Helicopter tour from Reykjavik: Hengill Area with at site landing

The best part of this flight is the landing in the Hengill geothermal area, where you leave the helicopter and walk near a thermal pond instead of simply circling Iceland from above. I also like the small limit of five people, which gives you a better chance of seeing out clearly and asking the pilot questions. The broad views over volcanoes, gorges, rivers, and geothermal plants are the sort you cannot collect from a normal road trip.

I like that the landing and fuel surcharge are included, so the high price is at least easy to understand. The main drawback is the cost, $599.56 per person, and the flight depends on good weather. At 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, it is a short experience by Iceland standards, though the landing makes it more than a quick sightseeing loop.

Key points to know before booking

• The Hengill landing lasts about 25 minutes: You get out, walk around a geothermal area, and see a thermal pond from ground level.
• The flight covers more than Hengill: You fly over Hellisheiði, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, Bláfjöll, and Reykjavik.
• Only five people can join: That keeps the cabin small and makes the flight feel more personal.
• The pilot comments on the sights: You can ask questions as the helicopter passes slowly over notable gorges, rivers, and hot-water areas.
• The price includes the landing and fuel surcharge: Food is not included.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why the Hengill landing makes this flight different

Many helicopter tours give you a fine view and little else. This one adds a useful change of pace: after flying over Iceland’s volcanic country, you touch down in the Hengill geothermal area and have about 25 minutes on foot.

That pause matters. From the air, hot springs and steaming ground can look like colored marks in a vast sweep of black rock and green slopes. On the ground, you can take in the heat, the pools, and the textures at a slower pace. One especially appealing detail is the chance to walk near a thermal pond, something you cannot do from a window seat.

The landing also breaks up the flight for anyone who finds a full hour in the air a little tiring. You get a short walk and time to take photographs before returning to the helicopter. The available information does not promise a long hike, so think of this as a scenic stop rather than a trekking outing.

This is also the portion most likely to justify the price. A flight that only circles Reykjavik would be easier to dismiss as an expensive view. A flight that puts you beside geothermal features gives you two ways to experience the area.

Leaving Reykjavik over Hellisheiði

The tour begins at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Airport. After takeoff, the helicopter flies over the Hellisheiði Plateau, a broad volcanic area between the capital and the southern part of Iceland.

Hellisheiði is important because it shows how close Reykjavik is to active geothermal country. You are not simply looking at one isolated attraction. You are seeing the ground that supplies some of the region’s geothermal energy, along with the volcanic forms that shape the route.

The altitude gives you a clean sense of scale. Roads and buildings become small, while ridges, lava fields, and deep cuts in the ground read as one connected area. This is where a helicopter earns its keep. From a road, you see one bend at a time. From above, the relationship between the plateau, mountains, power stations, and capital becomes clear.

The flight time is approximate, ranging from 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. That variation is worth noting if you have a tight schedule later in the day. You will return to the same airport meeting point, but you should still avoid placing an important connection immediately afterward.

Hengill’s hot ground from above and below

Hengill is the heart of the experience. The area is known here for geothermal activity, and the helicopter lands there for about 25 minutes.

From the air, expect views of volcanic ridges, geothermal features, gorges, and rivers. The pilot may move slowly from side to side above the most interesting sections, giving you time to look rather than rushing past everything in one sweep. That is especially useful in a small cabin, where a clear view can matter as much as the route itself.

Once you land, you can walk around the area and near a thermal pond. The colors may be striking, with hot-water features set against the darker volcanic ground. The available details do not specify a marked walking route or the exact length of the walk, so wear shoes suitable for uneven outdoor ground and keep your expectations modest. This is a short scenic stop, not a guided hike.

The landing area is also where weather has the greatest effect on the experience. Wind, cloud, or poor visibility can affect both the flight and the time on the ground. If the operator cancels because of conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Hellisheiðarvirkjun and the human side of geothermal power

After the Hengill stop, the flight covers Hellisheiðarvirkjun, one of the geothermal power stations in the area. You are looking at more than pipes and industrial buildings. The plant helps show how Iceland turns underground heat into useful energy.

That contrast is one of the strongest parts of the route. Steam, volcanic ground, and modern power equipment sit close together. You can see the connection between the natural heat below the surface and the infrastructure built to use it.

A helicopter view gives you a better sense of the plant’s setting than a passing roadside glimpse. You can see how the facility fits into the plateau and mountain country around it. The stop is a flyover rather than a landing, so you should not expect a tour inside the plant or a close look at its machinery.

For me, this is the sort of detail that adds substance to a scenic flight. You are not only collecting pretty views. You are also seeing a working part of Iceland’s energy system.

Nesjavallavirkjun and the wide volcanic setting

The route also passes over Nesjavallavirkjun, another geothermal power station. Its inclusion broadens the story of the region and gives you another view of how energy facilities sit within volcanic terrain.

The value here is mainly visual and geographical. From the helicopter, you can connect the power station with the surrounding hills, valleys, and geothermal areas. The pilot can explain what you are seeing and answer questions while the helicopter moves over the route.

