Helicopter tour from Reykjavik: Hengill Area with at site landing

The best part of this flight is the 25-minute landing in the Hengill geothermal area. From the air, you see volcanic ridges, steaming ground, rivers, and power stations as one connected system. Then you step out beside a thermal pond, with the high country spread around you. It is a quick taste of Iceland’s wild interior without spending a full day on the road.

I like the small group limit of five and the fact that landing fees and fuel surcharges are already included. I also like the route’s variety: volcanoes, geothermal engineering, mountain slopes, and Reykjavik all fit into one flight. The tradeoff is the price, about $599.56 per person, and the whole experience depends on good weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Hengill landing: Spend about 25 minutes on the ground in a geothermal area with a thermal pond and wide mountain views.
• Small helicopter group: A maximum of five people makes it easier to see outside and ask the pilot questions.
• Broad aerial route: Fly over Hellisheiði Plateau, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, Bláfjöll, and Reykjavik.
• Short but full outing: Plan on roughly 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, including the landing.
• Premium price: At $599.56 per person, this is best for a special splurge rather than a budget sightseeing trip.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why Hengill is the heart of this helicopter flight

Hengill is a volcanic and geothermal area east of Reykjavik. From the ground, you can visit parts of it by road or on foot, but the helicopter gives you a much faster sense of its scale. You see dark volcanic ridges, open highland, winding waterways, and patches of steam in a single sweep.

The flight does not treat Hengill as a quick photo stop only. The helicopter lands there for about 25 minutes, giving you time to leave the aircraft and walk around the area. A thermal pond is part of the experience described by the operator, so bring shoes and clothing suitable for a short walk on uneven outdoor ground.

This landing is what separates the trip from a simple scenic flight. You are not only looking down through a window. You get a brief chance to stand in the geothermal country itself, listen to the open air, and look back at the route from ground level.

The stop is still short. You will not have time for a long hike, a soak, or a detailed exploration of every hot spring. Think of it as a close encounter with the Hengill area, not a full geothermal excursion.

Leaving Reykjavik from the domestic airport

The meeting point is Ace FBO at Reykjavik Airport, in the domestic airport area. That location is convenient if you are staying in Reykjavik and want to avoid a long transfer outside the city. The activity also ends back at the same meeting point.

Once airborne, the city quickly gives way to the open terrain around Hellisheiði Plateau. This change happens fast, and it is one reason the flight feels more substantial than its short duration suggests. You move from urban Reykjavik to volcanic high country within minutes.

A helicopter also gives you a different view of distance. Roads, valleys, ridges, and power lines become easier to understand from above. If you have driven the route toward the south coast or the Golden Circle, the flight can help you see how the highland areas fit together.

The group limit is five people. That is a useful size for a helicopter ride because every seat should give you a reasonable chance to look outside, and the pilot can respond to questions without addressing a large crowd. The operator does not provide food, but the flight is short enough that most people can plan around that easily.

Flying over Hellisheiði and Iceland’s geothermal power

Hellisheiði Plateau is an important opening view. It is volcanic high country, and the aerial perspective shows the broad, open character of the area better than a roadside stop can. Depending on the weather and flight path, you might see ridges, rough ground, and signs of geothermal activity spread across the plateau.

The route also covers Hellisheiðarvirkjun, one of the major geothermal power facilities in the area. From the air, the plant adds a useful human detail to the scenery. Iceland’s hot underground heat is not just a natural curiosity here. It is part of the country’s working energy system.

Nesjavallavirkjun is included as another pass over a geothermal power station. Seeing both facilities gives the flight a little more substance than a sequence of pretty views. You get a look at the relationship between volcanoes, underground heat, and the infrastructure built to use it.

I like this mix because it keeps the tour grounded in real Iceland. You see more than dramatic cliffs and snow. You also see how people work with the forces beneath the island. The power stations may not be the most photogenic part of the flight, but they help explain why this region matters.

The 25-minute Hengill landing

The landing is the most personal part of the tour. After the helicopter settles in the Hengill geothermal area, you have about 25 minutes outside. The exact feel of the stop will depend on weather and local conditions, but the experience includes time to walk near a thermal pond and take in the surrounding views.

Bring a warm layer even in summer. You are entering open high country, and conditions can feel cooler or windier than they did at the airport. Comfortable footwear is also sensible, since the stop involves walking rather than remaining beside the aircraft.

This is a good moment to put the camera away for a minute. Look at the colors around the hot water, the shape of the ground, and the way steam or water contrasts with the dark volcanic earth. The brief ground stop helps you appreciate that geothermal Iceland is not only something to photograph from a moving helicopter.

Do not expect a guided hike or a long explanation at a specific spring. The supplied details promise a landing and time in the area, not a strenuous walk or bathing session. You should also follow the pilot’s directions closely around the helicopter and on the landing site.

Bláfjöll, power stations, and the return over Reykjavik

After Hengill, the helicopter continues over Bláfjöll. These mountains are another strong contrast with Reykjavik. Their slopes and open surroundings show how quickly the city gives way to rugged terrain.

