Helicopter tour from Reykjavik: Hengill Area with at site landing

The best part of this helicopter trip is the landing in the Hengill geothermal area. You do not just look down at Iceland from above. You get out, walk around a thermal pond, and see the colorful ground and volcanic country close up before flying back over Reykjavik.

I like the small five-person limit, which keeps the flight personal and gives every seat a good view. I also like that the landing fee and fuel surcharge are already covered, so the high price is at least clear from the start. The main drawback is cost: at $599.56 per person, this is a special-occasion outing, not a casual add-on.

Key points at a glance

• A 25-minute Hengill landing: Step out near hot springs and a thermal pond instead of viewing everything through the helicopter window.
• Four distinct aerial sights: Fly over Hellisheiði, Hengill, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, and Bláfjöll before returning over Reykjavik.
• Small group of five: The limited capacity makes this more intimate than a large sightseeing flight.
• Commentary from the cockpit: The pilot points out gorges, rivers, geothermal features, and other notable sights while answering questions.
• About one hour in the air: The stated duration ranges from 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, which is important in Iceland.

Why Hengill is the reason to book

A helicopter flight over Reykjavik can give you a fine city view, but the city is not the main event here. Hengill is. This volcanic and geothermal area shows the raw forces beneath Iceland in a way that is hard to grasp from a roadside lookout.

From the air, you can see the broad shape of the terrain, the cuts made by rivers and gorges, and the way geothermal activity has been put to work. Once the helicopter lands, the experience becomes more physical. You can walk around near a thermal pond and study the colors and textures of the ground at close range.

That mix is what gives this trip its appeal. A normal scenic flight gives you height and speed. This one adds a short walk in a place that would otherwise take much longer to reach. You will not spend hours hiking, but you still get a taste of the geothermal country beneath your feet.

The landing lasts about 25 minutes. That is enough time to look around and take photographs, but it is not a long hike or a full hot-spring visit. Set your expectations correctly: this is a scenic stop, not a bathing excursion.

Leaving Reykjavik over Hellisheiði

The tour starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Airport. The airport is in the city, at Reykjavík, 101 or 102 Reykjavík, Iceland, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

After takeoff, the helicopter heads toward the Hellisheiði Plateau. This first stretch helps you see how quickly Reykjavik gives way to open volcanic country. From ground level, roads and viewpoints show only part of the area. From above, you can take in the scale and shape of the plateau in one sweep.

The helicopter also lets the pilot adjust the view toward features that are difficult to frame from a road. The flight path includes the volcanoes, gorges, rivers, and geothermal areas around Hengill. The exact view will depend on weather and the pilot’s route, but the point is to see the area as a connected whole rather than as isolated stops.

Because the aircraft holds no more than five people, you should have a more personal setting than you would on a large sightseeing flight. The small cabin also matters when the pilot is explaining what you are seeing. You can ask questions instead of simply listening to a fixed recording.

The Hengill landing and thermal ground

Hengill is the centerpiece of the outing. The helicopter lands in the geothermal area, and you have around 25 minutes on the ground.

The most useful thing to understand is that the landing is part of the sightseeing, not a separate hike. You will have time to walk around near a thermal pond, take in the colors, and enjoy the silence and open views. One account of the experience also describes walking on a glacier, but the main tour information specifically identifies the Hengill geothermal landing and thermal features. I would plan around the geothermal stop rather than count on a glacier walk.

Hengill is a place where the ground itself becomes part of the story. Steam, hot water, mineral colors, and volcanic rock help explain why this region has so much geothermal power. The area can look almost otherworldly from above, but the short walk gives you a more direct sense of it.

Wear practical outdoor clothing and shoes suitable for uneven ground. The supplied details do not promise a paved path or a long guided walk, so you should be ready for a brief stop in natural terrain. Your 25 minutes will pass quickly if you spend too long taking pictures before walking around.

The pilot can also point out nearby features and answer questions. That adds value because geothermal areas can look confusing from the air. A river, a gorge, a hot-water zone, and a power facility may blend into one wide view unless someone explains what you are seeing.

Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun from above

After the Hengill stop, the route covers Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun. These are geothermal power stations, and seeing them from above gives the flight more substance than a simple volcano loop.

I like this part because it connects Iceland’s dramatic scenery with daily life. Geothermal power is not just a visual oddity. It is an important part of how Iceland uses heat beneath the ground, and the power plants show that natural energy being put to work.

From the helicopter, you can see the relationship between the stations and the volcanic areas around them. The view is not a conventional factory visit. You will not be touring the buildings or receiving a ground-level technical presentation. Instead, the aircraft gives you a quick sense of the size and setting of these facilities.

