I also like the roughly 15-minute landing, which gives the trip a clear purpose beyond a quick aerial circuit. The main drawback is the price: at $529 per person, this is a short, special-occasion outing rather than an easy add-on for a budget day in Reykjavik.

Key points

• Hengill landing: Spend about 15 minutes on a geothermal area named after the Hengill volcano.
• Hellisheiði from above: See lava-covered ground, basalt peaks, mossy rock, hot springs, and lines of cairns.
• Small aircraft group: The experience is limited to five participants.
• Useful commentary: English-speaking pilots and guides explain Reykjavik, volcanoes, and the surrounding country.
• Short but focused: The full trip lasts about 50 to 70 minutes, with 25 to 35 minutes set aside for the guided flight.
• Weather matters: Clear conditions can make a major difference to the views and landing experience.

Flying over Iceland’s volcanic core

The tour begins at Ace FBO Reykjavík, not at a standard downtown bus stop. That matters because this is an aviation experience from the start. You meet the helicopter operator at the fixed-base facility and then head into a flight over the Capital Region and the volcanic country south and east of the city.

The route crosses Hellisheiði, a high plateau and one of Iceland’s active volcanic areas. From the air, the ground takes on a different character. Lava fields spread out in dark, broken sheets. Bright basalt mountains interrupt the view. Moss covers sections of the old rock, while steam rises from geothermal areas below.

I like this route because it gives you a compact look at several parts of Iceland’s geology in one trip. You are not just flying over a single attraction. You are seeing the connection between lava, mountains, geothermal heat, and the power systems that make use of that heat.

The exact view depends on the weather and the flight path on the day. The tour information names Hellisheidi, Hengill, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, and Bláfjöll among the notable areas. You should think of these as points within a broad volcanic region rather than a promise of a long stop at each one.

Why Hengill makes the landing worthwhile

Hengill is an active volcanic area known for geothermal features. The landing gives the flight a physical center. Instead of spending the full hour looking down, you get a short chance to stand on the ground and see the steam and hot springs at close range.

The landing lasts about 15 minutes. That is not enough for a long walk, a serious hike, or a full geothermal excursion. It is enough to get oriented, take in the setting, and listen as the pilot or guide points out the geothermal activity.

One German passenger described the pilot showing the group geothermal sources during the stop. That detail is useful because it tells you what the landing is designed to do: provide a brief guided look at the area, not free time to wander off. Stay close to the group and use the stop to notice the contrast between cold volcanic rock and the heat coming from below.

The Hengill name comes from the volcano itself, so this is also a chance to connect the place name with the geology. If your Iceland plans already include a long hot-spring visit, the landing will not replace it. Its value is the setting and the access, not the length of the stop.

The Hellisheiði view from the air

Hellisheiði is the main visual stage of the flight. From ground level, Iceland’s lava fields can seem broad and empty. From a helicopter, their shapes become easier to read. You can see rough black rock, pale moss, ridges of basalt, and the straight or winding lines of cairns crossing the open country.

The cairns are a particularly nice detail. They add a human trace to an otherwise powerful volcanic setting. They are not the main attraction, but they help you understand how people have moved through this difficult terrain over time.

The flight also passes over areas near Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun. These geothermal power stations are part of Iceland’s use of underground heat. The experience is not presented as a technical power-plant tour, but their presence helps show that the steam and hot water are not just scenic curiosities. They are part of the region’s working life.

Bláfjöll, another named area on the route, adds mountain scenery to the volcanic view. The mix keeps the flight from feeling like one repeated sweep of black lava. You get open plateau, mountain forms, steaming ground, and the outskirts of Reykjavik in the wider picture.

What the flight commentary adds

Aerial views can be hard to read without context. A lava field may look like a dark patch, and a geothermal area may look like a thin veil of white steam. Commentary helps you understand what you are seeing.

English is the tour language, and an audio guide is also included in English. The pilot or guide may explain Reykjavik and the nearby countryside as the helicopter moves away from the city. Volcano information is another strong part of the experience. One guide named Laura was specifically praised for explaining volcanoes and offering useful information during the outing.

The pilot may also point out the relationship between the volcanic areas and the geothermal plants. This is the kind of information that gives the view meaning without turning the trip into a classroom lecture.

Because the flight is short, the commentary cannot cover every feature in detail. If you want a full geological explanation of Iceland, you will need a longer museum visit or a dedicated guided excursion. Here, the explanations work best as a clear introduction to what you are seeing from above.