The route then returns toward the capital after covering the geothermal sites and mountain areas. The final flight over Reykjavik gives you a different kind of view. You can see the city as a compact urban center beside open water and broad Icelandic terrain, rather than as a collection of streets viewed from the ground.

That final pass is valuable if this is your first time in Reykjavik. It helps you get your bearings fast. You may also spot places you plan to visit later, though the flight should not be treated as a substitute for walking around the city.

The pilot’s role matters throughout. The experience is designed to include commentary and answers to questions, and the detailed feedback supplied for this tour specifically praises a pilot who moved slowly over notable areas while explaining them. Ask questions as you go. A helicopter flight becomes much more rewarding when you know what you are looking at.

What the small group changes

A maximum of five people keeps this from feeling like a crowded sightseeing ride. You have fewer voices around you, fewer bodies competing for attention, and a better chance to ask about the volcanic and geothermal features below.

The compact group also suits people who prefer a more personal outing. One person who arranged the trip with a friend described feeling safe with the experienced pilot and appreciated the coordinator’s courteous help. Safety and clear communication matter more in a helicopter than flashy presentation, so this is an encouraging part of the experience.

The listing states a total weight limit of 265 pounds per passenger. If your weight may be close to that limit, check with the operator before arriving. The aircraft’s seating and weight balance are operational matters, not minor booking details.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. Still, you should be ready to board a helicopter, sit through a short flight, and walk around the landing area for part of the stop. The available information does not give detailed mobility guidance, so ask the operator directly if you have specific access needs.

Is $599.56 a fair price?

At $599.56 per person, this is an expensive Iceland activity. You are paying for a small aircraft, a private-feeling group size, the landing, and a route that links several places in less than half a day. Fuel surcharges and landing fees are already included, so the advertised price is less likely to grow through standard flight costs.

The value depends on what you want from your Iceland trip. If you are trying to keep spending low, this is difficult to justify. You can see geothermal areas and volcanic scenery from the ground for far less, although you will need more time and may not reach the same views.

I think the price makes more sense for a special occasion, a short stay in Reykjavik, or a trip where aerial scenery is a main priority. The landing adds real value because you get both the flight and a brief ground experience. Without that landing, the price would be harder to defend.

The tour is also a practical choice for people with limited time. In roughly an hour, you cover several areas that would take much longer to connect by road. You should not compare it only with a cheap city tour. Compare it with the cost of a longer private excursion, the time saved, and the rare chance to see Hengill from above and on foot.

What the weather and cancellation terms mean

Good weather is required. Helicopters need suitable conditions for safe flying and for the landing in Hengill, so your schedule may change if the forecast is poor. If the operator cancels because of weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

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 ahead are not accepted for a refund. The same 24-hour rule applies using local Icelandic time.

The experience also requires a minimum number of people. If that minimum is not met, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Keep that in mind if this flight is tied to a very tight departure schedule.

Weather is not just a legal condition here. It affects what you will actually see. Clear skies can reveal the full scale of the ridges and city, while poor visibility could reduce the benefit of paying for an aerial view. Build a little flexibility into your Iceland plans if this flight is important to you.

Who should book this flight?

I would recommend it to you if you want a compact, high-impact look at Iceland near Reykjavik. It suits photographers, first-time visitors who want a quick overview, couples marking a special occasion, and anyone who values access to places that are hard to cover from the road.

It is especially good for people who enjoy both natural scenery and the practical side of Iceland. The geothermal plants add context, while the Hengill landing gives you a closer look at hot water and volcanic ground.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a long walk, a hot spring soak, or a full-day wilderness outing. The landing lasts about 25 minutes, and the total flight is only 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. This is a snapshot, not a hiking tour.

The 4.9 rating from 15 ratings and 93 percent recommendation rate suggest a strong track record, though the sample is small. The most consistent praise centers on the scenery, the modern and clean helicopter, the sense of safety, the personal service, and the chance to walk near geothermal water. Those are the features I would use to decide, rather than expecting a long, highly structured excursion.

Should you book the Hengill helicopter tour?

Book it if you want to make a single hour in Reykjavik count and you are comfortable paying for a premium view. The mix of Hellisheiði, Hengill, geothermal power stations, Bláfjöll, and Reykjavik gives you more variety than a simple city flight.

The strongest reason to go is the landing. You get to step into the Hengill geothermal area, walk near a thermal pond, and then see the region from above before returning to the city. That combination feels more memorable than a flight where you never leave the aircraft.

Skip it if the price would make the rest of your Iceland trip uncomfortable, or if you prefer slow travel by foot and road. For everyone else, this is a short, focused way to see the volcanic and geothermal character around Reykjavik, provided the weather cooperates.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start?

The tour starts at Ace FBO Reykjavik, at Reykjavik Airport in Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The total duration is approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. The Hengill landing itself lasts about 25 minutes.

Where does the helicopter land?

The helicopter lands in the Hengill geothermal area. You can walk around the area near a thermal pond during the ground stop.

What places does the flight cover?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The helicopter tour has a maximum of five people. The published weight limit is 265 pounds per passenger.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.