This portion may appeal most to you if you enjoy seeing how nature and infrastructure fit together. If you want only untouched scenery, the power stations may feel less exciting than Hengill itself. Still, they make the route more varied and help explain why geothermal areas matter beyond their colors and steam.

Bláfjöll and the return over Reykjavik

The flight also covers Bláfjöll, then returns toward Reykjavik. Bláfjöll adds another volcanic setting to the route and helps round out the view beyond Hengill.

The return over the capital is a useful final contrast. You begin with an urban airport, fly across plateau and geothermal country, then see Reykjavik from the air after the remote sections of the route. That change in scale is one of the pleasures of a helicopter flight. The city becomes a compact patch of streets and buildings, framed by open country and distant volcanic features.

Do not expect a long city tour. Reykjavik is covered after the other sights, so the city view is part of the return rather than the main focus. If you are especially interested in architecture or individual landmarks, you may want a separate city walk. This flight is better for seeing how Reykjavik sits within Iceland’s wider setting.

What the small aircraft changes

A maximum of five people is one of the strongest practical features of this experience. Small capacity can make the flight feel less like a scheduled ride and more like a private outing, even if you are sharing it with others.

The limited group also gives the pilot a better chance to respond to questions. The pilot is described as moving slowly from one side to the other over the best sights, explaining what you are seeing and responding to questions. That matters in Iceland, where a quick glance at a volcanic area can leave you wondering what is natural, what is geothermal, and what is a power facility.

The aircraft is described as modern and clean, and the available seating provides views from all seats. Still, I would not promise an identical view for every passenger at every moment. Helicopter seating, weather, and the pilot’s positioning all affect what you see. The small cabin improves your odds of a good view, but it does not turn every seat into the exact same window.

The flight lasts approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. That range is worth noting if you are booking dinner, a bus connection, or another timed activity afterward. Icelandic weather can also affect departure times and routing.

Price and the value of the landing

At $599.56 per person, this is expensive. You are paying for a short flight, a small group, specialist aircraft operation, and access to a geothermal area without spending much of the day on a road or trail.

The value depends on what you want from your Iceland trip. If your schedule is tight and you want to combine aerial views with a brief ground stop, the tour packs several different sights into roughly an hour. It also includes the landing and fuel surcharge, so the published cost does not leave you guessing about those common extras.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a view of Reykjavik or a quick look at volcanoes. You can see plenty of Iceland by road for far less money, although you will not get the same angle or reach Hengill by helicopter in such a short time.

I would consider this a good use of money for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, a birthday, a honeymoon, or a visitor who has already seen Iceland by road. I would be more cautious if your budget is tight or if you have several other costly excursions planned.

Food is not included. Since the outing is short, that is not a major problem, but you should eat beforehand if you are heading out around a meal.

Weather, timing, and cancellation rules

This experience requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is reassuring, but you still need to keep your schedule flexible because bad weather can affect helicopter operations in Iceland.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted under the stated policy.

The tour also requires a minimum number of people. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the activity is offered in English.

The stated passenger limit is a total weight of 265 pounds per passenger. If that figure applies to you or your party, check the provider’s requirements before booking so there are no surprises at the airport.

Who will enjoy this helicopter trip

I would choose this experience if you want a quick way to see several sides of Iceland at once: volcanic ground, geothermal activity, power stations, open country, and Reykjavik from above.

It suits you especially well if you:

• Have limited time in Reykjavik
• Prefer a short scenic outing to a full-day road trip
• Want to land in a geothermal area
• Enjoy asking questions during a guided flight
• Are comfortable paying for a premium experience
• Like small-group activities rather than large excursions

It may not suit you if you want a long hike, a full geothermal bathing experience, or a detailed visit inside a power station. The Hengill stop is brief, and the tour is built around views rather than extended time on the ground.

Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The available information does not give detailed mobility guidance for the landing area, so you should ask the operator directly if you need specific assistance with walking on natural ground.

My take: book it for the landing

I would book this tour if Hengill and geothermal scenery are high on your Iceland wish list and the price fits your budget. The 25-minute landing gives it more character than a standard city flight, while the small group and pilot commentary make the short route feel personal.

I would skip it if you are looking for the cheapest way to see Iceland or if you need a full day of hiking. For the right occasion, though, this is a memorable way to trade a long drive for a short flight and stand briefly in the volcanic country you have been admiring from the air.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start?

It starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Airport, Reykjavík, 101 or 102 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Reykjavik Airport.

How long does the experience last?

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

How long does the helicopter land in the Hengill area?

The helicopter stops in the Hengill geothermal area for about 25 minutes.

What places does the flight cover?

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

Is the landing included in the price?

Yes. The landing and fuel surcharge are included.

How many people can join the tour?

The helicopter tour has a maximum of five people.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.