A 50 to 70 minute schedule

The stated duration is about one hour, with the full experience described as roughly 50 to 70 minutes. About 25 to 35 minutes are allocated to the guided flight, and about 15 minutes to the geothermal landing. The remaining time covers the practical parts of getting into the air, landing, and moving between sections of the trip.

That timing makes this easy to fit into a Reykjavik day. You do not need to give up an entire morning or afternoon. You can pair it with city sightseeing, though you should keep enough flexibility around the start time because the exact schedule depends on available departures and operating conditions.

The short length is both a strength and a limitation. You get a concentrated experience with little time commitment. On the other hand, you should not book it expecting an extended expedition over every named area.

I would treat the flight as a premium highlight. It works well before or after other Iceland plans, especially if you want a new view of the volcanic region without taking a full day away from Reykjavik.

Why the five-person limit matters

The group is limited to five participants. A small group makes the briefing and commentary feel more direct, and it gives the outing a more personal character than a large sightseeing operation.

You also avoid spending the landing time trying to hear a guide over a crowd. The flight remains a shared experience, but the group size keeps it focused.

The information does not specify individual seating arrangements, aircraft layout, or window access. For that reason, you should not book on the assumption that every passenger will have an identical view throughout the flight. Ask the operator any seating questions before paying if the view from a particular side matters to you.

The small capacity also helps explain the price. Helicopter operations carry high costs, and a maximum of five people means those costs are spread across a limited number of passengers. At $529 per person, the experience is expensive, but the price buys a brief flight and a landing in a place that is not being reached by a normal sightseeing bus.

What the weather can change

Weather is especially important on a helicopter trip. One October outing had calm conditions, clear views, and an excellent landing. That report gives you a useful sense of how much the experience can improve when the sky cooperates.

Cloud, poor visibility, or rough conditions could affect what you see and how the flight operates. The supplied information does not promise a particular weather policy or a guaranteed view, so check the operator’s current terms when booking.

This is not a reason to avoid the flight. It is a reason to keep your Iceland schedule flexible. If you have only one possible time and the aerial views are the main reason you are booking, understand that the weather may shape the experience more than it would on a museum visit.

Dress for Icelandic outdoor conditions at the landing. The supplied details do not give a clothing list, but you will be standing outside in a geothermal area, not remaining inside the aircraft for the whole trip.

Price, value, and who should book

At $529 per person, this is a major expense for a one-hour activity. I would not describe it as good value for someone who wants the cheapest way to see Iceland’s volcanic country. Ground tours and public viewpoints cost less, even if they offer a different experience.

The price makes more sense if you value three things: seeing Hellisheiði from above, reaching a geothermal area by helicopter, and keeping the outing short. You are paying for access, time saved, and a perspective that is difficult to reproduce from the road.

I think it suits couples, small groups, and first-time visitors who want one memorable aerial experience from Reykjavik. It also suits people with limited time who cannot spare a full day for a more distant excursion.

It is less suitable if you dislike flying, need a long walk at a geothermal site, or want a detailed scientific tour. Pregnant women should not take this activity, according to the stated restrictions.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Iceland schedule is still changing, but they do not remove the need to check the available start time and weather conditions.

My call on the GlacierHeli experience

I would book this if the idea of landing beside Hengill’s geothermal features excites you more than the cost bothers you. The strongest parts are the small group, the aerial view over Hellisheiði, the volcano commentary, and the chance to step onto the geothermal ground for a short guided stop.

I would skip it if you want a long visit, a hike, or a low-cost way to see the countryside. For the right occasion, though, this is a compact and unusual way to understand Iceland’s volcanic power, with Laura and other English-speaking guides helping you make sense of the view.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour meet?

The meeting point is Ace FBO Reykjavík.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is about one hour. The full activity is described as lasting approximately 50 to 70 minutes.

How much time is spent in the air?

About 25 to 35 minutes are allocated to the guided tour portion. The information describes the full timing as approximately 50 to 70 minutes, including the landing and other parts of the activity.

How long is the Hengill landing?

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

What will I see during the flight?

The route includes views of lava-covered fields, basalt mountains, steaming hot springs, moss-covered lava, lines of cairns, Hengill, Hellisheiði, Bláfjöll, and areas near Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun.

Is a guide included?

Yes. The experience includes a live English-speaking tour guide, and an English audio guide is also included.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to five participants.

Is the landing included in the price?

Yes. The landing is included.

Can pregnant women take this tour?

No. Pregnant women are listed as unsuitable for this activity.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, so you do not need to pay at the time of booking.