The information provided does not promise a landing at Nesjavallavirkjun, so treat it as an aerial viewing point. If your main interest is geothermal engineering, you may want a separate land-based visit elsewhere. If your goal is to understand the area’s scale in one short flight, this pass is useful.

Bláfjöll, rivers, and volcanic country

Bláfjöll is another major point on the route. The name refers to a mountain area, and from above you get a wider view of Iceland’s rough volcanic forms than you would from inside Reykjavik.

The route also includes gorges and rivers, according to the flight description. These details matter because they add shape and movement to the scenery. A river may appear as a thin line from the air, while a gorge shows how water has cut through the volcanic ground over time.

The pilot’s role is important here. One account describes the pilot moving slowly over the best sites and answering questions. That is much more useful than a silent circuit. Ask about the features you can see, especially if you want to understand how the geothermal areas, rivers, and mountains relate to one another.

Views are available from all seats, but the helicopter is still a small aircraft. You will not control which side faces a particular feature at every moment. The limited group size helps, since there are no more than five people, but you may still need to be patient and look across the cabin.

Reykjavik from the air at the end

The flight finishes by passing over Reykjavik before returning to the airport. This final section gives you a useful change from wild volcanic ground to the capital’s streets, buildings, shoreline, and urban pattern.

Seeing Reykjavik after the geothermal areas helps put the day in context. You can look back toward the mountains and understand how close the city sits to Iceland’s volcanic interior. The city flyover is not the main reason to book the experience, but it gives the route a neat finish and adds variety.

Because the tour begins and ends at Reykjavik Airport, you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer to the city. The meeting point is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity returns to its starting point.

What the small helicopter group changes

The maximum group size is five people. That is a strong practical feature for a helicopter tour, where a crowded cabin can make a scenic flight feel less personal.

With five or fewer people, you have a better chance to hear the pilot, ask questions, and move your attention from one side of the aircraft to the other. The experience feels closer to a private outing than a large sightseeing departure, though it is not advertised as private.

The small cabin also makes the weight limit important. The stated total weight allowance is 265 pounds per passenger. If that applies to you, clarify the requirement when booking rather than leaving it until arrival.

The available information does not specify seat assignments, headset details, or a particular aircraft model. One account describes a modern, clean helicopter, but aircraft availability can change. You should focus on the small group size and open-air route rather than expecting a particular machine.

Price, timing, and what you receive

At $599.56 per person, this is a major splurge. The price makes most sense for someone who has limited time in Iceland, wants an aerial view that roads cannot provide, and values the Hengill landing enough to pay for it.

The cost includes the landing and fuel surcharge. That is useful because helicopter prices can become confusing when extra aviation fees appear at checkout. Food is not included, but the flight is short enough that this should not be a serious issue for most people.

The duration is listed as approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. That is long enough to cover several distinct areas without turning the outing into a full-day commitment. It is also short enough to fit into a Reykjavik itinerary, provided you leave room for weather-related changes.

The experience is booked an average of 56 days ahead, which suggests you should not wait until the last part of an Iceland trip if this is important to you. The small capacity of five also limits the number of available seats.

Who will get the most from this flight

I would look closely at this tour if you have only a short stay in Reykjavik and do not plan to reach every geothermal area by road. In one flight, you see volcanic mountains, working power stations, rivers, gorges, the capital, and a geothermal landing.

It also suits photographers and people who want a strong visual memory without committing to a long hike. The 25-minute landing gives you a chance to stretch your legs and take ground-level photographs, while the flight covers far more ground than you could walk.

This is less suitable if you dislike flying, need a fixed schedule, or want a long outdoor walk. It may also be poor value if you are already planning an extensive land trip through Hengill and the nearby geothermal areas. In that case, the helicopter adds speed and height, but not necessarily a completely new destination.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not describe specific mobility accommodations. If you have mobility needs, ask the provider before booking.

Weather, cancellation, and sensible planning

Good weather is required. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can move to another date or receive a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

For a full refund when you cancel yourself, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses local Iceland time.

I would place this tour early enough in your Reykjavik stay to leave room for a rescheduled flight. That is practical advice rather than a promise of availability. If you are flying home soon, the weather policy matters more, since a canceled tour may not find another suitable slot.

Should you book the Hengill helicopter tour?

Book it if the idea of landing beside a geothermal pond appeals to you more than simply seeing another famous road stop. The combination of a small group, broad volcanic views, working geothermal plants, and a 25-minute ground stop gives the experience real variety.

Skip it if $599.56 feels hard to justify for about an hour, or if you prefer long walks and independent sightseeing. For the right budget, though, this is a compact way to see parts of Iceland that are difficult to understand from ground level. I would choose it for a special occasion, a short Reykjavik visit, or a final splurge after a road trip, with enough schedule space for Icelandic weather to have the last word.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour begin?

It begins at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Airport, Reykjavík, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the experience last?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of five people.

Does the helicopter land during the tour?

Yes. The helicopter lands in the Hengill geothermal area.

How long is the Hengill landing?

The landing stop lasts about 25 minutes.

What places does the flight cover?

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

Are landing fees and fuel included?

Yes. The landing and fuel surcharge are included in the price.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.