1-Hour Experiences: the 11 Best Flights to Book

1.1-Hour Helicopter Tour in Iceland: The Geothermal Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 263 reviews · 1 hour · from $479Our pick

Take a 50 to 60-minute helicopter flight from Reykjavik Domestic Airport over volcanic craters, lava fields, colorful mountains, hot springs, and geothermal plants. Your English-speaking pilot, such as Max, Wolf, or Julius, explains the terrain before landing for 15 minutes beside a remote geothermal area.

“Brilliant! Our pilot Wolf was extremely informative through out our tour. Our journey to and from our destination was a little bumping due to incoming high winds, but Wolf flew really smoothly and reassuringly throughout. I’d highly recommend this trip”

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2.Private 60 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · from $509Top rated

Fly privately over Oahu for a full hour with a pilot such as Stefan or Scott pointing out Honolulu, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, waterfalls, and mountain valleys. The tour starts and ends at HNL, includes a phone lanyard, and may offer a doors-off flight option.

“Had an unbelievable trip with my wife and our pilot/guide Scott. If you can only do one trip, it has to be this . We had an amazing time with the doors off experience!!! Would 100% urged everyone to do this !! Wow…. Just wow!”

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3.One hour Aerial Tour of Toronto and Niagara Falls with iflyTOTO

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 57 reviews · 57 minutes (approx.) · from $235Best value

Fly from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport over Toronto at about 2,500 feet, then continue to Niagara Falls at roughly 3,000 feet. Expect a small fixed-wing aircraft, a mid-air Champagne toast, refreshments, and a flight for up to eight people. Pilot names may vary, including Denis, Cody, Len, Alex, and Nick.

“I wanted this to be so much more. It was an interesting experience and we are mostly glad we did it, but it was underwhelming given the huge expense. I would not pay that type of money again now that I know what to expect. Details: There was a very long walk on snow covered ROADS shared with vehicles around the back of the airport, with no signage or help to find the departure point. I can’t understand why there wasn’t a shuttle or some other pick up arrangements to get us to the departure point. We had to wait longer than expected to take off, (we understand they had…”

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4.60 Minutes SHARED Helicopter Tour in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $449

Fly for about an hour from Honolulu Airport with a maximum of three passengers. You’ll see Waikiki, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, the North Shore, and Oahu’s major landmarks from above. Pilots Stefan and Jim provide calm, useful commentary, with a cell phone lanyard included.

“That is the best experience for the Hawaii trip. Trust me go for it . The pilot Stefan is very nice .”

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5.Los Angeles: Private 1-Hour Sightseeing Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 1 hour · from $620

Take a private helicopter flight from Van Nuys with an English-speaking pilot, passing Malibu Canyon, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Downtown LA, Dodger Stadium, Universal Studios, and the Hollywood Sign. The helicopter holds up to three passengers, so groups of four or more fly back-to-back.

“We had a fantastic time and this was possibly the highlight of our LA stay. Peter is a fantastic pilot and a wonderful host, so it’s his wife. We had a warm welcome, lots of interesting facts and stories during the flight and felt super comfortable and safe. Don’t hesitate and book this stunning flight!”

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6.Melbourne to 12 Apostles VIP Helicopter Tour (1 hour Flight)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $1,076

You fly privately with Rotor One from Essendon Fields to the Twelve Apostles, with Bose headsets, a guaranteed window seat, and up to two hours at the coast. Guides and pilots including Grey, Rubin, Harry, and Ed are noted for smooth flying and friendly help. Add a winery landing or Phillip Island penguin visit if arranged ahead.

“Grey and Rubin were excellent guides and pilots. It was a very smooth ride and the views were amazing. We would do it again. Seeing the Twelve Apostles from the air was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We both highly recommend this tour.”

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7.Grand Moab, Scenic Heli Tour – 60 minutes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $760

Fly for about 60 minutes over Moab’s red-rock country with Redtail Air. You’ll see Dead Horse Point, Corona Arch, canyon walls, and public lands from a guaranteed window seat, with live narration and headsets. Pilots such as Michael and Spencer have been praised for calm, clear commentary.

“Wonderful way to experience the area. The pilot, Michael, was great and provided helpful narration on what we were seeing. We also got to fly through gaps and a little bit into a canyon which was so much fun.”

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8.Kaikoura: 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 1 hour · from $792

From Kaikōura Airport, fly over the Whale Sanctuary and Hikurangi Marine Reserve to spot sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and fur seals. Your English-speaking pilot, including guides such as Daniel and Peter, then lands among the Seaward Kaikōura Range, sometimes on snow. The six-seat flight lasts one hour.

“Outstanding way to see the whales! Also, what we learned is the least invasive way to observe them without disturbing them. Daniel was our pilot and guide. He was very thorough in explaining all the safety features (including showing and amusing video) He was not only a very experienced pilot but had a wealth of information about the local wildlife. We loved the fact that all the other pilots and boat operators shared their spotting with each other so you were sure to see whales and dolphins at some point. We were able to watch several different sperm whales for a long period of time before they dove. A bonus…”

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9.1-Hour Private Luxury Miami Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $499

You’ll take a private one-hour flight from Miami Executive Airport in a new black Robinson R44 helicopter. Every passenger gets a window seat and Bose noise-cancelling headset, with views from Coral Gables and Key Biscayne to Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, Brickell, and PortMiami.

“Overall it’s not a bad experience but it’s not great, I had the opportunity of flying in a helicopter before and for the price ( 380$ for 2 people ), the experience that the company bring to the customer + the flight itself its really poor. The views are good just the part of the ocean, the rest its just houses.”

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10.Greater Yellowstone Trifecta Aerial Tour | 1-Hour Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $444

Take a private one-hour flight from West Yellowstone in a Cessna 182. Your FAA-certified pilot points out Hebgen Lake, Earthquake Lake, the Gallatin Range, Yellowstone’s boundary, and the Continental Divide. Every passenger gets a window seat, aviation headsets, and a clear view of the country below.

“Unforgettable experience! I rarely leave reviews, but this experience was so incredible I had to share. The flight was breathtaking, soaring over the Yellowstone area with views you simply can’t get any other way. Our pilot Andrew was phenomenal, extremely professional, passionate, and full of fascinating insight. He pointed out hidden gems and shared stories that made the entire landscape come alive. If you do one thing in West Yellowstone, make it this. Worth every penny and then some.”

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11.Canyon Country Sunset Helicopter Tour – 60 minutes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $760

Take a 60-minute Redtail Air helicopter flight from Moab at 7:00 pm. You’ll see canyon walls glowing at sunset and fly near Fisher Towers, with a window seat, headset narration, and a maximum of three passengers. Pilots such as Spencer and Michael add local insight to the ride.

“Our pilot Spencer was wonderful. Very experienced and personable and knowledgeable. The helicopter experience was phenomenal, with stunning views all areas that most people never see. We flew with the doors off, and felt safe the entire time. This is a must do experience!”

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