Helicopter tour from Reykjavik: Hengill Area with at site landing

The best part of this flight is the landing in Hengill’s geothermal area. You do not simply look down at Iceland’s hot springs and volcanic ground through a helicopter window. You get out, walk around, and feel the scale of this raw, steaming country for yourself.

I like the excellent views from every seat and the small maximum of five people. I also like that fuel surcharges and landing fees are already covered, so the $599.56 price is easier to judge from the start. The main catch is the cost: this is a short flight, and poor weather or an unmet minimum group size can force a change of plans.

Key points

• About 25 minutes on the ground at Hengill: You have time to walk near a thermal pond and take photos instead of rushing straight back to the aircraft.
• Views from every seat: The compact helicopter setup gives each person a clear look at the scenery below.
• A tour of Iceland’s geothermal heartland: The route covers Hellisheiði, Hengill, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, and Bláfjöll.
• A maximum of five people: This keeps the flight personal and makes it easier to ask the pilot questions.
• A city view to finish: After the volcanic and geothermal areas, the helicopter flies over Reykjavik.
• All landing and fuel charges included: You are paying for the flight itself without those common extra fees added later.

Why the Hengill landing makes this flight different

Many aerial tours give you a grand view and little else. This one adds a proper stop in the Hengill geothermal area, which changes the pace of the outing. After seeing Iceland from above, you step onto the ground near a thermal pond and have about 25 minutes to look around.

That short walk matters. From the air, geothermal activity becomes a pattern of color, steam, water, and dark volcanic earth. On foot, you can take in the textures and temperature of the place more directly. You may also find that the landing gives you better photos than shooting through a helicopter window.

The Hengill area is one of the most useful places in Iceland for understanding how the country turns underground heat into everyday power. The flight also passes two major geothermal power facilities, so this is not only a scenic ride. It connects the volcanic setting with the practical side of Iceland’s energy system.

The landing is not presented as a long hike. That is good news if you want a special viewpoint without giving up half a day. It is also worth keeping expectations sensible: you get a brief walk and time to look around, not an extended trek through the mountains.

From Reykjavik Airport across Hellisheiði

The tour begins at Ace FBO Reykjavik, at Reykjavik Airport. After takeoff, the helicopter crosses the Hellisheiði Plateau, a broad highland area shaped by volcanic activity and geothermal heat.

This opening section gives you a useful change of scale. Reykjavik quickly becomes a small patch of streets and buildings, while the open ground around it spreads toward ridges, lava fields, and mountain slopes. On a clear day, you can see why Iceland’s capital is so closely tied to the forces beneath the ground.

The views will depend heavily on the weather. A clear flight can reveal long lines of ridges and wide open country. Cloud, rain, or haze can soften those details. Since the company requires good weather, conditions are taken seriously, and a cancellation caused by poor weather comes with the choice of another date or a full refund.

Hengill geothermal area and the 25-minute stop

Hengill is the center of the outing. The helicopter lands in the geothermal area, where you can leave the aircraft and spend about 25 minutes near a thermal pond.

This is the point where the tour feels most distinct from a standard sightseeing flight. You are surrounded by the source of the heat rather than simply looking at it from a distance. The colors can be striking, and the open views give you a strong sense of the volcanic terrain.

Keep your clothing practical. The supplied information does not specify a walking surface or exact conditions at the landing site, so you should be ready for outdoor ground rather than a paved attraction. Good shoes and clothing suited to Iceland’s changing weather are sensible choices, even though the stop is short.

One important detail is that the landing fee is included. Some helicopter tours charge extra for landing in remote areas, so check that part of the price before comparing this tour with another flight. Here, the listed amount already includes the landing and fuel surcharge.

Hellisheiðarvirkjun and the practical side of geothermal power

After the Hengill stop, the helicopter covers Hellisheiðarvirkjun. This is a major geothermal power facility on the Hellisheiði Plateau.

From above, the plant forms a useful contrast with the rough ground around it. Iceland’s geothermal energy is not an abstract idea here. The heat under the volcanic area is being used to produce power and support daily life.

The flight does not promise a plant tour or time on the ground at the facility. You will see it from the helicopter, with the pilot able to comment and answer questions during the flight. That makes this section best for people who like a little context with their scenery. If you want a detailed engineering visit, this is not a substitute for a ground-based power-station tour.

Nesjavallavirkjun, another view of Iceland’s hot interior

The route also passes Nesjavallavirkjun, another important geothermal power area. Seeing both facilities in one flight gives you a broader picture than stopping at a single site.

The two power stations help explain why this part of Iceland is so valuable. The same volcanic forces that create hot water, steaming ground, and unusual colors also support a major energy network. From the air, you can connect the natural setting with the working infrastructure below.

This part of the flight is also a reminder that the tour is designed around a region, not one isolated landmark. You get a sequence of geothermal sites, mountain areas, and volcanic scenery. The route has more variety than a simple flight directly to one viewpoint and back.

Bláfjöll and the volcanic views from above

Bláfjöll adds a mountain section to the route. The helicopter passes over this area after covering the geothermal sites, giving you another angle on the terrain around Reykjavik.

A helicopter is especially useful here because it can show the shape of the ridges and valleys in a way that is difficult from roads. You are not limited to the next bend or the view from a roadside pullout. Instead, you see how the mountains relate to the wider volcanic region.

The flight also lets you see parts of the volcanoes that are difficult or impossible to reach from land during a normal city stay. That is the real value of the aerial perspective. You are not just saving time. You are seeing the relationship between mountain, plateau, power station, and capital in one compact outing.

Flying over Reykjavik at the end

The final section takes you over Reykjavik after the rural and geothermal sights. This gives the flight a clear visual finish.

From above, the city becomes a neat counterpoint to the open country. You begin at the domestic airport, head over highlands and geothermal areas, then return with a view of the capital. For a first or final activity in Iceland, that shape works well because it puts the city in context.

Do not expect a long city tour from the air. The main focus is the volcanic and geothermal region, with Reykjavik included near the end. Still, the urban view adds variety and gives you a memorable way to see the city’s position beside Iceland’s wilder ground.

What the small group changes

The tour accepts no more than five people. That is a real advantage on a helicopter flight, where a crowded cabin can make the experience feel less personal.

The compact group also helps with questions. The pilot can provide comments during the flight and respond to what interests you, rather than giving only a fixed speech. One pilot identified as Clements in the feedback was praised for flying slowly over scenic areas, answering questions, and helping people feel safe. The supplied comments also describe the helicopter as modern and clean.

Those details matter because a helicopter ride can feel intimidating if you have never taken one. A courteous coordinator and an experienced pilot can make the airport meeting and flight feel much easier. You should still remember that pilot and aircraft details can vary by departure.

The small group does not guarantee a private charter. It simply means the maximum is five people. If you are traveling with friends or family, this limit may let you share the flight without a large crowd. If you are alone, you may be joined by other people.

Price, value, and the short flight time

At $599.56 per person, this is a major splurge. The advertised duration is about 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, so you are paying a high hourly rate compared with a coach tour or a full-day drive.

The comparison is not quite like-for-like. A ground tour can bring you near geothermal areas, but it cannot give you the same view of the volcanic ridges, power facilities, and Reykjavik in one compact route. A helicopter can also land in a place that would take far longer to reach by road or trail.

The included landing and fuel surcharge improve the value. You do not need to add a surprise landing fee to the advertised amount, and the 25-minute stop gives you more than a flyover. The flight is most worth the money if you have limited time, want a special occasion, or care strongly about aerial photography and broad views.

I would think twice if you are mainly looking for a cheap way to visit geothermal scenery. Ground excursions cost much less and often provide longer time at each stop. I would also avoid making this your only Iceland nature outing if you want a long walk, a detailed geology lesson, or a full day in the countryside.

The tour is best seen as a concentrated premium experience. You pay for access, height, speed, and the landing. That is a fair value for the right priorities, but not a bargain.

Weather, timing, and what to wear

The experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the flight may be canceled, and you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is useful, but it also means you should avoid placing the flight on the one day when your entire Iceland schedule depends on perfect timing.

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

The meeting point is Ace FBO Reykjavik at Reykjavik Airport. The activity returns to that same meeting point. It is near public transportation, which makes the airport location fairly practical if you are staying in Reykjavik.

Food is not included. Since the whole outing lasts less than an hour and a quarter, this is not a serious problem, but you should eat beforehand if needed. Wear clothing suitable for being outdoors during the Hengill landing, and bring anything you need for changing weather.

There is a stated total weight limit of 265 pounds per passenger. Confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, but you should check the weight requirement before paying if it may apply to you.

Who should book this flight

I would recommend it most strongly to people who want one high-impact activity near Reykjavik. It works well for a first visit when you want to see volcanic ground, geothermal sites, mountains, and the capital without spending a full day on the road.

It also suits couples, small families, and friends who value a quiet group and a special setting. The landing makes it more memorable than a basic sightseeing circuit, while the short duration keeps it from taking over your schedule.

You may want another kind of outing if your priority is a long hike, a low price, or a detailed visit inside a geothermal power plant. This flight shows you the sites from above and gives you a brief stop at Hengill. It does not replace a full ground tour.

The experience received a 4.9 rating from 15 ratings, with 93 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centers on the scenery, the clear views from all seats, the clean modern helicopter, the capable pilot, and the chance to walk near a thermal pond. Those are exactly the features that justify choosing this flight over a simple aerial loop.

Should you book the Hengill helicopter tour?

Book it if you want a memorable aerial view and can accept the premium price. The combination of a small group, included landing, geothermal scenery, and time on the ground at Hengill gives the flight a clear reason to exist.

Skip it if you would rather spend $599.56 on several ground activities or if you want a long, active day outdoors. For everyone else, this is a compact way to see Iceland’s volcanic and geothermal character from angles that roads cannot provide. Keep your schedule flexible for weather, confirm the weight requirement, and treat the flight as a special splurge rather than a routine sightseeing ride.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start?

It starts at Ace FBO Reykjavik, Reykjavik Airport, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

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

How long does the tour last?

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

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $599.56 per person.

How many people can join the flight?

The maximum group size is five people.

Is the Hengill landing included?

Yes. The landing is included in the activity.

Are fuel surcharges included?

Yes. Fuel surcharges are included in the price.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

What happens if poor weather cancels the flight?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.